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Rachel's Reflections Posts

December 5, 2017
Rachel
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Author Spotlight: Edd Sowder

Posted in Book Blogger

Welcome — or welcome back — to my last Author Spotlight! If you’re new and want to know more about how the series got started, go check out the introduction post.

This spotlight is special. I’ve got the spotlight turned on Edd Sowder, Vice President of Burning Willow Press, my publisher. He’s finding time to write again, among his MANY other duties and projects, and yet still managed to find some time to answer some questions both on paper and in his video interview (at the bottom of the page).

Burning Willow Press Banner

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Let’s start with the most important. What’s your most recent/next book, and where can we go to learn more about it and you?

Cover of Crossroads in the Dark 3Okay, since I am the publisher and not sure when this will be produced, I will tell you the one I am finalizing currently with the author. I am currently working on finishing Crossroads in the Dark III: Monsters Under Your Bed which is an anthology based on what scares you, me, them, it, each other, whatever. Real monsters, make believe monsters, like the boogeyman or the politician. We are in pre-production of book 3 of The Human Undead War trilogy by Jonathan Ondrashek as well called A Kingdom’s Fall. Look for it to be released in September with CRITD III. [NOTE: Edd’s video spotlight includes an updated discussion of what’s coming out next]

Keep ReadingAuthor Spotlight: Edd Sowder
November 15, 2017
Rachel
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Meet Selene Colette Delanciennes

Posted in Exalted Bloodlines

Selene Delanciennes
Portrait of Selene by artist Kyle McGill.

In the lead up to the release of The Most Special Chosen, coming March 3, 2018, Miss Selene Colette Delanciennes (SD) was kind enough to respond to my request for an interview and grant me a few minutes of her time to let you all get to know her.

For those of you unfamiliar with Miss Delanciennes, she is Damien’s youngest sister, and the 5th child (of 6) to Donovan and Selini Delanciennes.

She invited me to join her at her family’s house, and treated me to authentic, according to her, chocolat chaud. It was delicious.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Selene a bit better.

Rachel de la Fuente (RdlF): Selene, thank you for introducing me to chocolat chaud. My only complaint is that I won’t ever appreciate hot chocolate again.

SD: [carefully cradling her own cup of chocolat chaud] You’re more than welcome to come back when you’re craving it.

RdlF: Thanks! I’ll take you up on that offer. Now, you’re my first interviewee, so I hope you’ll forgive any mistakes I might make.

SD: I’m sure you’ll do quite well.

RdlF: [grinning] I appreciate your confidence. Perhaps it would be best to start by having you pronounce your name properly.

SD: Yes, that’s probably wise. It’s a French name, so it may be difficult for some to pronounce. It is Deh-lon-see-ehn.

RdlF: Thanks! Now, I understand your Grand Coming Out is less than a year away. Have you started planning it?

SD: Absolutely. My parents and I have been working on the plans for nearly a year already.

RdlF: In that case, I suppose it’s safe to assume you’re happy with the planning so far. Are you getting excited yet?

SD: I am. My parents have been kind enough to allow me to take the lead in the planning. As to being excited [she shrugs nonchalantly], there is still too much to do. I’ll be excited when the planning is over.

RdlF: I can understand that. If I recall my etiquette lessons correctly, you’ll have an official escort that day. Is there anyone special in your life to take on that role?

Keep ReadingMeet Selene Colette Delanciennes
October 16, 2017
Rachel
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Good Times at Bertram’s Inkwell

Posted in Fountain Pens, and Reviews

If you’ve been following my blog, you know I like “pimping” companies that I’ve had good experiences with. So far, I’ve discussed Edison Pen Company, Goulet Pens, and Surreal Makeup. This time I’ll be telling you about Bertram’s Inkwell.

Bertram's Inkwell

Shopping Experiences

Photo of a Red Nibbed Platinum Preppy 05Bertram’s holds a special place in my heart as the store where I bought my first fountain pen. It was a red-nibbed Platinum Preppy 05. I don’t have a picture of mine, as it sadly disappeared in my recent move, but I did find this photo from WonderPens. It was my gateway pen, and the experience of purchasing it was so pleasant that Bertram’s was forever fixed in my mind as a top-notch store.

Photo of Lamy Safari Dark LilacThe next time I visited, I picked up a Lamy Safari Dark Lilac, completely oblivious to the fact that I was buying a special edition. I just knew I liked the color and feel of it. I also picked up bottles of Diamine Meadow and Diamine Aqua Lagoon because they were beautiful, bright colors. I’ve since learned that just because a color is pretty doesn’t mean it will make a good writing ink. Meadow hasn’t gotten much use because a full-page of it can be hard on the eyes.

While we were there, Jim bought a Namiki Falcon as a birthday present to himself. I can’t recall if it was Bert or Adam (or both) who helped us out that day — I was too focused on buying my first “nice” pen — but whoever it was was incredibly patient with me as I went through all of the Lamy colors, and let me dip test a few different nib sizes. Jim was also treated very well as he tried to decide if he was actually willing to buy such an expensive pen (oh, how our views have changed).

And now the really fun part. I get to tell you about some of my customer service experiences that I feel went above and beyond what your typical store offers.

Keep ReadingGood Times at Bertram’s Inkwell