Tag Archives: airships

The Wuddlekins Island Unicorns

Release Day for Glitter Ponies

Lita Burke is pleased to announce today’s eBook release of her latest fantasy novel, Glitter Ponies.

The Wizard’s Airship Leaves Port Today for the Land of Clockpunk Wizard

The Wizard’s Airship Leaves Port Today for the Land of Clockpunk Wizard

The wizard’s airship leaves port today for another journey into the land of Clockpunk Wizard. Watch your step on the gangplank. Refreshments are in the forward parlor.

Travel with Wizard Kadmeion to floating Wuddlekins Island. Meet unicorns, their crossbreed offspring called glitter ponies, brownies, and the mysterious boggarts.

Find out what vacations are really like for wizards, fairies, and half-elf mages. Learn why wild brownies detest wizards so. See how matters get especially interesting when Lady Luck’s young daughter plays with the odds.

The Glitter Ponies eBook is available now for immediate gratification on your Kindle, computer, or smart phone. Today is a splendid day to take a ride on a wizard’s airship. All aboard!

Glitter Ponies eBook on Amazon US, UK, CA, IN, and AU

Glitter Ponies on Goodreads

Glitter Ponies back cover blurb

Glitter Ponies book page

Lita Burke on Goodreads

Two Days Before the Wizard’s Airship Departs

Meet Kadmeion's New Wizard Friend in Glitter Ponies

Meet Kadmeion’s New Wizard Friend in Glitter Ponies

More about the goings-on at Lita’s castle in preparation for the Glitter Ponies eBook launch this weekend.

The eBook for Glitter Ponies is ready to go for this coming Saturday, September 26th. But Lita has no time to rest. This next story in the Clockpunk Wizard world will also have a paperback version, and it will be available in a few weeks.

Paperback Writer

Everything is different between the eBook and the paperback, except for the story, of course. The interior uses an alternative font and layout. The front cover looks the same, but it must be a print version of the artwork instead of its web version. To describe it using a wizard’s ~twisty~ logic, the difference is like when Sir Bright uses his elf-kind Glamour spell–he is handsome even without magic.

Tessa-marine is One of Wizard Kadmeion's Fairies in Glitter Ponies

Tessa-marine is One of Wizard Kadmeion’s Fairies in Glitter Ponies

The back cover and spine must be done just so, or the print book aficionados will be so disappointed. Fussy stuff to get it perfect, but Lita insists on providing only the best for Gentle Reader.

Instant Gratification for Your Kindle

No need to stand in line at the aerodrome ticket window on Saturday to get your seat on the wizard’s airship to the land of Clockpunk Wizard. Preorder Glitter Ponies now and have magical electronic birds whisk the story to your Kindle first thing Saturday morning. That is how Lita thinks it works, anyway.

Be the first to meet a new wizard friend of Kadmeion’s. His three fey-folk fairies also lend a hand in straightening out the matter with the wild brownies that attack visiting wizards to Wuddlekins Island.

Glitter Ponies on Amazon US

Glitter Ponies on Amazon UK

Glitter Ponies on Goodreads

Glitter Ponies book page

Back cover blurb

Wizard Kadmeion on Wuddlekins Island

Don’t Be Late and Miss the Airship

Relentless Time Ticks on in the Clockpunk Wizard World

Relentless Time Ticks on in the Clockpunk Wizard World

Relentless time ticks on in the Clockpunk Wizard world. Here is what Lita has been up to the past many days.

So many details to see to in getting these lovely wizard’s tales ready for Gentle Reader. Lita just completed the last touches on the Glitter Ponies eBook formatting, and sent them to Amazon.

Wizard Kadmeion’s journey to floating Wuddlekins Island is now ready for the September 26th release of Glitter Ponies. Do not be late and miss the airship to the land of Clockpunk Wizard.

Many delicious details about our two magic men come out in the story. Meet Bright’s family, and learn the magical duties of an elf-prince’s twice-seventh son.

