Description:

A new and exciting fantasy novel—the first in a trilogy—from the imagination of The Guardian Herd series author Jennifer Lynn Alvarez. Perfect for fans of Lisa McMann’s Going Wild, Brandon Mull’s Wild Born, or Erin Hunter’s Warriors series.

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Deep in the jungles of the Realm, the Sandwen clan live amongst deadly spit dragons and hordes of warring giants. But with their winged battle horses, they manage to keep their people safe. Twelve-year-old Rahkki is a stable groom for the Riders in the Sandwen army, taking care of his brother’s winged stallion. The Sandwens believe they have tamed all the wild pegasi in their land, and turned them into flying warhorses. But when a herd of wild steeds flies over their village, Rahkki and his clanmates are stunned.

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Meanwhile, a small herd of pegasi have journeyed across a treacherous ocean to settle in a new, and free, land. Led by Echofrost and Hazelwind, the Storm Herd steeds are unaware of the Sandwen people. But when the unthinkable happens, Echofrost and the rest of Storm Herd will have to come to trust the Sandwens, or both may not survive

The Fan Art of the Month is chosen at random. To be considered, email your art to jennifer@theguardianherd(dot)com

Please write "Fan Art" or "Giveaway Entry" in the subject line. Both will be considered for the Fan Art Feature, but only emails marked "Giveaway Entry" will also be entered in the monthly drawings.

WHAT'S ON MY DESK?

This Month's Project: Besides giving input on the cover for the new trilogy, RIDERS OF THE REALM, #1 ACROSS THE DARK WATER, I've begun writing a brand new book!

Why?

Because I've been working on edits off and on for perhaps two months. The urge, the compulsion, to write a new book has been growing and growing and growing inside me--kind of like a monster! I couldn't stand it a moment longer, so I unleashed the beast onto the page. This allowed me to take a deep and contented breath. This new book is top secret (for now).

SHOUT OUTS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and CONGRATULATIONS to the following colts and fillies!

Abbey T., will be 13 on August 20th

Marin M. turned 12 in July

Veda R. and her Jr. D Quiz Team placed 1st at the United States Pony Club championships in Kentucky!

Julia P. turned 12 on August 13th

Olivia G. will have a birthday on August 29th

Sofia H. turned 12 on July 26th and competed in a big horse show on her pony Mya!

Eliza B. from Jackson, MS will be 13 on August 27th

Eva W. turned 12 on August 10th and her dog turned 3 in July!

Logan S. turned 12 on June 17th and also got accepted into a really good school!

Charity B. turned 12 on July 26th!!

If you'd like a shout out, please press the button below. I'll say hello, wish you a happy birthday, or congratulate you in my monthly video and newsletter--just let me know what's going on!

TRIVIA!

The book I wrote the fastest in my life was #1 STARFIRE. In fact, I like to say that the book wrote me. After imagining pegasi flying through the clouds, I became obsessed (and I remain obsessed!). I wrote the book in 20 days.

It was crazy! I took the weekends off for my family, but otherwise, I wrote every day. My daughter was eleven at the time (you can hear her making fun of me in today's video. She's 16 now) Anyway, she enjoyed the book so much that she requested that a new chapter be ready for her each morning. Thankfully, it was summer vacation and she likes to sleep in. Still, I had to wake at 5AM to have a chapter (or two or three) ready for her by the time she woke, which was around 10AM. Between my obession and her interest, I wrote like I was on fire! 20 working days later, I had a novel.

To be more specific, I had the first draft of a novel. I did a bit of editing on my own and then sent the book to agents. Jacquie Flynn of Delbourgo Associates signed me immediately (I jumped for joy). And then, after I signed with HarperCollins, my editor and I spent several more months revising the book for pacing, point of view, focus, and character development. The plot did not change, but the book needed some polishing. So please know that I wrote a first draft in 20 days, not a polished novel.

So that is the story of how I wrote STARFIRE in 20 days!

First Artwork from WINDBORN'S Short Story

The bonus story in WINDBORN introduces the ancient Lake Herd pegasi. Find out what happened to them after they all mysteriously vanished! Readers will also meet the legendary stallion Spiderwing!

ORDER THE WINDBORN PAPERBACK HERE

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Book suggestions have been pouring in. Please feel free to suggest a book for the club. Let's stick with children's fiction and non-fiction.

I'm so excited to DISCUSS this with you!

JEN'S WRITING TIPS

(photo by Nick Alvarez)

Have you ever thought about starting a writing club? Meeting with other aspiring writers can help you imrove your writing and movitvate you to complete your stories. You can start one with your friends, or talk to your school or local library about starting one that is open to all kids. Make new friends!

Here are some guidelines that I use when I facilitate a writing club!

Group Guidelines

• Reading your work and giving feedback to others is always voluntary
• Edit your work to the best of your ability before sharing
• Prepare for critical feedback and questions
• Resist the urge to defend or argue. The purpose of sharing is to discover how your story reads to others
• Honor the time/page allotment our group decides upon. Arrive on time. Bring copies for everyone

Feedback Guidelines

• Clarity—what, if anything, confused you during the reading?
• Pacing—does the story move too slow or too fast?
• Description—can you visualize the scenes? Why or why not?
• Characters—are they distinct from one another? Do they feel like real people? Do you care about them?
• Setting—do you feel grounded in the story, when and where it takes place?
• Plot—is the story moving forward? Is the tension increasing? Is it logical?
• Dialogue—does it ring true? Is it stilted? Is it distracting?
• Praise—where does the story shine?
• Tics—where does the writer repeat words, phrases, rely on the same descriptions etc.
• Unhelpful feedback—when you simply don’t like the genre or morals of the story