{"id":34,"date":"2025-08-21T16:18:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T16:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?page_id=34"},"modified":"2026-07-10T03:09:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T03:09:11","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-23210dea alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator uagb-block-858b1cb1\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator__inner\" style=\"--my-background-image:\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-bc42334e alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-98204691\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/betsytable1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-132\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-503f8284\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-7c909315\"><h1 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Welcome to <\/h1><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-0a602ced\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-2c2e34e5\"><h1 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">the Unusual<\/h1><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-6166b358\"><h1 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">World of Um<\/h1><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator uagb-block-990d7ffc\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator__inner\" style=\"--my-background-image:\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"books\" class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-fb3764b2 default uagb-is-root-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-7137f33f\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Front_Cover_web4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-113\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-2d3625ee\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After sliding off the highway in a surprise blizzard, Theodore and Grandma Betsy find themselves in the land of Um, a world with strange inhabitants and different rules for technology and magic. Following floating beacons, they travel with a talking mannequin, a polite robot, and a good-natured bigfoot as they seek an audience with the Grand Luminary. In Um, humans are treated like mythological creatures, and not everyone is excited by the Earthlings\u2019 arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Wisconsin, print copies are available at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelocalstore.org\/the-sublime-luminary-of-um.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.thelocalstore.org\/the-sublime-luminary-of-um.html\">The Local Store<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.audreysboudoir.com\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.audreysboudoir.com\/\">Audrey&#8217;s Boudoir<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/dragontalebooks.store\/\">Dragon Tale Books<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/dottersbooks.com\/\">Dotters Books<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The links below represent other ways for readers to connect with this novel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-layout-grid uagb-block-88c28588 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.ingramspark.com\/b\/084?params=fiu4w5j7UqreTa7PxeDMwRExbrGi4TYG516v9dXzt8N\">Buy a Print Copy<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/a.co\/d\/cGD3UrV\">Buy an eBook<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/The-Sublime-Luminary-of-Um-Erik-Meyer-Preview.pdf\">Read 2 Chapters<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-6b2014c0 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-befff78b\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listen to the first two chapters to get a taste for the feel of the writing! A work of portal fantasy, this book draws inspiration from the brilliance of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its straightforward plot: unusual events whisk characters away from normal lives, forcing them to venture out and make friends as they attempt to journey home. Our tale begins in Wisconsin, and we move to a winter evening&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-1c9ed400\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Sublime Luminary of Um\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/videoseries?list=PLtMS33xxnIYqz5pZvbp-9cBa8j-Px4Po4\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-01c5c567 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-testimonial uagb-slick-carousel uagb-tm__arrow-outside uagb-block-6088c243\"><div class=\"is-carousel uagb-tm__columns-1 uagb-tm__items\"><div class=\"uagb-testimonial__wrap  uagb-tm__imgicon-style-circle uagb-tm__image-position-bottom uagb-tm__bg-type-none \"><div class=\"uagb-tm__content\"><div class=\"uagb-tm__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-tm__text-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-tm__desc\">&#8220;Off to see the&#8230;&#8221; well, to seek a new adventure that&#8217;s both familiar, yet excitingly new!\u00a0<\/div><div class=\"uagb-tm__meta-inner\"><div class=\"uagb-testimonial-details\"><span class=\"uagb-tm__author-name\">Rob Reid <\/span><span class=\"uagb-tm__company\">Senior Lecturer Emeritus UW-Eau Claire<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"uagb-testimonial__wrap  uagb-tm__imgicon-style-circle uagb-tm__image-position-bottom uagb-tm__bg-type-none \"><div class=\"uagb-tm__content\"><div class=\"uagb-tm__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-tm__text-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-tm__desc\">Inspired by his elementary teaching experience, Erik Meyer dives enthusiastically into children&#8217;s literature with an adventure for the ages!<\/div><div class=\"uagb-tm__meta-inner\"><div class=\"uagb-testimonial-details\"><span class=\"uagb-tm__author-name\">Jake Donze<\/span><span class=\"uagb-tm__company\">Robbins Elementary Principal<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"uagb-testimonial__wrap  uagb-tm__imgicon-style-circle uagb-tm__image-position-bottom uagb-tm__bg-type-none \"><div class=\"uagb-tm__content\"><div class=\"uagb-tm__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-tm__text-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-tm__desc\">The unlikely adventurers, the boy and his grandma, are lovable, and so are most of the characters they meet. The adventure\u2019s twists and turns and changing scenes are clever.<\/div><div class=\"uagb-tm__meta-inner\"><div class=\"uagb-testimonial-details\"><span class=\"uagb-tm__author-name\">Dr. Ann Recine DNP <\/span><span class=\"uagb-tm__company\">Author of Home Again and Again<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"uagb-testimonial__wrap  uagb-tm__imgicon-style-circle uagb-tm__image-position-bottom uagb-tm__bg-type-none \"><div class=\"uagb-tm__content\"><div class=\"uagb-tm__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-tm__text-wrap\"><div class=\"uagb-tm__desc\">This story takes a familiar portal fantasy idea and spins it into something refreshingly new. The author\u2019s vivid language painted the Land of Um right into my imagination, making it a fantastic and fun read.<\/div><div class=\"uagb-tm__meta-inner\"><div class=\"uagb-testimonial-details\"><span class=\"uagb-tm__author-name\">Mindy Huntress<\/span><span class=\"uagb-tm__company\">Eau Claire Artist<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-light-green-cyan-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"books\" class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-7a4c4d87 default uagb-is-root-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-a8a366ea\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1656\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Return_Front_Cover-scaled.