Kadmeion Did Not Find This in a Boggart Box, But It Was Almost As Much Fun

Kadmeion Did Not Find This in a Boggart Box, But It Was Almost As Much Fun

Kadmeion surprises us with a most unusual pastime. Lady Luck’s young daughter, Miss Probability, tells us what bad luck smells like. Our wizard also discovers what really lives in a boggart box.

The unicorns, and their cousins the glitter ponies, show us the true mettle of sparkly horses. We meet a new wizard with a most curious familiar. And best of all, we get plenty more of the delightful dreadful poetry in wizards’ spells.

Do not delay. Reserve your copy of Glitter Ponies now, before the wizard’s airship pulls away from the aerodrome dock. Be the first to get to the bottom of these magical mysteries.

Preorder Glitter Ponies on Amazon US

Preorder Glitter Ponies on Amazon UK

Glitter Ponies back cover blurb

Glitter Ponies book page

 

 

Waiting For the Magical Cover for Glitter Ponies

Cover Reveal Party for Glitter Ponies: Origin of the Story

Welcome aboard the AS Patsy Nottle for the Glitter Ponies cover reveal party. Step into the forward parlor, and help yourself to the refreshments. Find a comfortable chair with a good view of the covered easel.

Previously: Cover Reveal Party for Glitter Ponies: Welcome

Buttery Mashed Potatoes Charmed to Look Like Roses

Buttery Mashed Potatoes Charmed to Look Like Roses

Refreshments

Kadmeion and Bright may be bachelors recently graduated from the university, but they both have a knack in the kitchen. Food created from pure magic is not especially nourishing unless it has a mundane basis. In the Clockpunk Wizard world, magicians sometimes use spells to enhance food that is wholesome, but simply made. For example, a mage might charm buttery mashed potatoes so they look like golden roses nestled in china bowls. Bright made some for today’s party. They go well with the hearty wildebeest steak strips.

Lady Luck’s young daughter Probability has joined us for today’s party. She loves to eat pretty things, so Kadmeion prepared her favorite vegetable and cheese dish. The wizard bespelled the carrots to look like flowers. He wove the cheese into a clever basket. Gentle Reader, please help yourself to their crunchy goodness.

Lady Luck's Daughter Loves These Bespelled Vegetables

Lady Luck’s Daughter Loves These Bespelled Vegetables

Coffee is a frequent treat for wizards and sorceresses. They prepare coffee trays using spells that keep their brews at the perfect temperature.

In Glitter Ponies, Bright mastered Kadmeion’s spell that floated a coffee service. The tray followed him here and there like a loyal puppy. If you are of a mind, enjoy a cup of the wizard’s favorite grind—drink it black, or laden your demitasse with cream and spices.

Origins of the Glitter Ponies Story

Kadmeion and Bright now set down their coffee cups, stand, and tell us the reasons for their Glitter Ponies vacation.

“We had visited Lady Luck at her home on Fluke Island,” Kadmeion says. “Our business then concerned Old Bony Blue Eyes.”

If You Are of a Mind, Join the Wizard in Coffee With Spice

If You Are of a Mind, Join the Wizard in Coffee With Spice

Bright continues. “But matters were off kilter for Lady Luck. She expects another daughter to arrive in a few months. During the hubbub, Probability came to me, and confided that she dearly wished to see unicorns.”

“It seemed an easy request to take a charming child on a vacation to see these docile and sweet creatures,” Kadmeion said. “Or so they told us at Agatha University about the nature of unicorns.”

“The unicorns did not behave as we expected.” Bright grimaces. “And something much worse than cranky unicorns happened.”

Kadmeion nods. “Much worse. Bright’s father, the Elf Prince M’Choakenchilde, surprised us with a visit.”

“He made a demand of me that turned our wizard for hire business all discombobulated.”

The Green Silk Whispers and Floats Like a Sorceress's Dress

The Green Silk Whispers and Floats Like a Sorceress’s Dress

Kadmeion pulls an intricate watch out of his pocket, and checks the time. “For a shame, no time to explain. Time now to show the book cover for Glitter Ponies. Will you give me a hand with this, Bright?”

The two magic men step to either side of the easel, take hold of the sumptuous green silk that hides the book cover, and turn to us. They grin.

