Prelude to a Change of Mind
Prelude to a Change of Mind Media Kit
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Where realities crossbreed.
Robert Stikmanz’s Prelude to a Change of Mind: The First Book in The Lands of Nod is a quiet, intimate, and delightfully quirky novel from the dreamtime that does not fit handily into familiar categories. It is simultaneously a sweet and terrifying coming of the ages story that examines the use and misuse of the human imagination. With grace and wry humor, this tale comes to life in the mountain fastness of a possible recent past or parallel history to evoke a world in which elves and dwarves burst from legend into life. The “change of mind” of the title belongs to Meg Christmas, firewatcher in the forest ranges of a western sierra. When crisis threatens the strange, small folk who befriend her, she must plumb within herself for abilities to confront, accept, and save a reality previously unsuspected. This brilliant work from poet and artist Robert Stikmanz blends fantasy, speculative science fiction, and social critique into a unique call for an imaginative leap of faith in the belief in pleasure and compassion, into a realization that the ages-old longing for a paradise of flesh and soul is not a fairy tale but a destiny.
Rob Lewis (aka Robert Stikmanz) has had a presence in the Austin creative underground for three decades. His poems and other writings appeared in all the Sleepy Tree anthologies, and in Aileron, The Argonaut, The Cannon, and Vowel Movement, among others. He has published three chapbooks. Lewis’s visual work has ranged from cover illustrations for the late Albert Huffstickler to political posters to digital drawings to ambient video projections. Lewis lives in Austin, Texas. Prelude to a Change of Mind is his first novel.
Praise for Prelude to a Change of Mind
“This novel, the first in a planned series, values any reader’s time. Its characters speak intelligibly of the hubris of our species, and so they speak to us. To his credit, Mr. Lewis has pulled off such a thing — while remaining entertaining and free of pedantry.” - James Rossignol, Professor of English, San Antonio College
“Admirably evokes a meditation in Spirit and body on this subject of Spirit in Nature, including our own bodies.” - Uncle River, Las Cruces Sun-News, April 14, 2002
“I used this novel as a capstone assignment for a college Science Fiction literature class. A blend of good storytelling and poetry, Prelude intensified class discussions in fact, fear, fantasy and cultural satisfaction or lack thereof. I daresay Prelude provokes millennial readers to confront fallacies in their own thinking processes and beliefs.
A sort of Q Ship, this sleeper invigorated our observations on anti-social sameness and how we might sustain heart and character in the callous society which surrounds us. Encouraging re-vision, Prelude sings the electric interconnectedness of our world, our selves, the earth, the delight of life’s simplest pleasures, and the necessity of maintaining our positive habits. This is a book which will make us all think and act like better people. Perhaps we might heed the call.” - Jane Focht-Hansen, Professor, San Antonio College
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Purchase Information
Book Sellers and Libraries: Please contact your favorite wholesaler, or buy directly from:
Other Buyers: E-mail neil@daltonpublishing.com
