Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge Day 10

Only 18 days until Beyond the Reflection's Edge is released.

Trivia: An astronomy observatory takes a prominent role in this story, so I visited a small observatory in Iowa and interviewed an amateur astronomer. We talked about how observatories work and what can and can't be done with both optical and radio telescopes. The photo shows the astronomer working on one of his telescopes.

News: I received a final release copy of the book! It won't be long now.

Reviews:

Bryan Davis has done it yet again with his new series Echoes from the Edge. This is a heartwarming and action filled adventure that will keep you reading and asking for more when you are finished. The way he intertwines violin music and cross dimensional travel is simply amazing. If you’re looking for an engaging book with Christian values, Beyond the Reflection’s Edge is the book for you! ~ Jonathan De Reus, Age 16

Innovative, heart warming, haunting. These are just a few of the many words that describe Bryan Davis’ new thriller Beyond the Reflection’s Edge. It will sweep you off your feet with its freshness and originality, and will have you rooting and caring for the characters before the book’s end. Be sure to pick up this finely crafted tale. Great read for anyone twelve and up. ~ Kaleb Steiner, Age 17

Christianbook.com is taking pre-publication orders. Here is a link.

Beyond The Reflections' Edge # 1 By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge Day 9

Only 19 days until Beyond the Reflection's Edge is released.

Trivia: Quite a bit of action in this book takes place at a high school in Iowa. I searched the Internet for a small town school and sent emails to several asking for research help. The librarian for Newton High School responded, so I chose their school. The photo shows the front of the building.

The next photo shows some of the students who helped me. I thought it was important to visit the school and talk to some of the students. They gave me a lot of great input, and they weren't timid about criticizing an early draft. I am very thankful for their help.

News: I heard from Zondervan that the book is in their warehouse, so it will be in stores on time for our scheduled release date.

Reviews:

Amazing! Bryan Davis has created a masterpiece in Beyond the Reflection's Edge. I was captivated by the thrilling plot, realistic characters, and the break-neck pace. The fact that it is a Christian novel made this the perfect book. A stunning tale, alternately chilling and tender, Beyond the Reflection's Edge is a must read! ~ Jessica Fulcher, Age 15

Beyond the Reflection's Edge held me spellbound. I literally had to force myself to put it aside to sleep at nights until I could find out how things would come out. Once again, Bryan Davis has created an action packed, fast moving plot that both held me captive and challenged his characters. I can't wait to see what happens in Book 2. ~ Chris Shupe, Age 27

Christianbook.com is taking pre-publication orders. Here is a link.

Beyond The Reflections' Edge # 1 By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge Day 8

Only 20 days until Beyond the Reflection's Edge is released.

Trivia: I have a scene in which my hero has fallen into the Chicago River. I spoke to a young man in Chicago who regularly jumps into that river, so I was able to get a first-hand account of how cold and cloudy the water is and how it smells. In the photo, the river diver is the guy on the right with the pole leaning against his shoulder. The man in the middle in Tim Shoemaker, my friend who helped me conduct research in Chicago. The young man on the left is Tim's son.

Tim is also an author as well as a teacher and speaker who specializes in family devotionals. If you want to see one of his books on Amazon, Click Here.

News: I am working on adding the Dallas area to my May tour. I will announce the events here as soon as they are firm.

Reviews:

I enjoyed this book immensely. It was almost impossible to put down. The message of love was so powerful to me, and made me tear up at the way it was written. This was a very unique plot, and I enjoyed the characters, and the contrast between Nathan and Kelly. ~ Nikki Wright, Age 16

Wow! Beyond the Reflection’s Edge is just as powerful, action-packed, and deep as Dragons In Our Midst and Oracles of Fire. Each word continued to drag me into the story and share Nathan’s and Kelly’s adventures. Sometimes I felt as though I could hear the music, even if I didn't necessarily know one of the pieces Nathan played. I say "Bravo!" to Bryan Davis. Keep it up - I can't wait to read the next one! ~ Connie Wolters, Age 26

Christianbook.com is taking pre-publication orders. Here is a link.

Beyond The Reflections' Edge # 1 By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge Day 7

Only 21 days until Beyond the Reflection's Edge is released.

Trivia: In the escape scene I mentioned yesterday, the hero and heroine had to ride Chicago's 'L' train to escape their pursuers. To get the feel for the chase, I rode the route and took this photo with the Sears Tower in the background. This kind of research helped me to capture the feel of the scene.

News: You can now read the first chapter of Beyond the Reflection's Edge. Click Here
Publishing Info:
Author - Bryan Davis
ISBN - 0310715547
Release Date - May 1, 2008
Retail Price - $12.99

Reviews:

"I loved it! The detail and complexity are amazing! Everything fits together like a puzzle just waiting to be solved ... and the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat, just waiting, wondering, what’s going to happen next. It pulls you in, and doesn't let go until you’re finished. ~ Rebekah Hagan, Age 15

At the risk of sounding like every other person who has reviewed his books, Mr. Davis has outdone himself yet again. Beyond the Reflection's Edge is a book of action, mystery, parallel dimensions, betrayal, faith, and love that only he could pull off. I hated to put it down, even when I had to. The first of what is sure to be a bestselling series. Bravo Mr. Davis once again! ~ Claire Bookhop, Age 15

Christianbook.com is taking pre-publication orders. Here is a link.

