Book Review: Owen and the Dragon by Carla Mooney

Title: Owen and the Dragon


Written by: Carla Mooney

Illustrated by: Colin Thomson

Paperback: 72 pages

Publisher: Soto Publishing Company / May 2010

ISBN: 978-0-9821711-7-2

Price: $6.99

Ages: 8 and up

Determined not to accept his new home in a new town, 10-year-old Owen refuses to unpack his belongings, a typical response for many young children who leave their familiar surroundings and friends behind. Some may though enjoy the new adventure presented to them. To top it off his new neighbor is a girl of all things and Owen dismisses Izzy from the onset.

The lure of the massive woods behind his new home creates just the right diversion. Packing a lunch Owen sets off. What he thinks will be a typical hike in the woods becomes so much more as he continues his trek deeper into the woods. Taking a much needed rest at the top of the hillside, Owen hears the unmistakable sound of someone or something snoring. Curiosity gets the best of him and Owen finds himself at the entrance of a cave. What he finds in there is unbelievable to him, even though he is seeing it with his own eyes.

“Curled up in the darkest corner of the cave, an animal he’d never seen before snored. Owen slowly shone his flashlight back and forth across the creature. It was covered in green and gold scales. Two enormous wings were folded across its body and a long tail lay curled on the ground. A dragon!”

Shocked beyond belief, Owens gains the trust of the dragon Phineas through their conversations and learns Phineas has lost his ability to fly, which can only be restored through a lost magic locket. Can Owen find the locket in time to help Phineas get back to his family? For time is running out for Phineas with the approaching of the fortieth sun cycle. To accomplish his task at hand, Owen needs to look deep within and become more accepting of others. Can he and will he do so in time?

The magical adventures of Owen and Phineas in the quest to reunite Phineas with his family will leave the reader feeling anything is possible. Visit Carla Mooney at: http://www.jacketflap.com/profile.asp?member=cmooney

Come Explore Write What Inspires You for Testimonials, Author Interviews, Book Trailers, Releases, and Reviews

M E D I A  R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Donna M. McDine
Children’s Author
Email: dmcdine@optonline.net
Phone: 845-721-7802

For Immediate Release

Come Explore Write What Inspires You for Testimonials, Author Interviews, Book Trailers, Releases, and Reviews

Cruise on over to Write What Inspires You at: http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com and hear what satisfied clients of Dynamic Media Release Services have to say, author interviews, book trailer and reviews, Guardian Angel Publishing June releases, and a special contest announcement.

7/21/2010 - Testimonials to Affirm Dynamic Media Release Services

7/23/2010 – Guest Author Interview, Shari Maurer

7/26/2010 - The Bug that Plagued the Entire Third Grade by Lori Calabrese

7/28/2010 – Guardian Angel Publishing Announces June 2010 Releases

7/30/2010 – Award-winning Penny and Rio series Contest by Jennifer Swanson

8/2/2010 – Lost Island Smugglers Max Elliot Anderson

8/4/2010 – Children’s Author, Editor and Owner and Founder of SFC Magazine Interview, VS Grenier

8/6/2010 – Slip, Slide into the World of Book Reviewing – Mayra Calvani

8/9/2010 – Another Satisfied Client of Dynamic Media Release Services

8/13/2010 – Book Review: Brigitta of the White Forest by Danika Dinsmore

8/16/2010 – Book Review: Owen and the Dragon by Carla Mooney

8/18/2010 – Book Review: The Guardian of Kelmar ~ Book I of the Kelmr Trilogy by Laura Sepesi

8/20/2010 – Book Review: If I Could Be Anything by Kevin McNamee

8/23/2010 – Book Review: The Sister Exchange by Kevin McNamee

8/23/2010 – Author and Publisher Interview: Carole Anne Carr at http://www.thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com

8/25/2010 – The Soggy Town of Hilltop by Kevin McNamee

Mark your calendar today and be sure to visit http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/.

Thank you in advance for your interest.

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Come Along and Learn About Children's Author, Carla Mooney

Sit for a spell and adventure into the fascinating world of children's author, Carla Mooney. Carla will be on hand today to field your questions and comments, so ask away.

DMc: Please share with us your defining moment in writing for children.



CM: I started Owen and the Dragon as a project for an online writing class. I had done a few scenes, but didn't think I could really tackle an entire novel. Then one night, my older son came down with the stomach flu. He kept getting up every ½ hour or so and I soon realized that I wasn't going to be getting much sleep that night. I ended up grabbing my laptop and typing away in the hall outside his room for the entire night (in between his bathroom trips!) I finished about 2/3 of my first draft of Owen that night and realized that I really could do this!

