Dean's Blog

The Free Ebook Giveaway What’s better for a Christmas reader that to begin a glorious, epic quest? How about a glorious, free, epic quest. Word is spreading, and I want to fan the flames. I’m so convinced that readers will love my epic 5-part series, The Legends of Karac Tor, ...

“In the shadow of His hand He has concealed me, and He has also made me a select arrow; He has hidden me in His quiver.” (Isa. 49:2) Let’s do a little anthropomorphic exercise. Let’s pretend the arrow is self-aware. Have you ever considered what a quiver must look like ...

To speak of something breaking is to speak of the weakness of one thing and the strength of another. Typically, something breaks for a reason. The problem is inherent, whether due to fragile materials or flawed construction. For example, a vase can crack because the ceramic is very fine (read: ...

I had the privilege of taking part in a “commissioning ceremony” for the son of a dear friend on his 18th birthday. I was asked to impart something on the topic of ‘Love.’ Here’s what I shared:  The First and Second Great Commandments are: to love God, to love others. ...

As a dad, I find myself fairly frequently asking the question: “Am I really reaching my kids? Am I having the impact on them I want, and, more to the point, need to have?” Exhibit A: My stepson will soon be a college senior, my stepdaughter a college freshman, my oldest ...

The last 6-8 weeks have been a frenetic mix of holidays, travels and missed deadlines. As I’ve labored to finish The Ravaged Realm (thank you AMG for your patience!), I’ve also sought to get my creative bearings for 2012. I’m on a bit of a mission

The birth of Jesus is the ultimate outsider moment in history. We’ve long since dressed it up with tinsel and lights, making it something merry, pretty and popular. We celebrate with gaiety, food, song, gifts and warm, crackling fireplace fires. In the process, we’ve divorced ourselves from the starker, darker ...

Everybody does it this time of year, right? So here’s my random, highly subjective list of non-sequiturs, both meaningful and meaningless. Drumroll please…. Best “I Must Have Been Hiding in A Musical Cave for The Last 6 Years” Discovery: Coldplay’s Fix You Best Cool Update That Wasn’t: iOS 5 Minus Siri ...

To give birth, one must lose their dignity. Have you considered that? We cry out for the Lord to birth something into our families, our lives, our churches, yet we prefer the sanctity of our personal space to the mess and noise which almost always accompany the release of life. ...

First of all, thanks to everyone for playing. Since (re)releasing The Book of Names  in May, 2011, then Corus a month later, and Song of Unmaking in October, I’ve barely been able to engage in any real promotional efforts. Plus, as many of you know, I was waaaay behind on ...