Get a Free Copy of Illusion's Child

Just to spice things up, I'm giving away Illusion's Child at Amazon's Kindle from August 3 to August 7.

Twelve-year-old Viper only wants acceptance from his nomadic tribe, but he’s too short, too frail, and too full of questions. His own father banishes him as a nameless outcast, but he can live with that. He didn’t see much future in carving buttons, anyway.

He travels to the nearest stone-bound city, where he’s adopted by an old sorcerer who’d rather not bother with an apprentice and a fierce girl who desperately wants to become a warrior.

But he also catches the attention of the city’s worst gang.

Between studying the basics of magic and helping his new friend learn sword work, Viper thinks he doesn’t have time to worry about bullies.

He should be worried. A lot. 

A 5-Star Review on Amazon:
Wow, that was really an enjoyable read. I mean, it took me a little bit to get into the rhythm of this fantasy world, but once I did, it pulled me along on a fun ride. And I inhaled it. I loved all the good characters, as much as I loathed the villains. I was intrigued by the setting and interested in the world Salisbury built. In some ways, this book reminded me of The Dragonlance books - hello, doddy old sorcerer - and a little bit of the Codex Alera series - young boy searching for the key to his own magic. With a bit of wit, a la Terry Pratchett, thrown in for fun. But Salisbury has founded a world all its own. I can't wait to see what she does next with this series. Lucky for me, there are already other books out in this series. Yay.

Find Illusion's Child on Amazon - click here!

Magic's Child - the last book in the series!

Magic's Child is now available on Kindle!

The world’s newest wizard, dubbed Whitewing but known to friends as Viper, accepts the mission to track down and destroy a Mindbender before it takes over the world. But if his own half-trained magic doesn’t kill him, battling wizards ruled by the enemy will.

How can a wizard named after a butterfly defeat anybody?

The final book in the “Mindbender’s Rise” saga!

To celebrate, I'm putting Illusion's Child on sale on Kindle. And it has a new cover!

 

 Twelve-year-old Viper only wants acceptance from his nomadic tribe, but he’s too short, too frail, and too full of questions. His own father banishes him as a nameless outcast, but he can live with that. He didn’t see much future in carving buttons, anyway.

He travels to the nearest stone-bound city, where he’s adopted by an old sorcerer who’d rather not bother with an apprentice and a fierce girl who desperately wants to become a warrior.

But he also catches the attention of the city’s worst gang.

Between studying the basics of magic and helping his new friend learn sword work, Viper thinks he doesn’t have time to worry about bullies.

He should be worried. A lot.


 I think the new cover is much better than the old one. What do you think?

Wizard's Child - Sixth in the Series

Wizard's Child 

is now available on Amazon!

Book 6 in "The Mindbender's Rise" series.

After rejecting all other options, Viper undertakes the Wizard’s Route, the grueling physical and magical journey all would-be wizards must endure. And he’s none too sure he’s going to make it.

Lorel must survive – waiting. Is it possible for a girl to die of boredom? She has no idea how much trouble a bored warrior can stumble into.


You can read a preview Here! Just click on the cover under "Look Inside!"

Newest Release - Alchemy's Child

I'm pleased to announce the release of my newest book:
 

Alchemy’s Child

The Mindbender's Rise, Book 5 

Viper and his crew must find the wielders of his magical weapons and convince them to join the battle against the newest Mindbender.

Plus they need to find a wizard to unleash the power inside the weapons.

But who in their right mind wants to go to war with an overgrown snake and a trio of crazy teenagers?

Available on Amazon and Kindle.

Finishing a Series

Writing the last book in a series reminds me of working a jigsaw puzzle. Early in the novel, the writer needs to reintroduce – briefly – all of the elements and main characters of the previous books. All of these pieces snap together to create the outer edges of the puzzle.

By the middle of the book, the edges must be filled in for several layers. Conflict grows out of the many interwoven elements, creating a honeycomb of holes for the main plot and new subplots. But everything still needs to link to the original puzzle’s previous stories.

At the end of the last book, every puzzle piece ever mentioned must find a home in the interconnected story / puzzle, but if the writer isn’t careful, the finale will be boring. The novelist needs to scoop all the remaining pieces into a box, jumble them around, and create an unexpected conclusion. All of the pieces have always been in sight, but with luck, the reader didn’t notice the all the possibilities.

For true success, the last lines must give all the satisfaction of placing the final jigsaw piece in place.

Today I’m starting the final novel my “The Rise of the Mindbender” series. And I’m excited to see what trouble Viper and Lorel can find on their way to confront the Mindbender.

Please wish me luck - and lots of writing speed! :-)

1850 – 1900 Bloomers Sewing Pattern

I'm pleased to announce that I have a new 1850s sewing pattern available.

