EnterTheMirror.com

I am now publishing under the pen name Catiana Nak Kheiyn because that is the name that I use on my Divine Memorabilia column at Blogos.org. In an attempt to begin to make a name for myself in this ocean of writers, I am trying something new: the serial novella, published online at EnterTheMirror.com!

The Mirror Has Three Sides is a serial novella that is published on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. In short, it's a young adult science fiction novel, combining fast-paced adventure, fantastical creatures, and innovative sci-fi technology with twists of teenage angst and witty humor. Sound like something you'd like? I certainly love it. ;-)

Synopsis: Bannert and Golden, lifelong teenage friends, escape reality by using a miraculous mirror that leads to an extraordinary library with books that open portals to fairy tale worlds. Unfortunately, this is no magic mirror. It holds a terrible secret that will ensnare them in a plot that tosses them across time and space to find and rescue the only man who can save them.

But wait! There's more! This isn't just a passive serial novella. No, no... It's an opportunity for YOU to share your art and photography skills to help illustrate this story right on EnterTheMirror.com! Wanna know more?

Join me over there to read as this story unfolds throughout the week. The excerpts are short and digestable, but the story stayed engaging. Oh yeah, and leave comments! I love me some comments. ;-)

Avian Runes by Inkaholics 12

We are working hard to finalize the last few Inkaholics books, dating all the way back to the beginning of the summer. The June writers group, Inkaholics 12, wrote an incredible fantasy story about a woman who must escape the clutches of dark magic called Avian Runes. Here's the synopsis:

Letto the rune crafter is an albino changeling—part hawk, part human—whose magical body is the target of a wicked consortia and their leader. Through some unseen enchantment, Letto’s ability to transform is taken hostage, sending her into uncontrollable fits of painful metamorphosis. As fate sweeps her deeper into a plot to murder the Court Magician of Hydridge Castle, Letto finds her only hope of escape falls into the hands of a pair of thieves and their unsavory professional network.

Will Letto find strength enough to fight for her freedom while her body is under the spell of evil forces? Will her thieving friends find hearts of  selflessness after living a life of greed? When the final moment comes, will Letto be able to save the one person who seemed to start it all?

"Carl" by Inkaholics X

Just as we're beginning a new Collaborative Writers Group (Inkaholics 12), two more books are coming to their final stages. The Inkaholics X Writers Group novella, Carl: the Uprising of a Leprechaun Madman, is now available!

This incredible story tells the background of a minor character from The Case of Dr. What by Inkaholics 007. There are some blatant nods to prior Inkaholics books in this one that make it extra special. Here's the synopsis:

Carl isn’t your average leprechaun.

Sure, he has the green bowler hat and short stature, but he’s also the son of Mickey McPherson McWharle, son to Michael Marscapone McWharle, the Godfather of the Leprechaun Mafia. Trouble is, Carl doesn’t like being a hitman for the Family. All he wants is a peaceful life and a lovely companion.

With the help of his new friends Qué, a 6’ 6” meerkat, and Phish, a goldfish detective with telekinesis, Carl takes a leap of faith and attempts to leave the Leprechaun Mafia Family. His actions spawn a series of events which only get more dangerous and forbidding with every passing day.

Will Carl find the balance between the good in his heart and the evil in his genetic makeup? Or will one side rise up and reign supreme?

Pieces of T.I.M.(e) by Inkaholics 8

I am super excited to announce the publication of the latest Inkaholics novella, written by the Inkaholics 8 Writers Group, Pieces of T.I.M.(e). Here's the back cover blurb:

Anthony Flynn is a machine of Artificial Intelligence existing in the world of humans. Life is a strange enough place, but after crossing paths with a fractious, bionic librarian and a self-exiled queen, he begins to learn that living is about more than complex computations.

Octopus Prime, a tenacious, tentacled crimelord, and his gang of aquatic ruffians, have a devious plan to destroy the creator of A.I. Stealing T.I.M., Anthony’s time machine, is merely the first step in extinguishing the mechanized race.

As time unfolds and events in history shift, Anthony finds himself grappling with his robotic side and his own programmed humanity. Which will win the fight? Or will he lose himself altogether?