DMc: Do you find with your analytical mind for numbers helps in you developing of a story arc? If yes, how?


CM: I don't think it helps with the story arc – although I wished it did! Instead it helps keep me organized and on task, both of which I've found are important to achieving my goals.

DMc: What do you feel is the best way to keep a child's interest in reading?


CM: To read something that they are interested in! Both of my boys love stories that I'm not especially fond of reading, but I do because they are excited about them.

DMc: When developing a new manuscript do you create an outline or go with the flow of writing?

CM: I've tried doing it by flow and it really doesn't work for me. I guess that's the accountant coming out again! I like outlines – the more detailed, the better! Of course, I'm still open to change. I've gone back and made significant changes after a first draft during the editing process, like adding characters or changing plot points.

DMc: What has been your most successful marketing tool to date?


CM: I'm hoping that it will be Indie Debut 2010! It's been great to have a friendship with other authors at similar points with their books – all looking to support and learn from each other.

DMc: Please share with us your current work-in-progress.


CM: On the nonfiction side – I'm currently researching a new book on Explorers of the New World. On the fiction front, I'm developing a picture book and a new chapter book that features Owen's friend, Izzy.

Carla, it was a pleasure interviewing you. Best wishes for your continued success!
 
To learn more about Carla Mooney visit http://www.carlamooney.com/
 

Indie-Debut – Small Press Month Makes a Huge Impact

INDIE-DEBUT 2010


Blog: http://indiedebut2010.blogspot.com/

M E D I A R E L E A S E

CONTACT: Amy Allgeyer Cook, Author

Email: amyacook@live.com

For Immediate Release

Indie-Debut – Small Press Month Makes a Huge Impact

In celebration of Small Press Month, Indie-Debut 2010 is thrilled to announce their March event schedule for the week of March 7, 2010. Join in the fun and cruise on over to http://indiedebut2010.blogspot.com/ and read insightful interviews from prominent individuals in the small press world. Participate in lively discussions, Friday gift giveaway contests, and so much more.

Highlights for the week of March 7, 2010:

Mon, March 8: SPOTLIGHT: Miriam Forster and Winner Announcement

Tues, March 9: Stephen Mooser Interview w/ Amy Cook

Wed, March 10: Discussion: As a reader and lover of books, do you pay attention to the publisher or the quality of writing?

Thurs, March 11: Indie Bookstore Interview with Amy Cook

Fri, March 12: SPOTLIGHT ON TEASERS: Scott Heydt & Carla Mooney

PLUS Giveaway: Fabulous Follower Prize: Become a follower of our blog, twitter, and Facebook and be entered to win:

The Bug That Plagued the Entire Third Grade tote bag – prize by Lori Calabrese

Amazing Africa Projects – prize by Carla Mooney

Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson – prize by Donna McDine

Thank you in advance for your interest. We look forward to your visit.

Be sure to check back for next week’s schedule.

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More information is available upon request electronically.

Indie-Debut 2010

M E D I A  R E L E A S E


CONTACT: Amy Allgeyer Cook, Author
Email: amyacook@live.com

For Immediate Release

Indie-Debut Authors Join Forces in 2010

Indie-Debut 2010 blasts into the new year to announce the impending arrival of debut books from Small Presses across America.

Come along to learn about these talented debut authors and their publishers through blog tours, virtual launch parties, and interviews. The fun doesn’t stop there. Once you learn about each author you may be pleasantly surprised to find out they reside in your neck of the woods, providing you the opportunity to meet them in person at a local event, such as a book fair, school visit, or book signing at your local book store.

Without further ado the Indie-Debut 2010 group consists of:

January 2010 ~ Connection by Jo Ramsey

March 2010 ~ Brigitta of the White Forest by Danika Dinsmore

Spring 2010 ~ Owen and the Dragon by Carla Mooney

Spring 2010 ~ The Bug that Plagued the Entire Third Grade by Lori Calabrese

Spring 2010 ~ The Golden Pathway by Donna McDine

Spring/Summer, 2010 ~ The Flute and the Dagger by Miriam Forster

July 2010 ~ The Invisible Sister by Amy Allgeyer Cook

Summer 2010 ~ Mice Don't Taste Like Chicken by Scott Heydt

February 2011 ~ Dogsled Dreams by Terry Lynn Johnson

Interested in learning more? Visit Indie-Debut 2010 at http://indiedebut2010.blogspot.com/ or contact the Indie-Debut 2010 creator, Amy Allgeyer Cook at amyacook@live.com.





Thank you in advance for your interest. We look forward to your visit.



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More information is available upon request electronically.