1850 – 1900 Bloomers, Turkish Trousers, or Knickerbockers Pattern

No. 1850-3
Perfect for Reform Dress or Victorian Sports Wear.
These trousers may be made in the wide Turkish style or a narrower width, from below-knee to ankle length. The leg ends may be enclosed in a cuff, confined with elastic, or left open at the bottom.
 

Turkish trousers, Bloomers, knickerbockers, and divided skirts are all names for what was basically the same garment with a few variations. It was also a part of what was called a freedom dress, rational dress, and health dress. As physical exercise became fashionable for women, it became a component in bicycling, mountaineering, swimming, and gymnastic wear. They were also a favored garment at masked balls and theater performance outfits. They even were used in evening gowns by the most daring ladies.

The pattern has several variations. The trousers may be made in the wide Turkish style or a narrower width, from below-knee to ankle length. The leg ends may be enclosed in a cuff, confined with elastic, or left open at the bottom.

It includes 12 pages of instructions with historical tips and quotes, and 2 pattern sheets printed on bond paper, and enclosed in a reclosable plastic bag.

All sizes included, 2 – 30; waist: 17” – 55”, hips: 27” – 63”.

You can find it on my website at https://www.mantua-maker.com/1850-1-bloomers.html 

Dragon's Child

I'm pleased to announce the release of the fourth novel in "The Mindbender's Rise" series.

Dragon's Child

by D. J. Salisbury

 

Getting snatched by a dragon may not be a death sentence, but it certainly feels like one.

While Viper struggles to learn enough magic to escape the dragon’s lair before the creature decides to eat him, Lorel, Tsai’dona, and Kyri battle through the mountains to locate and rescue him.

But the dragon has plans of her own.


Dragon's Child can be found:
In paperback at Createspace

In paperback at Amazon

As an ebook at Kindle

Read a free preview here

The Art of Fashion: 1850 - 1859

I've just released my newest dressmaking book!

  The Art of Fashion: 

1850 - 1859

Dress, Sewing, and Clothing Care Advice

“To increase the beauty of the female person, by a gracefully made attire, is not only not wrong, but absolutely commendable; and the woman who neglects it pays the penalty of being called a sloven, if not a fright.”
Peterson’s Magazine, April 1852

During the 1850s, the art of fashion was studied by every woman who wanted to create her own wardrobe. Ladies magazines were scrutinized and dissected, scoured for details on how each effect was created, how many seams were used, and how the pleats were formed. She learned why changes were made, when they went out of date, and how to recreate the styles she liked.
Most of all, she studied what the current rules were, even though they seemed to change monthly, especially for the most fashion conscious women.

This book compiles sewing and fashion advice given in books and magazines during the 1850s, given in the words of writers of that time. Each entry shows the name and date of the periodical quoted. It has three sections:
1) Sewing tips and fashion advice
2) Fabric cleaning and care.
3) Bibliography of magazines and books I found useful.

The Art of Fashion: 1850 – 1859 includes over 490 black and white period engravings to help show the details of their work. It has 324 pages in an 8.5” x 11” format.

It's available on my website,

on Amazon,

and for Kindle.

Serpent's Child

I'm happy to announce my newest novel is now available.

Serpent's Child

The Mindbender's Rise: Book 3

When a magical creature talks Viper into creating weapons to prevent the rise of a dreaded Mindbender, Lorel agrees to help. Even if it does mean traveling with a monster-sized snake.

But just reaching the distant land where they can collect the elements for those weapons is a nearly impossible quest.
Slavers, mountains, monsters… Lorel can handle them.
Figuring out new magic? Viper’s ready to try.

Putting up with each other for two thousand miles might be the hardest task of all. 

Available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Serpents-Child-Mindbenders-Rise-3/dp/1523323701/

Now at Createspace:https://www.createspace.com/5988378

On Kindle:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AOU7YMM

 
 Do you have any news you'd like to share?

Sorcery's Child is now on Kindle

I'm happy to announce my third fantasy novel, Sorcery's Child, is now available on Amazon.

Sorcerers are dying, cause unknown.

The day his best friend dies, Viper is a thirteen-year-old apprentice whose only goals are to graduate to sorcery’s third level and to save enough money for a new book. But now he’s running from a murderer, battling monsters large and small, and trying to keep up with his prickly companion.

Traveling the world is great fun, if a bit dangerous, but trouble follows him like a vulture spiraling down on dead meat. He can’t tell if he’s the target, or if it’s all his imagination.

Will being short enough to hide in a basket make him less of a target?
He doesn’t think so, either.

