She invites us along on a raucous tour of soul sucking jobs, marriage, and a teaching career, with accompanying disquisitions on blasphemous reading preferences, '60s pop culture, writing workshops, and other amusing detours and distractions on the way to publication. She also shares her keen insights into the role of a Southern writer in American literary culture, the experience of writing as a mother, and the process of novel writing as compared to a lengthy family car trip. Featuring guest appearances by other writers such as Fred Chappell, Max Steele, and Annie Dillard plus cameos by the likes of Patty Hearst, Richard Nixon, and Bon Jovi, Adventures in Pen Land celebrates writing as a form of play that Gingher has never outgrown. The lighthearted illustrations by novelist Daniel Wallace (author of Big Fish) serve to reinforce this refreshing message as they depict one writer and her imagination growing up together. Adventures in Pen Land conveys a writer's sheer doggedness, with a few bones of advice tossed in along the way. Candid and irreverent, but always humane, this memoir is must reading for fans of Southern literature, students of creative writing, and anyone who can't resist the treat of reading about a writer's resilience and dedication to her craft.

"Astonishing"—The New York Times Book Review A brilliantly funny, highly illustrated story about how a little ink splot changes a family forever. Perfect for those who love Hoot, Holes, or Frindle! The Rylance family is stuck. Dad's got writer's block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school--even though he can't draw. Sarah's still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom. Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance's sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together--and then leaps off the page! This small burst of creativity is about to change everything. Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple chapters of his math book--not good--and the story he's supposed to be illustrating for school--also not good. But Inkling's also started drawing the pictures to go with the story--which is amazing! It's just the help Ethan was looking for! Inkling helps the rest of the family too--for Sarah he's a puppy. And for Dad he's a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It's exactly what they all want. It's not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they--and Inkling--truly need. • A New York Times Notable Book • A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year -- top ten selection • "A true-to-life family, some can't-put-it-down excitement, a few deep questions, and more than a little bit of magic. This book is everything, and I loved every page." —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medalist for When You Reach Me

A fictional account of four Inklings, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Owen Barfield, who go on a walking tour together in May 1938, walking through the Quantock Hills in Somerset in the footsteps of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, while they each work on their own writings.

INKLINGS coloring book for adults, teens and children. - It features 24 one sided fantasy art illustrations by artist Tanya Bond . Being single sided helps to make sure that the medium doesn't bleed onto the next design through the page. However I still recommend using a sheet of card under the page when you are colouring. - Please note that createspace paper is medium to thin. If paper thickness is important to you please seek for artist edition of this book on etsy (which is more expensive). - In this book you will find fairies, pixies & mermaids with their adorable companions - dragons, owls, cats, bunnies, birds, animals & other charming creatures. - I recommend using prismacolor colored pencils, polychromos coloured pencils, Marco Raffine, Inktense. Use promarkers/copics/sharpies and other markers just for small touch ups as well as gel pens (use sheet of card under the page you are colouring) Join "INKLINGS colouring club" group on facebook to show your coloured inklings and see what others are doing: ) Enjoy your INKLINGS colouring adventure!