Beyond The Reflections' Edge # 1 By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge Day 6

Only 22 days until Beyond the Reflection's Edge is released.

Trivia: In the story there were a couple of scenes in Chicago in which the hero and heroine had to escape using a fire escape that had a swinging ladder for the lowest set of stairs. Here is a photo of what a typical Chicago fire escape looks like, including the ladder in the folded up position.

News: I am working on writing book #3 in this series. If you will pray for me I would appreciate it.

Reviews:

Music, mirrors, mysteries, and multiple dimensions. How do they fit together? Read Beyond the Reflection’s Edge and you'll find out! This is a marvelous puzzle of a story, a tale of families and friends bound by love and faith in the midst of scientific discoveries that could change creation for the better...or the worse. A great read for teens and young adults. ~ Jason Waguespack, The World of Rigel Chase: Legend of the Shaper

Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear. Beyond the Reflection’s Edge is one part creepy, two parts cool! Cleverly combining cutting edge technology, creative thinking, and classical music, Bryan Davis weaves together a wonderfully suspenseful plot with humorously memorable characters in a truly scientific fiction. Also, because Beyond the Reflection’s Edge pays homage to so many classics, the reader will find it comfortably accessible, whether they are fans of Dorothy (Wizard of Oz), Marty (Back to the Future), or Neo (The Matrix). As the story races along and the suspense crescendos, this engaging novel gets harder and harder to put down … even as the lights dim. One thing is for sure. I will never look at a fun house of mirrors quite the same way again. It’s the mirrors! ~ Chip Conrad, Age 39

Christianbook.com is taking pre-publication orders. Here is a link.

Beyond The Reflections' Edge # 1 By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge Day 5

Only 23 days until Beyond the Reflection's Edge is released.

Trivia: There is a car-chase scene in the book where my main character comes upon a drawbridge and is trapped. Here is a photo of the drawbridge in Chicago. I just happened to be there when the span opened, so I took as many pictures as I could. It helped me write the scene in a realistic way ... well, as realistic as the fantasy elements in the story would allow.

News: Our current release schedule will bring the second book in the series, Eternity's Edge, to stores in October of this year.

Reviews:

Beyond the Reflection’s Edge is an amazing story of fantasy, adventure, and an unparalleled exploration that will keep you turning pages until you're done. You won't be able to wait for the next one. Seriously. Brain aneurysm type problem here. ~ Casey Rochester, Age 16

I loved how Beyond the Reflection's Edge pushed me not to be satisfied with appearances, but to search for truth. It's so beautifully complex in that each page brings light to a new facet of the plot. Several times I read until late at night because I couldn't stand to leave Nathan and Kelly hanging! ~ Anna Mottaz, Age 15

Christianbook.com is taking pre-publication orders. Here is a link.

Beyond The Reflections' Edge # 1 By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge Day 4

Only 24 days until Beyond the Reflection's Edge is released.

Trivia: There is a scene in the book that take place at a performance hall in Chicago. My friend and I checked out several possible places in downtown Chicago until we settled on Ganz Hall. Every door, every hall, every staircase, and even the fire escape you will read about in the book, I looked at and photographed.

This is a photo of the stage at Ganz Hall.

News: The name of the third book in the series will be Edge of Chaos.

Reviews:

The first chapter of Beyond the Reflection’s Edge contained more emotion and action then some books ever reach. From there, the story builds in depth to an extraordinary conclusion. Nathan, Kelly, Clara and Francesca, like the much-loved characters of Davis' prior books, are realistic and touching portrayals of faith in action. I can't wait for the next installment. ~ Julie Dick, Age 15

Bryan Davis' Beyond the Reflection's Edge is his best work yet. He is able to once again touch the hearts of readers and illustrate the virtues of love, trust, sacrifice, and the power of music. Filled with unforgettable characters, intense action, and heart-wrenching moments, this book is a must-read for teens and adults alike. If you picked this book up just out of curiosity, you can't put it back on the shelf! ~ Thomas Bowers, Age 15

Christianbook.com is taking pre-publication orders. Here is a link.

Beyond The Reflections' Edge # 1 By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge Day 3

Only 25 days until Beyond the Reflection's Edge is released.

Trivia: There is a scene in the book that take place at O'Hare airport in Chicago. A friend of mine and I went there and mapped out where the characters went. It was important for me to see the layout, the roads, and the surrounding neighborhoods. I wanted to get everything right.

News: I am planning a couple of book tour events in Chicago, probably May 23 and 24. It should be fun to promote in the city where some of the action takes place.

Reviews:

Such a beautiful, captivating story of genuine love, blended with plenty of action, adventure and suspense. Completely heartwarming, yet a riveting mystery. Beyond the Reflection’s Edge definitely keeps you on your toes! An awesome book! An absolute must read! ~ Melissa Puckett, Age 22

Beyond the Reflection's Edge is a literary roller coaster that never slowed down. I loved every minute of it. I don't think I will be able to find a book of this caliber anywhere else among the genre. Bryan Davis did a masterful job and I will be eagerly awaiting the sequel. ~ Kyle Wolter, Age 14

Christianbook.com is taking pre-publication orders. Here is a link.

