Hugo Negron's Blog - Posts Tagged "contest"
Contest Updates
So with Book Five in the can, it's time for a bit of wee fun before the pen goes back to paper for Book Six.
See the attached pic? That's a gargoyle pen holder, along with a cool gargoyle pen. There are three of these, which I usually keep behind iron locked doors (gargoyles can be a lot to handle). I gave this one a little reprieve for his photo shoot. Sad to say, these guys are rather lonely, and looking for a happy new castle to roost in. In a short time, I'll be having a contest to give away one each of these beauties - well, that is, if you find scaly, winged, fanged creatures on the cute side of things.
How can anyone find a scaly, winged, fanged creature something to come home to? Well, that's a hint for those who read Book Five. In the meantime, just keep in mind these lil' guys just can't wait to eat..I mean, greet you...
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
See the attached pic? That's a gargoyle pen holder, along with a cool gargoyle pen. There are three of these, which I usually keep behind iron locked doors (gargoyles can be a lot to handle). I gave this one a little reprieve for his photo shoot. Sad to say, these guys are rather lonely, and looking for a happy new castle to roost in. In a short time, I'll be having a contest to give away one each of these beauties - well, that is, if you find scaly, winged, fanged creatures on the cute side of things.
How can anyone find a scaly, winged, fanged creature something to come home to? Well, that's a hint for those who read Book Five. In the meantime, just keep in mind these lil' guys just can't wait to eat..I mean, greet you...
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
Upping the Ante!
All right - to make this even more fun, adding some very nifty looking dragon pens to our gargoyle pals for the upcoming contest. Actually I thought these pens were no longer in stock, but luckily they were!
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
IT'S CONTEST TIME!!
It’s CONTEST TIME! As I mentioned previously, there was a contest brewing behind the gargoyle pens/holder set pic I had shared, and this is it! Fasten that sword, unfold your best travelling cloak, and ready your horse!
A might quest like those of yore,
In search of wisdom, of knowledge more,
To travel back through misty time,
For honor gained, and glory thine,
Find its mention, hidden well,
Spoken by Glaive, for thoughts to dwell.
What does all that mean? Well, here’s an excerpt from Forging of a Knight Book Five, Knighthood’s End:
“Glaive, please continue,” urged Bartholomew. “Who is this captive you mentioned, and why was this conversation brought here?”
“What Glaive is proposing we do, Bartholomew, cannot be spoken of elsewhere, even in the guild house of the Red Swords,” Lord Pontus said, still pacing. “I could not trust even them.”
“It is a creature of Thule’s wizard,” said Glaive, “As I’ve said, there are many wizards here, of all kind and type, but few, if any, can truly hold themselves to that title. Caurn is one who can. He is the true power behind Lord Thule.”
“You mentioned this once before, I think,” said Qualtan.
Glaive smiled, appreciating Qualtan’s memory.
And thus was the introduction of said captive, Vanessa the Mah-Zakim, made to Qualtan’s world, a world that would soon become upside down, having the knight leave the Order of the Bearded Lion, a branded traitor and thief, on the run with Vanessa in a hopeful romance to find freedom for her before her own life-consuming hunger could bring his death. Could love survive between a mortal and such a being? Could a Mah-Zakim love back? Was their love true, or was there a sinister, hidden side to Vanessa’s intentions, as Qualtan’s former friends had insisted?
Those that have read the book will know what happens. And for those savvy readers who have followed the series through, a sudden bulb of memory may be starting to flash. The first mention of this unwilling Mah-Zakim servant of Thule and Caurn was actually made a long while back – in Book One of the series, to be exact! Not mentioned by name but definitely mentioned, as Glaive’s appreciation of Qualtan’s recollection above confirms.
Where did this happen in Book One? Well, that’s the reason for this quest! End of March, I will randomly select three of the correct answers to win one of these “lovely” (to a gargoyle, at least!) gargoyle pen holders and the two pens that come along with each! Simply email me at findthemahzakim@hotmail.com the PAGE NUMBER, and quote the SINGLE SENTENCE where Glaive first rather casually mentions the evil servant to Qual, and you’ll win!
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
Better get crackin’…these gargoyles are getting anxious to break free from their boxes over here…that constant scratching and growling is beginning to make me nervous…
A might quest like those of yore,
In search of wisdom, of knowledge more,
To travel back through misty time,
For honor gained, and glory thine,
Find its mention, hidden well,
Spoken by Glaive, for thoughts to dwell.
What does all that mean? Well, here’s an excerpt from Forging of a Knight Book Five, Knighthood’s End:
“Glaive, please continue,” urged Bartholomew. “Who is this captive you mentioned, and why was this conversation brought here?”