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Return_Front_Cover-scaled.png 1656w, https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Return_Front_Cover-194x300.png 194w, https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Return_Front_Cover-663x1024.png 663w, https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Return_Front_Cover-768x1187.png 768w, https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Return_Front_Cover-994x1536.png 994w, https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Return_Front_Cover-1325x2048.png 1325w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1656px) 100vw, 1656px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-007d90e0\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the series continues, summer has come to Wisconsin, but Theodore and Grandma Betsy quickly find themselves tumbling into Um&#8217;s frozen Northlands. Hard times have come for the kindhearted Boffins, and conflict between Centrum City and the elven governors remains a cause for concern. Antique golden rings give passage to strange lands, dropping grandmother and grandson into puzzling situations as they encounter ancient technologies and attempt to find their way homeward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A number of copies are now available at Audrey&#8217;s Boudoir and the Local Store in Eau Claire. I also may attend UFO Days in Elmwood, WI at the end of July! Stay tuned for copies being released on IngramSpark, Amazon, and other local stores.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-light-green-cyan-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"world\" class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-2724c20d default uagb-is-root-container\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-cd5982cb\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A dimension that bridges many worlds, the land of Um surrounds the Tree of Life, which grows at the very center of the four quadrants with roots that extend hundreds of miles through soil and bedrock. To the east, Trogs hunt in an eternal springtime; to the south, Zard yurts pepper the Eternal Desert. In the north, blasted by snow and ice, Boffin communities live in perpetual winter, while elves claim the lands to the west, bathed in constant autumn twilight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-32c7c4c6\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/geodesic2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-189\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-2c16c438\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/holdinghands2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-190\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-8b7299eb\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the last hundred years, Centrum City has grown from a settlement at the base of the Tree of Life to a thriving, self-governed metropolis free from the rule of the elven council and its governors. Led by Eb the Luminary, droids and drones have spread his human influence throughout the region. From fiery crags of Mount Xu to the foothills of Mount Fels and past the floating lake of Ken, things are changing\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-light-green-cyan-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"press\" class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-0387c2cb alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-9b203f74\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-post-grid uagb-post-grid  uagb-post__image-position-top uagb-post__image-enabled uagb-block-0ef370e8     uagb-post__items uagb-post__columns-3 is-grid uagb-post__columns-tablet-2 uagb-post__columns-mobile-1 uagb-post__equal-height\" data-total=\"1\" style=\"\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__image'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=269\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\" class='uagb-image-ratio-inherit'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/V11024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=269\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Article in Volume One<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2025-10-20T23:09:42+00:00\" class=\"uagb-post__date\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dashicons-calendar dashicons\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\tOctober 20, 2025\t\t\t\t<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post__excerpt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>I was interviewed this week by Evelyn Nelson of Eau Claire&#8217;s Volume One, so I&#8217;ll&#8230;\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-post__text uagb-post__cta wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link uagb-text-link\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=269\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__image'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=253\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\" class='uagb-image-ratio-inherit'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/LT1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=253\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Article in Leader-Telegram<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2025-10-17T15:56:49+00:00\" class=\"uagb-post__date\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dashicons-calendar dashicons\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\tOctober 17, 2025\t\t\t\t<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post__excerpt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>I had the privilege of being interviewed by Regev Nystrom this last week, and the&#8230;\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-post__text uagb-post__cta wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link uagb-text-link\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=253\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"news\" class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-ae44dee7 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-4dccdb1d\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-light-green-cyan-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-post-grid uagb-post-grid  uagb-post__image-position-top uagb-post__image-enabled uagb-block-54a81a25     uagb-post__items uagb-post__columns-3 is-grid uagb-post__columns-tablet-2 uagb-post__columns-mobile-1 uagb-post__equal-height\" data-total=\"2\" style=\"\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__image'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=287\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\" class='uagb-image-ratio-inherit'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/webpage1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=287\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Return to Um Available at the Local Store<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2026-07-10T02:47:25+00:00\" class=\"uagb-post__date\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dashicons-calendar dashicons\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\tJuly 10, 2026\t\t\t\t<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post__excerpt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Thank you to Evelyn Nelson and Mollie Hogan for putting a few copies of Return&#8230;\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-post__text uagb-post__cta wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link uagb-text-link\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=287\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__image'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=281\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\" class='uagb-image-ratio-inherit'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news_newrelease.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=281\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Return to Um Availability<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2026-03-30T16:02:36+00:00\" class=\"uagb-post__date\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dashicons-calendar dashicons\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\tMarch 30, 2026\t\t\t\t<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post__excerpt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>A number of copies are now available at Audrey&#8217;s Boudoir in Eau Claire, and I&#8230;\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-post__text uagb-post__cta wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link uagb-text-link\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=281\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__image'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=276\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\" class='uagb-image-ratio-inherit'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/mapbanbury.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=276\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Banbury Place Market: Eau Claire, WI, December 6, 2025<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2025-11-30T14:58:19+00:00\" class=\"uagb-post__date\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dashicons-calendar dashicons\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\tNovember 30, 2025\t\t\t\t<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post__excerpt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>I&#8217;ll have a stand on the first floor (not the ground floor) of the Banbury&#8230;\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-post__text uagb-post__cta wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link uagb-text-link\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=276\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__image'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=238\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\" class='uagb-image-ratio-inherit'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/audpost.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=238\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Audrey&#8217;s Boudoir<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2025-09-21T22:00:08+00:00\" class=\"uagb-post__date\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dashicons-calendar dashicons\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\tSeptember 21, 2025\t\t\t\t<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post__excerpt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Sublime Luminary of Um is now available in downtown Eau Claire at Audrey&#8217;s Boudoir!&#8230;\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-post__text uagb-post__cta wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link uagb-text-link\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=238\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__image'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=220\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\" class='uagb-image-ratio-inherit'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bot1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=220\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">New Availability<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2025-08-27T20:01:29+00:00\" class=\"uagb-post__date\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dashicons-calendar dashicons\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\tAugust 27, 2025\t\t\t\t<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post__excerpt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Print copies of The Sublime Luminary of Um are now available at: The Eau Claire&#8230;\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-post__text uagb-post__cta wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link uagb-text-link\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=220\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__image'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=211\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\" class='uagb-image-ratio-inherit'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/news2.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=211\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Book Art!<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time datetime=\"2025-08-26T18:20:54+00:00\" class=\"uagb-post__date\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dashicons-calendar dashicons\"><\/span>\t\t\t\t\tAugust 26, 2025\t\t\t\t<\/time>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post__excerpt'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>I&#8217;m including a few examples of the black-and-white drawings I&#8217;ve done as illustrations for those&#8230;\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uagb-post__text uagb-post__cta wp-block-button\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link uagb-text-link\" style=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?p=211\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Read More<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-light-green-cyan-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"about\" class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-e733700a alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-68e6adbf\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/me_website2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-155\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-5781c726\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About the Author: I&#8217;m writing for kids ages 9-12 and younger children being read to by their parents (as I was). Fans of the Oz books also need apply. Children deserve works that are as cozy as they are exciting (classics like Alice\u2019s Adventures in Wonderland and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe have inspired generations), and unforgiving times can be a source of mirth and silliness and novelty. During 2024 and 2025, I worked with 3rd graders at a number of Eau Claire schools writing fractured fairy tales. We also read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. As inspiration, I wrote my own novel for young readers taking the framework of The Wizard of Oz but with my own characters, setting, and sets of events. I did all the illustrations and gave copies of the resulting book to the students I worked with. Onward! Upward! Check in with me: worldofum@gmail.com<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator uagb-block-0b479071\"><div class=\"wp-block-uagb-separator__inner\" style=\"--my-background-image:\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to the Unusual World of Um After sliding off the highway in a surprise blizzard, Theodore and Grandma Betsy [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"plain-container","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"enabled","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-34","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Speedro","author_link":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/?author=1"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Welcome to the Unusual World of Um After sliding off the highway in a surprise blizzard, Theodore and Grandma Betsy [&hellip;]","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":292,"href":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34\/revisions\/292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indiegraze.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}