Beyond The Reflections' Edge # 1 By Bryan Davis / Zondervan

Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge Day 2

Trivia: The idea for Beyond the Reflection's Edge came from my second-born son. I wanted an idea for a new fantasy series. After I conducted a brainstorming session with my family that produced no good results, he came into my office with an idea about a mirror that showed an open trunk while in reality, the trunk wasn't open. That was the seed that sprouted Beyond the Reflection's Edge.

News: I have a few advance reader copies left. If you are able to do a review (blog, magazine, newspaper, etc), please let me know, and I'll send one to you.

Reviews:

Edgy, exhilarating, enthralling, a showcase of refreshing and compelling ideas. I used to think that no book could ever beat Dragons in our Midst, but this latest story is not only Bryan Davis' best yet, it is by far the best novel that I have read to date. I started reading this book one morning, and could hardly pry myself away from the pages until the next morning. ~ Siobhan Baird, Age 19

Full of high adventure and spiritual truth, Beyond the Reflection's Edge had me spellbound from the first page to the last. Mr. Davis's writing is, as always, crisp, clean, and magical, evoking powerful images and emotion, bringing to light a certain depth of understanding and realization that only the best fiction can deliver. As a Christian, a musician (particularly as a violinist), and a reader, this book managed to encapsulate nearly everything that I hold dear: God, artistry, and the mysterious complexities of the universe that God has created. Bravo, I say. I can't wait until the next book. ~ Taylor Sasse, Age 17

Only 26 days until Beyond the Reflection's Edge is released!

Countdown to Beyond the Reflection's Edge

Beyond the Reflection's Edge will be released on May 1, so I will be posting trivia, news, and reviews as the day draws near.

Trivia: I started writing this book over three years ago.

News: I will be giving away free book cover posters during my promotional tour. See my online schedule: Click Here

Reviews:
Beyond the Reflection’s Edge has left me speechless. This book has action, fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mystery, puzzles, and times when you just sit back in your chair and sigh... It is beyond awesome. The plot will have your head spinning and your mind cranking. You simply cannot find a place to stop! If ever there was an author that has the brilliance of J. R. R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, Bryan Davis is that author. ~ Kristen Konzelman, Age 14

In a mysterious and fast-paced way, Bryan Davis has brought to life one of my childhood dreams of another somewhere beyond a mirror. Alice has nothing on this one! Never before have I seen a story so intermixed with high voltage action and tender moments. This clean and new hybrid of suspense, fantasy, and the Christian faith will have you starving for more. ~ Sandi Dalton, Age 15

27 days till the release date!

Mount Hermon Report

I am back from the Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference. After teaching the teen track and leading critiquing sessions that lasted well past midnight, I am exhausted, yet pleased and satisfied. What a great group of teens (and not-so-teens)! We had about fifteen students in the track, of which three or four were (*ahem*) just a bit older than teenagers.

In the photo above, I am teaching the track students about how fantasy characters work in the traditional story structure. This is the room we used for our major morning sessions.In this photo, you can see the room we used for our nightly critique sessions. Three of our adult members seemed to want to sit together on the front row. Were they intimidated? Maybe. On two occasions we quit just after one in the morning, and on the final night, we finished up at 2:15 a.m. We laughed so hard, some cried, but not from any harsh criticism. I think most of our track members point to these sessions as the most fun we had.Above, you will see our dining facilities. With the buffet style meals, we certainly had plenty to eat. Several of our female conferees were singing praise songs, giving us lovely background music while we waited for our next class.
Please meet Ezekiel, a six-sport athlete who encouraged me to eat ice cream with him as often as possible (He didn't have to twist my arm too hard). He was a delightful gentleman and a passionate writer, a true blessing to have in the teen track.My daughter's hippo (his name is Negative) came along with me, and everyone loved him. Here he is, being the life of the party, wearing a St. Patrick's Day necklace.Here I am at the author autograph party where dozens of authors had the opportunity to sign their books for conferees. The dining room was truly abuzz with chatter and laughter. What a great time!Here's a photo of the teen group, or at least what was left of them on the final day. Some people had already gone home. I will treasure this picture. I feel quite a bond with these budding authors.And best of all, my lovely wife was with me! Although she spent some time hiking through the amazing redwood forests in the area, she attended some of our classes and critique sessions. As always, she was a huge blessing to me.

Mount Hermon is a great conference, and I'm looking forward to teaching there again next year. If you have a desire to attend one of the best writers' conferences in the country, check it out. I hope to have an even bigger group next year.

Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference

The Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference begins on Thursday. Since I will be teaching the teen track there, I won't be posting for about a week, but I hope to come back with news and photos from the conference.

Please pray for me as I try to inspire and instruct a new crop of young writers.

I also ask for prayer for my wife. She fell yesterday while hiking with my daughters, and she is in severe pain. The emergency room doctor said that nothing is seriously wrong, so we don't know why her pain is so intense. Please ask God to heal her.