“What Glaive is proposing we do, Bartholomew, cannot be spoken of elsewhere, even in the guild house of the Red Swords,” Lord Pontus said, still pacing. “I could not trust even them.”
“It is a creature of Thule’s wizard,” said Glaive, “As I’ve said, there are many wizards here, of all kind and type, but few, if any, can truly hold themselves to that title. Caurn is one who can. He is the true power behind Lord Thule.”
“You mentioned this once before, I think,” said Qualtan.
Glaive smiled, appreciating Qualtan’s memory.
And thus was the introduction of said captive, Vanessa the Mah-Zakim, made to Qualtan’s world, a world that would soon become upside down, having the knight leave the Order of the Bearded Lion, a branded traitor and thief, on the run with Vanessa in a hopeful romance to find freedom for her before her own life-consuming hunger could bring his death. Could love survive between a mortal and such a being? Could a Mah-Zakim love back? Was their love true, or was there a sinister, hidden side to Vanessa’s intentions, as Qualtan’s former friends had insisted?
Those that have read the book will know what happens. And for those savvy readers who have followed the series through, a sudden bulb of memory may be starting to flash. The first mention of this unwilling Mah-Zakim servant of Thule and Caurn was actually made a long while back – in Book One of the series, to be exact! Not mentioned by name but definitely mentioned, as Glaive’s appreciation of Qualtan’s recollection above confirms.
Where did this happen in Book One? Well, that’s the reason for this quest! End of March, I will randomly select three of the correct answers to win one of these “lovely” (to a gargoyle, at least!) gargoyle pen holders and the two pens that come along with each! Simply email me at findthemahzakim@hotmail.com the PAGE NUMBER, and quote the SINGLE SENTENCE where Glaive first rather casually mentions the evil servant to Qual, and you’ll win!
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
Better get crackin’…these gargoyles are getting anxious to break free from their boxes over here…that constant scratching and growling is beginning to make me nervous…
The Contest Roundup!
Thanks to all the Forging Fans who sent in their answer to the gargoyle pen holder contest! Some had it, some did not, but Sean, Dana, and the mysterious "DagonLover" (who I'm assuming from that nom de plum must be a fellow HP Lovecraft aficionado) were the lucky trio to answer correctly and have the luck of the draw! Your gargoyle sets will be winging (get it, gargoyles - wings? Heh heh heh...? Ok, never mind...) your way - I have sent all three of you confirmation emails and requests for where to mail. Your new pets are dying to eat...that is, greet you!
And for those who didn't win, we'll have more contests a'comin'!
And the answer to where Vanessa the Kubare' was first mentioned? Book One, Forging of a Knight, page 107. Glaive is talking with Qualtan , regarding his past with Lord Thule. He discusses Thule's captains, M'Shua and Caurn, citing their abilities which though formidable, are not in Qualtan's uncle's class. Then he says the actual line:
"Still, they form a dangerous lot, especially if you add the creature Caurn enslaved to serve Thule."
And there you have it - the first mention of the Kubare' waayyy back in Book One of the series! Who says we don't keep track of continuity over here?!
Again, thanks to everyone willing to dig deep and join in the gargoyle adventure! It's because of you I have been able to keep the series going! As a matter of fact, get ready for Book Six... 8 )
And for those who didn't win, we'll have more contests a'comin'!
And the answer to where Vanessa the Kubare' was first mentioned? Book One, Forging of a Knight, page 107. Glaive is talking with Qualtan , regarding his past with Lord Thule. He discusses Thule's captains, M'Shua and Caurn, citing their abilities which though formidable, are not in Qualtan's uncle's class. Then he says the actual line:
"Still, they form a dangerous lot, especially if you add the creature Caurn enslaved to serve Thule."
And there you have it - the first mention of the Kubare' waayyy back in Book One of the series! Who says we don't keep track of continuity over here?!
Again, thanks to everyone willing to dig deep and join in the gargoyle adventure! It's because of you I have been able to keep the series going! As a matter of fact, get ready for Book Six... 8 )
It's Contest Time Again!!
Now that Book Six in the series (Darksiege Triumphant) has been out for a while, it’s time for another fun contest!
A certain flame-tressed servant of the School by the name of Muirna has made herself known. Befriending our former demonic lass Vanessa, she seemed to connect rather well with her - giving her empathy and astute insight into her current condition. Muirna also turned out to be a rather powerful magic-user in her own right, having a reputation of eccentricity, appearing and disappearing back from the School to silently walk through the Great Forest that surrounds her village home.
