Good day, gentle sentients. I have a special treat for you today, a little taste of what I've been up. I am a part of the cover reveal team for Kylie Beever's marvelous forthcoming anthology, Diverged in a Wood. This is a middle grade anthology that I contributed to this past spring and have been helping beta read over this summer. Now we have arrived at what is arguably the most exciting part of the process...the cover reveal. And I must say the cover is impressive. But first some specifics.
The Blurb
"We need those moments amidst wildflowers—times when a spark of imagination reignites our urge to play like knights and princesses again, to construct forts, scale trees, leap into mud puddles, chase fireflies at twilight, gaze at stars on a pristine night, and to cherish the curiosity and passion for the small things. We need those precious moments—and we rely on stories to encapsulate them in ink, for the next generation to know of God—the Creator and Provider who gives breath to all things, and whose works testify to His greatness."
Embark on a literary journey off the beaten path with "Diverged in a Wood", where a cadre of sixteen Christian authors have crafted stories that echo Robert Frost's iconic poem:
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference."
This anthology promises a wide blend of genres—from fantasy to sci-fi/cli-fi, National Park adventures to historical tales, and dystopian adventures. Pack your bags, lace up your boots, and hit the trail with us!
Important Details
Release Date: September 4th (National Wildlife Day), 2024
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Dystopian, Contemporary, Poetry, Sci-Fi/Cli-Fi
Curator: Kylie Beevers
Authors: Amelia Cabot, Elizabeth Mae Wolfram, J.H. Lehr, Lorelei Angelino, Rhys-Marie Whitnell, Lillian Keith, Kaytlin Phillips, Emily Gingrich, Noah Mugrage, Caitlin Boatman, Lori Ann Nelson, Olivia Godfrey, Abigail Kay Harris, Katja H. Labonté, Laurel Luehmann, and Alissa J. Zavalianos
Cover Art: Dillon Desmond
Anyway enough details. Without further ado, I will forthwith present unto you the cover of the collection in all of its fabulous glory.
The Cover
Isn't it gorgeous?
The art is incredible, and invokes a sense of wonder and adventure. There are so many details that show up the more you look at it. With the framing of the ruined pillars, it seems like the reader is being summoned for a great quest or just an excellent hike. The color palette as well evokes a sense of mystery and wonder. Both are inspired design choices that draw the reader in. Ms. Beevers and her illustrator certainly did a really wonderful job with this piece.
Let's take a closer look at the cover.
A Sneak Peek
I'm sure y'all are probably champing at the bit to take a look inside the collection. Here are a handful of quotes from four of the stories in the collection, including my own humble contribution.
Quote Number 1: I had the privilege of beta reading this story and I can assure you Kayti Phillip's had me cracking up with laughter, which is hard to do.
Quote Number 2: This was written by my immensely talented friend Lillian Keith. Her contributions have sharped every story in this collection, including my own. Her piece is so heartwarming and witty, even to a guy like me who hadn't read much middle grade before this project.
Quote Number 3: Ms. Wolfram has written one of the most original sci-fi stories I have read in a while. Her quirky sense of humor makes "Into Arcania" a must-read.
Quote Number 4: This long spiel was written by yours truly and put in the mouth of a talking horse. If I said anything more, it would spoil the fun.
What's Coming Next (to be updated)
August 5th-9th: cover reveal week
August 12th-16th: blog tour week
September 4th: release day!
Links
Amazon Order Link: https://www.amazon.com/Diverged-Wood-Kylie-Beevers-ebook/dp/B0DFQFT5LW?ref_=ast_author_dp
As always, reader thoughts are welcome in the comments.
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