Eternity's Edge Cover Revealed

The cover for Eternity's Edge, the second book in the Echoes from the Edge series has been revealed. As you can see from the image to the left, it is really mysterious. Click here for a larger image. Let me know what you think!

Florida Writers' Conference Report

I recently returned home after teaching the teen track at the Florida Christian Writers' Conference. I thought you blog readers might like to get a glimpse at the fun we had.

The first photo shows most of our group on the last day of the conference. We had eighteen students earlier. A few had to leave before the shot was taken.


The second photo shows me teaching in our classroom. That particular slide explains some of the symptoms of "preachy" writing. I frequently showed movie clips to demonstrate the various aspects of storytelling. I think watching short scenes from familiar movies helped students understand how great stories develop.

We also had consultation times. In the third photo, I'm having a meeting with one of the students. We talked about writing projects, how to improve stories, and strategies on getting published. Often, I simply encouraged them to keep on writing, to persevere in what God has called them to do.

We also conducted three critique sessions that lasted up to four and a half hours, all three ending sometime between 12:30 and 1:00 in the morning. Then we would get up early for breakfast and our 8:30 class. Sound like torture? Far from it. Both this year and last year, students tell me these sessions were the highlight of the conference.

Below, you will see one of our students reading a manuscript. Usually, we projected the document on the screen. This was one of the few times a student read from a paper copy. After the reading, the other students and I would offer our thoughts. Lots of laughter made these sessions unforgettable. (For my students - Does this photo catch your eye?)


Below, you will see a typical sight at the conference, students working on laptops. I gave them assignments each day, so when class wasn't in session, they stayed busy ... with their homework, I hope. In the motel lobby it wasn't unusual to scan the area and count more than ten laptops propped open and conferees pecking away at the next mega best seller.


And finally, with the following photo of one of our mealtimes, you can see that there was plenty of time for fun and fellowship. Considering that I am still corresponding with students from last year, the friendships we make at these conferences don't fall by the wayside. I count some of these super teens as real friends.


Plans for next year's conference are underway. For teens that attended this year or last year, please note that I am planning to present new material, so new challenges await.

Check this site for information about the conference. I hope to see even more students there in 2009.

A New Series with Zondervan

I'm pleased to announce that I signed a contract with Zondervan for a two-book speculative fiction series that will likely debut in 2010. This time my target audience is adults, so that will be a new adventure for me.

Don't worry, faithful readers. I'm confident that those of you who are thirteen or older will enjoy these stories, and you'll be two years older by then anyway.

As usual, these books will be a contemporary/fantasy blend, but I'll be adding a significant amount of science fiction, as well, so they might be dubbed science fantasy. We'll see. When the story gets worked out in my mind, I'll try to give more details, including possible titles.

I am thankful to God for this opportunity. Please join me in celebrating His goodness.

Coincidence?

I have posted about this topic before, but I'm bringing it up again because of another weird event. Here are the related posts:
Number 1
Number 2
Number 3

Do strange things happen to you that make you wonder if you have received some kind of sign? They happen to me quite frequently. Sometimes I figure out that an odd occurrence is a sign, such as the dime and two pennies "coincidences" that I posted about in the links above. Sometimes I don't figure out why it happened and hope I'll learn someday, or maybe there was no reason at all, what we call a mere coincidence.

This past Friday and Saturday I was doing my taxes, which is already a mind-bending experience, and I was going through all my expenses, including my post office receipts for book shipments. I came across this one and gave it more than a double take. Note the circled date and the amount charged. I didn't notice it at the time, but since I was entering the data in a spreadsheet, the numbers really stood out, especially since I wrote a book called Circles of Seven.

A mere coincidence? After all the amazing stories in my life, I'm not ready to assume that. I will keep my eyes open for a meaning.

How about you? Can you relate a strange event that left you wondering? Either tell me about it in a comment, or blog about it and post a link. I'd love to hear your stories.

And if you have a guess about the numbers on my receipt, let me know.

Small Town Joys

After living in Central Florida and Baltimore, Maryland, nearly all of my adult life, moving to the small town of Middleton, Tennessee, in June of 2007 brought many changes, nearly all of them ranging from good to heavenly.

I began to notice the differences immediately. After we bought our house, the real estate agent, Mr. Virgil Nutt, drove us to the gas company to establish our service, which was about 25 miles away, then to the electric company and the driver's license office. The entire trip took about 2.5 hours, and he didn't financially benefit at all. He had already earned his commission.

When we were looking for new counter tops for our kitchen, my wife called a supplier in another small town that was about 45 minutes away. The woman at the store gave her directions, but we stopped for lunch, which delayed us by about half an hour. When we arrived, the store clerk came out and gave my wife a hug. "I was so worried about you," she said. "I thought you might have gotten lost!"

That was just the beginning. Now that we are settled here, everyone seems to know us. I went to our bank recently, and the teller greeted me by name. When I handed a check to her and asked for cash, I instinctively reached for my wallet for identification, but before I could get it out, she had already counted out the money and put the check away, without even looking on the back for an endorsement.

