Monday, December 28, 2009

New Series - America's Galactic Foreign Legion

Hello Readers!

Our newest author at Penumbra Publishing, Walter Knight, has an eleven-book series called "America's Galactic Foreign Legion." Yes, all eleven books are finished. We just have to publish them!

Currently "Book 1: Feeling Lucky" is available in ebook on Smashwords.com and will be available in print around next week.

This deliciously satirical military space opera is fast-paced and features a host of alien species and cross-culture humor. Walt's love of gambling is a mainstay in the series and carries his main character through a maze of politically-incorrect adventures.

We are pleased to welcome Walt Knight to Penumbra Publishing and invite you to check out his new series. Visit our web site at www.penumbrapublishing.com for more information!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

books can't compete

Books can't compete.

I have been told by a few people in the book business that books can't compete with all the other entertainment options out there.
Maybe, but I have a TV with 100 channels and most of the time nothing interests me. The same with movies, most of them are a let down. Most movies I have seen lately depend on computer graphics that bore me, I have seen the same thing in the last movie or it is unbelievable ignorant and insults my intelligence. Where is the plot, the story, the depth of characters?
So for people like me who aren't entertained by stories without a clear plot or characters that lack depth, books fill that entertainment gap.
I am sure I am not the only one that feels this way. People turn to books to entertain them for different reasons, but I would bet a lot of readers share my opinion.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Werewolf myths

In researching werewolf lore for the novel "Wild Evolution" I came across some interesting tidbits of information.

Lycanthrope is derived from the Greek language meaning wolf and man.

It seems that there is werewolf lore in all cultures.

Only in the American movie culture does the werewolf change over involuntarily to the werewolf state because of a full moon.

The Norseman believed that a man would possess the characteristics of the animal if they wore the hide of that animal, such as a bear or a wolf.

In American Indian culture it is called the skin walker, it is considered taboo by some Native American cultures.

Werewolf myths say that you can spot a werewolf by these characteristics:
They were born on December 24th,
They have red hair,
Their index and middle finger are the same length,
And they love to eat raw meat.

I had an uncle that possessed some of these characteristics but I don't believe he was a werewolf.

The most unusual tidbit of information about werewolf tales from around the world came from Argentina. They believed that the 7th son would become a werewolf. Many parents killed the seventh son or gave them up for adoption.
In order to stop this practice they finally made it a law in the 1920's that the seventh son would became the president's godson at baptism and receive a gold medal.

This just scratches the surface of werewolf lore from around the world, but many of the myths have similar characteristics, I found that to be very interesting.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

win an earth spirit wolf dream catcher necklace

I have a contest going on over at AuthorIsland.com. Check it out and enter for your chance to win the earth spirit wolf dream catcher necklace.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Web Page Updates, Two New Series

We've finally migrated the publisher web page to a self-contained storefront. Things aren't working perfectly (of course) but they are well on their way. Remember, get $2.00 off and free econo-shipping on print books purchased direct through our web site www.penumbrabpublishing.com - go check it out.

Plus, exciting news. We have two new series coming on board...

The Realms of Beliar (high-fantasy in the tradition of Lord of the Rings)
America's Galactic Foreign Legion (humorous space/military SF-spoof)

Look for more information coming soon on these new authors and their new releases!

Also, in case you missed in in the last blog post, author C. Fern Cook has added a review page to her web site www.cferncook.com - go check it out!