The cover – front, back and spline
I finally did it! Tukaa’s Tale has been completed and is now in proofreading mode. I can’t express how excited I am because for the longest time, the unfinished book sat on the shelf while life got in the way. It was only recently that I picked it up again, determined to finish it by giving myself a deadline – midsummer 2024. And now I’m happy to say I accomplished my goal.
I’m hoping to have it published within the next couple of weeks but in the interim I’m sharing the preface, and the book cover I created.
Stay tuned for the release date.
A snippet from the book – All illustrations by Barbara Smearman
Preface When I decided to write Tukaa’s Tale, my intent was to compliment The Story of Q trilogy, by providing an explanation as to what occurred when Rachael and Jenny made their way to the sacred Isle of Inda and joined the Accuu in the celebration of the twin moons, Kangii and Golinda. Instead of seeing things from Rachael’s perspective, we now have the opportunity of viewing the world through Tukaa’s “eyes”. The book not only gave me an opportunity to give you the background into the ritual, but to discover the history of the world of Accunii, as told to us by Tukaa. He begins by introducing us to Omunii, the ancient tree also known as the First Tree or Grandfather, as he shares his stories with Inkaa, a tender sapling, and aspiring apprentice. Thank you for patiently waiting for the spin-off to The Story of Q. Please note that this stand-alone book may be read before or after the trilogy. A note to parents and educators… While the Story of Q, and Tukaa’s Tale, are works of fiction, I heavily relied on science, history, and language arts to help bring the story to life. Book one introduces us to the “Q”, and we learn their language as we read through the series. In book two, Rachael gains insight into history when she discovers that her beloved neighbor, was part of the prestigious Tuskegee Airmen (an all-black fighter squadron), during World War II. Rachael continues pursuing her passion for astronomy in book three, as she realizes her dream of attending Space Camp, and meeting real-life planetologist, Dr. Dan Durda, who happily agreed to participate in my project. Finally, Tukaa’s Tale emphasizes the exploration of the biosphere, as Tukaa and Omunii take you on a tour of their planet. Here’s to always being an eternal student… Marion
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