Since I ship out quite a few books, I go to the post office frequently. The clerk is required to ask if any items in my package are "fragile, liquid, or perishable," so I told her she could shorten it and ask if the package has anything FLOP. Now when I walk in, she asks the question that way every time. Even if I haven't checked my P.O. box for an oversized package notice, she hands a package to me, and if the rural carrier is there, she asks me if I want my mail before she makes her daily run. All of this comes without anyone asking me my name. After being accustomed to impersonal service, these experiences are both delightful and a little spooky.

At the town's grocery store, Kirk's, the bakery ladies know me, because I frequently come in for a couple of donuts, usually right after my post office visit. When they see me, they sometimes have my order in a bag before I can tell them what I want. I sometimes laugh and tell them I'm going to surprise them someday and change my order, but I don't think they believe me.

Probably the greatest delight of all is the rural setting. My wife and I go on long walks on lonely country lanes, seeing deer, turkeys, songbirds, and foxes. What a great time for prayer and meditation! We drop in on our neighbors uninvited and chat for a while, and they do us the same favor. In just a few months, we have made true friends. Amanda quilts with the elderly lady up the road. The retired firefighter stops by to help with our horse fence. A neighbor calls and shares news, asks what she can pray about, or to tell us she's going to make a chocolate pie for us, just because. Coming from a land where neighbors only smile and wave on their way to a too-busy-to-bother-with-conversation day, this place really does seem like a piece of heaven.

I don't miss the bustle at all. Sure, Wal-mart is a lot farther away, but without the crazy traffic, it doesn't take any longer to get to it than it did before. Do we have a McDonald's? Nope. Wendy's? Negative. But you can go to the Southwind's Restaurant, get some fried chicken, okra, turnip greens, and black-eyed peas, and listen to the latest news from the gathering of locals. The blend of southern cooking and sweet southern chatter is a delight that can't be described adequately. You just have to sit and let it soak in. I think it won't be long until I adopt some of that southern twang. It feels smooth and easy, almost like the down-home food relaxes your voice and says, "Honey, this is the good life."

And it is the good life. Y'all come and visit us sometime, you hear?

Adding to or Taking Away From Scripture?

I have noticed a flurry of blog chatter concerning my book Eye of the Oracle. Some claim that it violates the biblical command regarding adding to or taking away from Scripture, that somehow since I use a biblical framework for my fantasy story I have crossed a line into forbidden territory. Of course, this accusation that has no foundation at all, but since the claim seems to have grown worldwide web spider legs, I will address it here.

I assume the accusers would point to one or more of the following verses to back up their claims:

You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4:2)

Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. (Deuteronomy 12:32)

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19)

No one should add to the commands of God or take them away. No one should add to his word at all and claim it is Scripture. No one should point to any Scripture and claim it is not God's word, thus taking away from the word of God. In obedience to the word of God, my stories commit none of these errors.

Eye of the Oracle is a fantasy story. It mentions biblical characters and stories and creates a fictional account, asking "what if" questions, thus creating a new story. My story is not true. I don't claim it to be true. In fact, I emphatically claim that the extra-biblical events that I created never happened.

Is this adding to the commands of God? Of course not. Am I claiming that my story is scriptural, and thereby adding to Scripture? Definitely not. Am I pointing to any part of Scripture and saying that it's not true? No, again. Therefore, I am neither adding to nor taking away from Scripture, and I have heeded the Bible's warnings.

Still, I am claiming that the story communicates truth in a powerful way. Since the only "what if" questions I ask are in areas in which the Bible is silent, it never contradicts Scripture, and for many readers the story shines light on what the Bible teaches in a way that is helpful and enlightening. The story communicates unconditional love, selfless sacrifice, godly perseverance, and God's faithfulness in ways that line up exactly with biblical truth.

Some people worry about my use of myths such as Lilith and Naamah or stories from the Book of Enoch. Certainly I am not the first to do this. Both Tolkien and Lewis borrowed from myths, and the book of Jude in the Bible quotes from the Book of Enoch. I think I'm in good company. I certainly can't find any Bible command that forbids the use of such things in telling a fictional story, so if someone claims that God forbids it, who, then, is the one adding to the commands of God?

Others are concerned about the presence of evil or occultic influences in my story. Yes, they are there, portrayed in all their wickedness. Evil is clearly evil, and good is clearly good. The Bible does the same, showing us what the forces of evil are like and how the children of light can overcome them. Again, I am in good company.

I tell stories to illustrate truth, fantasy stories that open our physical eyes to the unseen spiritual world. Jesus did the same. He told us of a camel passing through the eye of a needle and performed wondrous miracles. Although his miracles really happened, if they were put in a storybook that took place in another world with a name other than Jesus, it would be a great fantasy story.

I sat at the feet of my Lord and learned about using fantastic stories from the Master Himself. That is the greatest company of all.

Last of the Nephilim Finished!

I finished Last of the Nephilim yesterday and turned it into AMG Publishers. It's a relief to have it done, but there is no rest for the weary. I will now turn to the editing process for Eternity's Edge, book #2 of Echoes from the Edge, and when that's done, it will likely be time to start the same process for Last of the Nephilim.

