A Collection of Poetry

 

While I haven't finished the fourth E&L yet, I've been slowly working, for several years, on a little volume of poetry called In the Bright Morning. It's only a handful of poems but I have meticulously revisited these lines picking at them and helping them to flow more and more, all the while biding my time. You see, a part of me doesn't want these verses to see the light of day. As I've grown older, I've become more emotionally guarded and this little work is the antonym of the wall I desire to create between me and others. These poems are just my raw feelings. They concern hope and despair, faith and fear, joy and grief. In a phrase, what it’s like to be human. Look for it in early July on Amazon or pretty much wherever books might be found online!

Putting an old site to new use

Years ago, when writing the first two books,  I created this blog to serve as a hub for my work. As the years passed, I found newer and shinier platforms to use but I think it's high time for a return to the basics and a return to this blog. 

It's been ten years since I last posted here. Ten. I had a good stroll down memory lane just coming back to this blog. Many things have changed (including my reflection in the mirror) while others have remain constant. I'm still a full time husband, father and teacher. As such it has been quite a challenge to find the time necessary to devote to the world of The Emblem & The Lantern. I have one book left to write! That's all! Still, I'm finding this one to be the toughest to approach. From the beginning of this series I knew how I wanted it to end. That's not the problem. The problem is filling in the story with ALL the things I want to say. Each book has had underlying themes and messages that I wanted to get across and right now I'm finding ways within the beats of the continuing story to develop old ideas while sharing new ideas at the same time, all the while staying true to the heart of the Lambent Twins' journey. 

Check back periodically as I will be trying to utilize this blog like I did in the early days as means of accountability to you all. 

More Student Art!

Got some new student art in! Click HERE to see more!

New Bio Pics

I had some new photos done in Middle Earth! Well... not really but it does look like it, right?! The shots were taken byTodd Richard Stevens @ Stageunderground® www.stageunderground.com 

Swing by their site and check'em out! Great Work!

Ethan Lambent from Book Two!

I'm trilled to present a sneak peek at another illustration from Stirring! Mikael Jury has outdone himself again! Late last year I approached Mikael about my desire to see the twins' faces realized, through  illustration, as the stories continued to unfold. We collectively decided to shy away from this approach with Awakening, which is why close ups of the characters faces never appear in that story. However, I felt it was time to begin the process with the second book. Here is the object of that decision! 

Are you even slightly curious why the contraption is on Ethan's head? If the answer is 'YES' then never fear. I put the last period on the last sentence of the last page of Stirring just last night. It is already off to Joanna for editing. You can be expecting the book no later than mid April!

New Fan Art!

Be sure to visit the Fan Art Page! There's lots of new additions!

Art Inspired by E&L!

This is a wonderful depiction of a scene from chapter two of Awakening! Painted by Mike Vanklavaren and Jessie Carrol.

"One of the favorite memories of all that both Ethan and Eisley shared with their parents was the numerous nights spent around the fire singing songs and dancing together."

Status of Book Two and such...

I am deep into the adventure of Stirring, the second installment of The Emblem and The Lantern, having completed eighteen chapters and presently working through the next. As with Awakening the new book has taken many turns that I as the author didn't initially intend. Its funny to say but sometimes I feel like I'm reading the book rather than writing it! I suppose that's how inspiration works sometimes. When I began the Stirring I didn't have as clear an idea of how many chapters it would contain unlike with the first book. Now that I'm nearly twenty chapters in I can confidently say that I'll top thirty, making it at least a fourth longer than part one. Having already established the lands and characters in Awakening it has been enjoyable to delve deeper into the heroes lives and thoughts without spending much time setting up things like was necessary with the book one. What I'm really trying to say is that I feel like part two jumps right into the thick of things! I can't wait to be finished and share Ethan and Eisley's continued adventures with you!

Heart hold fast to where you're drawn,

Dylan Higgins

I had the privilege of meeting Andrew Peterson, author of the Wingfeather Saga, this week in Montgomery Alabama. I was able to give him a copy of my book and Sleepy Turtles' newest album. We also got to chat about publishing, writing and the editing process. We discussed his brother, Pete Peterson's books, Fin's Revolution two part series as well. Both Andrew and Pete are some of the finest storytellers of this age. It was a very valuable meeting.

New Sleepy Turtles EP!

The Sleepy Turtles new EP entitled, Brother, You're So Kind, is available for FREE download on Noisetrade.com

Newspaper Interview!

Author Brings Books & Band to Omega Books, PTC, GA.

It’s not often that a book signing turns into a concert but when Peachtree City resident Dylan Higgins re-released his book, “Awakening, Book One of The Emblem and The Lantern,” last Friday at Omega Books in Peachtree City, the event strayed from the typical signing and reading.

Read the Whole Story Here!

