M. B. Weston's Blog

Out of the Shadows Preview: My Favorite Character Quotes!

Ah yes! It's time for another Out of the Shadows preview! I figured that I'd share a few of my favorite quotes from Out of the Shadows, book II of The Elysian Chronicles, which should be out soon--I hope. (I think one of the reasons I like Out of the Shadows so much is because of all the great quotable lines!) So read on for a little sneak preview...

“I never thought I’d see the day when the Elysian people would willingly give up freedom for false security.”
--Marcus, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles

“…there has never been a case in history where evil has just gone away on its own. Trying to avoid world war might be our quickest route there.”
--Midshipman Fourth Class Tommy O’Connor, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles (Yes Elysian Chronicles fans, Tommy is a plebe (freshman) at the United States Naval Academy in Out of the Shadows.)

“They are the enemy, Davian. Their intent is to kill you and torture the one you love—as well as imprison and entrap all of Elysia. If you leave them alive in battle, they’ll return and try to kill you again. This one’s heart was as evil as a mornacht’s. Do you think reason or negotiations will change that?”
--Boronan, King of the Unicorns, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles

“Evil only fears reprisal.”
--Boronan, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles

Regarding the possibility of world war: “Whatever happens is going to happen. We’re prepared, which is good. If we had lightened our defenses during the peaceful years… I wouldn’t be nearly as calm as I am now.”
--SEAL Commander Jim O’Connor, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles (Yes, Elysian Chronicles fans, Jim’s back in the Navy. And yes, he can still lay it down.)

“If you love him, you will obey his commands.”
--Jaliel to Gabriella (regarding Davian), in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles (Hint: read A Prophecy Forgotten, "Chapter 11: History Lessons" again.)

Regarding evidence of cherubian existence on Earth: “[People] aren’t looking for it. It’s amazing how much people miss when they aren’t looking.”
--Matt Johnson, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles (New character alert, here.)

“My hope lies in the Runes, Picante, which say that [the Evil One] will be dethroned.”
--Marcus, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles (Do you really think I'm going to give THAT away?)

Kinole took the gold coin, laid it on the ground, and ran one of his claws over it. He gave Gabriella a hypnotized smile and handed it to her. "It’s still gold. The scratches don’t matter."
--From Out of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles

“It takes a strong man to admit what he is to himself. It takes an even stronger man to admit it to others. And it takes a humble man to decide to change. I need a strong man to lead my infantry. Whatever crimes you’ve committed under [the Evil One] are forgiven—and forgotten. Hopefully by you as well as me.”
--Davian, in Out of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles

“What’s more idiotic, Theo? Not believing the Runes because no one has taught you why they’re real, or believing the Runes but refusing to do what they say?”
--Davian, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles

“[I believe the Runes are real] because of the prophecies in the Book of Prophecies that were fulfilled when Ezzer became king. And because of the prophecies both there and in the Book of Ezzer that are being fulfilled now.”
--Davian, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles

“Whatever it is you need me to do, I’ll do. Show me the way.”
--Tommy O’Connor, in Out Of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles

And while we're at it, here are a few of my favorite quotes from A Prophecy Forgotten, Book I of the Elysian Chronicles:

“When you focus on making your enemies suffer, you’re not focusing on winning the battle. Too many of our soldiers are still fighting because some scab decided to try to make them suffer instead of trying to win the battle. I want you to focus on winning the battle, Snead.”
--Davian, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“History and literature have always been my passion—especially the Runes—both the Book of Prophecy and the Book of Ezzer. I’ve even gone to the scribes to read their copies... I want to know why I’m rushing into battle. I know why we are at war, and that fuels my desire to win.”
--Davian, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“No one alive has seen Ezzer, either, Eric. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t real.”
--Davian, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“All of these things seemed bad at first—but Ianoda used all of them for good. Now we can sulk about it, or we can rest our hope in what the Runes say, and fight this thing out. In times of darkness, sir, let faith be your guide. Let your hope never fail. Mine almost failed me tonight, and I’ll be turned into a sprite before I let yours fail you. Sir.”
--Davian, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“What’s the point of doing something if you don’t do it well?”
--Gabriella, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“Never, but never, mess with the good major’s woman. That’ll get you killed.”
--Marcus, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“Body hair is manly, Captain.”
--Marcus, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“Your honor, if you let us send the troops down there now, then I won’t have to take more troops in to help squash the Morvenian raids that will predictably occur after they retake the territory, which is what I’m doing right now in the Syla valley.”
--Zephor, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

