Seattle Teen Author Publishes Fantasy Book for Teens and 'Tweens

June 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Seventeen-year old Seattle-native Marta Stahlfeld has authored and just published "Darkwoods," a 275-page book that is the first in a new epic fantasy series for teens and preteens.  It is available in local bookstores, including Barnes & Noble locations, and online.  

Like other popular teen series, all the characters in "Darkwoods" are animals, though they display very human-like strengths and weaknesses.  Stahlfeld has already completed the next book in the series.  "I've outlined a total of six books, but I really like the characters, so there may be more," laughs Stahlfeld.

The series begins with the Foxes leaving their home in Darkwoods, determined to conquer the world.  Standing in their way is Princess Zuryzel of the Wraith Mice, with the ability to fade undetected into the shadows, and her allies among the Squirrel Tribes, Ranger Mice, and River Otters.  Like any good epic tale, "Darkwoods" includes battles, romance, and treachery, as well as the individual heroism necessary to defeat evil.    

"I have always loved fantastic stories," says Stahlfeld.  "Reading for me is a way to travel to different worlds and different times, and to have adventures I could never have on my own.  Once I start a good book, it's hard to put it down and I can't wait for the next in the series to come out.  If my stories can hook another kid on reading like I got hooked, that would be great!"

Stahlfeld crafted her tale without resort to graphic images or inappropriate language.  "The books I enjoy the most do not include a lot of gory details of battles, nor a lot of swearing or bad language.  A good story doesn't need that sort of thing."

Stahlfeld just finished her junior year in high school and plans on majoring in English Literature or History when she starts college in 18 months.  She is a voracious reader and has long been fascinated with WWII history.  In fact, the Ranger Mice characters of "Darkwoods" were inspired by the U.S. Army Rangers who scaled Pointe du Hoc on D-Day, which she visited on the 4th of July.  It was shortly after that when she began writing "Darkwoods."

Stahlfeld plans to be a novelist for her career, but is also interested in teaching.  "Sharing with teens and middle-grade kids, whether its through a good book or in a classroom, is something I look forward to doing."

In addition to hardcopies available at Barnes & Noble locations as well as other area bookstores, "Darkwoods" is available in print and eBook formats at Amazon.com and BN.com.  It is also available in all common eBook formats at Smashwords.com, the leading distributor of eBooks for authors.  

Interested readers can learn more about Stahlfeld and also sample the first five chapters of "Darkwoods" at www.DarkwoodsBooks.com.  Stahlfeld can be contacted at Facebook on the DarkwoodsBooks fan page.

Book details:

ISBN10 1-935359-77-0
ISBN13 978-1-935359-77-7
Perfect Bound • $16.95 cover price
275 pages • 6 x 9

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Darkwoods-Marta-Stahlfeld/dp/193535...
B&N:  http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Darkwoods/Marta-Stahlfel...
Smashwords:  http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/59020
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/DarkwoodsBooks


Contact:

Marta Stahlfeld
DarkwoodsBooks at AOL.com
206-248-8016 (messages)

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Darkwoods, Inc. publishes and distributes books for teen and preteen readers, with its first book being DARKWOODS by Marta Stahlfeld