I'm Moving my Blog

I've been intending to transfer my blog to my official website for a while now. This will make it easier for me to manage the blog, as well as make my articles and features easier to access for fans. I'll leave this blog up for now so that people can still read the past articles, but all future articles will be appearing at the following location:

My Official Website

A New Home for my Creative Writing Classes

A couple of months ago, I wrote an article announcing that because of significant life changes, I'd have to reevaluate my career as an author and creative writing instructor. in the article, I said that while I would continue to write no matter what, I would also have to change my short-term goals in order to better support my changing situation. Well, I'm very happy to announce that I've had a new opportunity present itself which I feel will help with both aspects of my life.

I was recently made a non-credited instructor for South Puget Sound Community College and will be teaching creative writing for their continuing education program. The classes will take place at their Lacey building, just a few miles north of my home in Olympia. I've been given free reign to create all of my own curriculum for the weekly, evening classes. I've got two four-week courses happening in the summer, and another two courses in the fall.

I'm so very grateful to have this new opportunity to help new writers learn their craft while at the same time do what I need to do to support my family. If you or someone you know has always wanted to learn more about creative writing, please take the time to check out my course offerings for this summer and fall. All classes are open to the public, and are designed to both educate and motivate.

My Creative Writing Courses

Ten Animal Companions You Don't See in Fantasy

From the wizard's familiar to the ranger's best friend, animal companions are a common trope in fantasy games, books, and movies. But while there are a few species that seem to get all of the love (wolves, cats, tiny dragons, etc.) there are plenty more than won't be standing nobly beside our heroes anytime soon. Here's ten of them...

1. Alligator - Could be risky if you forget to feed it, but having this thing curled around your chair at a tavern would definitely add to your intimidation factor, if nothing else.

2. Emu - I hear these things are actually quite fierce, but who could take you seriously with a big chicken following you around?

3. Koala - For some reason, Australian animals never make it into fantasy worlds, which is a shame. These guys are so cute!

4. Kangaroo - See number 3.

5. Porcupine - Can't you just see one of these perched on a wizard's shoulder? Any part of him not covered by beard or robes would have bandages on it.

6. Beta fish - I just like the idea of a ranger carrying around a fishbowl with him everywhere. "Raxis, what do your fishy senses reveal about this area?"

7. Elephant seal - Limited mobility, but trust me, you'd demand respect!

8. Humming bird - Likely to have a hyperactive personality, but all that speed has got to come in handy.

9. Armadillo - It comes with its own armor!

10. Cockroach - Useful for rogues trying to scout out a place. Definitely would add a negative charisma modifier though.


What other animals can you think of that don't show up in fantasy? Comment below!

Looking Back on My First Book Tour

After traveling more than a thousand miles through five different states to promote the latest Keltin Moore novel, my greatest reaction to the trip is a feeling of gratitude. I'm grateful to Aaron Volner for orchestrating the stops along the route. I'm grateful to the friends and family that graciously gave me a place to stay along the way. I'm grateful to the library branch managers, book store owners, and event organizers that were willing to take a chance on a largely unknown author from the Pacific Northwest. And I'm especially grateful for all of the new fans and friends that I gained while on the road.

I wonder if perhaps readers are a little spoiled in the Pacific Northwest, with so many authors and writer communities in the region. This certainly didn't seem to be the case in some of the more rural areas that I visited on the tour. More than once, I'd be chatting with someone at my signing table and they'd have a sudden realization that I was the author of the books laid out in front of us. They would get so excited! I remember one sweet new fan who bought all four of my books and then was delighted to find out that not only was I planning on signing all four, but I was personalizing each one. She was so thrilled, she had to run and tell her husband about it!

There were other folks who seemed equally uncertain about how to take me, if not quite as excited about it. One man in Salt Lake City took ten minutes deciding whether to buy The Beast Hunter. He'd pick it up, read a random page, set it down, ask a question, pick it up, read a page, etc. Eventually, he decided to buy it from me to save himself the extra cost of ordering it online and paying for shipping. 

"Great!" I said, taking one of the books and opening to the front page. "Would you like it autographed?"

He eyed me suspiciously. "Does that cost extra?"

I suppressed a smile. "Of course not."

"Well, ok then."

 "All right," I said. "Would you like it personalized?"

"Does that cost extra?"

Despite a very few exceptions, everyone that I met was friendly and enthusiastic to have me among them. While attendance at most events was modest, those that came were always excited to be there, and that's what counts. One bookstore owner in Rock Springs went so far as to give me one of her handmade window displays "to remember them by". I'll certainly remember all of the wonderful people I met on the road, and I look forward to doing another book tour in the future.