You won’t get an apology. Not from me. Even though I've only sparsely written for the last month. I hope you’ve enjoyed the silence.
I’ve been maximizing time spent making money.
Sounds crass, doesn’t it? Making money.
Well, writers have to eat. And I need a new vehicle. And I’ve found some easy-to-snag tasks with easy-to-earn income potential. I’ve taken advantage of those so I can save the money I need for my next vehicle.
And that’s why I haven’t been Substacking.
But I feel impelled to inform you of my latest book. Published Thursday, Emberpuff and the Red Glow Collector is an early reader chapter book, written for children ages six to ten. This is my first children’s book.
What Is Emberpuff and the Red Glow Collector?
A few years ago, I wrote a short story about a man living in surreal surroundings, a man who encounters a tiny dragon—as if such things exist.
Actually, you know, they do. But that’s another story.
I never did anything with that tale. It didn’t feel finished. But the idea of a tiny dragon stuck with me. Haunted me. Penetrated my every thought (or about one-third of them).
Then, one day, I decided to write a children’s book. But what would it be about, I wondered. The tiny dragon reared its pretty little head, peaked into the granular gray space between my ears, and whispered something that sounded like, “Pick me.”
So, I did.
I wrote the story and now it’s published. But what is it about?
Here’s the short description:
When 10-year-old Riley Ferguson sees a glowing pair of eyes blinking up at her from a teacup on her teacher’s desk, she scoops it up and throws it in her backpack. Jax, a nerdy boy sitting on the front row, sees her and follows Riley home. Then, nosy Mrs. Pickle gets involved. And a strange man named Grumblewort who collects red glows.
Riley and Jax go on the adventure of a lifetime as they attempt to save Emberpuff from the clutches of Grumblewort. In the end, they both get more than they bargained for as their unlikely friendship develops.
Emberpuff and the Red Glow Collector is an early reader chapter book with adventure, humor, and a few scary scenes that will teach early readers how to recognize words on the page, the value of friendship and courage, and interest them in the art of reading for a very long time.
I’d be delighted if you’d check it out. The e-book is available at the introductory price of $2.99. The print book is only $9.99. It will make a great gift for that early reader in your life. Get your copy now on Amazon.
Special Offer for Hivians
Alternatively, you can pay for the book with HBD.
For the e-book: Send the equivalent of $2.99 in HBD to me and provide your email address in the Memo. I'll send you the e-book.
For a signed copy of the print book: Send the equivalent of $11.49 (discounted list price $8.49 + shipping) in HBD and provide your mailing address in the Memo (U.S. orders only). I'll send you a signed print copy. Please allow a couple of weeks for delivery as I'm still waiting on my author copies to arrive.
This book will make a great Christmas gift for an early reader in your life.
Allen Taylor is the author of several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Learn more about him at his home on the Web.