The Royal Magician of Oz Trilogy is a 3 volume tale of magic and wonder that recalls the cherished values of friendship, loyalty and courage. These timeless tales of Oz reminds us of the value of overcoming our deepest fears and conquering the challenges that might otherwise defeat us.

Volume One; Magician of Oz, Volume Two; Shadow Demon of Oz and Volume Three; Family of Oz are now available for your reading enjoyment, as well as The Ozian Adventure of Pickleless & Blu.

The Emerald Slippers of Oz
, featuring an Introduction by Roger S. Baum; great grandson of L. Frank Baum, as well as Tails of Oz and Even More Tails of Oz are also
available for your reading enjoyment.

Nomes of Oz is a wonderful adventure for anyone who loves the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of Oz.

The newest adventure in Oz, entitled: The First Witches of Oz is now available and fast becoming a best-seller in the Land of Oz.

All are available in both paperback and Kindle.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Scene 1; Act 4: Guest Author & Blogger Lily Oak and the Hope Moon


I am proud to present a very unique and special guest this week as part of my contribution to the Virtual Book Tour.

Author Lily Oak has put together a special collection of poems and such called "Hope Moon."


This collection is now made available on Amazon.com with proceeds going towards relief efforts now underway in Haiti. If ever there was an opportunity to help those in far greater need than we are, this is that opportunity. Please take a few moments to read her story and her generous offers relating to her newest book; Hope Moon.




The Story of 'Hope Moon'

Let me paint you a picture. One January morning earlier this year, I sink into the sofa cup of tea in hand, recovering from manic morning getting kids to school. I flick on the TV, and am greeted with harrowing news pictures from the Haiti earthquake disaster. I wish I could do something I thought. Just then my phone started chirping at me, I recognized the number as my temp. agency. "...they said they didn't need you after all. We've got you another placement though it starts on Monday." Never mind I thought I've already booked child care so I guess I get three quiet days to myself... I'm sure I'll find some thing to do. Something. Then it clicked, being a firm believer in everything happens for a reason, what else would I do?!

Half an hour later this appeared on Facebook






Here's a link to Ms. Oak's personal blog about her efforts on behalf of the Haitian people. Once more, I would ask each of you to take moment to check it out and see what she is offering for anyone who donates to her cause.

In addition, you can also check out a preview of her new book.

Hope Moon Preview (Lulu.com)



Finally, for those of you who wish to purchase Hope Moon, the following link will take you there:

Hope Moon Amazon.co.uk






Please support Ms. Oak's very kind efforts and purchase a copy of Hope Moon today. Your generous support will aid so many others who are in so much greater need than we are.

Remember folks, we are Americans... And as Americans, we are the greatest country on earth and we reach out whenever it is necessary to help out our fellow man. Now is that time to reach out and make a difference!

Monday, April 26, 2010

Scene 1; Act 3: Guest Author & Blogger Cissy Hunt

This week, I am proud to present, as part of the Virtual Book Tour, Ms. Cissy Hunt, noted author, poet and minister.
ABOUT ME

My husband and I live in the beautiful Ozark Mountains with our two small dogs and two cats, where we love to fish and work in our yard.

I have been an ordained minister since August of 2007. I am called to minister to hurting women who carry the emotional scars of domestic abuse.

For as long as I can remember I have always loved to write. When I couldn't express myself verbally, one only had to hand me a pen and paper and out would flow my thoughts.

I have written poetry most of my life and now my life-long dream has come true. I have written a book.

My book, A Rose Blooms Among the Thorns, is the story of a woman's journey from domestic abuse, through healing, to forgiveness.

Her newest book, A Rose Blooms Among the Thorns at this time is for sale on the publisher's website at Publish America.


A Rose Blooms Among the Thorns


Or at Amazon.com by clicking on the following link:

A Rose Blooms Among the Thorns

Please be sure to visit her website: http://cissyh.webs.com/
and leave a comment about her posting.

And now, without further ado, I present Ms. Cissy Hunt...

What inspired the book:

What inspired me to write this book is the subject matter it covers, domestic violence. Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It is an epidemic affecting individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Violence against women is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior, and thus is part of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence results in physical injury, psychological trauma, and sometimes death. The consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and truly last a lifetime.