After that, I have to write book #3 of Echoes from the Edge (as yet untitled) and book #4 of Oracles of Fire, The Bones of Makaidos. During this editing and writing period I will be teaching at the Florida Christian Writers' Conference and the Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference, and I will be going on promotional tours in Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, Maryland, Florida, and New Jersey, as well as local events in Tennessee. I appreciate your prayers for me and my family as this hectic season of life continues.

All of that said, it's time to celebrate. I'm excited about the story and looking forward to readers' reactions, and having it done is a great reason to do something fun here at the Davis home tonight.

Thou, O Lord, Art a Shield

Psalm 3 has been a comfort to me today. I'm certain most of my blog readers are familiar with it, but I thought I'd post the text anyway.

1 O Lord, how my adversaries have increased!
Many are rising up against me.
2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.”

3 But Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me,
My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
4 I was crying to the Lord with my voice,
And He answered me from His holy mountain.
5 I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who have set themselves against me round about.

7 Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God!
For Thou hast smitten all my enemies on the cheek;
Thou hast shattered the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
Thy blessing be upon Thy people!

I am thankful today that God is a shield. (Text is from the New American Standard Bible, 1977)

Reviews from the Edge

Zondervan sent out pre-publication copies of Beyond the Reflection's Edge to about fifty readers, and the reviews have been amazing. I will post a few of them here, and I will post more as the release date (May 1) approaches.

If you would like to order an autographed copy of the book now, I will take pre-orders on my ordering page - Click Here

Action, intrigue, and take-home value—the very essence of a powerful story and…the defining characteristics of Bryan Davis’s new novel: Beyond the Reflection’s Edge. Davis ratchets up the intensity right from the start, grabs you by the throat, and draws you into sixteen-year-old Nathan Shepherd’s world, a world where nothing is quite what it seems. Readers will white-knuckle through the pages until the stirring conclusion where, at last, they can exhale. ~ Wayne Thomas Batson, Author of The Door Within Trilogy, Isle of Swords, and Isle of Fire

Beyond the Reflection’s Edge is a sci-fi thriller, packed with action & adventure, that hurtles along at top speed from beginning to end. ~ L.B. Graham, Author of The Binding of the Blade series

Bravo, bravissimo! The book came alive in an ever-increasing crescendo of action, science fiction, love, and adventure. The plot begins at a fast-paced allegro and quickly becomes a glorious accelerando poco a poco al fine. A true masterpiece worthy to be played before the Great Composer himself. Encore! Encore! ~ Caleb Schlamp, Age 15

You can describe this book with one word—WONDERFUL! It had me guessing even through the very end. A well thought-out plot and believable characters, though what the characters go through are things they never thought possible. This is one book where even before you read the first page you’ll need to buckle your seatbelt and hang on for dear life! ~ L. A. Clark, Age 17

Coming to Arkansas

In order to promote my new book, Beyond the Reflection's Edge, I will be signing books at the Skia Christian bookstore in Bentonville, Arkansas, on Saturday, May 10. If you're in that general area, I hope you'll come and see me at the store. I'll post the exact time at a later date.

I would also like to schedule talks at local schools, homeschool groups, libraries, churches, etc, during the days leading up to the bookstore event. So, if you would like me to come to your group on Thursday, May 8 or Friday, May 9, please let me know. There will be no charge. You may either begin the contact by commenting on this post, or email be at bryan at dragonsinourmidst dot com.

I'm looking forward to this trip. I hear that part of the state is beautiful.

A Fluorescent Idea

As an author, I love words and the images they conjure. Yesterday, I spent some time replacing old light bulbs with the new energy-saving fluorescent type. They look really cool.

You know how a light bulb turns on above a cartoon character when he gets a bright idea? These bulbs made me think of that. Wouldn't it be funny if new cartoons used these bulbs instead, indicating a different kind of idea, maybe an energy-saving idea?

Then I thought about the fact that fluorescent lights are a problem for some people. Sometimes the flickering or the noise can cause headaches, and the type of light can lead to other illnesses, so some people don't like them at all.

And that led me to this "bright idea." I'm inventing a new term. When you have a great idea, but it's likely to bother some people, call it a "fluorescent idea." For example, if you decide to paint your house pink or erect a twenty-foot statue of Groucho Marx in your front yard, that would be a fluorescent idea, because it's likely to annoy the neighbors. If you decide to save money by wearing the same pair of socks every day for two months, that would be a fluorescent idea.

So here's what I'm asking you to do. Please use this phrase whenever you can. If someone has an idea that you think is annoying, tell them out loud that it's a fluorescent idea. Use it in your writing. I'm already trying to figure out how to put it in one of my books. Use it in emails and chat rooms, explaining the meaning to those who don't understand. Let's make it part of the new lingo.

If you have an example of a fluorescent idea, tell me about it in a comment.

I know. Some people will think the idea to do this is fluorescent, but that's okay. It will only help to spread the word about this great new term.

Book Covers

As many of you have noticed, I have a poll on the left side of my blog page asking which of my Dragons in our Midst/Oracles of Fire book covers is your favorite. I'm keeping it there for about another week, so please cast your vote if you haven't already.

Circles of Seven is the clear leader, which is no surprise to me. It's also my favorite, but as I study the results and note the second and third place covers, I noticed that the top three covers all have a scene that includes a clear and present danger. Tension is high. While they all evoke curiosity and intrigue, it seems that people like scenes that make you think the hero had better do something right away, or the consequences will be terrible.

