Too many ideas, too little time...

Always, new ideas are boiling in my writer's stew pot. Here are the latest books to bubble up to the top:

With the 2011 release of my illustrated compendium volume, MERLIN: The Book of Magic, my Merlin saga is now complete. This twelve-book collection, including books from The Lost Years of Merlin epic, the Merlin’s Dragon trilogy, and The Great Tree of Avalon trilogy is now available, in hardback or the new Puffin paperback edition wherever books are sold. Merlin: The Book of Magic reveals many secrets and back stories about more than 150 characters and places and magical objects found in all the Merlin books! (This final book in the Merlin saga caps off an 18-year creative process for me ... quite a journey.)

I am now working on a new novel, Atlantis Rising. For me, this will be an entirely new mythic setting: the legendary isle of Atlantis. But this is not another one of the many stories that have been written about that island's destruction. Rather, this is the secret, untold story of the creation of Atlantis - a tale that will feel fresh and original (and, I hope, enthralling and exciting) to everyone.

This new novel will reveal exactly how Atlantis was created, what people were central to its birth, and why this magical place had such power and inspiration from the wonders of nature. The book will show, as well, the seeds of its ultimate destruction. In addition to everything else, it will be something of a love story between a young man, Promi, and a young woman, Atlanta, whose great courage is essential to the birth of this magical world.

Ghost Hands, my new picture book, is now available wherever books are sold. Set in the ancient days of Patagonia wilderness, it is the story of a brave young boy who discovers the secret of the legendary Cueva de los Manos, the Cave of the Hands. My greatest hope is that this book will carry children beyond their known walls, making deeper connections to all who inhabit our world and those who have gone before.

I’m happy to report that The Hero’s Trail was just published in paperback. This book tells the true stories of young people of all backgrounds who have changed the world for the better. Their stories will, I hope, encourage other young people to make a positive difference — just like the amazing kids who have won the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. I am thinking about writing a sequel to The Hero’s Trail so that its message can reach even more young people.

And here's one more project that might interest you: a movie of The Lost Years of Merlin is in the works! To find out more, check the page on this website for Merlin — The Movie.

Now, time to get back to the stew pot! I wonder what's bubbling up next? Smells very intriguing...

- T.A. Barron