The Emblem & The Lantern

Art Inspired by E&L!

2012-01-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

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...

2012-01-20T07:42:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-15T09:25:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-10-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

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

Newspaper Interview!

2011-09-28T08:48:00.001-07:00

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

2011-09-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-09-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

Read my newly published short story at hillharow.com!

An Unexpected Guest

2011-09-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-08-10T13:24:00.000-07:00

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"

2011-06-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-06-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

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

Sneak Peak of Book Two Illustration

2011-05-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-05-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-04-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

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!

Booking

2011-04-07T06:25:00.000-07:00

I am now booking promotional readings and Q&A sessions concerning the writing of Awakening: Book One of The Emblem & The Lantern.

Email Dylan for more info about the events - bprojector -At - gmail.com

Check the EVENTS PAGE to get a sampling of some of the places I'm speaking.

Reading at Skipstone Academy

2011-02-07T06:42:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful time at Skipstone Academy on Friday! I was honored to read a selection from my book with the middle and highschool grades. The focus of the day was my faith and how it purposefully found its way on to the pages of the book. I met a few young aspiring authors whose story ideas were wonderful! The Sleepy Turtles played music from the book soundtrack while the students (and teachers) sang along. All in all a delightful afternoon. The wonderful photo was taken by Party of 7 Photography!

Press Release!

2011-01-25T06:35:00.000-08:00

Local Teacher Publishes Young Adult Novel!

Fayette County News & Today In Peachtree City released an article about Awakening Today!

Luminae Map

2010-03-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

Long over due update!

2010-02-23T11:31:00.000-08:00

I have finished the first and second draft of the fist book: Awakening. I am now in the third draft and getting really close to searching for a publisher. The book ended up having twenty two chapters stuffed full of Ethan and Eisley Lambent's amazing adventure. I can't wait for the final product but more so, I can't wait to get started on the second installment.

Dylan

Awakening Teaser Trailer Releases Today!

2009-09-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

'Awakening' Trailer from Clay Parker on Vimeo.

Clay Parker has created a beautiful trailer for Awakening.

Credits:

The illustration used in this video was drawn by Mikael Jury.
The music is by Dylan Higgins. (Elizabeth Lipham on vocals and violin.)

Animated and edited by Clay Parker.

2009-09-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to download MUSIC from The Emblem & The Lantern!

Illustration Sneak Peek!

2009-07-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

This is a first look at Mikael Jury's illustrations for Awakening.

This is a picture of the main characters (Ethan and Eisley) looking out of the Camel Back Mountains. I am so pleased to have Mikael on board for the project. His portrayals of scenes in the novel have already begun to make the experience much more rich.

The Camel Back Mountains

2009-06-10T10:23:00.001-07:00

I went to southern China in 2007 where I had the pleasure of traveling through what is called the foot hills of the Himalayas. The Zuang people, the largest minority group in all of China, call this range "The Camel Back Mountains."

These giant limestone hills jet directly up out of the flat lands making them look like large camels humps. They are spectacular to see in life so much so that I felt compelled to make them somewhat of a center piece of Awakening. This range is located near the border of China and Vietnam.

Creating a Soundtrack

2009-06-10T10:05:00.000-07:00

In addition to the novel I am creating an original score to coincide with the book. So far I have written and recorded three songs:

The Emblem & The Lantern (Main Theme)
Gloam's Theme
The Battle at Smarr Mountain

I have had an amazing time writing these songs. The best part is that these tunes are what I've heard in my head as I've been writing the book. For instance, the main theme was a prevalent tune I heard as certain important items are discovered on Ethan and Eisley's journey and as they adventure of into the Camel Back Mountains. Once I have finished mixing these songs I'll put them up on the site for download.

I intend for this soundtrack to be listened to as you read the book to add another dimension to the story. Where did I get this idea you might wonder. Well, I once read a Star Wars book called Shadows of the Empire that took place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Shadows had a soundtrack that accompanied the book, which I purchased along with the novel. As I read the book and listened to the soundtrack that was composed specifically for the different scenes from the novel I fell in love with the combined experience. Let me be quite clear that my soundtrack will not be nearly as epic as the Star Wars soundtrack becuase I am not the London Symphony Orchestra (sorry to disappoint). I do believe, however, that it will be a great thing to own along side the book.

Creating an Adventure Story

2009-06-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

Hello,

My name is Dylan Higgins. Over the past year I have been writing the first book in a trilogy called The Emblem and The Lantern. Book one is entitled Awakening. I'd briefly like to explain how this project came to be:

About two years ago me and a friend (Mike Sherrard) had decided that it would be fun to author a children's book together. We started kicking around ideas for an illustrated short story concerning a hero and a magic lantern. That idea never really came to fruition as both Mike and myself were to busy to begin. The project sat in a rather dormant state for a year; however, in June of 2008 I began to think on the story again. During the summer months I began to tell my children different stories surrounding the magic lantern all the while making Ethan and Eisley the characters. Through the time spent telling my children about the lantern they became a part of the story which led me to write a synopsis of the first part of their adventure with the lantern.

It is now June again. One year since I brought the novel idea out into the open again and now I have completed fourteen of the chapters that comprise Awakening. I will be using this blog as a way to share with others the experience of writing my first book. From this site you will be able to discover where many of the influences behind the characters and landscapes in the book. I hope that, through this site you will become interested in the world that is being created through this writing experience.

Sincerely,

Dylan