Gossip and stories abound regarding this gal. Who exactly is she? Vanessa thinks she has found out...but have you?
If that isn't an obvious enough hint that Muirna's been around the series before, then someone needs to re-sharpen their sword and do some heavy re-reading!
So wherein lies the contest? That's easy - the first person to figure out WHICH book Muirna first appeared in, and WHO she may actually be, will win the pictured booty below - a Knights Templar Pen Holder - (pen not included, but shown to gauge size). Where to send your wizened lore? Send to findthemahzakim@hotmail.com by 9/15/2018 to win!!
https://www.facebook.com/Forging.of.a...
A certain flame-tressed servant of the School by the name of Muirna has made herself known. Befriending our former demonic lass Vanessa, she seemed to connect rather well with her - giving her empathy and astute insight into her current condition. Muirna also turned out to be a rather powerful magic-user in her own right, having a reputation of eccentricity, appearing and disappearing back from the School to silently walk through the Great Forest that surrounds her village home.
Gossip and stories abound regarding this gal. Who exactly is she? Vanessa thinks she has found out...but have you?
If that isn't an obvious enough hint that Muirna's been around the series before, then someone needs to re-sharpen their sword and do some heavy re-reading!
So wherein lies the contest? That's easy - the first person to figure out WHICH book Muirna first appeared in, and WHO she may actually be, will win the pictured booty below - a Knights Templar Pen Holder - (pen not included, but shown to gauge size). Where to send your wizened lore? Send to findthemahzakim@hotmail.com by 9/15/2018 to win!!
https://www.facebook.com/Forging.of.a...
And the winner is...
Many humble thanks to those who put their names in the virtual hat to win the Knights Templar pen holder helmet. I was surprised at the responses - I expected just a handful, but received a bit more - some were close, stating correctly the nature of what they think Muirna is, but didn't hit the goal line with who she actually is or where she first appeared. A special pox for the one emailer who wrote in with the name of a character...who wasn't even from the Forging of a Knight series! However, in the end, one knight did successfully complete the quest...
Steve G!
Awesome job, my friend. The helmet is heading your way as we speak. I will reach out for all the address/details.
Seems like folks had fun with this, so I'm sure another mini-contest will be coming out soon. Thanks again to everyone who participated!!
Steve G!
Awesome job, my friend. The helmet is heading your way as we speak. I will reach out for all the address/details.
Seems like folks had fun with this, so I'm sure another mini-contest will be coming out soon. Thanks again to everyone who participated!!
CONTEST TIME!!!
Well, with Forging of a Knight Book 7, Against the Alliance, out in paperback and soon to be ebook format, it seems like a good time for another fun contest – this time brought to you by that happy go lucky Arch-Mage Mulvanen, interviewed by Schmuck the dwarf!
Schmuck: Well, Mulvanen, it seems like congratulations are in order!
Mulvanen: Yes, I agree. Those annoying orcnes are finally out of the School, as are those troublesome knights! The cable bill alone was becoming a headache, and that’s not including the streaming subscriptions to watch The Island of Dr. Moreau the orcnes kept ordering…like they know how to work the flat-screen, anyway!
SCHMUCK: Er, yes, I guess that could be a problem.
Mulvanen: Problem? You don’t know the half of it! Money don’t grow on trees, you know, even for wizards! Sure, we have all the School servants bartering from their respective villages, cheese for clothes, or eggs for bedsheets, but what were the orcnes providing, hmm? What were the knights?
SCHMUCK: I actually meant…
Mulvanen: Nothing, I tell you! Sure, the orcnes could help track and hunt game, and maybe lend an arm or two, I guess, but the mess they left behind wasn’t worth it! If I hadn’t been able to expand our shovels to giant size with my magic, we woulda been up to our armpits in…
SCHMUCK: So I was referring to congratulations on Book 7, Against the Alliance being finally out.
Mulvanen: EH? Oh, that. Well, I guess. At least there is a good scene with me in it! It’s about time the author finally came around to that! I had to insist upon the matter. I finally had it with all this supporting character nonsense and went to see him personally.
SCHMUCK: You did?
Mulvanen: Of course! An Arch-Mage of my caliber deserves better. I showed up in impressive manner – eyes glowing, arches of elemental fury darting off my frame, the whole bit…I even rented out a flying griffon from those accursed high elves to seal the deal, since it was quite aways from the School. But you know what he did?
SCHMUCK: I couldn’t imagine…
Mulvanen: Hmmph! He said I had to find somewhere to park the griffon way in the back because the zoning laws in his village require all talons to remain within the parking lines! Can you believe it? Just try and keep a griffon still for more than two minutes! It can’t be done!