“Here goes,” says the wizard. They tug away the silk. It whispers and floats like a sorceress’s dress in the wind.

Next: Book Cover for Glitter Ponies

Rigging of the AS Patsy Nottle

Cover Reveal Party for Glitter Ponies: Welcome

Welcome aboard the AS Patsy Nottle for the Glitter Ponies cover reveal party. Before we head into the forward parlor for refreshments, Copernicus, the airship’s navigator, explains the specifications of Wizard Kadmeion’s airborne home.

About the Good and True AS Patsy Nottle

An Airship Operating in Its Water-Surface Mode

An Airship Operating in Its Water-Surface Mode

The Airship (“AS”) Patsy Nottle is a carrack class wooden and stone airship invented in the 16th century. The carrack airship comes with six sails: a bowsprit, foresail, mizzen, spritsail, and two topsails. The hull is fashioned from floating rock to give the ship neutral buoyancy in airborne operations. The sails provide wind propulsion and steerage. Perpetual enchantments see to basic operations, defense, and personal comfort of the crew and guests.

Carrack airships are square-rigged on the foremast and mainmast. The mizzenmast is lateen-rigged. They have a high rounded stern. The carrack airships have a large aftercastle, forecastle, and bowsprit. The carrack airship can also operate as a water-surface ship.

Specifications for the AS Patsy Nottle

Airship Class: Carrack

Origin: Agatha Island Aerodrome and Shipyard

Initial Year of Service: 1625

Commissioning Agency: Agatha Island Magic Guild, for operation by human wizards and sorceresses in good guild standing.

An Airship Weathering a Magical Storm

An Airship Weathering a Magical Storm

Captain: (Wizard) Haldemare Kadmeion Dorian Trentworthy sen Magica Vir

First Mate: (Honorable Mage) Wolverhampton Brighton M’Choakenchilde

Navigator: (Minor Demon Homunculus) Copernicus

Crew: 40 (mostly clockworks rig monkeys or demon-inhabited homunculi)

Length: 75 feet

Beam: 25 feet

Draught: 6 feet

Displacement: 223 long tons (minus floating rock displacement)

Machinery: Standard sailing magical clockworks. This vessel has typical below decks gearing and linkage to accommodate the sailing spells.

Speed: 6.7 knots (unaided by magic)

Range: Unlimited

A Fairy's Point of View of the Oak Forest on Kadmeion's Airship

A Fairy’s Point of View of the Oak Forest on Kadmeion’s Airship

The airship inside volume is much larger than the outside hull dimensions due to perpetual Inverse Magic spells. The AS Patsy Nottle has spacious crew quarters, private sitting rooms, parlors, galley, spell casting workrooms, and a quercetum for Sir Bright’s miniature oak tree forest. Kadmeion’s fey-folk fairies live in the quercetum.

Next: Refreshments and origin of the Glitter Ponies story

The Pleasure of Your Company is Requested

Glitter Ponies by Lita BurkeNow is the time for a few good Gentle Readers to join our ranks aboard the AS Patsy Nottle for the Glitter Ponies cover reveal party!

August the 22nd at mid-morning

Berth #1 – Pier A at the Lita Burke Aerodrome

Hosted by Wizard Kadmeion, Sir Bright & Their Crew

Lita Getting Glitter Ponies Ready

Goings-On at Lita’s Castle

The beta readers for Glitter Ponies stopped by and left their comments. Lita is agog at their charming ways of finding the nits in the tale.

The Fey-Folk Flitted Here and There in Glitter Ponies

The Fey-Folk Flitted Here and There in Glitter Ponies

My, Lita is blushing at the early readers’ kind comments about Glitter Ponies. Appears that this new story about clever Kadmeion, love-struck Bright, and Miss Probability’s determination to take home a unicorn was a fun romp enjoyed by all.

So many matters to see to before departing on Wizard Kadmeion’s airship to this new destination in the Clockpunk Wizard world. Those annoying story nits must be set to rights.

