Category Archives: FTL Publications news

Summoned by Dragons: Fire and Friendship

A voracious predator. A frantic plea for aid. Can she stop a dangerous menace from devouring the dragons’ offspring?

Rhea Monroe has missed her childhood friend. She’s excited when the young dragon she grew up with returns to Earth after years away. Hearing that the dragons are in desperate need, the recent college grad immediately vows to help. But the instant they arrive in the dragon world, they’re tasked with helping to defeat a frightening, formless creature known simply as The Terror.

Teaming up with her boyfriend and other allies both human and winged, the resourceful companions struggle to cultivate a plan to defeat the ravenous attacker. But after a huge misstep awakens the monstrous horror, they’re aghast as two of their own are consumed….

Can Rhea and her friends stop The Terror and prevent a devastating apocalypse?

Summoned by Dragons is an absorbing fantasy novel. If you like compassionate heroine journeys, nuanced characters, and grand new worlds, then you’ll love Joan Marie Verba’s sky-high adventure.

 
Available in ebook, paperback, and hardcover formats

Modern Surprises reissued with new cover and new title: The Arachne Portal

 

 

 

 

The Arachne Portal by Joan Marie Verba

Women scientists having fun saving the world…unless someone kills them first and steals their tech.

Their goal is to make the world a better place. One billionaires’s obsession may turn their altruism into destruction.

Jay Ecklund is desperate to belong somewhere. Rejected by his family and former employer, he really needs this job as a receptionist at an up-and-coming tech corporation. He’s astonished when he discovers the all-woman staff is secretly developing a portal capable of instantaneous transport to anywhere on Earth.

Thrilled to be part of a company designing innovations to help others, Jay is excited when the machine is at last operational. But he worries about it falling into the wrong hands when an ambitious billionaire hell-bent on accumulating power makes a bid to get it…at any cost.

Will the portal be used as a rescue device as intended, or will a relentless manipulator warp it to a more sinister purpose?

The Arachne Portal is an electrifying standalone science fiction novel. If you like fast-paced adventures, phenomenal science, and thought-provoking themes, then you’ll love Joan Marie Verba’s compelling story.

Read The Arachne Portal to open a gateway to the future today!

 

 

 

Defying the Ghosts: A Haunted House Story by Joan Marie Verba

Released on September 26, 2020

A teen without a home. A dangerous residence. Can she survive one terrifying night to secure her future?

Charlene Griffin never thought she’d be without a home. But when she’s kicked out on her eighteenth birthday, she has no choice but to sleep inside an ominous Victorian mansion. And with the owner offering the estate to anyone who can spend a full night in the haunted property, Charlene decides to risk life and limb to get off the streets.

Refusing to heed the warnings of those sent running in fear for their lives, Charlene is confident she can last from sunset to sunrise. But she’ll need all her wits about her to withstand the hours of terror, because these ghosts are determined to get rid of her.

Will Charlene outsmart her supernatural foes and make it to dawn?

Defying the Ghosts is an eerie YA haunted house story. If you like heart-racing action, fearless heroes, and survival adventures, then you’ll love Joan Marie Verba’s thrilling tale.

Buy Defying the Ghosts to explore forbidden shadowy corners today!

Buy paperback

Created Worlds: a short story Collection by Joan Marie Verba

Created Worlds: Science fiction and fantasy stories by Joan Marie Verba

The Wisest Wizard: Who will be the next Wisest Wizard? Maybe not who you think.

The Sum of the Parts: Susan Page is a pacifist, who is attacked repeatedly by a criminal who evades arrest. Will she need to compromise her principles to defeat him?

This One Time: Allira Elhalyn-Alton, and her daughter, Bruna, have always been protected by the men in their life. Can they stand on their own in a crisis?

Death’s Scepter: Brothers Regis and Stefan Hastur have always been close. Will politics make them turn on each other? * Mind-eater: Domenic MacAran seeks shelter in a house where the residents are terrorized by a bully. Can they turn the tables on him?

The Honor of the Guild: A murder is committed and the Renunciates are blamed. Can Janna n’ha Cassilde solve the crime and restore the reputation of the guild?

An Invitation to Chaos: Gwynn Alton has harbored resentment of his father since childhood. Will their simmering conflict mean danger for the Domains when the Towers experiment with their powers?

The Mystery Woman of the Kilghard Hills: Young Kennard Lanart encounters a mysterious young woman in the woods, but his family is skeptical of his story. Will he, or they, uncover her secret?

Safe Passage: Orain, a peddler, is beaten and robbed and left in an approaching blizzard. Can he get his merchandise back and evade the determined robbers?

“Safe Passage” was originally published in the Darkover anthology Snows of Darkover, January 1995. Reprinted by permission.

