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D R A G O N O P O L I S
What It Is. And Isn't.
Fig. 1. dragonopolis favicon
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Fig. 2. dragonopolis favipro
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So what, exactly, is DRAGONOPOLIS? First up, what DRAGONOPOLIS isn't. Which is not a commercial site, nor a real store or any other kind of actual shopping mart. It was going to be at one time and some of the leftover text makes reference to that fact, but times and circumstances change. So for now, it is what it is, except you can't order prints (or anything else) in any organized manner. I'm always a fan, however, of disorganization. Okay, in all honesty, I do advertise and link to the six Kindle eBooks I have on Amazon (all dragon novels), but you can't buy them directly from my site. You'll allow me that much, right?
The best-laid trails o' mice and dragons, gang aft agley.
That's ancient Celtic (sort of) for describing how one's best-laid plans often go awry, or turn out differently than originally envisioned. Not necessarily badly, just different. This site will one day be taken over by other friendly folk, more youthful types who will understand how to integrate a proper shopping cart into the many pages here. Until then, DRAGONOPOLIS in its present state of haphazard but neatly arranged departments, shall remain a veritable buffet table of eclectic menu items from which visitors (diners) might choose any number or manner of selections (dishes) that suit a variety of tastes. The offerings include fantasy art, some serious astronomical art, literary works, some humor (for the easily amused) plus a potpourri of essays and articles written about everything from soup to nuts, as the saying goes. The sole author and artist is yours truly, who is definitely one of the legumes to be found here.
Discover the meaning to life, the universe, and everything!
Or visit: www.dragonia.net instead.
Or visit: www.dragonia.net instead.
I include the catch-phrase above in many of my emails. I intended it to imply that while I'm all about life, the universe, and everything, I make no claim as to proffering answers concerning any of it. I do, though, make a lot of observations and ask a lot of questions. That's what Socrates did in his later years, before he got arrested and took a complimentary dose of poison. So my goal, if asked, is obviously to stay out of prison and definitely not drink any poison. Other than that, all bets are off, as they say.
"Speech, whether written or spoken, that is edited for the sole purposes
of clarity and quality, is the exact opposite of censorship."
Customized images designed exclusively for use as links on other people's websites.
I created the badges below for the sole purpose of providing a small, colorful graphic that could be copied, placed wherever, and used as a return-link back to my site. Not everyone will want one of these little devices, but for those who do, please help yourself. Also note that these images are shown maximum size and can be used as is, or reduced to any dimension desired. Including so tiny that they might as well be invisible.
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Link 4a.
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Yes, I put in my business card as a link.
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Link 6a.
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www.littledragoncastle.com
The following are a couple of really shameless plugs
for two of my six Kindle eBooks sold on Amazon.
Sometimes it is all about you.
for two of my six Kindle eBooks sold on Amazon.
Sometimes it is all about you.
". . . an absolutely amazing read."
-- Readers' Favorite
Readers' highest award.
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The fastest growing book review and award
contest site on the Internet! Recipient of the "Honoring Excellence" and "Best Websites for Authors" awards by the Association of Independent Authors. A site dedicated to authors, readers, agents, publishers, publicists, schools, libraries, & charities. |
DRAGONS AMONG US
Part One
The Ghosts Of Walker Pines
Reviewed by Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite
To the rest of the world, 15-year-old Kate Baxter looked like a typical teenage girl, living life and eagerly waiting to make 16. Only she and those close to her knew the agonizing struggles she was going through with nightmares that were threatening her sanity. Moving to Walker Pines, on her therapist's recommendation, was supposed to give her a fresh start and help her get better. With a grandmother and father who would go to any length to bring an end to her suffering, a new school and new friends, some human and some not, Kate is ready to embrace her new life, but first she needs to convince those dearest to her that she is not crazy; her dreams are just an extension of a reality that is so profound that it will leave everyone in shock. Unknown to young Katie are the events taking place following the discovery of an ancient scroll and the prophesy that the scroll reveals, plus her ultimate purpose in the prophecy. As the family starts to embrace the possibility of the existence of another world, they find themselves face to face with faceless enemies of enormous power.