SCHMUCK: Well, I…
Mulvanen: Way in the back was WAY in the back. By the time I walked back 5 or 6 blocks, I realized at this rate, I was going to lose my security deposit so I transformed into an owl and flew the rest of the way. I must have missed him as by the time I got to his house again, his drapes were down and the lights were out…bad coincidence, to be sure!
SCHMUCK: Yes…I am sure that is what it was. So what did you do?
Mulvanen: I had a bunch of notes in my robe for how things went in a scene that I felt he should include so that I, mighty Mulvanen, should be given his due – so I stuck them in his mailbox before I left.
SCHMUCK: But didn’t you lose that fight? I’m surprised you were ok with sharing that.
Mulvanen: Watch it there, Schmuck!
SCHMUCK: Sorry, I meant no offense. So you’ve been telling him the tales all along, eh?
Mulvanen: Of course! You think he made this stuff up all by himself? I have the bills to prove it! Do you know how much an inter-dimensional long distance call costs these days? And that’s not even going into your kingdom’s stewards that keep track over all this. I really had to put the magic whammy on them to keep their grubby hands out of things. What are they called again? The ABC? ACT? I know it starts with an A…
SCHMUCK: FCC?
Mulvanen: That’s it!
SCHMUCK: Okay…so anyway, what is this contest?
Mulvanen: I can see you are a dwarf that goes straight to the point, just like me. I can respect that, even coming from a Schmuck.
SCHMUCK: Thank you. I…
Mulvanen: Well, I had to change it a bit…at first, see, I wanted it only to be based on the Arch-Mages, or rather myself specifically. Cassandra is doing a good enough job, I guess, and the students are progressing along nicely under my patient and loving guidance – I mean, I might make them cry now and then, but tough love wins the day, in my book. Getting back to Cassandra, she…
SCHMUCK: Gee, look at the time! I really don’t want to make you spend even more of it on this interview…
Mulvanen: Egads, you’re right! Good thinking, Schmuck.
SCHMUCK: So the contest…?
Mulvanen: Well, I wanted to see which reader could give the best description of why they find me so amazing, but I was drowned out by Cassandra and those silly knights to include everyone. Ingrates!
SCHMUCK: So what do readers have to do, and what is the prize?
Mulvanen: Pfhhh! Easy enough, I would imagine. Readers who are interested in participating in this contest merely have to send in their favorite character from any book in the series and why they like him, her, or it so much, what makes them so unique, so interesting, and that’s it! I was going to review all the entries, but for some reason Cassandra doesn’t trust me, so she’s joining in along with Qualtan and his annoying band of ninnies to help judge on this. Readers will have up to August 15th to turn in their favorite choice.
SCHMUCK: How do they send it in?
Mulvanen: I was thinking either owls or flying monkeys, but I guess that’s already been done before. All they have to do is send an email to findthemahzakim@hotmail.com by August 15th. The winner will be picked early September and notified back by email and the winning entry shared on the author’s Facebook page and Goodreads blog page.
SCHMUCK: That’s great…now, about the prize?
Mulvanen: The prize – a free signed paperback copy of Book Seven, Against the Alliance!! And there’s more!
SCHMUCK: More?
Mulvanen: Yes, you Schmuck! In addition they can also choose either a Knights Templar Pen holder, OR a very cool Forging of a Knight T-Shirt!
SCHMUCK: By my beard!
Mulvanen: So there you have it. I hope you do a good enough job of it and make sure everyone is told! Otherwise, I’ll be coming back to see you, and it won’t be with this smile!
SCHMUCK: Um…what smile?
So there you have it! Write up your fav character from the series, and send it on in to findthemahzakim@hotmail.com by August 15th!
Schmuck: Well, Mulvanen, it seems like congratulations are in order!
Mulvanen: Yes, I agree. Those annoying orcnes are finally out of the School, as are those troublesome knights! The cable bill alone was becoming a headache, and that’s not including the streaming subscriptions to watch The Island of Dr. Moreau the orcnes kept ordering…like they know how to work the flat-screen, anyway!
SCHMUCK: Er, yes, I guess that could be a problem.
Mulvanen: Problem? You don’t know the half of it! Money don’t grow on trees, you know, even for wizards! Sure, we have all the School servants bartering from their respective villages, cheese for clothes, or eggs for bedsheets, but what were the orcnes providing, hmm? What were the knights?
SCHMUCK: I actually meant…
Mulvanen: Nothing, I tell you! Sure, the orcnes could help track and hunt game, and maybe lend an arm or two, I guess, but the mess they left behind wasn’t worth it! If I hadn’t been able to expand our shovels to giant size with my magic, we woulda been up to our armpits in…
SCHMUCK: So I was referring to congratulations on Book 7, Against the Alliance being finally out.
