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Thursday, July 16th, 2009
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12:48 pm - San Diego Comic Con Signing schedule
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I will be signing at the SLG booth the following days and times:
Thursday, July 23rd - 4:00 - 5:30
Friday, July 24th - 4:00 - 5:30
Saturday, July 25th - 2:00 - 3:30
Sunday - 2:00 - 3:30
I hope to see some of you there.
And for good measure, here is a random photo of me playing with a dinosaur. His jaw moved, I think I was about to feed him those vitamins.
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(comment on this)
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| Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
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2:05 pm - Signing/reading at Borderlands [update]
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I've been reading Fairest of All today, determining what section I would like to read, and I think I have decided on reading the opening from The Odd Sisters chapter, when they first arrive and torment Snow White during tea in the morning room.
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| Sunday, July 12th, 2009
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2:47 pm - SAVE THIS DATE:
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Saturday, August 29th, 7:00 pm. Release, signing and reading at Borderlands Books in San Francisco for Fairest of All.
Put me down on your dance cards, ladies and gentlemen, because I would like to you come out and help me celebrate the release of my novel.
I will post all the details soon.
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Thursday, July 9th, 2009
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3:07 pm - note to my students
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I know some of you were looking forward to hearing from me this week. I've been sick with a nasty summer cold all week. I will get in touch as soon as my brain isn't all wonky. Sorry for the delay.
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(7 comments | comment on this)
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| Friday, July 3rd, 2009
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6:05 pm - Showing my support for the hottest couple in comics.
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| Tuesday, June 30th, 2009
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2:21 pm - Fairest of All - Available in August
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Fairest of All is the story of the Wicked Queen, who she was before, and who she longed to be before she was destroyed by her vanity and the need to murder her daughter Snow White. It is a bloody tale of abuse, heartbreak, love and grief, and the lure of a mysterious man in an enchanted mirror. Beautifully written by Serena Valentino, author of Nightmares & Fairy Tales. Available in August 2009.
Chapter Selections
From Chapter Six - The OddSisters
The disjointed yet lyrical letter was composed of three different hands and was signed by three women— Lucinda, Ruby, and Martha. Though they had attended the wedding, the Queen had escaped their stares, which made her uncomfortable, and managed not to speak to them. This time, there was no avoiding the sisters. And they proved to be as intriguing in person as their letter had suggested. The indistinguishable triplets exited from a black horse-drawn carriage. Their long faces were painted ghastly white, their cheeks were blushed with the brightest pink, and the center of their lips were painted vivid red, creating a tiny bow-like effect. They resembled broken dolls, once loved but long forgotten. Their hair was glossy black streaked with white and adorned with red feathers. They looked like the oddest of beasts, and they walked in such a way that brought to mind pecking birds. Their dresses were the color of eggplant, iridescent, changing from black to deep purple depending on the light. They were cinched tightly in the bust and waist, but overly voluminous in the skirts, creating a bell effect. Their tiny black pointed boots poked from the bottom of their dresses like slinking creatures seeking prey.
From Chapter Ten - The Shattering of a Soul
“Little bird . . .” the Queen’s voice broke and trailed off.
“Momma, what’s wrong?” The Queen shook her head, and closed her eyes tightly to dam the tears. Snow looked at her mother with sad, black eyes and said, “He’s not coming back yet, is he? Not now?” The Queen shook her head. “Not ever.” - “I think maybe you’re wrong, Momma, he promised he would come home soon, and Papa never breaks his promises.”
The Queen’s grief intensified at the child’s denial. She choked it down and felt it grip at her, slicing at her insides like broken pieces of glass. She felt broken, no longer able to contain her tears. “I know, my poppet, but I’m not mistaken. He couldn’t help it, my darling, he isn’t coming home this time.” The little girl’s lip quivered and she began to shake. The Queen held out her arms to her, and Snow White crumpled into her mother’s lap and howled an unearthly sob. The child was shaking so violently that the Queen felt she might crush the little girl for holding her too tightly. As she hugged Snow she wished to take the child’s grief and lock it away inside her with her own.
From Chapter 18 - Dream Sickness
“Show me Snow White!”
Snow White was running in the dark forest, full of fear and anguish. She was panic-stricken, alone, and heading back to the castle. Back to her mother, who would surely have the Huntsman punished for attempting to hurt her, and weaving lies that she plotted her own daughter’s death. “Foolish girl.” The forest came alive; it was visceral and dangerous. It wanted Snow White’s life. The Queen’s rage penetrated the trees, bringing their leafless limbs to life. As if they were hands, the tree branches scratched and grabbed at Snow, entrapping her, pinning her to the ground. They wrapped themselves around her neck, choking her, and clawing at her chest for her heart. The forest would do what the Huntsman could not.
