DRAGONMOUNT

This week, I had the privilege of interviewing Matt Nicholson of Dim Horizon Studio. Matt and his wife Nicole are the driving force behind this ingenious photography studio, which hooked up with some incredible cosplayers for JordanCon this year in order to bring The Wheel of TIme to life in the backwoods of the Southeastern U.S.   The full gallery for the promotional photo shoot can be found here.   Perrin, modeled by John F. Strangeway (and Odin!)       Q: You were the photographer on the JordanCon shoot, right?   A: That I was! Dim Horizon Studio was contacted months prior to JordanCon 2012 with the idea to host a large photo shoot with a collection of local talent specifically for the JordanCon 2012 art show and convention promotion.     Q: Do you do all the photography for Dim Horizon Studio?   A: Dim Horizon Studio began in 2002 as a creative outlet for me and throughout the years has grown into a husband-wife duo set on tackling our clients’ photography needs with our creative style & vision. We do bring in additional talent from time to time, but primarily it's myself (Matthew Nicholson & Nicole Nicholson).     Q: Have you been a photographer your whole life?   A: I’ve been involved in a myriad of creative pursuits my entire life. From mineral specimen hunting to a dabble in video game design, I’ve done a little bit of everything but settled on photography in 2002 as it enabled me to capture as well as express the world as I see it.     Q: When did you know you wanted to pursue it as a career?   A: In roughly 2008, I incorporated Dim Horizon Studio, as the demands for my services started to branch out from servicing a close circle of friends to quite a wide audience. It was a big choice at the time, as it inspired me to truly take my work to the next level and transition from more of a hobbyist mentality to a true profession.     A Maiden of the Spear, modeled by Paige Gardner Smith       Q: What inspired you to focus on cosplay?   A: We truly focus on creatively addressing the needs of our clients. This lends us to be closely involved in the cosplay / prop production community as their skills enable us to tell rich stories while focusing on their talents in costume design & construction. While there are quite a few companies that may specialize in a more documentation-oriented photography, we aim to take it all to the next level and do more than just capture a good costume--we want to communicate a strong story as well.     Q: How did you get involved with JordanCon?   A: We’ve had the pleasure of working with quite a few of the individuals intimately related to JordanCon. Dim Horizon Studio as a whole bases its business model around supporting locals (specifically in the southeastern USA) as well as supporting our growing network of clients. In the end, one of our clients (Cliff Tunnell) suggested diving into hosting a large shoot for JordanCon and we couldn’t pass the opportunity up!   Rand, modeled by Paul Bielaczyc. The coat had sleeves at the beginning of the shoot!       Q: Are you a big fan of The Wheel of Time?   A: Comically, I’ve never actually read any of the Wheel of Time books but it’s certainly now on my MUST READ list. As a photographer in this community, I get challenged often to try to portray a clients’ character that I may have had no exposure to. We always try to do a little research beforehand and, while it does help, there is always some level of my own personal style or take integrated into the session based upon what I do (or in some cases don’t) know.     Q: Did the models make their own costumes?   A: Yes, each of the models made their own costumes. We had quite a bit of talent on set that day, and here’s a laundry list of where you might find them. · Cliff Tunnell – Talented Gentleman behind Steampunk Ash · James Atkins – Actor/Costumer/Family Man (IMDb profile) · Paul Bielaczyc – Creative Mind behind Aradani Studios · John F. Strangeway – Media Dept. Head at Penny Dreadful Productions · Odin – Dog of the Day!     Q: How did you (the studio and the models) find each other?   A: We find most of our models through our network of professionals and/or messages through our Facebook page or our contact page. For other projects, we occasionally make announcements through our Facebook page on where to access our casting calls. We also use networking sites such as Model Mayhem to specifically target a look or concept. For this specific project, we’ve worked quite a bit with all of the talent previously, with the exception of Paul. We do have quite a bit of plans for collaboration in the future with him, though!     Q: Are they affiliated with the studio?   A: Only as our client. They each have all sorts of talent to offer the community, and if you have any questions you should definitely reach out to each of them in turn!   Mats, modeled by James Atkins (left) and Cliff Tunnell (right). I guess you can never have too many!     By a serendipitious twist of fate, Tor.com just featured Dim Horizon Studio on Wednesday. Check out their article here for more photos from the shoot!

It's time for more wallpaper!  Remember, every other week, Tor.com will post eBook wallpaper for each Wheel of Time book.  It's one of many ways in which they are celebrating the countdown to the final book. This week, the featured eBook wallpaper is for A Crown of Swords. The artwork is by Mélanie Delon. Here is the image: Go here to download different sizes of the wallpaper and to read more about how this art was created. How do you like the art this week?