What makes a book cover appealing? What makes you want to pick it up and see what's inside? Is it danger? Colors? People's faces? Beautiful scenery?

Regarding immediate danger, when I saw the cover of L.B. Graham's book Shadow in the Deep, I immediately wanted to know what the story was about. Although my writing schedule kept me from reading it, my eldest son assures me that it's great.

Regarding colors, check out the cover of Wayne Thomas Batson's new pirates novel, Isle of Fire. The artwork gives us a blend of beautiful colors and dark shades, and the danger element is there, as well. Definitely a lot of intrigue. Anyone who picks it up knows he's about to embark on a danger-filled adventure.

Contrast that to the cover of my novel Beyond the Reflection's Edge. Colors are intentionally muted. No imminent danger. Yet it still gives a sense of intrigue and makes people curious. With the reflected hand, the city skyline at the bottom, and the musical score in the background, the cover gives us plenty to think about.

And when I think about the covers that are coming, I get excited about the potential reaction. I saw a preliminary cover for the fourth book in my Oracles of Fire series, The Bones of Makaidos, and I know that some of my readers are literally going to squeal when they see it. It shows something my readers have been wondering about for almost three years.

So, tell me. What kind of book cover appeals to you? Can you think of a particular cover that you think is great? What made you pick it up? What cover disappointed you? Maybe it promised something the book didn't deliver.

Let's talk about it.

What's on Your Desk?

I thought it might be fun to show you what my desk looks like on a typical day and ask you post a link to a photo of your desk.

To the left, you can see my desk, and if you click here, you can see a larger version, but it's high-resolution, so don't click if you have dial-up.

Can you spot the following items (roughly from left to right)?

A galley copy of Beyond the Reflection's Edge, an empty glass, my laptop computer, a stack of post-it notes propping up my laptop because it overheats, nail clippers, partially unwrapped Hall's cough drops, a pen, an open envelope, a pad of blank checks, a wallet, a paper clip, chapstick, the checkbook where the blank checks belong, a thumb drive, a video camera, my monitor with my favorite photo of my favorite person, a spider on top of the monitor. a wireless keyboard, bookmarks, a weather station that currently reads 37 degrees, a cup with pens and pencils, two Duracell batteries, blue-handled scissors, a wireless Microsoft mouse, bottle of water, various receipts, a brown box, and two bottles of vitamins.

People sometimes say that your desk reflects your character or personality. Is that true? If so, what does my desk say about me?

How about your desk? Post a link to a photo and give me a list of things to look for. No fair cleaning up before you take the photo! Then we can psychoanalyze you.

I hope some people will do this. Otherwise this will be a waste of time. Invite your friends to come here and post a link to a photo. Post your desk on your own blog and link back to mine. Let me know you did it, and I'll post a comment on your blog. Maybe we can start a desktop blog tour and make it spread throughout the Internet.

Okay, so I dream big. No matter what happens, let's have some fun.

The Envelope Please

We have a winner in the "Appreciate a Dragon Day" poetry contest. After agonizing over all the great poems with my wife and one of my children, we chose the finalists and made the difficult decision.

Ian posted as Fantasy Loving Christian, and he will receive a copy of the Circles of Seven Audio Book.


Here is his poem:

By blessed praise and holy fire
Dragons came to fight
To serve the righteous King of Life
Warriors of the light

Corrupted ones, the fallen fire
In darkness named their race
Yet some stood strong and kept the word
Of God’s eternal grace

In deepest darkness of the world
The fallen angels raved
But evil power could not touch
The dragons who were saved

Beyond the scale, beyond the claw
An evil war is fought
To claim eternal faithful souls
That once in sin were caught

The dragon’s tooth, the dragon’s claw
The dragon’s holy fire
Are not as strong as faith and love
Which lift us gently higher

For we, the dragons, now must choose
The king that we will serve
Will fight for darkness or for light
We dragons of the earth?

Congratulations, Ian!

Appreciate a Dragon Day!

January 16 is the official "Appreciate a Dragon Day." So, if you know a dragon, tell him (or her) how much you appreciate him. Dragons always enjoy a nice pat on their scaly backs, or a belly rub, if you dare. I hope you like the outstanding portrait of Makaidos, one of the dragons from my book series, drawn by thirteen-year-old Kristin. (Thank you, Kristin!)

To celebrate this holiday, I am running a contest. Create a short poem (at least four lines) about dragons and post it as a comment. I will pick the best ones and draw a winner at random from the finalists.

After you post, send me an email with your email address so I can contact you if you win. The prize is the Circles of Seven audio book. My email address is bryan at dragonsinourmidst dot com. Replace the "at" with "@" and "dot" with a period.

I reserve the right to reject any poems, and the winner must live in the U.S. or Canada (Postage is expensive.) The decision of the judge is final.

******** Added on Sunday, January 20 ********
The poetry contest for Appreciate a Dragon Day is now over. I will announce the winner soon.