Also from Chapter 18 - Dream Sickness
It was blood—pools of it— mingling with footprints, leading from the Queen’s bedside out her chamber door. The Queen took a torch for light and followed the bloody trail out the castle and into the forest. The forest was blackened, as if destroyed by a fire; there was no light from the moon or stars. It was a dead place, ruined by her jealousy and hate. The only source of light was the torch she carried. The bloody trail finally ended. Snow’s heart was within the claw-like branches of the dead tree, looking like a strange, bleeding fruit, blood glistening on the branches in the torchlight. The Queen just stood there, feeling empty and alone, her own heart shattered.
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| Thursday, June 25th, 2009
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7:58 pm - Writing Teratopia this evening.
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Cricket sighed and closed her journal, her grief and fear slicing at her stomach. She took a sip of the tea her aunt brought her; it was sticky sweet. She imagined the color of the tea staining her lips making them a rosy pink. She ran her finger over the edge of the saucer feeling its sharp edges where it was cracked and remembered a fragment of her dream. Broken teacups. A china hutch pushed up against the front door, someone trying to smash their way in from the other side, the rose patterned china flying off the shelf shattering into pieces. The memory of her dream felt like a broken teacup she couldn’t piece back together again. She hated it, but it gave her an idea.
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(comment on this)
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| Monday, June 22nd, 2009
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2:50 pm - things concerning me
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I've been receiving some letters, and apparently some of you feel as though I've been remiss in keeping you informed. Well, dears, there hasn't been much to report, but I will nevertheless apprise you of my status.
As I am sure you know, my novel Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen will be released in August. Over the past several weeks I have been posting excerpts from selected chapters, attempting to entice you into pre-ordering it - and I shall do so again, but not before telling you a bit about the book, because I don't much care for the description that was provided by the publisher.
Fairest of All is a story about grief and loss, it circles upon its self, revealing more with each revolution, much in the way we process grief each time it revisits. It is a story of a woman so overwrought by heartbreak and loss, so fearful of experiencing that sort of pain again that she closes her heart off for fear of perishing all together. It is also a tale of abuse, and the Queen's desire to break that cycle with her new family, but her own insecurities and loses send her reeling into the tempest she is most familiar and accustomed to. It is a bloody tale of a woman consumed by insecurity and the lure of a mysterious man in an enchanted mirror driving her to do things completely against her nature, and her struggle with how her grief and sorrow has transformed her into something completely alien even to herself. It is the story of the Wicked Queen, and who she was before, and who she longed to be before she was destroyed by her vanity.
As I am sure you also know, Fairest of All is available for pre-order on Amazon. I am grateful to those who have written in to say they placed orders and I extend my gratitude to those who plan to do so in good time.
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The film I'm writing with Butcher Brother, Phil Flores is progressing well, though we are taking a bit of a break while Phil turns his attentions to another film of his that is currently in production. We shall return to writing 13th & Pennyroyal in good time and I will keep you updated on our progress.
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Blackbird the Pirate Queen is currently in the illustrator's hands. I am told I will see more illustrations in the coming months. The illustrations he has done of Blackbird and Bluebeard so far are beyond my expectations and I am eagerly awaiting to see Magpie Millie, Nikola Tesla, The Cannery Boys, the steam powered robotic octopus, and of course Blackbird's airship.
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I am also working on another novel, a story I mentioned some time ago, called Teratopia. I have been diverted from Cricket and her horrible nightmares while working on these other projects, but now that I find myself with a little more time to devote to Cricket I find myself easily brought back into her world, struggles and mysteries.
Other than that, I have been teaching an online comic scriptwriting course to pay the bills while I am between novels. I am taking new students. One would inquire by writing me at: serena (at) serenavalentino (dot) com
And on a personal note, I have been receiving letters asking how much weight I have lost in the past couple of months. I honestly couldn't say. I have not been keeping track - I had been before I started this new routine, and at that point it was around 60 pounds (over the course of the previous year). I couldn't venture to say how much I have lost since. Though it does seem considerable since all of my clothing no longer fits me. I should also say I am doing this healthily and not without much work on my part, by way of cardio exercise and eating well.
