Wander the restorations of the labyrinthine palace-complex of ancient Knossos with Thor and me! NOTE: Of course, Thor and I had to make another trip to Greece, as he’s fallen as much in love with the islands as I am. This time, in addition to other island-hopping, I wanted to return to Crete after 37 …
A Rambling Writer Rerun: Crete, part 13: A Tour of Minoan Knossos Read More »
Join Thor and me as we admire the foundations of the Minoan culture on Crete. NOTE: Of course, Thor and I had to make another trip to Greece, as he’s fallen as much in love with the islands as I am. This time, in addition to other island-hopping, I wanted to return to Crete after 37 …
A Rambling Writer Rerun: Crete, part 12: Early Finds in the Iraklion Archaeology Museum Read More »
Join Thor and me for an introduction to the reconstructed Minoan site of Knossos, with some peeks at related treasures in the Iraklion Museum of Archaeology. NOTE: Of course, Thor and I had to make another trip to Greece, as he’s fallen as much in love with the islands as I am. This time, in …
A Rambling Writer Rerun: Crete, part 11: Knossos and Archaeological Treasures Read More »
When planning for the 2018 release of her novel Between Silk and Sand, Marissa Doyle knew she wanted certain things on the cover. Moreover, she knew when she wanted to have the cover available. She wanted a long lead time so that she could get the preview edition in the hands of potential reviewers with …
Building a Book Cover: Between Silk and Sand by Marissa Doyle Read More »
Thor and I complete our tour of the lovely Phaistos site and admire the distinctive pottery found in the nearby sacred Kamares Cave. NOTE: Of course, Thor and I had to make another trip to Greece, as he’s fallen as much in love with the islands as I am. This time, in addition to other …
A Rambling Writer Rerun: Crete, part 9: Ancient Phaistos and Kamares Ware Read More »
Thor and I trace the labyrinthine ruins of this Minoan palace-city where I camped years ago to listen to voices of the ancient past. NOTE: Of course, Thor and I had to make another trip to Greece, as he’s fallen as much in love with the islands as I am. This time, in addition to other …
A Rambling Writer Rerun: Crete, part 8: Mysteries of Ancient Phaistos Read More »
After 37 years, I returned to this singular Greek island — virtually a country to itself in size and culture — and brought Thor along to meet “glorious Kriti.” NOTE: A lot of “Life” lately makes it difficult to spend much time at the keyboard, so I invite you in the upcoming weeks to revisit …
A Rambling Writer Rerun: Return to Crete, part 1: Rethymno Read More »
It was 2014, and Sara Stamey needed a cover for her novel The Ariadne Connection. It wasn’t the plan that I be the person to actually do the cover. Instead, I was Sara’s production advisor, helping shepherd the title through the publication process at Book View Café. She and I were brainstorming about what sort …
Building a Book Cover: The Ariadne Connection by Sara Stamey Read More »
The first image you see here is the end result of my 2015 assignment to generate a cover for Realms of Darkover, edited by Deborah J. Ross, published by the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Trust. I was the cover guy for the final seven volumes of the Darkover anthology series, culminating with the 2023 release, …
When Kristine Smith asked me to come up with new covers for her “Jani Kilian” series of science fiction novels, she had a particular item on her wishlist. She wanted covers that featured a woman who actually looked like Jani. Kris’s original publisher had not managed to do that for her, but at Book View …
Building a Book Cover: Code of Conduct by Kristine Smith Read More »
Join me for a ramble around a lovely local woodland park to enjoy outdoor sculptures and gorgeous rhododendrons in bloom. (Note: chaos continues as my surgery recovery finally gains ground and boxes accumulate for moving in May 30 to the new house for Thor and me. Stay tuned for photos next week! Meanwhile, enjoy this …
Originally published September 2022 It all started with Aubrey Beardsley, (1872 – 1898, England) in early studies when I thought I wanted to be an artist. Pen and ink drawings were my oeuvre, so to speak. So, I endeavored to copy him—below was my favorite accomplishment. The Narnia illustrations by Pauline Baynes seemed to reek …
Early Twentieth Century Illustrators: Classic Favorites Read More »
Yes I did. Early December of last year. (Happy New Year!). Weather, 60’s—felt warmer in the sun who slid away from us early in the afternoon behind the San Jacinto mountains, leaving us shivering in the pool. Thus we spent the majority of wet time in the spa, with a plastic pitcher of white …