Writers' Conferences - Just Do It

I believe that attending writers' conferences is the best way for aspiring writers to learn about the craft, to network with editors and other writers, and to get published. I will be teaching the teen track at two upcoming conferences: the Florida Christian Writers' Conference near Bradenton, Florida, February 28-March 2 (Click Here) and the Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference near San Jose, California, March 14-18 (Click Here).

If you're a teen writer and want to take a serious class on writing fiction with an emphasis on fantasy, you might want to check these out. At the Florida conference, there are a few $200 grants available for teens. That will help a lot.

Adult writers will also benefit greatly. I might even let you sneak into my class, especially if you bring cookies. My career as an author began because of editor contacts, and I met a lot of writing friends as well, so I always point to conferences as the road to success. Several established authors helped me hone my skills or introduced me to editors or movers and shakers in the industry. If you want to get out of the slush pile, this is the way to go.

I hope to see some of my blog readers there! I'll do my best to show you the ropes.

My Readers Rock!

Perhaps the greatest blessing I receive as an author is the opportunity to hear from readers. They send me emails, letters, pictures, such as this great rockin' dragon sent by thirteen-year-old Sierra Reep, and even cookies. They tell me how much my books mean to them, and I am often overwhelmed by their testimonies. I have heard from kids who have become Christians because of my books, or are now walking closer to God, or have changed their minds about hurting others or themselves, even one teenager who changed her mind about committing suicide.

On more than one occasion a reader has arranged a Dragons in our Midst party and invited other readers to come. When I went to one of these parties in the Atlanta area, readers came from as far away as New Jersey and Louisiana to get together for one afternoon because of their love for my books. What an amazing blessing!

When I go on book tours, I often meet readers who become good friends with my children, and now we have close bonds. As I write this, two of my readers are in my home, having flown in from distant cities to spend time with our family. On one occasion, a couple of readers traveled great distances to help my family move from Orlando to Tennessee!

I hope never to take these amazing blessings for granted. My readers are more valuable than gold. That's why I reply to every email, every letter, and every author-directed post on my message forum, which amounts to hundreds and hundreds of personal pieces of correspondence. It can take several hours each week to get to all of them, but it's worth it.

Some kids ask me for counsel regarding very difficult, even tragic events in their life. They don't have anyone else to turn to. How could I ignore a single cry for help? As long as God gives me strength, that will never happen.

So, hats off to my readers! You rock! Without you, I could never be an author. Without you, I would have no reason to write at all. Even if my books sell so many copies that I become a celebrity, may God help me never to forget that as an author I am a servant, not a star.

Are you a Scrub Jay?

I'll never forget this hiking experience in one of Florida's scrub forests. We came upon a family of scrub jays. I had heard that, unlike most birds, they have very little fear of humans. That proved to be an understatement. Although we were out in the wild, they landed on our heads, hands, and shoulders, checking us out as though we were curiosities to be thoroughly examined.

I snapped this photo of my wife, Susie, with one of these beautiful birds perched on her hand. It remains as one of my favorite shots of all time, not only because both the lovely lady and the statuesque bird posed so nicely, it always reminds me of deeper truths.

Most flocks of birds will scatter when you approach, fearful that you will hurt them, though their fears are almost always unfounded. I, for one, would love to walk up to a bird and stroke its feathers and have it perch on my finger and sing a song. I have no desire to harm them. I only want to enjoy their beauty. But they fly away, ignorant of my desires to share the blessing of their presence.

I wonder if God feels the same way when people scatter whenever He wants to draw near. The Bible says that He seeks to be with us and rejoices over us, but some people fear His presence. They think He will punish them for wrongdoings. They are shivering sparrows who believe they are the next meal for an wrathful deity, so they fly away.

If a person is alienated from God, perhaps fear is justified. Perhaps wrath is to be expected. Yet, even some of those who have made peace with God through Jesus Christ are still afraid. They don't want to sit and sing songs of worship. They're still guilt-ridden or simply still accustomed to flying away.

Since I have been made a friend of God, I will never join the scattering birds. I am like a scrub jay. I want to fly to my Master's hand when I see Him walking down the lane, seeking to have fellowship with me. Even though my voice squawks like a scrub jay's, I will sit and sing my heart out anyway, because I have no fear of my Master, and I know He loves to hear my joyful noise, off-key or not.

Project Status

In case anyone wants to know how my book production schedule is going, here is an update.

I am busily writing Last of the Nephilim, book three in the Oracles of Fire series. I wrote about 65,000 words in December, which is good considering the holidays and a wedding anniversary made for a few non-writing days. I hope to finish the first draft by the end of January. The book is tentatively scheduled to come out in June, so once I get it done, AMG Publishers will put it on a fast track for editing and proof-reading.

I am also proof-reading the galley for Beyond the Reflection's Edge, the first Echoes from the Edge book. That should go quickly. It is scheduled to come out in May. I will soon get back first edits from the publisher for Eternity's Edge, the second book in that series, so that will add to my workload. Then I will write book three in that series, which is as yet untitled and is supposed to be finished by mid-July.

After that, I plan to write The Bones of Makaidos, book four in the Oracles of Fire series, which might be the last of the dragons books. We'll see.

I am thankful for so many opportunities to write, and I could well be making an announcement soon regarding more books. Keep watching this blog for further developments.