Tag Archives: shade-grown

In Defense of a Name

It seems, in the 21st Century, there are important things a person should be able to count on: single-origin shade-grown, fair-trade coffee, for one. Your iPhone not becoming obsolete before you finish paying it off – there’s another. And then, your website and domain name remain yours.

It is of the latter, I write. I thought my website safe with Yahoo Small Business, but alas, they sold out to a Chinese company. It wasn’t the website itself that worried me, I redesigned it and found a home on Wix. But the domain name remained and every year I must have paid it for everything worked, until this month.

But, as with so many things that we pay with autopay, my credit card expired, only the merchant did not think to let me know the payment would stop. Before I knew, alonshalev.com was in someone else’s possession. I do not know who for they are not using it.

And so, I have adopted a hyphen, a dash, a simple line that separated first name from family. It’s the easiest way. I can use a Sharpie on the magnets that adorn my cars. So, alon-shalev.com it is. But somehow it feels someone has a part of my identity, like they stole a family photo album.

It seems there are some things in the 21st Century that a person should count on.

Good Writing,

Alon Shalev, now at http://www.alon-shalev.com

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Alon Shalev is the author of the 2013 Eric Hoffer YA Book Award winner, At The Walls Of Galbrieth (ebook currently at 99c) and five other Wycaan Master books all released by Tourmaline Books. Sign up for more information about Alon Shalev at his author website.

July 4th – Wycaan Master Style

In the land of Odessiya, Independence Day is as significant today as it was fifteen years ago when humans, elves and dwarves danced in the streets celebrating their newfound freedom. A powerful emperor taxed the people without giving them representation. There are subtle differences today as many quaff microbrewery beer and smoke organic, shade-grown pipe tobacco that strengthens the immune system.

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Less people travel to the huge statue in Shindellia Harbor of the Wycaan Master, brandishing his Win Dow swords in the air, calling to the poor and downtrodden to come to his kingdom. The founding fathers and mothers: Prince Shayth, Rhoddan the elf warrior, brave Ilana, and fearsome Sellia, are still revered and people still study the Declaration of Independence that imbued the vision of Masters Oxynei, Mhari, and many others, as written in their bestselling scroll: We the Humans, Dwarfs, Elves, and Others.

Food is an important part of the tradition with people cooking hot dogs and root vegetables outside. Nowadays, new regulations enforce only gluten-free buns and outlawed the slaughter of dogs.

Finally, at the end of the day, the wizards and Wycaans’ unleash different colored fire sticks that explode in the sky for a cacophony of climatic celebration. It is surely such a unique celebration.

Sacrificial Flame Cover Hi Res

Out July 2014

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Alon Shalev is the author of the 2013 Eric Hoffer YA Book Award winner, At The Walls of Galbrieth, The First Decree, and Ashbar – Wycaan Master Book 3 – all released by Tourmaline Books. Shalev is also the author of three social justice-themed novels including Unwanted Heroes. He swears there is a connection. More at http://www.alonshalev.com and on Twitter (@elfwriter). Hang out with Alon on Google+