"After Ezzer died, we were not expecting the mornachts to attack us. We expected them to focus their attacks on the humans, so we lightened our defenses. We were ghastly unprepared for such an assault. They made it all the way to the city walls and almost broke through. Nearly destroyed us."
--Davian, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“Davian, you will never fully know who you can trust, even in times of peace.”
--Zephor, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“Now, when you go to school today, Tommy, you’re going to have to make choices. You can say to yourself, I’ve just lost a really great friend, and can use that as an excuse to treat others poorly. Or you can rise above it and choose to do the right thing, even when it doesn’t feel good.”
--Jim O’Connor, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“A dragon owes you a favor and you ask him to recite poetry?”
--Maurice, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“Every good weapons developer deserves free lager.”
--Davian, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“Loopholes are a guard’s best friend.”
--Davian, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

“Your people have forgotten their faith, Davian. And they’ve lost their hope. What else can you expect?”
--Cassadern, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

"Cowards don’t try to beat up people bigger than they are. They try to fight smaller people so they will be sure to win. And you are the smallest guy in your class. You’re the easiest target. Mikey beats you up because he’s a coward.”
--Gabriella, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

"We humans are blessed with the ability to make our own choices. Free will. We can make our own decisions. We can choose to do good—as you did by trying your best and get-ting straight A’s, while your idiot parents dragged you through an ugly divorce—or we can choose to do bad. Unfortunately, our bad choices usually end up hurting others. It’s a trade off. We each have free will, but we end up having to deal with the pain caused by the free will of others—and sometimes even ourselves."
--Jim O'Connor, in A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles

"In times of darkness, let faith be your guide. Let your hope never fail."
--King Ezzer

Be sure to check out my new To Elysia and Back Again podcast every Tuesday! Click here for more information.

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Againpodcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.

The Final Cut In Movies Podcast: James Bond: Shaken, Not Stirred

On this week’s show, I'll be discussing all things James Bond. Find out:

• which actor I think played the best 007: Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, or Daniel Craig.
• which Bond I think is most like Davian in The Elysian Chronicles.
• which Bond I think would destroy the other Bonds in a fight to the death.
• which Bond makes the best alpha male.
• why Sean Connery is a better Bond than Roger Moore--case closed.
• which Bond delivers the best puns.
• what I think of the new direction the James Bond movies seem to be taking. 

The show will air from 2:00-3:00 am & pm and re-air throughout the week at the same times on www.adastraradio.com. To listen to tonight's show:

• Click here from 2:00-3:00 to listen via streaming audio on AdAstraRadio.com.
• Click here to download this show’s podcast from my podcast site.
• Click here to download this show off iTunes.

Be sure to check out my new To Elysia and Back Againpodcast every Tuesday! Click here for more information.

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Againpodcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.

Podcast: The Second Birth of Davian the Great - Part 3

This is my 3rd podcast in "The 2nd Birth of Davian the Great" series. Today, I'll cover Daniel 3:1-29, and I'll be discussing why God sometimes allows bad things to happen and the appropriate definition of humility. I'll also be adding to the story of Davian in RSO training, with a little twist: I'll be comparing the story of Davian to the Biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel.  

Click here to download "The Second Birth of Davian the Great: Part 3"

If you missed the earlier podcasts in the series, visit my podcast site in iTunes at this link or click on the links below:

• The Second Birth of Davian the Great: Part 1
• The Second Birth of Davian the Great: Part 2

If you are wondering what the To Elysia and Back Again podcast is all about, click here to download a brief, 4 minute introduction.

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Againpodcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.

How to be a Success in Any Business (Not Just Writing)

I recently had someone e-mail me and ask me what advice I could give a young person about having a successful career. I figured I might as well post my answer here.