“The Madwoman of the Kilghard Hills” (retitled “The Mystery Woman of the Kilghard Hills”) was originally published in the Darkover anthology Towers of Darkover, July 1993. Reprinted by permission.

“An Invitation to Chaos” was originally published in the Darkover anthology Leroni of Darkover, November 1991. Reprinted by permission.

“The Honor of the Guild” was originally published in the Darkover anthology Renunciates of Darkover, March 1991. Reprinted by permission.

“Mind-eater” was originally published in the Darkover anthology Domains of Darkover, March 1990. Reprinted by permission.

“Death’s Scepter” was originally published in the Darkover anthology Four Moons of Darkover, November 1988. Reprinted by permission.

“This One Time”was originally published in the Darkover anthology Free Amazons of Darkover, December 1985. Reprinted by permission.

Latest titles by Joan Marie Verba

Modern Surprises was no ordinary company: the science division had secretly developed a portal that would take them anywhere. The plan was to use the portal to help those in need. However, a billionaire industrialist found out about the portal, and would lie, cheat, and steal to get it. But the Modern Surprises team was not about to let him have it.


Do you like dragons? Follow the adventures of Wondry Dragon as she finds a new home with her new human friend, Rhea. Rhea and her mom and dad have never had a dragon in the house before, and they all learn what Wondry can and cannot do. Rhea and Wondry play together, help out their neighbors…and try to stay out of trouble. Rhea can never tell what Wondry will do next…Wondry is always surprising her with what dragons can do. Wondry will surprise you, too!

A children’s chapter book story for ages 6-8 (grades 1-3).

Practical Journals and Diaries

Practical Journals and Diaries from FTL Publications

A Writer’s Journal

writing-journal-front-cover

If you’re a writer, this writing journal is just for you. There are plenty of pages for writing or drawing. There’s also a section in the back to keep track of the daily progress (number of words) of your current project. With 30 entries, it’s perfect for use with a monthly writing project (or two). Here are just some of the ways you can use this blank book:

• a daily personal journal or diary
• taking notes
• recording story ideas
• writing down your story or poem
• drawing or doodling
• keeping track of how many words are written each day on your current project (see end of journal)

So, if you’re looking for a writing notebook or journal diary, try this one!

 
A Fantasy Reader’s Journal Diary

journal-fantasy-front-coverIf you read fantasy novels, this writing journal is just for you. There are plenty of pages for writing or drawing.

Here are just some of the ways you can use this blank book:

• a daily personal journal or diary
• taking notes
• drawing or doodling

If you’re looking for a writing notebook or journal diary, try this one!

 

 

A Convention Journal

journal-convention-frontGoing to a convention? Take this with you to use as your convention diary. There are pages to record the panels you go to, pages for autographs, and pages to write down anything else about your experiences. The extra blank pages are perfect for drawing or doodling, as well as for taking notes or writing down appointments and reminders. You can keep a record of your expenses, too.

If you’re looking for a journal for a convention, this is one you can use!

 

 

Travel Diary
A Trip Journal with Sample Packing List

travel-journal-front-coverPlanning a trip? This travel diary is for you! With its sample packing list, it’s the perfect travel companion. The 5 x 7 inch size is perfect for placing in a backpack, shoulder bag, or purse.

You can use it for:

• daily travel schedule entries

• a travel journal

• a writing notebook

This blank book has plenty of pages not only for writing, but also for drawing or pasting photos or clippings. If you’re looking for a personalized notebook or journal diary to take with you on your travels, buy one today!

 

Address Book with holiday card tracker

address-book-front4.75″ x 6″ (12.065 x 15.24 cm)

Black & White on White paper

50 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1936881208
ISBN-10: 1936881209

Reference / Personal & Practical Guides

Looking for an address book? This one contains spaces for names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, birthdays, and anniversaries.

Need to keep track of the addresses you sent holiday cards to…and where you received cards from? There is a ten-year holiday card tracker for this, too.

There’s also a page for frequently used or important contacts.

If you need an address book with all these features, this is the one for you!

A Gratitude Journal Notebook

journal-gratitude-frontWant to start a gratitude journal but can’t manage a daily schedule? Try this one! Start on any day you want to, write as much or as little as you want to (you can easily overflow into the next section), and skip days if you need to. You can enter your goals (proposed or accomplished) and to-do lists, as well as your insights and breakthroughs. Whether you prefer to write notes, essays, or poetry, this journal can help you organize your thoughts and preserve your experiences.

The Anytime Daily Timer: A Daily Planner or Scheduler

If you need a place to plan your schedule, this daily timer is for you! You can start any day of the year—just fill in the dates that you need. You can skip days if you wish, or leave them blank, if you prefer. There are extra spaces for notes, too. This daily timer puts you in control!