Mulvanen: EH? Oh, that. Well, I guess. At least there is a good scene with me in it! It’s about time the author finally came around to that! I had to insist upon the matter. I finally had it with all this supporting character nonsense and went to see him personally.
SCHMUCK: You did?
Mulvanen: Of course! An Arch-Mage of my caliber deserves better. I showed up in impressive manner – eyes glowing, arches of elemental fury darting off my frame, the whole bit…I even rented out a flying griffon from those accursed high elves to seal the deal, since it was quite aways from the School. But you know what he did?
SCHMUCK: I couldn’t imagine…
Mulvanen: Hmmph! He said I had to find somewhere to park the griffon way in the back because the zoning laws in his village require all talons to remain within the parking lines! Can you believe it? Just try and keep a griffon still for more than two minutes! It can’t be done!
SCHMUCK: Well, I…
Mulvanen: Way in the back was WAY in the back. By the time I walked back 5 or 6 blocks, I realized at this rate, I was going to lose my security deposit so I transformed into an owl and flew the rest of the way. I must have missed him as by the time I got to his house again, his drapes were down and the lights were out…bad coincidence, to be sure!
SCHMUCK: Yes…I am sure that is what it was. So what did you do?
Mulvanen: I had a bunch of notes in my robe for how things went in a scene that I felt he should include so that I, mighty Mulvanen, should be given his due – so I stuck them in his mailbox before I left.
SCHMUCK: But didn’t you lose that fight? I’m surprised you were ok with sharing that.
Mulvanen: Watch it there, Schmuck!
SCHMUCK: Sorry, I meant no offense. So you’ve been telling him the tales all along, eh?
Mulvanen: Of course! You think he made this stuff up all by himself? I have the bills to prove it! Do you know how much an inter-dimensional long distance call costs these days? And that’s not even going into your kingdom’s stewards that keep track over all this. I really had to put the magic whammy on them to keep their grubby hands out of things. What are they called again? The ABC? ACT? I know it starts with an A…
SCHMUCK: FCC?
Mulvanen: That’s it!
SCHMUCK: Okay…so anyway, what is this contest?
Mulvanen: I can see you are a dwarf that goes straight to the point, just like me. I can respect that, even coming from a Schmuck.
SCHMUCK: Thank you. I…
Mulvanen: Well, I had to change it a bit…at first, see, I wanted it only to be based on the Arch-Mages, or rather myself specifically. Cassandra is doing a good enough job, I guess, and the students are progressing along nicely under my patient and loving guidance – I mean, I might make them cry now and then, but tough love wins the day, in my book. Getting back to Cassandra, she…
SCHMUCK: Gee, look at the time! I really don’t want to make you spend even more of it on this interview…
Mulvanen: Egads, you’re right! Good thinking, Schmuck.
SCHMUCK: So the contest…?
Mulvanen: Well, I wanted to see which reader could give the best description of why they find me so amazing, but I was drowned out by Cassandra and those silly knights to include everyone. Ingrates!
SCHMUCK: So what do readers have to do, and what is the prize?
Mulvanen: Pfhhh! Easy enough, I would imagine. Readers who are interested in participating in this contest merely have to send in their favorite character from any book in the series and why they like him, her, or it so much, what makes them so unique, so interesting, and that’s it! I was going to review all the entries, but for some reason Cassandra doesn’t trust me, so she’s joining in along with Qualtan and his annoying band of ninnies to help judge on this. Readers will have up to August 15th to turn in their favorite choice.
SCHMUCK: How do they send it in?
Mulvanen: I was thinking either owls or flying monkeys, but I guess that’s already been done before. All they have to do is send an email to findthemahzakim@hotmail.com by August 15th. The winner will be picked early September and notified back by email and the winning entry shared on the author’s Facebook page and Goodreads blog page.
SCHMUCK: That’s great…now, about the prize?
Mulvanen: The prize – a free signed paperback copy of Book Seven, Against the Alliance!! And there’s more!
SCHMUCK: More?
Mulvanen: Yes, you Schmuck! In addition they can also choose either a Knights Templar Pen holder, OR a very cool Forging of a Knight T-Shirt!
SCHMUCK: By my beard!
Mulvanen: So there you have it. I hope you do a good enough job of it and make sure everyone is told! Otherwise, I’ll be coming back to see you, and it won’t be with this smile!
SCHMUCK: Um…what smile?
So there you have it! Write up your fav character from the series, and send it on in to findthemahzakim@hotmail.com by August 15th!