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Dragons Among Us: The Ghosts of Walker Pines By Robert W. Anton is a deeply moving story about a brave young girl whose determination and will are beyond anything imaginable. The masterfully created characters just add that extra something to an already amazing storyline. Nothing is more adorable than young Kate's spirit, the way she has somehow accepted her life with all its burdens, and her determination to live a normal life. The witty grandmother trusts no one and would do any and everything to get to the bottom of her granddaughter's suffering. The other characters in Kate's life -- human and otherwise -- all make this an absolutely amazing read. The setting of the story is a secluded place with breathtaking scenery and more mysteries and secrets than you can imagine. The choice of words and phrases make for a style and tone that perfectly enhance the mood of the story and bring out a great emotional connection with readers.
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Dragons Among Us: The Ghosts of Walker Pines By Robert W. Anton is a deeply moving story about a brave young girl whose determination and will are beyond anything imaginable. The masterfully created characters just add that extra something to an already amazing storyline. Nothing is more adorable than young Kate's spirit, the way she has somehow accepted her life with all its burdens, and her determination to live a normal life. The witty grandmother trusts no one and would do any and everything to get to the bottom of her granddaughter's suffering. The other characters in Kate's life -- human and otherwise -- all make this an absolutely amazing read. The setting of the story is a secluded place with breathtaking scenery and more mysteries and secrets than you can imagine. The choice of words and phrases make for a style and tone that perfectly enhance the mood of the story and bring out a great emotional connection with readers.
Readers' highest award.
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". . . has everything that makes a thrilling novel -- a unique and electrifying plot, believable characters and flawless writing."
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DRAGONS AMONG US
Part Two
The Lost City Of The Dead
A Review by Faridah Nassozi for Readers' Favorite
Book one of the Dragons Among Us series ended after Katie and her family had finally accepted her bi-species status. Now, in The Lost City Of The Dead, book two in the series, Robert W. Anton once again takes us on a thrilling adventure into the land of humans and dragons. Katie continues to balance her life between being a normal teenager looking forward to celebrating her 16th birthday and her life in Solana, the underground kingdom of the dragons. For the very first time, Katie has undergone complete transformation into a dragon and the excitement in the dragon world continues to grow as the dragons look forward to the Recommunion, an event that will see the peaceful return of dragons to the upper world. Meanwhile power struggles continue to threaten the Solana, while the citizens of Walker Pines continue to live their lives, unaware of what lies beneath their city. As the One Chosen, Katie is the key in the Recommunion and the future of the dragon world. Maybe even the future of the upper world is in her hands. The half human/half dragon Uncle Rutger continues with his dubious and dangerous plans to manipulate both worlds for his own gain and only Katie's grandmother Ruthie and Ruthie's best friend Nela might have a hint of what he is up to. After a painful breakup with her boyfriend, a new and very interesting someone from Solana enters Katie's life.
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Dragons Among Us: The Lost City Of The Dead by Robert W. Anton is an incredibly brilliant novel that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole reading. Robert W. Anton skillfully balances out what would have been rough edges of the story with Katie's witty teenage personality. Keeping Katie's light and humorous teenage personality even when changed into a dragon was a touch of sheer genius that put a light note on the whole dragon transformation thing. It is simply incredible, yet in a very natural and believable way, to see how her family is holding it together. However much you feel you are ready for what is coming, nothing can prepare you for the reality of watching your 16-year-old daughter transform into a dragon before your own eyes, but George manages to get through it and even joke about it. Book two was even more thrilling than book one, if that is possible, because the story keeps getting more and more intense. The book has everything that makes a thrilling novel - a unique and electrifying plot, believable and easy to connect with characters and flawless writing. Robert W. Anton delivered a one of a kind tale and an ending that left me on the edge of my seat. I really cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, especially with Timtu's entry into Katie's life.
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Dragons Among Us: The Lost City Of The Dead by Robert W. Anton is an incredibly brilliant novel that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole reading. Robert W. Anton skillfully balances out what would have been rough edges of the story with Katie's witty teenage personality. Keeping Katie's light and humorous teenage personality even when changed into a dragon was a touch of sheer genius that put a light note on the whole dragon transformation thing. It is simply incredible, yet in a very natural and believable way, to see how her family is holding it together. However much you feel you are ready for what is coming, nothing can prepare you for the reality of watching your 16-year-old daughter transform into a dragon before your own eyes, but George manages to get through it and even joke about it. Book two was even more thrilling than book one, if that is possible, because the story keeps getting more and more intense. The book has everything that makes a thrilling novel - a unique and electrifying plot, believable and easy to connect with characters and flawless writing. Robert W. Anton delivered a one of a kind tale and an ending that left me on the edge of my seat. I really cannot wait to see what happens in the next book, especially with Timtu's entry into Katie's life.