Sorcery's Child: The Mindbender's Rise, #2

On Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Sorcerys-Child-Mindbenders-Rise-Book-ebook/dp/B018OHXJVM

In paperback at the CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/5763659

Illusion's Child is now live

My newest fantasy novel is now available!

Illusion's Child
The Mindbender's Rise: Book 1

 Twelve-year-old Viper only wants acceptance from his nomadic tribe, but he’s too short, too frail, and too full of questions. His own father banishes him as a nameless outcast, but he can live with that. He didn’t see much future in carving buttons, anyway.

He travels to the nearest stone-bound city, where he’s adopted by an old sorcerer who’d rather not bother with an apprentice and a fierce girl who desperately wants to become a warrior.

But he also catches the attention of the city’s worst gang.

Between studying the basics of magic and helping his new friend learn sword work, Viper thinks he doesn’t have time to worry about bullies.

He should be worried. A lot.


Illusion's Child is available at:
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017KRJ696
Paperback at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Illusions-Child-Mindbenders-Rise-1/dp/1514357836
Paperback at CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/5561049

The Art of the Mantua-Maker: 1870 - 1879

I'm pleased to announce the release of my newest book:

The Art of the Mantua-Maker: 1870 - 1879 

Fashion, Sewing, and Clothes Care Advice

 
with over 740 B/W period illustrations.

 

Compiled and edited by Deb Salisbury,
The Mantua-Maker Historical Sewing Patterns

"Taste in dress is the sure guarantee of the lady. Nor is it mere money that makes a tasteful dress. It is principally a knowledge of the fashions, and how to adapt them to your style."
Peterson’s Magazine, November 1875

The art of the mantua-maker was practiced by every woman who wanted to create her own wardrobe. Fashion magazines were studied and dissected, scoured for details on how each effect was created, how many seams were used, and where the pleats were used. They learned why changes were made, when they went out of date, and how to recreate the styles they liked.

 

This book compiles sewing and fashion advice given in those books and magazines during the 1870s, given in the words of writers of that time. Each entry shows the name and date of the periodical quoted. I’ve included as many pattern sketches as I could find.

“The Art of the Mantua-Maker: 1870 - 1879 Fashion, Sewing, and Clothes Care Advice” has three sections:
1) Sewing tips and fashion advice
2) Fabric cleaning and care.
3) Bibliography of magazines and books I found useful.

I’ve included over 740 black and white period engravings to help show the details of the changing fashions of the 1870s.

The Art of the Mantua-Maker: 1870 - 1879 is intended for costume historians, Victorian re-enactors, historical writers and history buffs. It has 307 pages in an 8.5" x 11" format.

It's available in paperback, PDF, and Kindle formats. The PDF format size is about 47.5Mb.

You can find it on my website:

 https://mantua-maker.com/1870s_Dressmaking_Book.html

On Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/211625835/1870s-dressmaking-paperback-book-the-art

 

At Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Art-Mantua-Maker-Fashion-Victorian-Dressmaking/dp/1502832003

 

At Createspace:
https://www.createspace.com/5049907

And for Kindle at Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PR4BMM4

 

Goodreads Giveaway

Thank you to everyone who entered my Goodreads Giveaway for Feda's Anchor!

Congratulations to the winners -- I hope you enjoy my novel.


Your books will go out in the mail on Monday morning.

Goodreads Giveaway of Feda's Anchor

I'm pleased to announce I'm giving away five copies of my new fantasy novel, Feda's Anchor. Please join in!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Feda's Anchor

by D.J. Salisbury

Giveaway ends June 01, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Sixteen-year-old Denton is shocked when he’s blamed for a child’s death, and horrified by the blackmail that follows: If he doesn’t steal the ancient Blue Anchor from the temple, his family will be framed and murdered, executed by priests sworn to protect the holy relic.

Before he can decide what to do, he’s saddled with cousins he doesn’t dare confide in. Surely they can’t get into trouble when he takes them to visit a ruined castle while he figures out how do deal with the threat.

But his cousin vanishes into a tunnel beneath the ruins and becomes trapped inside a sorcerous labyrinth designed to imprison a necromancer. Denton is torn between finding her before her torch dies and rescuing his parents from the priests’ prison.

And something lives inside the maze.

My Fantasy Website

Well, I've gone and done it. Scared myself a bit, too. ;-)

The website for my fantasy writing has gone live.
(How's that for a passive sentence? I'm still having trouble with the whole "blow your own horn" thing.)

Because I publish nonfiction as Deb Salisbury, I've decided to publish my novels as DJ Salisbury, in hope of being less confusing to my readers.

 http://www.djsalisburybooks.com/

Please have a look. Your comments and suggestions will be greatly welcomed. As soon as Goodreads lets me, I'll set up a giveaway.

Another Bathing Suit Pattern

Actually, this one is a Swimming Dress, and was intended for serious swimmers.