 

The Anytime Day Planner: Start Any Day of the Week, Month, or Year

If you wanted to start a daily or weekly planner today, but it’s after January 1, this is the one for you! You can start any day of the week, month, or year. If you need to skip a day, or several days, or a month…no problem! You don’t have to leave a bunch of blank entries or blank pages. Just fill in the date of the next entry. There’s space for writing down appointments, shopping lists, to-do lists…whatever you want. If you have a lot to write down, just overflow into the next space. You fill in the dates, times, or details.

Week-at-a-Time: Weekly Planner and Daily Timer

Are your appointments written down throughout your office and house on scraps of note paper? Ever wish to put them all in one place? This weekly planner is for you! With this flexible organizer, you can view one week of appointments at a time, hour-by-hour. Start any week of the year. You can skip days or weeks if you wish, and fill in only what you need to use. With this scheduler, you are in control!

 

Make Your Own Cookbook: A Blank Recipe Book

journal-blank-ckbk-frontNeed to organize your recipes? This blank cookbook is for you! Write down your recipes, instructions, and notes in one place. There are spaces and lines for 2 recipes on each page, all numbered so you can find them by number. There’s a section in the front of the cookbook for you to fill in so that you can find your favorites again at any time. If you clip recipes from newspapers or magazines, or have recipes written on pieces of paper, just paste them in!

Posted by Publisher at 8/18/2013 2:49 PM

Midwest Book Review of Sword of Queens

Midwest Book Review
MBR Bookwatch – December 2012
Klausner’s Bookshelf

Sword of Queens
Joan Marie Verba
FTL Publications
P O Box 1363, Minnetonka, MN 55345-0363
www.ftlpublications.com
9781936881116, $15.95, www.amazon.com

For over five centuries, Tashtalon the overlord has ruled the
patriarchal kingdom of Somerlie with an evil iron fist. No one has
ever seen Tashtalon but everyone knows of his presence especially
at night when sleeping is dangerous. Each evening, Tashtalon puts
his subjects to sleep two hours after sunset; and awakens them each
morning two after sunrise with some vanishing overnight. No one
has any hope of overthrowing this invincible malevolent God.

Twentyish Gill is like everyone else living in fear of the evil ruler;
wondering if she will disappear next and knowing how helpless it
is as nothing can defeat Tashtalon. Gill wonders why the overlord’s
most enforced law is that no woman will yield a sword with the
penalty of breaking his code instant death though she assumes it
has to do with females being subservient to males. As she begins
her required quest year “To Find Herself”, Gill thinks of her elderly
grandma’s tales of life before Tashtalon. On her journey Gill learns
that the magical Sword of Queens can destroy Tashtalon.

Sword of Queens is an excellent coming of age quest fantasy
starring a likable heroine. The vibrant Verba world of magic seems
real while the vile villain is made even stronger and eviler by the
fearful whispers of his subjects. Sub-genre readers will enjoy Gill’s
adventures in an engaging good and evil thriller.

Harriet Klausner
Senior Reviewer

Sword of Queens cover

Sword of Queens cover

Posted by Publisher at 12/9/2012 8:38 PM

Thunderbirds novel Extreme Hazard wins Scribe Award

FTL Publications is pleased to announce that the Thunderbirds novel, Extreme Hazard, has won the Scribe Award in the Young Adult category.  The Scribe Awards acknowledge and celebrate excellence in licensed tie-in writing—novels based on TV shows, movies, and games. The Sixth Annual Scribe Awards were given at a ceremony and panel discussion held during Comic Con International in San Diego on July 13, 2012.

SCRIBE Award WINNER

SCRIBE Award WINNER

Posted by Publisher at 7/14/2012 6:55 PM

Thunderbirds novel Deadly Danger is a 2010 Scribe Award Finalist

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
2010 Scribe Award Finalists Announced
The International Association of Media Tie-In Writers is pleased to announce the finalists for the fourth annual Scribe Awards, which honors excellence in the field of media tie-in writing for books published in 2009.  The winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held at Comic-Con International July 22-25 in San Diego.

