It’s good to be queen.

Four months and counting until the launch of the fourth Eye of Isis novel at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona, on January 25th. Here’s a snippet of a scene where Cleopatra renders judgement on a request from an absentee landlord.

“Ennius would be a retired legionnaire?” 
“A centurion, Majesty. Of the Third Gallica.” 
“Who makes this request? Hori, his tenant farmer, or Ennius?” 
“Ennius. Both times.” 
“Ah.” Cleopatra sat forward again. “Write to Hori. Ask him for the particulars of the matter. Specifics, Horemheb— who is the engineer, who is the architect, from where to where is the route. A cost list, enumerated. Copy Ennius, and tell him as soon as we are in possession of all the facts we will render our judgement in the matter. Horemheb?” Cleopatra smiled. “Be sure to add my personal felicitations and best wishes for the continued good health of Ennius and all his family.” 

Yep, it’s good to be queen.

Chris Arend, my always photographer, recently did a new headshot since the last one is twenty-plus years old and I so don’t look like that anymore. I chose the one on the left for my official headshot but I made Chris give me the one on the right so I could post it to the Danamaniacs page. They loved it, because they’re weird like that.

It’s time for Storyknife’s year-end fundraiser!

We have a dollar-for-dollar matching challenge so you can double your donation by giving from now through the end of the year. As always your donation is tax deductible.

And click through here to read our first Impact Statement, where the statistics and the alumna accounts speak for themselves as to how well we are accomplishing our mission of supporting women writers. I am so grateful to all of you for helping make my dream come true right before my very eyes. Thank you so much!