Did you know?

One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.

85% of domestic violence victims are women.

Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.

Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.

Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.

Even though A Rose Blooms Among the Thorns is a fictional book it is taken from my own life experiences. I choose to make it fiction rather than non-fiction because I wanted every woman that has gone through domestic violance to be able to relate to it. I didn't want them to just read about another woman who experience domestic violance. I want them to know that another man is not the answer that healing is their answer. Jumping into another relationship after domestic violence without healing 90% of the time leads to another abusive relationship. Yet, if they take the time to heal then they can find a new life that does not include domestic violence.

I would like to leave you with this exert from my book.

“Terri never made it to true womanhood for she was only nineteen years old when she died. She will never know what it means to be a mother or a grandmother because her life was devalued so greatly by her abuser that it meant nothing to him to take it. Her life was snuffed out instantly with no thought of remorse because her life wasn’t her own; it had been taken from her. She had become property not a human being."

Domestic violence and emotional abuse are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control another. Do you know that every nine seconds a woman is assulted and battered in this country, and 5.3 million women are abused each year, and that Domestic Violence is the single major cause of injury to women, more than muggings and car accidents combined. Fifty percent of all women murdered in the United States are killed by a spouse or an intamate partner. Also, over 500,000 women are stalked by an intimate partner each year. An average of about four women per day dies because of domestic violence. So you see on the day Terri died at the hands of her abuser so did three other women. Three other families in this country lost a mother, a sister, a daughter, an aunt, or a niece. Terri Carter is not the first nor will she be the last this town will gather together in mouring over. I wish she would be the last, I pray she would be, but until this community starts changing and becoming aware of domestic violence; there will be more victims likeTerri.

Think about it! The next service could even be held for one of your family members…maybe even one of your daughters.”

My website is http://cissyh.webs.com
Please let me know if you need any more information

Cissy
Have a wonderful blessed day

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Scene 1; Act 2: Guest Author & Blogger Aurora Lightbourne

Continuing my role as host for the Virtual Book Tour, I am pleased to present this week's featured author, Aurora Lightbourne.


She is, in her own words: "Aurora Lightbourne, a Sci-Fi/Fantasy writer, creator of the Space Trippers series.
My books are an episodic, space adventure story with humor and are fairly light reading.
They are available through any bookstore in your town or online as they are in the industry's Ingram catalog.
My books are also available on ipad, kindle, sony reader and other ebook formats through online ebook retailers.

Remember to follow my tour and leave me comments to be in a drawing for an autographed copy of one of my Space Trippers books and a custom book-thong!

Also my twitter/facebook/myspace friends can play a game with me during my tour for a chance at a $25 Visa Gift Card, check out the schedule and details here: http://alightbourne.netau.net/."

Aurora has an excellent website which deserves a visit. It can be found here:

Aurora Lightbourne

Her current crop of books are from the Space Tripper series and feature the following titles:




I am now pleased to present her dialog for our presentation of the Virtual Book Tour.
Aurora Lightbourne

I am very happy to be continuing on my Online Book Tour with my fifth stop here at The Magician of Oz Blogspot.

My question today is: Will readers continue to only buy brand name books?

I halfheartedly submitted to agents and 'traditional publishers' before going with my small sole-proprietor publisher; FairSpot Publishing. I say halfheartedly because I was reluctant to relinquish as much control in my creation's rights as most large companies required. Luckily, I found my little publisher who could get me in the Ingram's catalog just as well as the big boys, only with a smaller percent of my sales in their pocket, and I keep control of my rights.

With all the new technology, full service printers and small publishing houses available as options, many talented authors are turning to 'alternative' means of publishing instead of the 'traditional' big companies. The question remains though, will the majority of readers remain 'brand name' book shoppers or will they give the indies a chance?

So far it seems independent authors have an uphill battle in proving they are not rejects that can't take a hint or sub-par writers with no marketable skills, but solid, gifted writers who just happen to want to keep more control over their own creations.

'Self-publishing' and even 'Small Publishing' has such a stink right now that not only will bookstores refuse to give them book signings and shelf space but even independent, online reviewers stick up their nose in disgust and consider you not worth their time.