I think success in any career comes from doing a few key things, and I think these principles apply to any career field of choice.

Understand that success won't happen automatically. Remember Heinz’ old slogan, “Good things come to those who wait.”A business usually takes at least 3 years to get going, so DON’T GIVE UP. It’s easy to give up, but don’t do it. Our society is so used to having things now that many people don't want to wait for anything. I see this in young people all the time. They want instant gratification, and unfortunately this leads to poor decision making.

Success is hard work.See above on instant gratification. My husband decided to go out on his own and start his own commercial cleaning company. Because he is in the start-up mode for his business, he is doing most of the work himself. (Oh, and I'm helping him.) This means that he scrubs toilets and mops floors all week. It's hard work. But he's also bringing in more money than he ever has (and without a college degree). (Granted, he had to go into debt to start the company so most of that money goes to the debt right now.) But the point is that he's doing a lot of the work by himself and it's hard manual labor. When the business takes off, people might look on him with envy, not realizing the amount of elbow grease--literally--that he invested in the company. On my end, I do a lot of my own promotion, meaning I don't have any time. I've put tons of miles on my car, and I've done a lot of speaking for free. But this gets me out there and gets me more readers. It's hard, hard work, and I'm always tired.

Success takes sacrifice. See above on instant gratification. But let's take it a step further. I know a man who started out as an enlisted soldier in the Army. He ended up getting married and having two children, and he realized that supporting a family required more money than what he was making. So he made a decision. He enlisted in the Army's Green to Gold scholarship program and went back to college in ROTC. During this time, he was not paid by the Army at all. He had a part time job, and he and his family lived in a small rental apartment. The four years were a difficult time for him, I'm sure, and for his wife who had to function as both a bread winner and a new mother. But he graduated, became an officer, and is now a Major in the Army. He has had success, and several people might look at him and feel jealousy, thinking that it was all luck. Guess what. It wasn't luck. It took years of hard work to get to where he is today, and years of unpaid overtime because officers don't get paid hourly. If they work 60 hours a week, they get paid the same as when they work 40, and usually they're working more than 40.

Success takes risk.About 30 years ago, my dad had three little girls and a wife to take care of, and he was an engineer here in Naples. He and a few colleagues decided to form their own business. That meant that my dad had to quit his job--with three little girls and a wife to take care of--and possibly not get paid for 6 months! He took a risk, and it paid out. But he still has to take risks. He's the owner of his firm. His name is on the mortgage. His name is on the loans. He's the one who gets sued. He's the one who goes without a paycheck when there isn't enough money to cover the bills. And people look at my dad and feel envy, thinking that it was all just luck. It wasn't. It took balls of steel to get where he is. It took risk. It took sacrifice. It took hard work. Watching the news and politics, I see a lot of anger and resentment aimed toward those who have success,. No one ever talks about the hard work and sacrifice it takes to achieve success--they only demonize the people who have it. This attitude our society has taken towards success infuriates me.

Learn about accounting and business. Accounting was my major. Understanding how business works and being able to do your own books is a HUGE asset. It’s not enough to make art, to write a book, or to create the next biggest thing. YOU’VE GOT TO KNOW HOW TO RUN YOUR BUSINESS.

Learn about Marketing.See above. You’ve got to know how to get people to find out about your product. My books and my radio shows/podcasts are products. I’m constantly thinking about things like branding, press releases, market placement, etc. 75% of your time as a writer should be spent doing promotion and 25% should be spent writing. Think about this, no one walks into a bookstore and says, "Hmmm. I'm getting a vibe. Wait for it. Wait for it. There it is! M. B. Weston is a new author with a great book I need to check out." Vibes don't work. Marketing does.

Make it excellent. Whatever your product, make it good. Don’t cut corners. Let excellence define you. Be Toyota, not Pinto.

Relationships matter. Every single writing/radio/graphic novel contract I have gotten has come from face-to-face contact with someone and through developing relationships. On that note…

Show up. Be there. Attend functions. Face-to-face contact means…meeting people. You need to be at conventions, etc.—whatever your business. Shake hands. Smile. Use deodorant. Wear makeup if you're a woman. Look professional. Make those who you meet think that you have the ability to sell your product because they don't want to do it for you. On that note... 

