“Welcome, one and all,” says Will Scarlet, with a broad smile and a bow, “to Will & Allyn’s Interactive Theatre!”
“Every Saturday,” says Allyn-a-Dale, “Will and I and our friends from the story world of ‘The Outlaws of Avalon’ trilogy—”
“Coming one of these days to a book retailer near you!”
“—Will take at random two of the suggestions gleaned from you, our gentle audience, and incorporate them into… well, the sort of tomfoolery Will calls entertainment.”
“At least,” says Will, “that’s what we usually do. But in case it’s somehow escaped your notice, this is a very special week on the blog – specifically, it’s Launch Week for our author’s latest published work, “The Seventh Spell (Book Three of The Wilderhark Tales”. Obviously, we’re all quite keen for our audience to buy the book. But, y’know, it’s been a few months since Books One and Two hit the market. Could be some of the readers’ memories are a bit rusty on the story that led up this, eh? Never fear! That’s where we come in!”
“So everyone, make yourselves comfortable,” says Allyn, “as we now present to you: ‘Once Upon a Recap: The Wilderhark Tales in Review”!
<<<>>>
[The curtain rises on a cozy library setting, spotlit far off on stage right. In an easy chair beside a faux fireplace sits Little John, non-prescription reading spectacles perched on his nose, and a grand gilded storybook held open in his lap.]
Little John: Our tale begins in Wilderhark Forest, where Doctor Villem Deere discovers Sula in a bear trap.
[The light on Little John dims as, further across the stage, a second light comes up on a woodland backdrop, before which kneels Will Scarlet in a quietly distinguished tweed jacket as he releases Marion’s leg from a steel-toothed clamp.]
Will/Villem [with soothing calm ]: It’s all right. I’m Doctor Deere, and I’m here to help you. Can you tell me your name?
Marion/Sula [shakily ]: Sula.
Will/Villem: All right, Sula. Now, how did this unfortunate accident happen?
Marion/Sula: I can’t tell you that.
Will/Villem: Why not?
Marion/Sula: Because secrets.
Will/Villem [with a subtle frown ]: Hmm. An answer both unforthcoming and ungrammatical. I deem it probable that the consequences of your reticence will be a novella full of relationships, both business and personal, built upon false impressions.
[The lighting switches, plunging the forest scene into darkness as Little John’s library reclaims the focus.]
Little John: There’s also a prince who, magically enough, is sometimes a swan. But the book’s cover told you that much. [flips the massive storybook’s page ] Speaking of royalty, Villem and Sula have been promoted to king and queen in the sequel. Their luck with magic hasn’t improved much, as evidenced by the curse unleased on the kingdom by Princess Rosalba. Fortunately, tailor Edgwyn Wyle offers his assistance.
[Light switches over to the stage space in front of a stone wall backdrop. While Will and Sula pose unmoving, as if enchanted into statuary, Guinevere pulls Robin Hood in through a prop window, he in colorful garb to rival a Will Scarlet ensemble, complete with a feathered scarlet hat.]
Guinevere/Rosalba: I need to get out of this tower so I can find my prince.
Robin/Edgwyn: Ah, yes, the prince. You’ve mentioned him. Are you in want of any prince in particular?
Guinevere/Rosalba: Yes, the one I need to break the enchantment.
Robin/Edgwyn [cheerfully ]: Well, if you could use a friend to put all his time and resources into furthering your quest while accidentally falling in love with you, I’m at your service!
Guinevere/Rosalba: That is a most agreeable offer, thank you, Edgwyn.
[The light switches back to Little John.]
Little John: …Which brings us to “The Seventh Spell”, when the titular enchantment throws everyone into a bigger dilemma than ever before, one they’ll need a miracle to put right.
[Allyn-a-Dale leaps into the library in professional array; though his usual somber blues have been traded for sunnier sky shades and his typical brimmed hat replaced with a jaunty beret, his lute is right where it belongs, strapped in place on his back.]
Allyn [brightly ]: Did somebody call for a minstrel?
Little John: I said “miracle”.
Allyn [with a breezy wave of the hand ]: A minstrel, a miracle… One and the same
When the marvelous Gant-o’-the-Lute makes the claim!
[laughs ] Always wished I could be him. Dream role: Attained!
Little John [closing the book ]: Consider yourselves all caught up.
<<<>>>
“Aaaand SCENE!” says Will.
“Thank you to our friends from Wilderhark,” says Allyn, “for allowing us to portray them and so brutally abridge their tales.”
“If you enjoyed yourselves,” Will says, “(or if you didn’t, but you totally did, right?), don’t forget to leave suggestions for future productions in the comments! Words or phrases we’ve got to include, a prop to use, a prompt to run with… anything goes! Also, make sure to pick up your copies of ‘The Seventh Spell (Book Three of the Wilderhark Tales)’ via any of the following fine venues: Amazon (paperback) / Amazon (Kindle) / Barnes & Noble (Nook) / CreateSpace (paperback) And oy, leave some reviews, will you? Online buyers love a testimonial!”
“In related news,” Allyn continues, “a round of congratulations to the third and fourth winners of the ‘Seventh Spell’ Launch Week Giveway, Emerald Barnes and Kim Matura, each of whom have won a secret ‘Seventh Spell’ story illustration as drawn by the author herself. Good for the pair of them. Keep those entries coming, everyone, as there are still three days’ worth of prizes to award!”
“Until next time, friends!” says Will, with a salute. “Will and Allyn out!”
How to Enter the “Seveth Spell” Launch Week Giveaway
Every mention/link to the giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or blog = +1 (You can do this multiple times daily. Feel free to go nuts!)
An addition of “The Seventh Spell” to your Goodreads “To Read” shelf = +1 (If you’ve already read and rated/reviewed on Goodreads, you’re covered. ^-^)
Every comment on a “Seventh Spell” Launch Week post = +3 (Launch Week means new posts almost every day, so you can really rack up the points here!)
Every purchase of an e-book copy of “The Seventh Spell” = +3
Every purchase of a paperback copy of “The Seventh Spell” = +7
Your chances to win will accumulate over the seven days of the giveaway (didn’t win the first prize? You’ve still got your rollover entries for the prizes to come, and you can continue earning more), so the sooner you jump on board, the better your odds of winning!
The Prizes
#1 = Autographed print of a portrait of Millyanna (drawn by me). Congrats, Michelle!
#2 = Autographed print of a portrait of Viralei (drawn by me). Congrats, Miranda!
#3 = Autographed print of a surprise “Seventh Spell” scene illustration (drawn by me). Congrats, Emerald!
#4 = Autographed print of another surprise “Seventh Spell” scene illustration (drawn by me). Congrats, Kim!
#5 = Seven selected chapters of the “The Seventh Spell”, with author commentary!
#6 = Seven selected chapters of the “The Seventh Spell”, with CHARACTER commentary!
#7 = The Epic Win of the giveaway. 3 winners get to select any one of the first six prizes they like, and 1 of the three will receive my very first paperback proof copy of “The Seventh Spell”, autographed.
Ever On Word 