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Project 365: 33/365 - Currently Reading

Project 365: 31/365 - Library Haul

The Case of Dr. What by Inkaholics 007

It's been a long time in the making, but we are finally releasing the latest Collaborative Writers Group novella, The Case of Dr. What, by the group that is now known as Inkaholics 007. This is our longest novella yet at a finished total of 158 pages! The story itself came to roughly 33,000 words, which is positively gargantuan in comparison to previous Inkaholics books, which usually top out at 20K. This is one incredible story, let me tell you. We've got people asking about a sequel already!


The Case of Dr. What
by The Inkaholics 007 Writers Group

When Hanover, an unsuspecting university student, stumbles upon a clandestine espionage operation gone sour, he is thrust into an international manhunt to locate the odious criminal Dr. What. Hanover’s companions are a cantankerous pair: Glaydin, a ruthless, alien bounty hunter and her nemesis, Kriscilla, a feisty, alate mouse with the Secret Spy Association.

The mismatched team must learn to work together as Dr. What leaves a trail of enigmatic clues and bizarre portals that will send them on a trek around the world. Can Hanover accept his adventurous fate? Will Kriscilla learn to forgive her enemy? Who will Glaydin choose as her allies—a man and a mouse, or the most powerful villain of their time?

Project 365: 14/365 - Bookstore

Went to the grand opening of a local bookstore that will target readers and writers alike. This is my lovely friend Mary, helping to stock the shelves for the owner that morning.

After scoping out their front meeting room, methinks we have found the location of one of the spring Inkaholics groups!

Project 365: 13/365 - Book Browsing

Got an opportunity to go shopping at Target, unencumbered by children. Somehow, I always gravitate toward the book section for ideas on what to read next. I wrote down a few titles to look up at the library, but picked up a copy of The Hunger Games because I have only heard good things about it.

And trust me, it's rather a big deal for me to buy a book, much less a new one. (I'm a huge fan of the library.) But with all the positive reviews and knowing my own taste in books, I figured it was worth the risk of purchasing. Besides, it was on sale. *whistle*

The Dark Side of White by Inkaholics VI

The latest book from the Inkaholics Collaborative Writers Groups is now available! We tried something totally new with this story, which ended up making this our longest book yet. Another first is that the cover art was commissioned by my dear friend Rachael Selk. She did a fantastic job capturing our characters! (Check out the preview below to see the wraparound art on the back.)

Kevin, Parker, and Mŭshi Rū are all running—from the past, the present, the future. Curiously odd circumstances thrust them together when Kevin’s adversaries come to kidnap him. The adverse allies are compelled to unite, but differing opinions and peculiar secrets keep them from fully becoming one.

Meanwhile, the beginning of a terrible penguin reign is about to befall the earth. Kevin, Parker, and Mŭshi are forced into battle. Will they learn to trust and lean upon one another as they face a common enemy? Or will their own fears tear apart the fragile friendships?

Undead Sparkles by Inkaholics V

I am thrilled to announce that Undead Sparkles, the book composed by the Inkaholics V Writers Group last August, is now published! This was an extra special group where my dear friend MightiMidget assisted in writing and leading while on an extended visit to Colorado. Having her in one of my writers live groups was wonderful. She had a great time with us, and with my awesome local young writers, who wouldn't?

Paclo’s simple life as a Flor-Mart greeter is interrupted when a co-worker slips him the zombie virus as a joke. Rejected by the public and his parents, Paclo takes refuge at a mortuary. His only friends are his brother Smith, a vainless alien blob named Phyl, and a duct tape-obsessed robot called Mac.


Before Paclo can even accept his new undead fate, the Earth is attacked by a scintillating foe riding upon clouds of delectable depravity. Against all sensibility, the misfit friends garner up the courage to squelch the sparkly adversaries. After all, what could possibly go wrong?

Watch for Magic by Inkaholics IV Writers Group

The long-awaited Inkaholics IV Writers Group book just completed production. With five fun and creative young writers, we put together a fantastic steampunk adventure called Watch for Magic last July. Here's the back cover copy for you:

He can’t hide forever.