Remember that it is YOUR job to sell your product. It’s not the publisher’s job. Sure, if you sign with a big publisher, they might decide to pump some money into the pipeline, and once you’re Stephen King, they’ll advertise, but don’t expect it. Make it YOUR career. Make it your success. Thinking other people will do your advertising is allowing them to write your career path instead of you. Take control. 

Make it win/win.Never approach someone with a proposition that only does you good. Offer that person a solution to his or her problem. My great relationship with my local Barnes & Noble started when I first met the CRMs (community relations managers). First, I asked to make an appointment instead of barging in and expecting them to clear their schedules. Second, when I arrived at the appointment, I brought a list of workshops that I wanted to do in their store that would help draw a crowd—in outline form, complete with how I wanted to advertise. Guess what? It didn’t take much for them to let me do a book signing. I approach getting book signings like that, kind of a “What can I do to draw people into your store? How can I help you?” It gets better results, and it gains you friends. Become a person who solves problems and creates solutions for others. Then you will be a valuable asset in their network instead of an obnoxious drain on their time.

Remember the 80/20 rule. 80% of your profits will come from 20% of your customers. This is a standard rule for almost any business. So cater to your 20%. Find them. Win them over. To put it into book perspective, think about Harry Potter. You might have read the book, but have you seen the movies? If you’ve said yes to those to, you’re probably part of the 80%. But let’s go on. Have you logged onto Rowling's website daily? Do you know mugglenet like the back of your hand? Have you written Harry Potter fan fiction? Do you own Harry Pottermerchandise? Trading Cards? You can see where I’m going here. I can guarantee you that 80% of J. K. Rowling’s profits come from the latter group—the fan-boys and girls who buy the merchandise, log onto the website daily, etc. Those 20% are the reason Rowling is the richest woman in the world. Not little me who just bought all the books and the movies. Find your 20% and make them happy. That's why I attend science fiction and fantasy conventions like DragonCon. My 20% goes to those conventions. 

I hope some of this makes sense. Success is rarely pure luck--it usually involves a lot of time, hard work, creativity, and thought.

Be sure to check out my new To Elysia and Back Again podcast every Tuesday! Click here for more information.

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Againpodcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.

This Week’s Final Cut In Movies show (02/13/09): Push

On this week’s show, I'll be discussing why Push only made $10 million its opening weekend, how I actually agree with Rotten Tomatoes this time, why leadership skills are important when writing a screenplay and directing a movie, and other science fiction & fantasy news.

The show will air from 2:00-3:00am & pm and re-air throughout the week at the same times on www.adastraradio.com. To listen to tonight's show:

• Click here at 2:00 to listen via streaming audio on AdAstraRadio.com.
• Click here to download this show’s podcast from M. B. Weston's Podcasts.
• Click here to download this show off iTunes.

Missed Saturday's edition of The Final Cut? Don’t worry, you can catch the re-runs each day from 2:00-3:00am & pm at www.adastraradio.com, or you can download the podcast at M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or by following this link on iTunes.

Be sure to check out my new To Elysia and Back Again podcast every Tuesday! Click here for more information.

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.

Podcast: The Second Birth of Davian the Great - Part 2

This is my second podcast in "The Second Birth of Davian the Great" series. 

Did you ever wonder how and when Davian came to believe in Ianoda and the Runes' Book of Prophecy and Book of Ezzer? I'll be telling you the story, which takes place over 200 years before The Elysian Chronicles: A Prophecy Forgotten when Davian goes to RSO training, in this podcast!

I'll also be adding a little twist by comparing the story of Davian to the Biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel.

This particular podcast covers Daniel 2, and I'll be discussing the subject of Discovering Truth. 

To download "The Second Birth of Davian the Great: Part 2", click here.

If you missed the earlier podcasts in the series, click on the links below:

• "The Second Birth of Davian the Great: Part 1"

If you are wondering what the To Elysia and Back Again podcast is all about, click here to download a brief, 4 minute introduction.

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.

