New Emerald City

I found myself standing before, well in this case, sitting...





... in front of the New York City Library. Remember The Wiz (I added this after it was pointed out to me. Silly me, I forgot...) or Ghost Busters???

Anyway, on a whim, I checked out a very special book. Can anyone recognize it?




And of course, when I opened it up, what color plate do my own eyes see?




If you need a hint, it's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (A fairly new reproduction). Hey , it's the New York Public Library.

And of course, the color plate was The Queen of The Field Mice with Dorothy and Friends.

Karma has been good to me this week in 'da Big Apple and many good things have come out of the journey.

Long Live Oz!


James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

magicianofoz (twitter id)

Twitter of Oz!

The Tale of the Subway...

Day two in New York City and I did the usual touristy stuff, although The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island tour was magnificent...

As I prepare for tomorrow's Day of BEA (http://bookexpoamerica.com/), I must relate the Tale of the Subway.

Having been set adrift by my friend and cohort in the belly of the beast, so to speak, I began the trek from here to there... and back again!

It would seem to be an art looking into Oblivion. Many were the people who gazed into the abyss while waiting for their stop. So often a glance averted as the train wound up and down between stops. I made it here, I made it there. I even made it everywhere...

So, a great meeting occurred with a new colleague. Oz is everywhere!

James C. Wallace II

Train at the station....

The train has pulled to a stop and I look back at an old life. What awaits me, who knows?

I stand at the brink of Oblivion and cast out into the unknown. Wish me luck as I journey back to Oz....

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma
magicianofoz (twitter id)

Twitter of Oz!

Tommorrow... Tommorrow, I Love You Tommorrow

You're only a day away.

It seems that the coming adventure to New York City is mearly a day away now. I await the train that will whisk me away from rural Indiana and into 'Da Big Apple.

Everything's packed, reservations set, notices sent and all I await now is the turning of the Earth one more time...

As today is Memorial Day, I would also send out a fond rememberance of those who gave their lives to ensure our freedom. My grandfather lost two brothers on the Bataan Death March, so I know a bit about what our countrymen gave to defend our country and all it stands for. My son now serves in the Army so I think of him on this day.

God Bless America.... and perhaps maybe even MAGICIAN OF OZ.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma
magicianofoz (twitter id)

Twitter of Oz!!!!

Ask and 'ye shall receive!

The other day, I posted my feelings about the upcoming MAGICIAN OF OZ BEA adventure and postulated a possible sign from her majesty, Princess Ozma.

Ask and 'ye shall receive...




I even expected the lovely Polychrome, Daughter of the Rainbow to make an appearance. Unfortunately, she never ventures Outside. It's a pity and our loss here on the Outside.

Less than a week to go and all is falling into place for Book Expo America 2009.

James C. Wallace II
magicianofoz (twitter id)

Twitter of Oz is nearly upon us!

BEA and the Adventure Ahead...

Just over a year ago, I returned from the Land of Oz, full of wonder and awestruck amazement at what I had not only seen, but heard. For several weeks, I had sat day after day in the Grand Courtyard of Glinda's Red Brick Palace as Glinda, Princess Ozma and so many others spoke of young Jamie Diggs, the great grandson of O.Z. Diggs, the original Wizard of Oz.
They told tales of magic and friendship, battles against strange and unique creatures, as well as tales of truth, loyalty and family.
After all that time, I was commanded by the Royal Ruler of Oz, Princess Ozma to return to the Outside as her Royal Liaison and write of her new Royal Magician and his adventures. I gladly accepted. After all, how do you refuse a 110+ year old fairy princess and Royal Ruler of Oz?
Shortly after returning, I began the writing process and was soon finished, or so I thought. Who knew publishing a book could be so difficult?
Nearly a year later, I only now find myself knocking on the door of opportunity as I prepare to attend Book Expo America 2009 (http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/) to promote MAGICIAN OF OZ and seek my fulfillment of the Royal Command.
I await a message from her majesty, Princess Ozma as I prepare to ride the rails cross country to the great city of New York. What will she say and will she bless my journey? I think so...

Par Ardua Ad Alta!

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma
magicianofoz (twitter id)

Twitter of Oz is almost here...

Fulfilling Princess Ozma's Command

Nearly a year ago, I was charged by Princess Ozma to tell the children of the world and all fans of Oz everywhere of her new Royal Magician and his struggles against Evil and tyranny in the Land of Oz.

Now, the time is near when that command will find itself fulfilled (at least part one) and everyone everywhere will soon know of the young magician, Jamie Diggs, the great grandson of O.Z. Diggs (the original Wizard of Oz) and his battle against the Marauding Morels and the Army of Trees in my newest tale: MAGICIAN OF OZ.

The process had been one of difficulty, brick (not yellow) walls of frustration and an economy that has curtailed the courage of agents and publishers alike. As such, I have had to forego the traditional publishing route and adopt a more radical approach. Oddly enough however, that more radical approach is fast becoming the more traditional approach as traditional publishers fall by the wayside. Maybe they should have been more receptive to new authors?

The one thing I have been able to take away from this entire process has been patience. It would seem that no one works at the same fast pace I do. It's been alot of "hurry up and wait." Reminds me of the Navy. Another is perseverance. Without that quality, I would never have had the wherewithall (now there's a word) to endure rejections, revisions and revulsion as I work my way through the process.

I have been blessed with the support of my family and friends, as well as complete, total strangers on Twitter, the International Wizard of Oz club and others I've never even heard of. I'm inclined to think that the new administration in the White House has given back a sense of hope to a troubled nation and inspired people to reach out and help those in need, such as myself.