Well, I hope you now feel well-informed, at least in things concerning me. I will attempt to be better about it in the future.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
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3:37 pm - Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen
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Chapter 18 - Dream Sickness
It was blood—pools of it— mingling with footprints, leading from the Queen’s bedside out her chamber door. The Queen took a torch for light and followed the bloody trail out the castle and into the forest. The forest was blackened, as if destroyed by a fire; there was no light from the moon or stars. It was a dead place, ruined by her jealousy and hate. The only source of light was the torch she carried. The bloody trail finally ended. Snow’s heart was within the claw-like branches of the dead tree, looking like a strange, bleeding fruit, blood glistening on the branches in the torchlight. The Queen just stood there, feeling empty and alone, her own heart shattered.
click here to pre-order Fairest of All on Amazon.
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Sunday, June 7th, 2009
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7:33 pm - Fairest of All teaser
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From Chapter Two - Dragons and Knights
The fireplace was the grandest focus of the room. It was twice as tall as any man, and decorated with the face of a woman carved from the finest white stone, her eyes downcast and serene made the room feel protected. The Queen sometimes wondered if the white stone beauty had been modeled after the King’s former wife, and Snow White’s mother. She wondered if she were there to watch over the household—watch over the Queen—to ensure she was a worthy mother and spouse.
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| Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
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11:19 pm - Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen
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From Chapter Eighteen - Dream Sickness
“You must kill Snow White if you want to survive, if you desire your beauty back.”
She would rather rid herself of the mirror and let herself die.
“If Snow White lives, it will be slow and painful. You would linger unto death for many years, your soul rotting away within you, withering your body to a husk; everyone will look upon you with pity and disgust. You will wish for death and feel no release even after they have buried you deep within the ground. The magic of the mirror—the spells of the sisters—will keep you alive even in the darkness. You will suffer for death, feel the need for it, want to seek it out, but your body will not be able to enforce your own will. You will be trapped within yourself, alone and in agony.”
click here to pre-order Fairest of All on Amazon.
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(comment on this)
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11:05 pm - Comics Scriptwriting Course update
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"SLG Publishing's Writing For Comics course taught by Serena Valentino is informative, structured, and just the kick in the ass I needed to actually sit down and write up my comic book proposal. Valentino really knows the industry inside and out. This course is worth about three times what I paid to take it." -- Caitlin Moriarity, Writer/Editor"
Dan Vado is working out the schedule for future classes, for continuing students, as well as new students. I will be sure to post the information here once we have all the details worked out.
And for those of you who live out of the area and would like to take my class, I am offering an online course. simply email at: serena (at) serenavalentino (dot) com and I will happily send you all the information on the course.
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Monday, May 25th, 2009
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3:38 pm - What this Lady Writer is up to these days:
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I finished the outlines for Blackbird after completely reworking the structure. I'm so pleased with how I decided to tell the story. It's made me take another look at the way I outlined Hell's Cafe and I've decided to go in and rework that as well. I spent a good amount of time with the artist for Blackbird last night, before I met up with Darick for drinks, the artist did some amazing drawings of Bluebeard and Blackbird without the need for too many revisions. I wish I could share them with you, but you will just have to wait.
Also, as most of you know, my novel for Disney, Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen is coming out in August. Amazon is taking pre-orders, so if you would be so kind as to click here and order one for yourself, and perhaps a friend, I will indeed love you forever.
Phil Flores (the director and co-writer) and I are are making progress on 13th & Pennyroyal. We expect to be finished with the script in another month or so.
Other than that, I had the opportunity to meet one of the horn players in a jazz band that plays near my neighborhood, a very nice gentleman. We were discussing our favorite musicians and styles and got on to the topic of the possibility of my singing with them. I plan to go in and hear them play again next Sunday to see how they arrange their standards. I was planning to see them last night, but was distracted by my dear old friend Darick, who I spent a lovely evening with, chatting and catching up.
I hope you also enjoyed your weekend. Type at you again soon!
-sv
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(1 comment | comment on this)
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| Thursday, May 21st, 2009
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2:54 pm - thank you...
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to those who have sent in kind emails about my upcoming novel, Fairest of All. I'm happy you're enjoying my teasers.
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(comment on this)
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| Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
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4:23 pm - Fairest of All: the story of the Wicked Queen
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From: Chapter Eighteen - Dream Sickness
“Show me Snow White!”
Snow White was running in the dark forest, full of fear and anguish. She was panic-stricken, alone, and heading back to the castle. Back to her mother, who would surely have the Huntsman punished for attempting to hurt her, and weaving lies that she plotted her own daughter’s death. “Foolish girl.” The forest came alive; it was visceral and dangerous. It wanted Snow White’s life. The Queen’s rage penetrated the trees, bringing their leafless limbs to life. As if they were hands, the tree branches scratched and grabbed at Snow, entrapping her, pinning her to the ground. They wrapped themselves around her neck, choking her, and clawing at her chest for her heart. The forest would do what the Huntsman could not.