Listen to Chapter 8 of The Elysian Chronicles: A Prophecy Forgotten!

Hear A Prophecy Forgotten the way I intended it to be read!

As all of us wait for Out of the Shadows: Book II of the Elysian Chronicles, I've decideed to entertain you with a few podcasts (i.e. a FREE downloadable audio versions of my novel in mp3 format so you can listen to it on your computer, your iPod, or burn a CD) of A Prophecy Forgotten: Book I of the Elysian Chronicles. For those of you who cannot afford A Prophecy Forgotten, this is a good way to test it out for free. I will continue posting new chapters every few weeks, so please continue to check the blog.

Click to read my latest installment: "Chapter Eight: December 22nd." 

Also, if you missed previous chapters, please click on the links below:

• A Prophecy Forgotten: Prologue
• Chapter One: A Message of Hope
• Chapter Two: Earth's Future Rests On...
• Chapter Three: Rumble in the Schoolyard
• Chapter Four: Mornachts and Monsters
• Chapter Five: Poisoned Water
• Chapter Six: Scars for Life
• Chapter Seven: The Cabin 

Be sure to check out my new To Elysia and Back Again podcast every Tuesday! Click here for more information.

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.

Check Out the Map of Elysia on the Elysian Chronicles Website!

Wandering Sage has included a map of Elysia in the trade paperback version of A Prophecy Forgotten. (The limited edition does not have this map.) I decided to post the map on The Elysian Chronicles website so those of you with the hardcover and limited edition can view it, too.

Click here to view the map full-size, and then click "Click here to view a map of Elysia."

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston hosts a podcast on her To Elysia and Back Again blog, which can be downloaded on itunes. Click here for a complete listing of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast episodes. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.

This Week’s Final Cut In Movies show (02/07/09): The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

On this week’s show, I'll be discussing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, reasons you may not want to snore in a theater when you're sitting next to someone who hosts a radio talk show on movies, why the Academy is full of idiots, and just how much Button was like Forest Gump--no joke!

The show will air from 2:00-3:00am & pm and re-air throughout the week at the same times on www.adastraradio.com. To listen to tonight's show:

• Click here to listen via streaming audio on AdAstraRadio.com.
• Click here to download this show’s podcast from M. B. Weston's Podcasts.
• Click here to download this show off iTunes.

Missed Saturday's edition of The Final Cut? Don’t worry, you can catch the re-runs each day from 2:00-3:00am & pm at www.adastraradio.com, or you can download the podcast at M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or by following this link on iTunes.

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.

Podcast: The Second Birth of Davian the Great - Part 1

This is it! The inaugural posting of the To Elysia and Back Again podcast.

This first series of podcasts is called "The Second Birth of Davian the Great." Did you ever wonder how and when Davian came to believe in Ianoda and the Runes' Book of Prophecy and Book of Ezzer? I'll be telling you the story, which takes place over 200 years before The Elysian Chronicles: A Prophecy Forgotten when Davian goes to RSO training, in this podcast!

I'll also be adding a little twist by comparing the story of Davian to the Biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel.

This particular podcast covers Daniel 1:1-20, and I'll be discussing the subject of seeking God. 

To download "The Second Birth of Davian the Great: Part 1", click here.

It's, um, kind of long, but a good portion of it is a story--kind of like listening to an audio book.

If you missed my last blog and are wondering what the To Elysia and Back Again podcast is all about, click here to download a brief, 4 minute introduction.

Fantasy novelist M. B. Weston is the author of The Elysian Chronicles, a fantasy series about guardian angel warfare and treason, which is being adapted into a graphic novel series by Wandering Sage Publications, Inc., with Weston penning the script and KISS comic book artist, Adam Black, doing the art. Weston is also the host of The Final Cut in Movies, an internet radio talk show about science fiction and fantasy movies on Ad Astra Radio, which can also be heard as a podcast on M. B. Weston's Podcasts site or on iTunes. Weston speaks to children, teens, and adults about writing and the process of getting published. For more information on M. B. Weston, visit www.mbweston.com. Find out more about The Elysian Chronicles at www.elysianchronicles.com.