Lita Burke Invites You to the Glitter Ponies Cover Reveal Party The party is on August 22nd, starting mid-morning, here on Lita’s blog. Wear what you wish, no need to R.S.V.P. Bring friends. Refreshments will be served. A splendid time will be had by all.

Stop By Lita's Blog on August 22nd for the Glitter Ponies Cover Reveal Party

Stop By Lita’s Blog on August 22nd for the Glitter Ponies Cover Reveal Party

Back to the story matters. The fey-folk were flitting here and there in the tale, and magic was not enough to explain away their actions. Bright had a silly moment that needed some sensibility. Kadmeion was much too wordy with his unicorn spells. How did those indiscretions get into the story? Do not be concerned, Gentle Reader. Lita is correcting those matters now.

Remember to stop by for next weekend’s get-together for Glitter Ponies. Join in the story gossip, see the book cover before anyone else, and learn exclusive details about the book release.

Other rooms to visit in Lita’s castle:

Airships and a Dragon

Bestiarum Vocabulum: Rig Monkey

The Bestiarum Vocabulum is the wizard’s encyclopedia of faerie beasties and mundane crossovers living in the lake and forest near Lita’s castle.

Rig Monkey

Rig Monkey

rig monkey [rig muhng kee] noun, c.1520; < LowGer moneke, equivalent mone- (obsolete Fr monne she-ape) + -ke diminutive suffix; also airship rigger

  1. Denizen of the Clockpunk Wizard world.
  2. A type of small homunculus inhabited by a minor demon, shaped like a miniature fur-covered human, that attends the sails, lines, and superstructure of an airship.
  3. A human or magical hybrid (e.g. a harpy, or the half-human and half-elf narfleet), that performs the heavier tasks of airship rigging that cannot be done by the homunculus rig monkey.
  4. Personages: Sir Bright worked at the Agatha Island zeppelin yard as a Rig Monkey before becoming Wizard Kadmeion’s assistant.
  5. See “Dramatis Personæ: Bright,” “Twice-Seventh Son Elf Magic” and “Monkey Business About Old Bony Blue Eyes
A Unicorn from Glitter Ponies

Interview: Wizard Kadmeion Talks About Glitter Ponies

On Wizard Kadmeion’s airship, the forward sitting room has the best views and conversation. Lita invites Gentle Reader to join the chitchat with the characters in her upcoming story, Glitter Ponies.

Wizard Kadmeion

Wizard Kadmeion

The twenty-something-year-old wizard takes a seat on a nearby Chesterfield, and studies us with his handsome dark brown eyes. His unstarched casual white shirt has a discreet gold-embroidered Magic Guild insignia near the left collar.

He wears a souvenir from his Glitter Ponies trip on the right side of his head. Kadmeion has braided an intricate gentleman’s hair clasp into some tendrils of his long brown hair. The wizard’s boy-fey, Izlyesende, clings to the clasp. When the fairy fans his beautiful green-mottled wings, they brush Kadmeion’s cheek.

How Magical Interviewing Works

Lita Burke: Hail, fellow wizard well met, Kadmeion sen Magica Vir.

Kadmeion: Greetings to you, Madam Lita. So good of you to honor me with what you call an interview. I’m curious to meet the Gentle Reader friends of yours. You do carry on about their charming ways. Is it true they read my stories that you scribe?

LB: Your mad wizardly yarns fascinate them.

Explaining eBooks to a 16th Century Wizard

Explaining eBooks to a 16th Century Wizard

K: Do they hear my words now in this interview, like mind voice?

LB: I hear your words with mind voice, and a magical device transcribes them onto what you would call an “everywhere parchment.” Gentle Readers use, hmm, let’s call the contraptions “magical amulets” that show them the words in the everywhere parchment. [Lita’s Note: Yes, that was a clumsy way to describe computers, the Internet, and eBooks. How else would Lita explain such things to a wizard who lives with 16th century technology?]

K: In your world, would a person be considered mad if she hears voices in her head?

LB: Not if the person is a writer of books.

A Plate-Shaped Ocean World Where the Islands Float Above the Sea

A Plate-Shaped Ocean World Where the Islands Float Above the Sea

How Wizards Take Vacations

LB: Tell us about your visit to Wuddlekins Island for the Glitter Ponies story.