This is the 110th episode of The 4th Age Podcast, in which we continue our read-through of Towers of Midnight with Chapters 4-7. Your hosts for this episode are Andrew, Virginia, and Spencer. Chapter 4 – The Pattern Groans Chapter 5 – Writings Chapter 6 – Questioning Intentions Chapter 7 – Lighter than a Feather Warning: SPOILER ALERT! (This episode, like most of our talks, is chock full of spoilers if you haven’t read Towers of Midnight yet!) Be sure to check out Dragonmount.com for forums, comments, and all the latest news in the Wheel of Time world. ATTENTION! THERE ARE NOTHING BUT TOWERS OF MIDNIGHT SPOILERS in this podcast! Also, spoilers on ALL the other books are VERY likely! If you haven’t read all the way through the Wheel of Time, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS of all previous books! There may be spoilers of other book series, TV series, and movies as well, too, or anything ELSE we can think of in the known and unknown universe. We will try to give warning. We can make no guarantees, however. Hosts: Andrew, Virginia, and Spencer. Editor for this episode: Richard F. Download this Episode now Notes and Addendum: Contact us about the podcast anytime at podcast@dragonmount.com. If you don’t hear from one of us in a day or two, please try again. Normally one or more of us will respond immediately, but if the RW is being difficult, sometimes we do miss things. A HUGE thanks to all our editors, past and present, from all of us here at Dragonmount! We couldn’t make this happen without your help and technical expertise. We are usually in need of editing help, so please, contact Andrew or Virginia at podcast@dragonmount.com if you are interested in volunteering. We aren’t formally holding auditions for podcast co-hosts at this time, but if you are really up on the Wheel of Time and related trivia (or if you just plain know more than we do, LOL) and you love to geek out discussing it, send us an email and a sample mp3 and we’ll give it a listen. In anticipation of future needs, we would like to be prepared, so meet us on the virtual Field of Merrilor and we’ll see what transpires! Music by: Josh Needleman. His website is at www.joshneedleman.net and he has the music available to hear on his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/joshneedleman. Its title is Floodgate. Thanks, Josh! Download this Episode now

Yesterday was Mother's Day in the USA, so I hope all the mothers out there had a chance to relax and feel special.  I'd like to give a shout out to my mother, who is an absolute saint and the best mother in the world.   If you are looking for a good fan-made Wheel of Time RPG to play, check out A Game of Stones.  It's a free, browser-based RPG.  For more information directly from one of the game designers, be sure to check out the thread I linked above in our The Wheel of Time in Other Media forum.   Speaking of games, if you enjoy playing Mafia and haven't been to our DM Mafia Games forum yet, stop on by!  If things look overwhelming at first, read this handy introductory guide.  There are also plenty of experienced players who would be happy to help orient you.   The May Challenge for the Artists, Crafters, and Writers Guild is Journeys.  What journeys have you taken in life?  Show us through your favorite artistic medium.   It's time to send in your nominations for the Black Tower Social Group's May Shockwave Competition.  The deadline for submissions will be May 24th.   Come one, come all to the Ogier Social Group's Ice Cream Social and Rank Advancement Celebration!  This group is reviving itself under new leadership, so be sure to keep an eye on them for exciting changes!   That's it for now.  Stay tuned, because the 4th Age Podcasters will have new episodes for us soon!

"He scared me," Rand said faintly. "He just looked at me, and…" He shivered. "No need for shame, sheepherder. They scare me, too. I've seen men who have been soldiers all their lives freeze like a bird facing a snake when they confronted a Halfman. In the north, in the Borderlands along the Great Blight, there is a saying. The look of the Eyeless is fear." ~Chapter 8 ("A Place of Safety"), The Eye of the World   Oh, for the days when Rand was still afraid of things. But that's a topic for another day. Today, the Fan Art Friday spotlight is on the eyeless, soulless captains of the Dark One's army known alternatively as Myrddraal, Lurks, Fades, Halfmen, or Ringwraiths (Whoops, wrong series!). These spine-chilling, slithery monster-men are my favorite Wheel of Time minions.   ...Or should I say "mini-ons?"     1. Chibi Myrddraal by John Michael Emanuel Harfouche (Jonmkl):   This daunting beastie sends soldiers running with a single toss of his carefully arranged emo hairstyle.         2. Myrddraal in Tree by Heather Soiferman:   Even Myrddraal need downtime sometimes. I mean, it's not like they're going to cook the soldier stew themselves. That's what trollocs are for.         3. Myrddraal Fella by swidhalm:   Apparently the deviantArt mascot (Fella) is a fan of The Wheel of Time. He'd better be, since I'm always featuring work from his site!         4. Myrddraal by firheruwen:   Nothing says "sinister" like Sculpey®!         5. Myrddraal by hmuraS:   This Australian fan artist's playful style is pitch-perfect, as always.  

