July 23, 2011: Burien Books To Host Darkwoods Author Marta Stahlfeld for Book Signing

July 10, 2011 - PRLog -- Marta Stahlfeld will be signing copies of "Darkwoods," her middle-school/young adult fantasy novel, at Burien Books on Saturday, July 23, 2011, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., during the Olde Burien Sidewalk Sale.  Burien Books is located at 824 SW 152nd St., Burien, WA 98166.

Stahlfeld, who is 17 years old, began writing "Darkwoods" when she was twelve and has already finished writing the follow-up novel, "Pasadagavra."  She plans a total of six books in this epic series written primarily for middle-school readers.

"Darkwoods" begins with the death of the foxes' ruling oracle, Scythe, freeing the foxes to leave 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 details or langauge inappropriate for her intended audience.  "The books I enjoyed the most when I was in middle-school do not include a lot of gory details of battles, and they do not have a lot of swearing or bad language.  Those things aren't necessary to tell a great story."

Interested readers can sample the first five chapters of "Darkwoods" at www.DarkwoodsBooks.com.

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."

"I want to really encourage kids to read.  Reading opens up the world, and lets you use your imagination.  If you don't like fantasy novels like mine, that's fine, there are lots of other books for kids.  Just pick one up and start reading!"

Stahlfeld can be contacted at DarkwoodsBooks at AOL.com or on Facebook at the DarkwoodsBooks fan page (http://www.facebook.com/DarkwoodsBooks).  You can also follow her on Twitter (@DarkwoodsBooks).


Book details:

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

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