K: Wuddlekins Island is in the Elf-Kind Royal Archipelago, and is one of the five free-floating islands on the plate that is home to a unicorn herd. [Lita’s Note: Kadmeion lives on a plate-shaped ocean world where the islands float far above the sea.] My assistant Bright and I promised Lady Luck’s young daughter that we would take her there to visit unicorns. One of Bright’s brothers, Sir Andrus, is the magical curator for Wuddlekins.

LB: So were you working on this visit?

K: Not at the beginning. My only magical duty going in was to be Miss Probability’s guardian. I also looked forward to quiet research into the local magical flora and fauna.

LB: So wizards consider “quiet research” to be a vacation?

We Call This Ice-Skating on Our Ocean-Covered Ball of a World

We Call This Ice-Skating on Our Ocean-Covered Ball of a World

K: Library work relaxes me. Because Wuddlekins was floating so high in the clouds, the weather was wintry during our stay. I got outside and did some ice gliding. [Lita’s Note: We call this ice-skating on our ocean-covered ball of a world.]

LB: Based on the story you had me scribe, your Wuddlekins visit was no vacation.

K: The Wuddlekins unicorns had a grave magical illness. I am a wizard-for-hire, and the cranky equines hired me to investigate. Then many matters took a wrong turn, and the disrupted magical threads there almost slopped the oceans off the plate’s rim.

LB: Would you tell us some of the delicious magical details?

[Lita’s Note: Izlyesende grasps Kadmeion’s ear at this point, leans in, and whispers something only the wizard can hear. The wizard nods, and gives us an apologetic smile.]

Izlyesende Whispers in Wizard Kadmeion's Ear

Izlyesende Whispers in Wizard Kadmeion’s Ear

K: I beg your forgiveness, but I must step out and see to something straightaway. Madam Lita, you’ve been so good with scribing my Wuddlekins vacation. Would you let your Gentle Readers know when they can read these delicious magical details in Glitter Ponies?

LB: I shall tell them when Glitter Ponies is ready. Until our next mind voice meeting, fare thee well, Sir Wizard.

Next time: Sir Bright Talks About Glitter Ponies

Other interesting places to go snooping:

Read About Lita Burke's Clockpunk Wizard World

Praised by Readers’ Favorite with a 5 Star Review: Lita Burke’s Ephraim’s Curious Device

Ephraim's Curious Device – 5 Star Review by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Ephraim’s Curious Device – 5 Star Review by Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite

Readers’ Favorite recently read Lita’s fantasy novella, Ephraim’s Curious Device, and awarded it with a lovely 5 star review.

In Ephraim’s Curious Device, a wizard seeks a magical thingummy to free his kidnapped familiar. It is the second story in Lita’s Clockpunk Wizard series, where wizards with ~twisty~ magic live on a plate-shaped ocean world. The wizards fly their fantastic airships between islands that float far above the sea. Here is what the Readers’ Favorite reviewer had to say:

The Clockpunk Wizard series is a marvelous and magical melding of steampunk with epic fantasy that is fresh, original and really quite exciting.

Ephraim’s Curious Device is Book 2 of Lita Burke’s epic fantasy series, The Clockpunk Wizard. Kadmeion, a young wizard, and Sir Bright, his Metal-Man and companion, have been summoned by Lord Hissalumieon of Mevil City. When they get there, the lord and his wizard, Nob, inform them of the quest Lord Hissalumieon needs them to complete. Read more of the review…

Ephraim's Curious DeviceRead Chapter 1 of Ephraim’s Curious Device for FREE now.

Watch the Ephraim’s Curious Device book trailer.

The Ephraim’s Curious Device e-book is available now with instant gratification for Kindle US/UK, Nook, and Kobo.

Curious how the Clockpunk Wizard adventures began? See how Kadmeion befriended a very unusual familiar in Forever Boy–read Chapter 1 now for FREE.

Continue your explorations of the Clockpunk Wizard world in Old Bony Blue Eyes–read Chapter 1 now for FREE.