It's time for another audiobook giveaway! Here are the rules again for those who aren't familiar with our giveaways:   This month, we will be giving away a copy of The Dragon Reborn. Click here for a clip from the audiobook.   This month's question is: If you could join an Ajah from the books, which one would you choose and why? You have until Wednesday, May 16th to answer in the comments section. Good luck!

It's a busy time of year for many of us, but even that won't stop us from taking time for our online home.  We have a lot going on this week!   We recently revealed Michael Whelan's cover art for A Memory of Light.  For many, the cover art broaches more questions than it reveals answers.  If the chatter on the front page isn't enough for you, we also have a discussion thread on the cover art right here in our forums.  Yes, you may use spoilers in that thread.   It seems like everyone is rushing to see The Avengers in movie theaters, and I have heard nothing but rave reviews of it from my friends who already saw it.  Have you seen it?  If so, how was it?  You can tell us more either here or in this thread in our Movies and Games Discussion forum.   The Aiel Social Group wants to know about your fond memories from childhood.  What games, movies, tv shows, books, and toys were your favorites?  Be sure to let them know here.   The White Tower & Warders Social Group invites you to the Month of the Greats!  This event is hosted by the White and Blue Ajahs and celebrates people who have made an impact in such diverse fields as the sciences, philosophy, literature, and more.  You can follow the thread I linked above for updated links to the various events or simply keep an eye on this Social Group's main board.   School's almost out, and summer is almost here!  The Wolfkin Social Group's May discussion is all about summertime.  What do you enjoy doing in the summer?  If you have vacation then, where do you like to spend it?   Ooh, I spy a main plotline role play!  It's been awhile since I've seen one.  This one is brought to you courtesy of the Band of the Red Hand Role Playing Group and is called This is Some Rescue...   That's all for now.  Stay tuned for Wednesday, when I post this month's audiobook giveaway!

Usually, fan art or fiction in which characters from fantasy worlds are transplanted into the modern day would be labeled "AU" (meaning "Alternate Universe"). That's not exactly the case for The Wheel of Time, since Earth as we know it is both a past and future incarnation of the world of the Wheel.   So, who knows? Maybe, in a previous life, Rand was a hipster with a penchant for PBR and ramblings on Taoist philosophy. Or maybe he was a fantasy fan just like the rest of us, wasting many an afternoon browsing the Dragonmount forums instead of studying for his final exams, or getting the car fixed, or doing his laundry, or...   ...or maybe not. But in the spirit of time-twisting silliness, here's a taste of what The Wheel of Time might look like today.     1. Mat's Inbox by sleepinghour:   Fortuona made Mat get an account in the hope it would help him get organized. She just hasn't figured out how to make him check it.       2. WoT-Pod... by RoseMuse:   Mat's "hip" friends can't understand his love for traditional Celtic jigs, or why he dances like a seventeenth-century yokel. They forgive him, though, because his fashion sense is to die for.       3. Wheel of Time Magazine by Dragonmount's own sus-b (using the e-book cover for The Shadow Rising by Sam Weber and the Wheel and the Great Serpent chapter icon):   The editor is going to wish he had a copy of Mat's ter'angreal when Siuan, Elaida, and Egwene get a hold of the poll results in this issue of Randland magazine.       4. Sea Folk Porcelain by minniearts:   Sales spiked when the merchants discovered the wonders of advertising.  

Tor Books has revealed the official cover art for A Memory of Light, the fourteenth and final Wheel of Time novel. Click the image shown here for a larger version, or click here for the full resolution version where you can see Rand in all his 300 dpi glory. The artwork is by renowned artist Michael Whelan. Mr. Whelan was commissioned to do this cover after Darrell K. Sweet passed away. He will be the Guest of Honor at next year's JordanCon V convention. So, what do you think of the cover? Rand looks pretty awesome, huh? Tell us what you think in the comments below! A Memory of Light will be released in hardcover and audiobook on January 8, 2013. The eBook will be released a few weeks after that. Here's the full wrap-around image: Links and other info Read the opening portion of the AMOL prologue. AMOL info page. Discuss A Memory of Light on our forums. Please consider pre-ordering the book through one of our international Amazon affiliates, and help support our website.    

Matt Hatch of Theoryland fame recently sat down with one of our favorite people, Harriet McDougal Rigney, for an interview.  She was kind enough to divulge personal information about her life, and this beautiful interview reflects her keen wit, charm, and honesty.  The interview also provides an intriguing glimpse into the culture of Charleston and a peek into the workings of the publishing industry.  Here's an excerpt from the interview:     That is just a small taste!  Go here to enjoy the complete interview.