My Light Magazine

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope the holidays have been good to all of you. Are you ready for 2009?

A new year often brings changes. Things are no different here at My Light Magazine. It has been brought to our attention that the Magazine is not very user-friendly at times. In the last two months, we have had several problems, including access to the website, problems with the PDF and the archive section.

I want you all to know that we at My Light Magazine take these issues seriously, as we want nothing less than top quality service to our readers.

This is where the changes are coming in. We are working on a whole section of archives, but it is slow moving. November and December should be up when the January issue comes out.

We believe we have resolved the PDF problem and there should be no more issues with that. Of course, a main goal we have is to figure out why the website is difficult to access. I have several theories, but we need to take a closer look at it and maybe have another pair of eyes looking at it.

As always, thank you for your support. If there are any other issues that you notice, feel free to send me an e-mail at editor@mylightmagazine.com or to my assistant Editor, Jaclyn Morales at Jaclynmorales@mylightmagazine.com .

A Star in the Night: Coming Soon!

My first picture book, A Star in the Night, is now listed as "coming soon" on Guardian Angel Publishing's website. Click here to see it. It is the last book in the selection. It isn't up for sale yet, but I promise I will let you know when it is available. Illustrator John Blackford is doing a tremendous job with the pictures.

Submissions for My LIght Magazine

ATTENTION AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS!!

We are in need of stories and articles for January asap. The earlier the better so I can give our illustrators time to work on the project.

Also- illustrators - if you have time or are willing to work on a short deadline this month e-mail me asap and let me know what you prefer to do: story, article, poetry, designs to perk up stories, etc.

In addition - we are now accepting submissions in every category for our February, March APril and May issues. The categories include: stories, articles, poems, puzzles, arts and crafts, recipes, profiles on saints (which will be up year-round)

PLEASE BE SURE TO SEND ALL SUBS IN AN ATTACHMENT,with category and age group in the subject line ( this helps us with our organizing). Send subs to our assistant editor:

jaclyn morales
jaclynmorales@mylightmagazine.com

Any further questions contact Jaclyn or

Jennifer
editor@mylightmagazine.com

Or feel free to post a question in the My Light Group if you think others will benefit. www.groups.yahoo.com/group/mylight

As always, thanks for your help!

Jennifer Gladen
Editor,
My Light Magazine
http://mylightmagazine.com

Green Books for Christmas!

THRIFTY BOOK BUYS: e-BOOKS are GREEN - They Save Trees!

The word is out. . . Children's e-Books, on CD or Download,

Are the Bargain of the Year!

Cheaper than paper, they are the epitome of "GREEN."

These are QUALITY BOOKS - fun, inspirational and educational.

<><><><><><><><><><><>

BUY a "green" CD and save a tree.

Do your bit to save the planet!

<><><><><><><><><><><>

Kids Are Computer Savvy!

ADD to a LAPTOP or PC

and

Books on CD can distract kids before a doctor or dentist appointment, on rainy Sundays, holidays. . . , or in the back seat on long car trips.


<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Coming soon:

Jennifer Gladen’s first Children's Book:

A Star in the Night

Michael makes his way home from shopping one Christmas Eve
Night. What starts out as an ordinary winter night turns into something much more on his journey home. He is faced with three experiences that will change his life, all the while it seems he is being followed by a peculiar star.

Visit

Guardian Angel Publishing

Find a wide range of wonderful children's books,

by authors who care about children.

On Download, CD, and . . . . . Hard Copy!

Of Atlantis: Part Two of the Prologue

Okay. As promised here is the second part of the prologue from Lanaia Lee's Of Atlantis. Enjoy the ride! I found it tons of fun.

**************************************************************************


Archimedes mother gave him a puppy and hoped this would provide much needed companionship for her very lonely son. Archimedes was very careful of how he played with the
dog because of his extraordinary powers. One day while playing, the dog jumped up on the child
and scared him. He was still too young to control his powers, so he pushed the dog aside when
right before the boy’s eyes, the dog just disappeared.

The child had not meant to hurt his only friend, the puppy he so loved, but Archimedes
still did not know how to control his very special gift. The child honestly believed it to be some
sort of demonic curse which saddened and frightened him.

Archimedes loved all kinds of animals, even insects. He saw them as his only friends. He
walked over to his mother’s roses and listened to the birds as they sang. The bees buzzed from
the rose bushes, going about their business and their most important work.

One bee found its way to Archimedes and stung him, hurting the child. Archimedes did
not know that after a bee stings someone it dies. So, the small child said, “Where are you? You
hurt me. If I find you, I will kill you.”

His nanny standing close overheard this and admonished him, “Archimedes, you should
be ashamed. A child of your age shouldn’t say such things!” His nanny kept a safe distance from
the boy because she, just like every one else, feared the young child’s capabilities. His nurse
continued, “You should come inside now. It is almost time for your nap!”

Archimedes replied stubbornly, “I don’t want to go inside. I want to play some more!”

But his nanny was very persistent and kept fussing at the child.
Archimedes’ frustratration boiled within his very being. He wanted to hurt her, but he
knew this is wrong, so he took a deep breath and went inside with his nanny. He followed his nanny to his bedroom, where she cautiously tucked him in his bed for a nap. Archimedes watched his nanny until he saw that she was gone. Then he jumped out of bed, and very quietly made his way to his mother’s chambers. When he arrived there, he slowly opened the door and peeked inside.

His mother, Queen Cheris, pulled a brush through her hair when she spied her small son.
She smiled at him and with open arms she cried out, “Archimedes, come to me.” The child ran
and they embraced. Archimedes really loved his mother as a true friend and protector. He never
sensed fear from his mother.