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Sunday, May 17th, 2009
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1:43 pm - Fairest of All: the story of the Wicked Queen
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From Chapter Ten - The Shattering of a Soul
“Little bird . . .” the Queen’s voice broke and trailed off.
“Momma, what’s wrong?” The Queen shook her head, and closed her eyes tightly to dam the tears. Snow looked at her mother with sad, black eyes and said, “He’s not coming back yet, is he? Not now?” The Queen shook her head. “Not ever.” - “I think maybe you’re wrong, Momma, he promised he would come home soon, and Papa never breaks his promises.”
The Queen’s grief intensified at the child’s denial. She choked it down and felt it grip at her, slicing at her insides like broken pieces of glass. She felt broken, no longer able to contain her tears. “I know, my poppet, but I’m not mistaken. He couldn’t help it, my darling, he isn’t coming home this time.” The little girl’s lip quivered and she began to shake. The Queen held out her arms to her, and Snow White crumpled into her mother’s lap and howled an unearthly sob. The child was shaking so violently that the Queen felt she might crush the little girl for holding her too tightly. As she hugged Snow she wished to take the child’s grief and lock it away inside her with her own.
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(3 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, May 16th, 2009
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1:40 pm - Fairest of All
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My Disney novel about the Wicked Queen, Fairest of All will be released August 18th. It's currently available for pre-order on Amazon.com. You already know this, but I will indeed love you forever if you order it.
From Chapter Six - The OddSisters:
The disjointed yet lyrical letter was composed of three different hands and was signed by three women— Lucinda, Ruby, and Martha. Though they had attended the wedding, the Queen had escaped their stares, which made her uncomfortable, and managed not to speak to them. This time, there was no avoiding the sisters. And they proved to be as intriguing in person as their letter had suggested. The indistinguishable triplets exited from a black horse-drawn carriage. Their long faces were painted ghastly white, their cheeks were blushed with the brightest pink, and the center of their lips were painted vivid red, creating a tiny bow-like effect. They resembled broken dolls, once loved but long forgotten. Their hair was glossy black streaked with white and adorned with red feathers. They looked like the oddest of beasts, and they walked in such a way that brought to mind pecking birds. Their dresses were the color of eggplant, iridescent, changing from black to deep purple depending on the light. They were cinched tightly in the bust and waist, but overly voluminous in the skirts, creating a bell effect. Their tiny black pointed boots poked from the bottom of their dresses like slinking creatures seeking prey.
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(11 comments | comment on this)
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| Friday, May 8th, 2009
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4:38 pm - Wicked Queen, Pennyroyal, Blackbird and Class Update:
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My Disney novel about the Wicked Queen, Fairest of All is available for pre-order on Amazon.
I'm going to be frank with you, the better this novel sells, the more I get paid for the next one. So please do me a favor and buy it. (For Historical Record: I will love you forever if you order it!) The jacket cover art doesn't seem to be posted on Amazon yet. I'm going to send a note off to my editor about that and see if it's cool to post it here. It's really beautiful.
In other news, 13th and Pennyroyal (the film I'm writing with Phil Flores) is progressing very well. Phil and I are in the final stages of the scripting process and are eager to get it into pre-production. We project that will happen in the next few months, if there are no more delays.
The Blackbird outlines and character sketches are also coming along well. Though I had hoped to get more work done while I was away, it will just have to wait until next week to be completed.
And finally, a note to online students: I'm reading the final projects for the course I'm teaching in San Jose. I will get caught up with all you very early next week with feedback and your new assignments. Sorry for the delay. I'm going to read what you've sent while I was out of town over the weekend. Hoping you're well. Chat with you soon!
Over and out!
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(6 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, May 6th, 2009
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8:33 pm - home!
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Hey people!
I'm home. Millions of emails to reply to. I will get back to you later this week.
I'm off to work out, eat dinner and unpack.
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(comment on this)
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| Thursday, April 30th, 2009
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12:28 am - Off to Grandmother's house
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I've been receiving emails asking if I am still taking students for my online comic book scriptwriting course. I am. Please email me directly at serena (at) serenavalentino (dot) com for more information.
I'm going to be out of town for the next week and probably without internet access, so please expect a reply when I return late next week.
[if my friends need to reach me they can call my cell, though I don't think texing works out there for some reason]
I'm going to to visit my sweet grandma. I plan to sit in her back garden filled with beautiful flowers and birds while I write the rest of my Blackbird outlines. Should be lovely.
Have a good week! Type at you next week.
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