BEST YOUNG ADULT (ORIGINAL & ADAPTED)

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS by Stacia Deutsch and Rhody Cohon
BANDSLAM: THE NOVEL by Aaron Rosenberg
THUNDERBIRDS: DEADLY DANGER by Joan Marie Verba

BEST NOVEL (GENERAL FICTION)

AS THE WORLD TURNS: THE MAN FROM OAKDALE by “Henry Coleman” & Alina Adams
CSI: BRASS IN POCKET by Jeff Mariotte
PSYCH: A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO READ by William Rabkin

BEST NOVEL (SPECULATIVE FICTION)

STAR TREK VANGUARD: OPEN SECRETS by Dayton Ward
STAR TREK: A SINGULAR DESTINY by Keith R.A. DeCandido
WARHAMMER: SHAMANSLAYER—A GOTREK AND FELIX NOVEL by Nathan Long
TERMINATOR SALVATION: COLD WAR by Greg Cox
ENEMIES & ALLIES by Kevin J. Anderson

BEST ADAPTATION (GENERAL & SPECULATIVE)

COUNTDOWN by Greg Cox
GI JOE: RISE OF THE COBRA by Max Allan Collins
THE TUDORS: THY WILL BE DONE  by Elizabeth Massie

GRANDMASTER:  WILLIAM JOHNSTON

Posted by Publisher at 3/18/2010 1:29 PM 

Special Offer from FTL Publications

Later this year, FTL Publications will start offering an e-mail newsletter for Book Announcements. From time to time (no regular schedule), the e-mail newsletter will give information about books of interest.

You can sign up for this e-mail newsletter at no charge by going to the FTL Publications site and clicking on the link.

We adhere to a strict privacy policy that means your information will not be shared, sold, or otherwise distributed. Your e-mail will only be used for the Book Announcements e-mail newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Posted by Publisher at 3/3/2010 3:02 PM

Action Alert! is a Mom’s Choice Awards® Silver Recipient

Mom's Choice Award seal

Mom’s Choice Award seal

The Mom’s Choice Awards® Names the novel Thunderbirds™: Action Alert! by Joan Marie Verba Among Best In Family-Friendly Products

The Mom’s Choice Awards® has named the Thunderbirds™ novel, Action Alert!, among the best in family-friendly media, products and services.

The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) is an awards program that recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services.

Parents, educators, librarians and retailers rely on MCA evaluations when selecting quality materials for children and families. The Mom’s Choice Awards® seal helps families and educators navigate the vast array of products and services and make informed decisions.

An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of our panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS’s Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times best-selling author, Priscilla Dunstan, creator of the Dunstan Baby Language; Patricia Rossi, host of NBC’s Manners Minute; Dr. Letitia S. Wright, D.C., host of the Wright Place™ TV Show; and Catherine Witcher, M.Ed., special needs expert and founder of Precision Education, Inc.

MCA judges are bound by a strict code of ethics which ensures expert and objective analysis free from any manufacturer association. The evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost.

To be considered for an award, each entrant submits five identical samples of a product. Entries are matched to judges in the MCA database. Judges perform a thorough analysis and submit a detailed assessment. Results are compiled and submitted to the MCA Executive Committee for final approval. The end result is a list of the best in family-friendly media, products and services that parents and educators can feel confident in using.

Mom’s Choice Awards: www.MomsChoiceAwards.com

Thunderbirds ™ & © ITC Entertainment Group Limited 1964, 1999 and 2010. Licensed by Granada Ventures Ltd. All rights reserved.

Posted by Publisher at 2/1/2010 3:10 PM

 

FTL Publications titles in various eBook formats on Smashwords

FTL Publications titles are now available in the following eBook formats on Smashwords: ePub, Sony Reader, Kindle (.mobi, .mobipocket), and Palm Doc. Smashwords also makes these titles available with Stanza, an e-reading app for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. For more information, go to:

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ftlpublications

Posted by Publisher at 8/24/2009 8:22 PM

Thunderbirds.com on Google

This morning, I entered “Thunderbirds” in the Google search engine, and was delighted to find that Thunderbirds.com appeared on the first page of the search results. What’s so pleasantly astonishing about this is that until very recently, I did not know what Search Engine Optimization (SEO) was. All I knew was that I kept getting calls and e-mails from companies that offered to make changes to my web site so that it would come up on the first page of any web search…for a price, which generally was $200-$1000 a month. 

As it happened, however, earlier this year, I saw a link on Twitter for HubSpot, which offers a free Internet Marketing Kit. I downloaded their kit, and listened to their webinar (which also has visuals), and followed their instructions. I did not see the result right away (it has taken about 2 months), but I was very impressed when I did see it. (HubSpot, by the way, also offers a free Website Grader, which evaluates a web site and gives suggestions as to how to improve one’s page rank.)

In general, I’m amazed at how quickly web technology continues to change, and how quickly I (and other publishers) are rushing to adapt to it. For instance, one day, I learned what a favicon was, and within 48 to 72 hours, I had a favicon on my web sites (it’s the small picture to the left of the web address on the top of the browser window).  It seems as if every week, there’s something new or changing on the web that demands my attention, as there was this week. I’m all for improvements; I just hope that I can keep up with them!

Posted by Publisher at 5/30/2009 3:05 PM