As Cheris held her son, she noticed the child felt warm. She mentioned this to Archimedes and then poured her son a cool glass of water, which he greedily drank. Cheris then said, “I know you didn’t have lessons today as your teacher took ill. What did you do all day?”

Archimedes answered, “I played in the gardens all day by myself. Mother, can I have
another puppy to play with? I promise to be careful so I don’t hurt this one. I just want someone
to play with. I hear the others playing outside the wall and I feel so bad. I have no one to play
with. Everybody is afraid of me.”

Cheris looked down as she answered her son, “Let’s see what we can do about getting
you another puppy. I know you are lonesome my son, but when you are older, I promise you will
understand everything.”
**********************************************************************

There you have it! Stay tuned for part three tomorrow!

All About Lanaia Lee

Before I post part two of Lanaia's prologue, I have an interview to share with you. Lanaia stopped by the blog and answered some questions I had for her. I wanted to know more about this fascinating author, and I'm sure you do, too. I will post later today part 2 of the prologue. Below are some interesting Lanaia facts:

Do you have any pets?

Oh yes, I have a three month old cocker spaniel, named D. J., named for my husband, David. D. J. stands for David Junior. I recently had a seven year old Jack Russell Terrier named Jack, by my Japanese step-mother, Jack was diabetic and died May 19th, so my husband got me D. J. for my anniversary.

What is going on with your writing these days?

I am working on the final book of my fantasy series Of Atlantis, then I have 4 more novels planned with my publisher, A, G. Press, as well as a poetry book ever so often. I signed a life time contract with them

What are your future goals for your writing?

I want to see Of Atlantis go to the big screen. Almost every one knows Atlantis, but my books are unique, as the story idea, has never been done before.

In one sentence—what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?

I want to be synonymous with Of Atlantis, like George Lucas is with Star Wars or Gene Roddenbury is with Star Trek


Where can we find out more about you?
http://lanaiaslair.com (sign my guest book)

http://lanaialee.wordpress.com

www.myspace.com/lanaialee -

Is there a place where readers can reach you?

I am pretty much always on line writing, promoting, etc. e-mail me at lanaia74@yahoo.com


Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers—what would you like them to know about you and your writing?

I would like everyone to know, I am just a person like everyone else, even though I travel on wheels instead of legs. I am a very strong woman that has survived a lot. Give my writing a chance, read it and just like everyone that reads it, they say they are hooked. I hope my books, and the story of my life, there will be something for everyone. And thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I hope I gave you some in sight into Lanaia Lee and Of Atlantis.

A Sneak Peek of OF ATLANTIS

I have a treat for you all today. Lanaia Lee, author of Of Atlantis shared the prologue of her book with me. I was so enthralled with the story that I wanted to share it with you. I found it intriguing since I connected with the main character right away. When you're finished reading part one of the prologue, feel free to leave a comment and share what you think.

***********************

Archimedes, heir to the throne of Atlantis, played alone in the courtyard of his home, the palace. His father, the King, always seemed to be gone fightin bloody battles with his enemies.

On this day, Archimedes’ father, King Lionus, left for another battle, and the young child worried if his father, whom he so loved, would return to him or fall in battle like so many others did when they clashed with enemies.

Across the courtyard, near his mother’s beloved roses, he saw his nanny in deep conversation with two members of the palace guard appointed as the child’s bodyguards.

Archimedes could always tell his body guards felt very uncomfortable around him, because he was no ordinary child. At only four, he could feel their discomfort in his presence.

The last time King Lionus had gone into battle, he had come to say goodbye to his son, totally dressed in his full battle regalia. At that time, Archimedes while playing in the courtyard he saw his father and ran straight to him with open arms. When he got there, his father pulled away. Lionus told the poor child, “Keep your distance! Be a man like me and say goodbye the way I would. That is the way I taught you, so that is what I expect!”

Archimedes tried his best to hide his tears from his father, because his father would think him weak. The child knew even his own father feared him because he was different but helpless against it.

King Lionus said, “I came to say goodbye because I will be gone this time for a couple of months. You are a prince and I expect you to conduct yourself in this way during my absence. It is very important that you act like a man, especially for the sake of your mother. She worries enough, and I don’t want you to give her any more reason to do so.”

Archimedes looked at his father after secretly wiping the tears from his eyes and then said, “I totally understand what you ask of me sir. But I do wonder will you return? I just don’t want you to die. I just love you so, Father.”

King Lionus bent down on one knee to face his son, “Archimedes, you don’t have to worry. Don’t I always return? I am Atlantis, and killing me is no easy task. You know I have been wounded several times, but I have always returned. It is my destiny to rule this country, so I shall return. I know my subjects and you and your mother need me, so I always return. Just be a man for your mother and let Lord Uric help you with your studies. It is important to me that you behave and be a good boy.”

Archimedes answered his father, “I will do my very best to be a man for mother sir, but I will miss you father. I love you father!”

For a moment the child softened the heart of the King, and the King started to reach out for his son. But then the fear of his son took over so King Lionus, said, “Goodbye son,” then he turned and walked away.
Archimedes watched his father walk away from him, until he could no longer see him.

On the other side of the wall around the perimeter of the courtyard, Archimedes could hear the laughter of other children as they played. The child started to think about what the other children might be playing such as hide and seek, or maybe even tag.

Their laughter made Archimedes sad, because the other children always shied away from him fearing his strange abilities. This made Archimedes a lonely child. As he listened to the other children it made him wish he didn’t have powers. His powers made him feel like he was not as good as the others. The poor child longed just to be normal.
************************************

That's all for today. Come back tomorrow for part two. Thanks for sharing your prologue with us Lanaia!