A. L. Kaplan

Category: Uncategorized

  • Free Digital Copy of Hummingbird December 15-19, 2021

    DisCon III is the third World Science Fiction Convention to be held in DC.

    It’s also my first WorldCon.

    To commemorate of this event, Hummingbird: A Star Touched Story will be available for free on December 15-19, 2021

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    “If you read Star Touched, you’ll love Hummingbird. If you haven’t read Star Touched, now you’ll want to.”

    ~ Kathy Steinemann

    “A delightful insight into the origins of one of my favorite characters in the Star Touched world!”

    ~ Maria V Snyder, New York Times best-selling author and PRISM Award Winner

    “Set in the world of Star Touched, this short story puts the reader in the mind and body of a newly-hatched hummingbird. Except this is no ordinary hummingbird! Charming and captivating, and a must-read for anyone who loves watching birds.”

     ~ T. C. Weber, author of the BetterWorld cyberpunk trilogy and other works.

  • HAPPY THANKSGIVING

    STAR TOUCHED

    WOLF DAWN

  • Thank you to all our Veterans

    To Everyone Who Has Served In

    The United States Of America

    Armed Forces

    THANK YOU

    Army
    Navy
    Air Force
    Marines
    Coast Guard

  • HUMMINGBIRD — Reading — Free Online

    Want to hear the beginning of HUMMINGBIRD: A Star Touch Story?

    You can find it and many other events at the

    Write Women’s Book Fest.

    Here is the direct line to the HUMMINGBIRD reading.

    Purchase a copy of HUMMINGBIRD: A Star Touched Story here.

    STAR TOUCHED

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    WOLF DAWN

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Can Cows Have Wings? — A Workshop for The Write Women Book Fest 2021

    Join author A. L. Kaplan for a teen-oriented workshop and learn how to create an environment that will grab your audience.

    A purple cow flying over DC might get by in a fantasy or science fiction story, but is likely to yank your readers out of anything else. Every great story needs more than plot and characters. If the world your people inhabit isn’t believable, it won’t hold your readers attention.

    Wednesday, October 6, 2021

    8:00pm – 9:00pm Eastern Time

    Live on Facebook

  • Never Forget

    NEVER FORGET

    9/11/2021

    2,996

  • Maryland Renaissance Festival Appearance — September 5, 2021

    Come to the the Maryland Renaissance Festival on Sunday, September 5, 2021.

    I’ll be there all day at the author table by Page After Page – Books of the Renaissance on White Stag Lane. This charming little shop has some wonderful books in a variety of genres.

    Here is your chance to chat and get a signed copy of my books.

    This is their only storefront, so come support a local business. Grab a pint, your costume, and swing on by for some fun.

    September 5, 2021: Maryland Renaissance Festival
    1821 Crownsville Road
    Annapolis, Maryland 21401

    If you are concerned, know that all MRF employees and venders are required to be fully vaccinated for covid-19. Many vendors also require masks to enter their shops.

    Maryland Renaissance Festival tickets are being sold ON-LINE ONLY this year and there is an limit on how many are sold. 

    It is highly recommended that the tickets be purchased in advance. There are indications that there could be sell-out crowds. All tickets are date-specific and non-refundable since we are open rain or shine. 

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    HUMMINGBIRD

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history.

    One step toward understanding.

    One stride toward survival.

    One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Awesome Con Appearance

    Looking for something fun to do this weekend?

    Come to Awesome Con

    I’ll be on the Other Realities: An Introduction to World Building panel with Joab Stieglitz and Jennifer Povey.

    The panel begins at 5:45 PM on Saturday, August 21, 2021

    Mask up and come on by.

    Awesome Con
    August 20-23, 2021
    Walter E. Washington Convention Center
    801 Mt Vernon Pl NW
    Washington, DC 20001

    STAR TOUCHED

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    Hummingbird: A Star Touched Story

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history. One step toward understanding. One stride toward survival. One leap toward flying free from the past.

    WOLF DAWN

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • When Facebook AI Runs Awry, Oh My!

    Here is a great article on AI glitches by my friend Kathy Steinemann.

    Make sure this doesn’t happen to you.

    https://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/facebook-ai/?fbclid=IwAR3yuqCegDOvtwf5aAEvNTPW8l-E81TRCnI4ZfYKff6ZOsNLnPbBNSFWlVw

    Hummingbird: A Star Touched Story

    Plagued by memories not her own, a young hummingbird struggles to decipher the visions and powers that set her apart from her fellow birds. But the road to awareness is fraught with danger that could doom her to repeat history. One step toward understanding. One stride toward survival. One leap toward flying free from the past.

    STAR TOUCHED

    STAR TOUCHED

    Sometimes it’s hard to be who you are meant to be.

    Especially when your powers can get you killed.

    Eighteen-year-old Tatiana is running from her past and her star-touched powers eight years after a meteor devastates earth’s population.

    Her power to heal may be overshadowed by more destructive abilities. Fleeing the persecution of those like her, Tatiana seeks refuge in a small town she once visited. But this civil haven, in a world where society has broken down, is beginning to crumble.

    Only by harnessing the very forces that haunt her can Tatiana save her friends…and herself.

    WOLF DAWN

    WOLF DAWN

    A Hidden Past – A Deadly Secret

    Gifted with the ability to wolf-talk, Kara has lived with the wolves since she lost her memories eight years ago. Now at sixteen, snippets of her past send her searching for answers.

    But the warm welcome she receives in the human village hides more danger than life with the pack.

  • Live at the Maryland Renaissance Festival September 5, 2021

    Hear ye! Hear ye!

    Me with Maria V Snyder in 2019

    Plans are underway to open the Maryland Renaissance Festival live on August 28, 2021 through October 24, 2021. Grab your costumes and prepare for fun.

    Most of you know about the food, music, shows, artisan, and assorted shops at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. (I’m particularly fond of the leather workers, blacksmith, and glass blowers.) Amongst all this revelry, there is a hidden gem. Page After Page – Books of the Renaissance resides on White Stag lane. This charming little shop not only has some wonderful books, they also bring in a variety of authors. I’ll be there all day on Sunday, September 5.

    This is their only storefront, so come support a local business. Grab a pint and swing on by.

    September 5, 2021: Maryland Renaissance Festival
    1821 Crownsville Road
    Annapolis, Maryland 21401

    I’ll be on White Stag Lane outside Page After Page – Books of the Renaissance all day.

    (If you are concerned, know that all MRF employees and venders are required to be fully vaccinated for covid-19.)

    Maryland Renaissance Festival tickets are being sold ON-LINE ONLY this year. 

    It is highly recommended that the tickets be purchased in advance. All tickets are date-specific and non-refundable since we are open rain or shine. 

    There are indications that we could/should expect sell-out crowds.