I think there is a need to redefine such literary entrepreneurs, to identify them and their worth, and get some distance from the foul reputation that does not fit most of these great individuals. Maybe we can say “Independent Author” or “Independent Literary Artist”.

I mean, we have independent artists of other kinds. Crafters and graphic artists are acceptable as independent business people. Music artists are more and more going to independent labels and self-produced releases. So why are independent book writers looked down on?

Is it because some of the independent books will stink royally? Perhaps, but there have been mainstream books released by 'brand name' publishers that many people thought should never have seen light of day and openly criticized, even saying the author should be banned from further access to keyboards for life. So how is it any different?

I cannot tell you how many books I have purchased off the shelf from big name bookstores, classics even, that perfectly fit the quote from Dorothy Parker; "This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force."

Many 'brand name' books have typos and bad edits, some have appalling punctuation, terrible storylines and showcase mediocre writing skills. Yet, somehow 'self-published' seems to be held to a higher standard.

I think this is going to change very soon as more and more authors choose to take control of their own careers, keep their rights, and choose their own distribution channels. And especially as they gather together in online communities and support groups where they can offer each other advice, direction and even more practical things like bartered editing, proofreading, cover design and marketing help. Sites like Authors Promoting Authors, Authors Supporting Authors, the Coalition for Independent Authors, the Author's Book Review Exchange, The Author Collective and many, many other wonderful groups and businesses that strive to help and support these hard-working individuals.

Independent authors are not going to 'take over the publishing world' but, I believe, they are going to change the face of it. Make it more personal, more of a direct link from creator to reader.

Not all authors will go this route, many will still vie for the distinction and commercial backing of a 'brand name' emblem on their work, but larger publishing houses, bookstores and reviewers are going to have to move over and give the independents some room as their collective voice gets stronger.

And this movement will not only benefit the authors in being able to keep control over and benefit from their own works, but it will benefit the reading public as well. More variety of stories will be out, more variety of writing styles will be available. And seeing as independent authors often price their work competitively while offering rather large chunks as Free samples, I don't see where you can go wrong. You can get the whole first half of Space Trippers Book 1 Free from my site or as samples from places like Barnes & Noble ebooks.
Not sure if an unknown author is worth your time? Download their free sample and try out their style. Don't like it? Nothing lost.

But don't turn up your nose and not give them a chance just because they are not under a 'brand name' publisher. You might just find a new favorite.

Why would some good authors who could have gotten contracts with large companies choose to go the loathed self-published or small publisher route?
I can think of four reasons, and none of them are disgraceful.

1.

They want to retain the rights to their work and place them as they see fit. This is understandable, how many times have I seen some poor author's work sold and modified to the extent of completely changing story dialog and main characters' personalities by other companies? If I was that author I would weep. Otakus would know what I am talking about here.
2.

They want control over pricing. How often lately have we heard about pricing wars between book sellers and publishing houses. Have you priced Independent Author's offerings lately? They are usually very reasonable and affordable. They can do this because they don't have all the overhead a large company has.
3.

They happen to want to benefit more from the sales of their creations. And who can blame them in this economy? Many authors now are trying to make their writing into a 'home based business' along with other types of artists.

I don't think most readers realize that an author, and especially a 'traditionally published' author, sees very little of the money from their book sales. Bookstores alone require up to 55% of the cover price for their share. Add into that the publisher's cut, the printing cost, the agent's cut and the actual creator sees sometimes only 10% or less of each sale.

I have seen author's cuts on a $13.00 book for less than a dollar, that is less than a customary tip at a restaurant.With self-publishing or small publishers the authors can get at least double that amount per book.

These authors aren't being greedy or trying to be millionaires, they just want to make a living at what they love and tell their stories, you can't begrudge them that. And when you consider an average book took the writer perhaps years to write and maybe sells 10,000 copies, if your lucky, they aren't getting rich on their higher return.

Remember, another editor could have edited it, another agent could have handled it, another publisher/printer could have distributed it, but only one author can create it. Without that one creative individual there would be no story. Don't they deserve to benefit more from it?
4.