Now, I await my time at Book Expo 2009 and the hope that I can bring about more awareness of MAGICIAN OF OZ and generate interest in Princess Ozma's new Royal Magician. In fact, it was a total stranger, John Kremer, who invited me to Book Expo 2009 and has provided some excellent advice in regards to my attendance and book marketing in general.

Before that, it was Marcus Mebes, one of the elders at the International Wizard of Oz Club and his invaluable assistance which even allowed me to get anywhere near this far in the process. I shudder to think where I would be and what my book would look like were it not for his assistance. As a book editor, he has few equals and knows his Oz better than just about anyone on the Outside.

Another one of invaluable service was Doug Cone, otherwise known as NULLVARIABLE on Twitter. When I had begun the marketing process for MAGICIAN OF OZ, he called me a Spammer. After several exchanged messages, he began to school me in Internet marketing and, as a result, I have learned what not to do and more importantly, what to do to be successful as an author promoting my work on the Internet machine.

Overall, it has been both a struggle and a joy trying to achieve Princess Ozma's royal command. I hope I do her justice and make her proud of me.


James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Another Munchkin crosses the Great Sandy Waste

I just read this on the AP newswire and thought I should post it here.

By the way, nice boots!!!!





ST. LOUIS (AP) — One of the last surviving Munchkins from the 1939 classic film "The Wizard of Oz" has died.

St. Louis actor Mickey Carroll died Thursday at the age of 89.

His caretaker, Linda Dodge, made the announcement Thursday.

Carroll was born Michael Finocchiaro in July 1919 in St. Louis, the son of Italian immigrants.

He was one of more than 100 adults and children who were recruited for "Oz" to play the natives of what author L. Frank Baum called Munchkin Country in his 1900 book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."



Mickey Carrol is pictured second Munchkin on the left

Carroll told The Associated Press in a 2007 interview that the Munchkins made only $125 a week while filming, followed by decades of recognition.

Among the fables he's allegedly told -- they claim -- was that he played the Munchkin coroner in the 1939 movie and that Judy Garland, herself, recruited him for the film.

"I never told anyone I was the coroner," says Carroll, who played a soldier and other Munchkin roles in the movie. "But I did do the coroner's voiceover. And, yes, Judy Garland did recruit me for the film. I didn't want to do it because it only paid $35 a week. Then she put Victor Fleming [the film's director] on the phone, and he convinced me."



Please give our regards to The Royal Historian and all those who have followed him across the Great Sandy Waste.

Our hearts go with you... and your family. May Oz never vanish in our hearts and our imagination.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Requium for Dom DeLuise

I would offer tribute to a beloved man of Mankind.



From Wikipedia, we find the following biographical information:

Dominick "Dom" DeLuise (August 1, 1933 – May 4, 2009) was an American actor, comedian, film director, television producer, chef, and author. He was the husband of actress Carol Arthur, and the father of actor, writer, director Peter DeLuise, and actors David DeLuise and Michael DeLuise.

Though known for Cannonball Run and Smokey and the Bandit movies, along with a stunning cameo in Blazing Saddles, The Land of Oz has lost a voice to the Great Sandy Waste and beyond.





Dom DeLuise was the voice of Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmanuel Ambrose Diggs:The Wizard of Oz in the 2000 animated film, Lion of Oz..

Once more, quoting Wikipedia:

Lion of Oz is an official animated prequel film to The Wizard of Oz. It tells the story of how the Cowardly Lion, formerly part of the Omaha Circus, came to be in Oz, how he stopped the Wicked Witch of the East from getting the Flower of Oz. It is based upon the book Lion of Oz and the Badge of Courage by Roger S. Baum (great-grandson of L. Frank Baum, the original author of the Oz books).





I loved him in Ren & Stimpy!

Farewell and fond memories....

A possible pet for Tik-Tok?

For those of you who may not recall, Wikipedia describes Tik-Tok as follows:

Tik-Tok (sometimes spelled Tiktok) is a round-bodied mechanical man that runs on clockwork springs which periodically need to be wound, like a wind-up toy or mechanical clock. He has separate windings for thought, action, and speech. Tik-Tok is unable to wind any of them up himself. He becomes frozen or mute or, for one memorable moment in The Road to Oz, continues to speak but utters gibberish. When he speaks, only his teeth move. His knees and elbows are described as resembling those in a knight's suit of armor.

As Baum repeatedly mentions, Tik-Tok is not alive and feels no emotions. He therefore can no more love or be loved than a sewing machine, but as a servant he is utterly truthful and loyal. He describes himself as a "slave" to Dorothy and gives her deference.

Tik-Tok was invented by Smith and Tinker at their workshop in Evna. He is the only model of his kind before the two disappeared. He was purchased by the king of Ev, Evoldo, who gave him the name Tik-Tok because of the sound he made when wound. The cruel king also whipped his mechanical servant, but that simply kept Tik-Tok's round copper body polished.

Tik-Tok first appears in Ozma of Oz (1907) where Dorothy Gale discovers him locked up in a cave, immobilized. He becomes Dorothy's servant and protector, and, despite his tendency to run down at crucial moments, helps to subdue the Nome King. That novel also introduces Tik-Tok's monotonic, halting mode of speech: "Good morn-ing, lit-tle girl."

I was at our local auction the other day and ran across an item which got my brain working on a story idea.




Seeing this unique device, which is used by cobblers to cut leather for shoes, I got to thinking about Tik-Tok, one of Baum's more unique characters. It seemed to me like he needed a pet and I think I might have found him.

Another view shows the mechanical aspects which would make him an ideal pet for the mechanical man.



I've decided to name him "Cobbler the Dog."

I just love the auction barn. It seems I always find something that gets me started on stuff and such. Most of the Oz stuff I find is at the local auction houses of our area.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma