New and exciting

This week, I’ve begun working on a brand new project, an urban fantasy. The idea for it came to me while I was writing the first draft of the fourth book in the Prince Amir series. The storyline hasn’t ceased growing in my mind ever since. I became so enthralled by it that I decided to just go ahead and write it. That was the right decision. I started outlining the plot Monday, and, by the way it’s going, it should be completed by the end of the week. My outlines are always brief, a page or two per chapter, sketching the action, setting the order and feel of each section of the story. I also keep a notepad at hand to jot down all the extra details and bits of dialogue that come to my mind throughout the outlining process. Then it’s on to the first draft.

Prince of Persia

It is no secret that Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the movie, has been in the works for a while. A Disney/Bruckheimer production, due out next June, Prince of Persia is set to start filming in Morocco this June. Needless to say, I am very excited about this movie. Now, let’s hope nothing will derail this project. For more juicy details, click here.

Thought for today

What the heck happened to Carrot Top?

Carrot Top then...

Carrot Top now?

I blame gamma rays.

Strange Horizons

Strange Horizons has a review of The Princes of the Golden Cage. Here’s a snippet: "Mallet has picked a fascinating setting and shows a knack for inserting cultural details without overbalancing the action. Having recently read Alev Lytle Croutier’s Harem: The World Behind the Veil, I recognized much of the information—the royal obsession with tulips, the penchant for assassination via interesting poisons, and the accurate descriptions of harem life, for starters—but Mallet is also true to the literary traditions of the ancient East. Readers of the Arabian Nights will smile at the way she incorporates the old tales into Amir’s investigative research. … Mallet is refreshingly candid about the racier aspects of the culture, as enthusiastically citing the sexual practices and bloodier rites of passage as describing the velvet divans and silver belts."

Battles in the park

I am fortunate to live near one of Prince George’s nicest park, which also happens to be the meeting ground of UNBC's Medieval Club (also called the Wolfpack). During summer, members of the club gather in the park once a week to practice, meaning they engage in fierce battles for dominance. No kidding, I can hear the sound of weapons striking shields and armor from my house. So this week I decided to go over and snap a few pictures.

Wearing white is Argyle MacMillan, then you have Narfi Naemsson, sporting chain mail.
And the maiden with the red cape, yes that is a woman, is none other than Dea Blooddrinker. Unfortunately, the fourth knight, the one with the white triquetra symbol on his tunic, is unknown.

They’re ganging up on the big guy.

Argyle and Dea locked in battle.

Protection is a must.

Wrist and hand guards.

A few wenches are here to support the brave warriors.

Flashing Swords Magazine

Flashing Swords Special Summer Edition is now available in print. Packed with over twenty stories, poems, illustrations, and articles, this issue has everything readers could ever want, even a full novella and a free poster. Hey, there’s also an in-depth interview with me—wink, wink.

This issue is only available until the end of September so hurry up. Order yours now!