The book they are trying to place is not in the current 'tending topic'. Agents and publishers are looking at one thing, their bottom line. It usually doesn't matter how well a rejected author writes or how good his storyline is. Most of the time the work itself is never read, they only get as far as the genre or basic outline and the answer is; 'this is not the type of book we are looking for at this time'. It usually has nothing to do with the quality of the writing or the enjoyment the reader could get from the story. It just comes down to whether it will fit in the current buying trend and make enough profit to the big company to be worth their time. So these authors, thinking they still want to share their story with readers, even if they aren't going on the 'best seller' list, turn to smaller companies or 'self-publishing'.


So when you see 'Independent Literary Artists' hawking their wares on social networks, inviting you to their book tours and rare, in-store book signings or being represented in book fairs at booths like ' The Author Collective' , are you just going to turn your nose up at them because they aren't 'name brand'? Or are you going to give these fine, hard-working artists a fair chance and let them tell you their stories?


Buy A. Lightbourne's Space Trippers books through your favorite book store or online retailer such as Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?WRD=space+trippers+a.+lightbourne


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday, April 19, 2010

The Joys of YouTube; Part Two

Here's another example of what pops up when you type Wizard of Oz into You Tube's search engine. Lots of normal Oz stuff... and then this!

Wizard of Oz - Naruto!

This is classic Japanese anime cartoons set to an unusual song about the Wizard of Oz.

... And just like Bob Dylan, I don't get Japanese anime either.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

The Joys of YouTube

It's amazing what will pop up when you type anything into the YouTube search feature. A prime example now follows.

I typed in Magician of Oz and the following popped up.

Magician of Oz

It's about halfway through that a familiar themes pops up.

I seem to be using the words "pop up" a lot today.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Scene 1; Act 1: Guest Author & Blogger Melody Dempsey-The Forest Portal‏

Recently, I became involved in a unique marketing concept known as the Virtual Book Tour, sponsored by the blog site: Authors Supporting Authors.
Over the next several months, I, along with many other authors & bloggers will be hosting fellow authors and featuring their guest blog writings on our respective websites as part of our contribution to this program.
In addition, we will be appearing on each others respective websites as well.

For my first Guest Author & Blogger, I present Melody Dempsey- author of The Forest Portal‏ and her first foray into the world of guest blogging and writing of her work. She is new to the field and deserves our heartfelt support and words of encouragement. Please be sure to visit her website:

Writing Now: On Reading

and be sure to leave a comment about her posting.

Don't forget that we were all new at this at one time or another. Each one of us has benefited from the advice of others and now we have the chance to pay some of that advice back.

Good luck Melody and may success hound you like a dog!

James C. Wallace II

Friday, April 9, 2010

Another Munchkin Crosses Over the Shifting Sands!

Meinhardt Raabe (born September 2, 1915 - April 09, 2010) has crossed over the Shifting Sands to take his rightful place in the Land of Oz.

Formerly the oldest surviving Munchkin-actor from The Wizard of Oz, he was also the only surviving cast member with any significant dialogue in the film.



Raabe was born in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, resided at Penney Retirement Community, Penney Farms, Florida and passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, April 09, 2010.

Raabe graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1937.



He was the coroner in The Wizard of Oz in 1939, with his only lines being:

As coroner, I must aver
I thoroughly examined her
And she's not only merely dead
She's really, most sincerely dead!

These lines, like most of those delivered by the Munchkins, were dubbed over with the speeded-up voices of other performers. In addition to his role in the film, Raabe worked for many decades as a spokesman for Oscar Mayer, where he was known as "Little Oscar, World's Smallest Chef".



He traveled in the first Wienermobile, produced in 1936.



We are saddened at his passing but grateful for his work as Coroner of Munchkin City and his long and wonderful career following the MGM movie.
Long before there was CSI: (Whatever city you like), there was the Coroner of Munchkin City. His forensic work to determine the cause of the death of the Wicked Witch of the East is the stuff of legends.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

So much for brains!!!

Well, despite my best efforts, the cover pdf files for Shadow Demon of Oz came back from the printer as being non-conforming to their standards.

Once more unto the breech... I shall try to understand just how the software works and finalize the product.

How hard can it be?