Based on an engraving in Harper's Bazar, 
July 9, 1887, the "Lady's Swimming Dress" consists of only the waist and drawers, without a skirt. It's simple to make!

It is unlined and bound at the edges. It opens at the shoulders only, and you step in and out of it. The trousers can be made in knee or mid-calf lengths – or in the very short French length, which English ladies complained looked like a circus-rider's outfit. I've also included a pattern for a simple bathing cap.

 This pattern includes 6 pages of instructions with historical tips, and 3 pattern sheets. It is printed on bond paper, and enclosed in a reclosable plastic bag.

All sizes Petite – Full (bust: 26" – 61") are included.



You can find it at:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/156364512/victorian-bathing-suit-pattern-new-easy
and 
https://mantua-maker.com/Victorian_Bathing_Suits.html

Outside my bedroom window

have hatched two little birds. Cardinals, I think. They are bald, with just a bit of fuzz, and so ugly they're cute.

 Mama Bird seems to spend most of her day on shade duty - it's HOT here in Texas, and gruesome in the direct sun, particularly if you've just crawled out of a nice dark egg.

I swear, though, that these chicks' heads are almost as big as their eggs had been.

Mama Bird got bored with parasol duty and invited a girlfriend along to keep her company. It's so wonderful to have devoted friends!

Announcing a New Victorian Bathing Suit Pattern

After a long hiatus, I'm back with a new pattern – a Grecian-Style Bathing Suit for 1870 to 1890.

Around 1850, the Bathing Dress for ladies came into existence – before that time women wore a long shirt-like garment.  The earliest reference to a suit with drawers I've found was in 1852. But once fashion got hold of the bathing suit, the dress evolved rapidly.  Some bathing suits were downright gorgeous. Like, in my opinion, this one!

The August 1870 issue of Peterson's Magazine shows a lovely outfit: "Fig. X. – Bathing-Costume of White Flannel. – Trousers fastened at the knee by a cross strip braided with a Grecian pattern in black wool.  Peplum blouse, with short sleeves, with a braided Grecian pattern, buttoned on each side and on the shoulders."  This is the outfit featured in my pattern.

The bathing dress opens at the shoulders and both sides.  The blouse can be made with or without sleeves.  The drawers can be made in calf or ankle lengths, and can be gathered into cuffs. You can make it with or without the separate skirt.

Victoria's skirt came out a couple of inches too short – I forgot she's a good six inches taller than I am. LOL!

Can't you see yourself lounging beside the pool in this outfit?

You can purchase it now at Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/153370811/victorian-bathing-suit-pattern-new

Happy sewing.

Deb Salisbury, the Mantua-Maker

I Survived NaNo

Better yet, I finished NaNoWriMo, though it was a close thing.  Now I have a cute little badge for the blog.

I didn't manage to write every day, though that was my goal.  Came down with a bug early on that laid me out for three days.  Le sigh.  ;-)   I forgot to add words to the counter until the next day a few times.  But overall I'm pleased with my output. 

It needs editing of course, but first it needs finishing - I expect the first draft to clock in between 90,000 and 100,000.  I'll need to cut or condense the boring stuff that currently contains nuggets I want to mine for characterization.  I surprised myself with the information that popped out of my subconscious when my characters were chattering away.  And that's one point of first drafts.  The writer can't fix a story until it's on paper or in a file.

I'm a layered editor, so I know I'll need several passes to add description and internal characterization, to clarify emotions, and generally add the sparkle to the story.  All of that has to wait for the completed draft and the cooling-off period.  Getting to close to a work makes it impossible to edit.

For now, I'll breathe one sigh of contentment, and dig back into my novel.

On a different note, I'd like to remind you that today was Laura's post for the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog: Social Media Confessions.  This is a topic I'll need to think about!

Happy Halloween

Halloween is my favorite holiday. The nights are getting cool – a bigger deal in Texas than you chilly-weather folk can imagine. The occasional tree has changed colors, and my sweetgum is a gorgeous shade of burgundy. Kids drop by in costume, begging for candy. I adore costumes, even the store-bought kind.

Only five children wandered so far out into the boonies this year, a record for this house. When I lived in town I’d get hundreds of Trick or Treaters, but a few miles on a dirt road discourages most callers. But I was pleased to see my youngest grand-nieces and nephew, who arrived as a sorceress, a princess, a cute little devil in a red dress, and Mrs. and Baby Santa Claus.

I have a bit of news – I’m honored to have been invited to join the Sisterhood of the Traveling Blog. That means you’ll hear from me on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Thank you, Lydia, Laura, Danyelle, and the retiring Zoe – I hope you new endeavors go well.

Happy Halloween, everyone!