Book Signing

I have a book signing at Omega Books in Peachtree City, Ga Friday, Sept. 23 from 5-7p. Stop by and say hello if you're in the area. I get a warm feeling inside when I see my book displayed with C.S. Lewis and Tolkien books (click on the right picture)!

Click Here to view directions to Omega Books.

New Short Story on Hill Harow Site!

Read my newly published short story at hillharow.com!

An Unexpected Guest

I sit in my temporary home of Turtle Hollow in my leather, high-back, authory chair (as seen in the photo) writing this, my first Hill Harow post. I am currently waist deep in the second installment of The Emblem and The Lantern series, titled, Stirring. I am always amazed at the fickle way my writing mood manifests itself. Meaning that my inspiration comes with much ebbing and flowing.

For the last few months I’ve been at a near stand still with my story. The funny thing is that I know exactly what supposed to happen in the book and yet, recently, when I’ve sat down to draw these ideas from my mind (in much the same way that Dumbledore might pull a memory from his mind and place it into the pensive) I haven’t been able to formulate the appropriate wording. The main idea might be present in what few pitiful passes I make at the nearly blank page, yet the spirit of the narrative is found lacking. Frustrating? Um… a resounding yes!

Then, lo and behold, I wake up on Labor Day and there to greet my sleep-laden eyes is the urge to write. I welcome the Urge with gladness and he and I set off on an adventure of our own. I should proabably note there is another companion who sails on the Sea of Words with Urge and myself and we call him Coffee. Urge decides to stay with me through the following day and together we complete three chapters or nearly 4,000 wonderfully imaginative words (some of the best yet, might I add!). Job well done Urge! Job well done!

And just when you think a friend couldn’t be more giving, the Urge inspires me to write the synopsisand preface to an entirely different novel idea that I’ve been brewing in my noggin for months, nay for upward of twenty years having sparked this idea from dreams I had as a child. Not to fear you readers of E&L, I won’t be directing many more of my creative juices into this book until after I’ve finished telling Ethan and Eisley’s fantastical tale.

Perhaps the last thing I will say about Mr. Urge is that it was he whom gave me the inkling to write this entry. Thanks good friend. You are welcomed to visit as often as you’d like, though I don’t think you are leaving just yet!

Further up and further in,

Dylan, Urge & Coffee

Published Edition of Awakening!

Awakening is being re-released through Hill Harow Books, a publishing venture that I'm a part of. Above you can see a sneak peak of what the new cover art will look like. The story line remained the same in the Hill Harow Release. So if you've read it already don't worry about that! I've just revisited the book's style, sprucing it up to match the feel of the second book, due out at Christmas! In addition Mikael Jury has added a few more illustration to the novel to round it out a bit more. Further, Hill Harow's editor, Joanna Jury, has added her magic to Awakening as well. I hope that you find that the new version looks and flows better.

As a gift to those who have already purchased the original version, I will be selling the new version for $8! It will be available in mid September!

Further up, Further in,

Dylan Higgins

Red Letter Generation Reviews "Awakening"

"Awakening is a brilliant book especially when considered it is (Higgins) first. If you are a fan of Lord Of The Rings and The Narnia story then this will be a pleasure to read. Deep with symbolism and spiritual meaning and thoroughly entertaining...you'll yearn to see what happens next!" - Andy Hinesley - Red Letter Generation

Teacher Writes Book Featuring His Children

I was recently interviewed by the Fayette Neighbor Newspaper. Read the article HERE!

Sneak Peak of Book Two Illustration

I'm excited to release a sneak peak of one of the first illustrations from Stirring: Book Two of The Emblem & The Lantern. As with the first installment, Mikael Jury is the illustrator behind this amazing piece which, masterfully depicts the scene from the prologue.

One key difference between book one and two is that Mikael has set the goal of illustrating a key scene from each chapter in new one. In addition Mikael and I are working on facial appearances for book two. Our aim with Awakening was to keep the characters faces out of the lime light to give them more of mysterious visual quality. Mostly to allow the reader to imagine the characters as they'd like. However, as the character's stories expand in part two we thought it would be good to expand their illustrated look as well.

More to come!

New Review of Awakening!

"The story is a classic fantasy quest, but is by no means a crass copying of any story with which I am familiar, and fantasy and science fiction are my favorite genres both as a reader and writer. The story, characters, and lands are all interesting and well depicted, and the reader is carried along both with the external events and with the struggles within the characters. The magic lantern and the light versus darkness motif, both literally and symbolically, are central to the story. If the other three books are as good as this one, this could prove to be one of the major fantasy works of our time." -Forrest W. Schultz, Southside Book Reviews

Visit Forrest's review page to read the whole review.

Barnes & Noble Book Signing

I had a wonderful time at Barnes & Noble in Newnan Ga. last night. Met lots of people who (I am very greatful) were very enthusiastic about my book. My band, Sleepy Turtles, played as well and we made lots of new friends. Can't wait to go back! Thanks to J.C. at Barnes & Noble for all his hard work in putting this event together!