Javian is an orphaned boy living as a hunter in a magical forest outside of Ducal, with a flying llama as his only companion. Rumors abound in the city about how magic is disappearing, but Javian is unconcerned until he accidentally traps a mythical dragon named Airimyth.

The giant cogs of his life are set in motion when a run-in with Eylec the gryphon gets them captured by migrating dwarves. Escape is paramount, but Javian’s convoluted past tick-tocks to the present, putting all their lives at risk.

Will the new friends discover the power of three and restore magic to the world? Or will the dwarves and the Duke pilfer everything they have ever loved?


This novella was written as a part of a 6-session Collaborative Writers Group.

Attack of T.G.B. by the Inkaholics III Writers Group

I am thrilled to announce that the Inkaholics III Writers Group has finished their novella and production is now complete. With six incredibly crazy and creative young writers, this was quite the ride, let me tell you! Attack of T.G.B. is now available on Lulu.com. Here's the back cover copy for you:

In a plague-stricken world, trapped in a quarantine zone, Zeke faces the hard questions of life: What does the future hold? Will mankind survive the epidemic? Will he ever find another couch?

After insane, infected victims set fire to the hospital, Zeke and his new friends, Dr. Jo Trishton and her brother Cole, embark on a dangerous mission to find a cure. Instead, they uncover a beary beastly plot by a sweet but malevolent force.

Will the trio overcome their fears and defeat the bizarre battalions? Or will the Rainbow King succeed in his evil plan to rule supreme over Liberty City and then the world?




This novella was written as a part of a 6-session Collaborative Writers Group.

First In Flame by The Inkaholics I Writers Group

We are so excited to announce that First in Flame, the book the first Inkaholics Writers Group wrote together over the course of 6 weeks, is now available.

The Inkaholics I girls worked so hard and had some incredible ideas to contribute to this fantastic story. There are even some surprise illustrations inside--these girls are talented! Here's the official description of First in Flame:

Torren, an awkward 13-year old kid with a penchant for superstition, is about to have the strangest first day of school in his life. When his best friend Kyle, the high school quarterback, falls for the weird new girl, things are looking bad enough. But when they witness Kyle inexplicably transform into a little black housecat in the middle of lunch period, the situation spirals into an odd series of events that takes the three unlikely friends on an adventure no one expected.

If you would like to purchase a copy, you can do so for a mere $7.00 (plus shipping). Lulu.com is a print-on-demand company, but they do amazing work. Thanks for supporting the Inkaholics!

Good Reads Review: Kenny & the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi

Kenny & the Dragon
by Tony DiTerlizzi

What a wonderful story of friendship between two unlikely friends! DiTerlizzi's illustrations add so much to the story. Quick read for an adult, appropriately challenging read for a young reader. Nicely paced and thoroughly enchanting. My rating: 5 of 5 stars

More Mangy GoodReads Reviews

Project 365: 110/365 - Finding a Rainbow

Project 365: Photo Edition - Rainbow Blossoms



A perfect rainbow, along with spring blossoms. What's not to love?

Project 365: Video Edition - Prize Findings



Found a bunch of stuff that would make cool prizes for the teen writers on CleanPlace.

Project 365: 105/365 - Bad & Good

Project 365: Photo Edition - Irony



Is there irony in the fact that someone vandalized the "Stop Family Violence" sign?

Project 365: Video Edition - Good Reads



Here's a sampling of the some of the great books I've read while working out at the gym. Not every book is good for while you're sweating it out on the elliptical. :oops:

Related Link: GoodReads.com

Project 365: 28/365

Project 365: Photo Edition - Love Written on His Hand



This was a gift from his sister after hearing how much he missed her while she was at school all day.

Project 365: Video Edition - Hidden Book



This is some clever packaging, especially considering the way Lemony Snicket's books are marketed in the first place.

Project 365: 23/365

Project 365: Photo Edition - The Smell of Old Books



Anyone who doesn't love the smell of old books did not spend much time in a library as a child. This is the inside of a fantastic bookstore downtown which my husband and I frequently visit on our date nights out.

Project 365: Video Edition - Countdown



Gotta love a countdown. It's so...predictable?

Project 365: 5/365

Project 365: Photo Edition - Next on the To-Read List



Project 365: Video Edition - Movie Snack