Fairies were angels?

Well, at least that's one theory of where fairies come from. 

In Archon, Tileaf the oak fairy is a fallen angel who, along with other angels in the past who thought similarly, decided to live on Earth in symbiosis with nature rather than in the false peace of Heaven. (Don't worry, kiddos.  This isn't really a spoiler, per say).

Many people have been asking me about this idea and where I got it from, and unfortunately there are a few people who became confused by it--perhaps because it is a concept that isn't used often in fantasy novels.  But the nerdy angel/fairy scholar that I am, I had to use it.  It just fit perfectly with the book.

Don't believe me that it's a legitimate "theory"?  Here's a snippet from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy#Demoted_angels:

Demoted angels
A third belief held that they were a class of "demoted" angels.^[22] One popular story held that when the angels revolted, God ordered the gates shut; those still in heaven remained angels, those in hell became devils, and those caught in between became fairies.^[23] Others held that they had been thrown out of heaven, not being good enough, but they were not evil enough for hell.^[24] This may explain the tradition that they had to pay a "teind" or tithe to Hell. As fallen angels, though not quite devils, they could be seen as subject of the Devil.^[25] For a similar concept in Persian mythology, see Peri.

Fascinating, right?

So the opposition to this idea --rare that it might be--is rather strange.  I don't often take the time to address misconceptions about Archon, but this one was so odd, I couldn't really help it.

Well, in either case, I think it would make an excellent spin-off story.  Do you think that fairies being linked to angels is unusual? 

Or have we all become a little too used to what fairies are and aren't supposed to be?

So where did the term "Blood Head" come from anyway?

Find out in my latest interview about Archon with blog owner Dana Wright at her blog Zombie Girl Shambling:

http://zombiegirlshambling.blogspot.com/2012/06/archon-by-sabrina-benulis-interview.html .  Dana not only gave Archon a great review, but she also asked me some questions that were truly unique.  I guarantee that reading this will clear up a few misconceptions, give you some fascinating answers, and even provide a tiny sneak peek at what to expect in Book 2!

 

Also, I received my first piece of official fanart a week ago! I'll be putting an awesome drawing of Troy up on my website asap.

 

If there are any other fans out there who enjoyed Archon and also like making fanart, I'd love to see what you can do. ;-)

 

Great Review from Newspaper in Malaysia!

Archon just received a great review from a newspaper in Malaysia.  Check it out here at: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/389068

This is mind-blowing for me as it is finally hitting me just how far this book is traveling. 

Amazing stuff.  

Also, I am currently remodeling my kitchen and am knee-deep in piles of stress.  Who would have thought that choosing backsplash tile would be such a grueling process?  Better Homes & Gardens made it look easier than this . . . >_<

BAM Signing/Panel was great fun!

The panel/book signing event at the Books-a-Million in Harrisburg, PA was a lot of fun, and I'd once again like to thank the fans and attendees who showed up, as well as the authors who I met while I was there.  Here's a picture from the event:

I'm the middle with the bright blue shirt.  To my left in the yellow jacket is romance author Gwyn Cready, historical fiction author Mitchell J. Kaplan, and author Meredith Mileti.  To my right is fantasy author Maria V. Snyder and romance/literary fiction/horror author Megan Hart.

I already knew Maria from Seton Hill University, but meeting everyone else was very nice.  I had actually seen one of Megan Hart's books in my local Weis grocery store and (except for already knowing Maria who is a bestselling author) felt like I was in the presence of a celebrity. :-)  Funny how we authors gauge our current fame based on K-mart, Wal-mart, and food chains. If you'd made it there, you know you're doing good.

Cute little factoid, the booksellers at the store chose balloon colors for each of us based on our books covers.  That I got balloons in black, red, and white should be no surprise!

Well anyway, as for right now, I am waiting for editorial notes for Book 2, as well as beginning another super secret project no one will be able to guess.

And I mean no one. *grin*

Group Author Book Signing/Panel Event April 28!

A reminder that I will be participating in a group booksigning and discussion panel event sponsored by Women Read Women Write at the Books-a-Million in Harrisburg, PA from 12:30 to 3:30 pm.  Along with myself will be authors Maria V. Snyder, Meredith Mileti, Gwyn Cready, Mitchell J. Kaplan, and Megan Hart!  The panels are "Breaking into Publishing" at 1:00 pm, and "The Changing Heroine" at 2:30 pm.

Should be a great time! :-D

Parade of Cute: Easter Special

Okay, yeah, I'll get back to the serious writing stuff soon. Promise.
But in the meantime, there's every reason to celebrate Easter with--you guessed it--a few insanely cute bunny pictures.

First, the perennial classic:

And if you're not into carbs, there's always cellulose:

Or for the people who are just obssessed with yarn:

And last, but not least, and just because I can:

 

Happy Easter!

Parade of Cute: Episode One

Found this on random Google image search.  There should be penalties for this kind of cute:

Cockatiels rule, folks. They also secretly plan world domination.

I own one, so yeah, I should know.