Link 7.
"Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, 'In this world, Elwood, you must be' -- she always called me Elwood -- 'in this world, Elwood, you must be oh, so smart or oh, so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart; I recommend pleasant. You may quote me."
--- Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) from the movie Harvey
--- Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) from the movie Harvey
Welcome to my website
D R A G O N O P O L I S
Always a work-in-progress, I have constructed this site myself (a first attempt that likely shows) and I hope you're able to find your way around. Thanks to gobs of navigation buttons and links, I think you'll locate most of what there is to see. And to read. Speaking of which, there's as much to read here as there is to view. Lots of pictures, but lots of words, also. Lots. Editing those words is also why this site will never be a fait accompli.
Included here are a good deal of all kinds of things that I've dragged out of dusty folders and from behind mental doorways nearly rusted shut from lack of use. In this sense, the site exhibits a certain therapeutic quality that has allowed me to finally go public with some of the stuff I've been doing for the last four decades or so.
DRAGONOPOLIS is playfully described as both a mall and emporium. Available towards the bottom of this page are slideshows of the site's four major departments, each of which is intended as its own focal point of interest. The various departments contain art galleries, commentaries, essays, and other bits and pieces of this and that, one thing and another. Disneyland was intentionally designed such that everything the park had to offer could not be seen or experienced in a single visit. I've sort of done the same thing here, albeit minus Donald and Minnie and roller coaster rides. Some who visit here will no doubt argue, however, that goofy is definitely in attendance.
Still missing from the site is the "shopping cart" software that will allow guests to purchase a quality art print of their favorite piece or pieces. Eventually I'll have a few other things for sale, also. For the time being, the purchase option has been suspended indefinitely. Meanwhile links are provided (all over the place) that can take you to three separate locations apart from the site itself. The first is the special author page that Amazon.com provides which lists all of my eBooks gathered together in a convenient one-stop-shop. So you don't have to look all over while you try to buy (download) all of them all at once. No pushing or shoving, please. The second just takes you to Amazon and let's you see my eBooks hanging out with the competition. The third requires a bit of explanation which is discussed in the next paragraph below.
Fig. 13. A Portal In The Storm
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Fig. 14. Flames Of Fortune
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The Hope For Zargahn
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The Ghosts Of Walker Pines
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Fig. 17. Lost City Of The Dead
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The Preliminary Outlines
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At this time, no more printed books are available, and my (Kindle) eBooks are sold only through Amazon.com. This will not always be the case, but it is for now. Prices ranges from $.99 to $2.99. I have also included many links that will take you to where Amazon provides free software that, when installed on your computer, laptop, or other device, will allow you to download any Kindle book and read it without the need to own a Kindle eReader device. Easy to install and use, it's very cool if you haven't seen it. Would I lie to you? Never. I have cats and cat people don't lie. I love dogs, too, but one can never be sure about their owners. Not that we ever own either dogs or cats. Or parrots. Or turtles. Ants maybe.
Instead of hawking my prints or selling other wares, I've decided to focus proportionately more attention on other artists and writers, some of whom are now listed on the Lobby page (here) plus the Lynx (links) page listed under Directory. The listings and links to other websites will hopefully continue to grow, including the group of new friends and peers whose tolerance of my idiosyncrasies is already commendable. I look forward to the months and years ahead, both working with, and learning from, a wide variety of these very talented people.
So, imagine that you've just arrived at this giant mall that hovers thousands of feet in the air. Don't ask me how it stays aloft; it's not my job to know those things -- I only think them up. As I was saying, a sky-cab just dropped you off and here you are standing in the middle of this vast, sky-lit lobby, where shops and stores line crowded aisles that lead away in all directions. Four large kiosks, like huge pillars, perch in the center of the spacious floor and offer previews of what's to be found in each of the emporium's four main departments.
Centrally located amid the kiosks themselves is a large Directory, and a map that shows a layout of the mall and lists the various shops and stores which are here. If you tap (click) on the main Directory heading listed at the top of this page, another brief introduction will help guide you to everything the galleria has to offer. Always click on the main headings in addition to the listings which are part of all drop-down menus. Last but not least, DRAGONOMICON, ASTRONOMICON, NOUMENOMICON, and IMAGINOMICON all have their own tables of contents.
