Free PDF download of sample chapter: Tales of the Elemental Dragons (Huo, Fire)

In celebration of Chinese New Year, readers can get a glimpse of my newest short story anthology, Tales of the Elemental Dragons. In Chinese cosmology, there are five elements (as opposed to four in Western myth): earth, metal, fire, wood and water. This anthology will include ten stories, two for each element. These stories are interconnected, and serve as an introduction to my upcoming fantasy series set in a land like ancient China.

The link is here: http://writermum1.yolasite.com/pdfs-of-novels.php

Once the set of ten is complete (hopefully by Wednesday) and on Smashwords.com, I'll announce it on my blogs (Eighth Shot of Espresso, I Gotta Write! and the IGW Facebook page, plus my Asian-inspired blog, The Brocade Box). The short story collection will be *free* to download for 2 weeks, then after that time, it will cost $1.00 to download.

In the meantime, enjoy this sample chapter! 

Poetry Anthology Preview (3): "Superwoman"

A third poetry sample from "The Art of Poetry", coming soon:

Superwoman

© 2011 by A. Dameron

It's so easy

To turn into Superwoman,

Trying to do so much to

Save the world.

It costs much

To show a brave face,

While your body is

Dying inside.

It seems common sense

To go with the flow, 

The peaks and the valleys

And times those valleys are low.

But there is

A light at the end of the tunnel,

With the glowing arc

Of satisfaction.

All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2011

Poetry Anthology Preview (2): "Princessa"

Another poem from my upcoming anthology: "The Art of Poetry"

Princessa

© 2011 by A. Dameron

Hold up your head like an empress,

Make you manner that of a queen.

Smile, but show not your teeth.

Disarm both your friends and your enemies,

And reflect what they see in the mirrors of your eyes.

Your tears drip like honey

And stab like daggers.

Mesmerize, analyze,

Then attack.

All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2011

Poetry Anthology Preview:" Set of 12"

I'm close to completing my poetry anthology (tentatively called "The Art of Poetry") and I would like to share some pieces with you this week.

This one is called "Set of 12".

Set of 12

© 2011 by A. Dameron

Memory sticks

Lined up in a row,

Waiting

For a sympathetic hand.

They infuse the world 

With brilliant hues,

Combating

the grayness of despair.

Stark whiteness,

Blank of all memory

Is beginning

to remember its origin.

Color pours forth

Mixing like raw silk

And challenges 

All sorts of convention.

The young and the old

Treasure them and

Smiling, they pick them up

To weave their thoughts

With the magic of color.

All original writing and art copyright A. Dameron 2000-2011