Before you take off on a wild, uninhibited site-seeing spree, a friend of mine asked me what I hoped to accomplish with this rather elaborate, wordy, and very eclectic website. I knew that was a good question which deserved a lot of thought and consideration. I suppose the fact that the shopping cart will be the very last thing to come into play (if ever) makes its own statement of sorts. Some soul baring and sharing is certainly part of what's happening here. I will say this much: when writing a novel, the idea is to put as much down in writing as possible, as quickly as possible. Most authors need to spill-their-guts, so to speak, leaving neither a spontaneous or well considered thought -- or inspiration -- unexpressed.
In a sense, this entire website is its own biographical novel. Part fiction, memoir, parody, spoof, satire, and true-life adventure, DRAGONOPOLIS is one person's sojourn through the world (and other worlds as well) in which a legacy of art and writing were (and still are) a compelling force that just couldn't be denied. In the end, if asked, I'd have to say that I found my stay on Earth to be a strange mix of beauty and ugliness, of unimaginable cruelties and acts of magnificent kindness. Of astounding genius at odds with inconceivable stupidity.
Thus what is so unabashedly displayed on these pages are my personal interpretations of some of the things of value I've found during the journey taken. One of the things I've learned along the way is how people share much more in common than they do the trivialities that tend to separate them. So I figure that a lot of what interests me is likely of some interest to some others (at least two, maybe three). That my story isn't so unique as it is something other folks can relate to. Where many fared far worse and others not so much.
In any event, stop by the nearest snack bar, grab a beverage and plan on staying awhile. Or come back soon. DRAGONOPOLIS was never designed to be a quick in-and-out. Which is both a blessing and a curse, I suppose. I don't know. Take a look and see what you think. And if so inclined, tell me what you think. Thanks for listening.
Robert Anton, 2K22
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Please note:
Click on any of the title headings that
accompany the individual slideshows above.
Doing so will take you straight to that department.
Click on any of the title headings that
accompany the individual slideshows above.
Doing so will take you straight to that department.
This is one of my original flag designs that was
inspired by the work of Betsy Ross (among others).
Okay, so it's not so much the art that's original, as
the idea of using a flag format to label something as
having been "Made-in-America". To see all the designs
made, visit Ye Olde Flag Room listed under Directory.
inspired by the work of Betsy Ross (among others).
Okay, so it's not so much the art that's original, as
the idea of using a flag format to label something as
having been "Made-in-America". To see all the designs
made, visit Ye Olde Flag Room listed under Directory.
Fig. 19.
Recycle kindness.
Used without permission. And proudly so.
Fig. 20. View from the lobby of DRAGONOPOLIS.
Always remember:
the half-gallon cardboard containers
in which ice cream is sold,
were never intended as single-serving bowls.
You're currently on the Lobby page
listed first along the top menu bar as Lobby.
Also listed on the top menu bar, from left to right:
Directory | DRAGONOMICON | ASTRONOMICON | NOUMENOMICON | IMAGINOMICON | Customer Service / Contact Me | Lounge
Note: Lobby is located just left of Directory. Management thanks you for your patience and understanding.
Click on the link below to attend a
brief introduction presented on the
Tour page, listed under Directory.
Or you can visit some or all of the "stores"
listed under Directory.
E U L O G Y
(not to be confused with urology)
"The reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated."
--- Mark Twain
This website was designed to outlive its maker, Robert Anton. This is also a designated page location that will be updated from time to time.
Friends, family, acquaintances, ghoulish site-seers and lookie-loos, are all invited to check back on occasion and, quite literally, see if I'm still alive. Or not.
If not (when not), my demise will no longer have been exaggerated and will be posted here -- along with the name(s) of the new owner/operator.
R O B E R T W. A N T O N
1946 --
My wish is for everything to be pretty much left as it is. Not unlike the parent who leaves untouched, the bedroom of a deceased child.
Yes, my over-inflated ego demands that some part of me goes on -- after the rest of me has moved on.
Friends, family, acquaintances, ghoulish site-seers and lookie-loos, are all invited to check back on occasion and, quite literally, see if I'm still alive. Or not.
If not (when not), my demise will no longer have been exaggerated and will be posted here -- along with the name(s) of the new owner/operator.
R O B E R T W. A N T O N
1946 --
My wish is for everything to be pretty much left as it is. Not unlike the parent who leaves untouched, the bedroom of a deceased child.
Yes, my over-inflated ego demands that some part of me goes on -- after the rest of me has moved on.
I don't have time for all this.
Send me straight to the source.
