Embark on a journey of interdimensional mischief. Follow Josephine and her eclectic companions as they navigate three thrilling adventures, discovering the depths of their spirits and the bonds of their unity.
About the Author
Born in Canada in 1968, Michael Blackman—creator of the fantasy world Mynxonia—has lived a life shaped by movement and creativity. At the age of two his family relocated to Davenport, Iowa, before later moving to Australia, where much of his early life unfolded. Growing up between New South Wales and Bundaberg exposed him to shifting landscapes and cultures that would later influence the settings and atmosphere of his storytelling.
In 1981 his journey continued to South Carolina, where he attended Boiling Springs Junior High and High School. During this time he volunteered with his father for the American Red Cross, assisting communities affected by the devastating floods that struck West Virginia and the Carolinas in 1985. Experiences like these, combined with a frequently changing international family life, helped shape his resilience and perspective.
From 1987 to 1991 he lived in Alice Springs, in the heart of Australia’s Red Centre. The immense horizons, quiet isolation, and striking natural beauty of the desert left a lasting impression that would later echo through the sense of place in his creative work.
Creativity has remained a constant throughout his life. Music, visual art, and writing developed side by side as enduring passions. In 1994 he studied audio engineering at SAE, refining the craft of sound and production. Over the years he has balanced varied work, helped manage a family business, and contributed guitar work to international music projects in the early 2000s.
Today, he lives a quieter life in the countryside, tending to vegetable gardens and fruit trees, riding his bike through open land, and continuing to create. His time is shared between developing new music and artwork, and writing the next chapter in the world of Mynxonia—a place where imagination, wonder, and meaning intertwine.
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The Book of Mynxonia
The Book Of Mynxonia
Copyright ©2023 Michael W Blackman
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher/author.
ISBN 978-1-7638503-0-9
Designed and typeset by David Bradbury (www.dbtype.com.au)
Images courtesy GeminiAI
Printed and bound in Australia by Griffin Press
The Book of Mynxonia
Chapter 1
One day, many Mynx ages ago, Josephine Mynx was minding her own business when an Elf Fairy Spryte appeared in her home and said: “Joesephine Mynx … you are indeed a Mynx of wonderous mischief and shenanigans. Mark this day and keep your mischief strong and pure and one fine golden day I shall return to you with a mission of great mischief! That’s about all I have to say about that … for now … farewell … ta ta … have a nice day … and don’t let your mischief grow tepid, ok? … Byeeee.”
Josephine Mynx was amazed and she wrote down her account in her diary of mischief then promptly forgot all about it. A mischievous Mynx is a busy Mynx and many things get lost in the fog of timelessness. Nevertheless, one fine golden day arrived and the same Elf Fairy Spryte once again appeared in Josephine’s home, startling dear Josephine who was in the middle of planning some severe mischief.
“JOSEPHINE! Sorry … Josephine! For all of these days you have done as I asked. Your mischief has been brutally fun in the finest spirit of the word. Therefore I have returned to you on this day precisely as I foretold … more or less. Now is the moment for you to commence upon a great journey of discovery and indeed, perchance, some mischief and shenanigans.
Josephine was intrigued and gazed upon the brilliance of the Elf Fairy and wondered at her mischievous nature. “What would you have me do Elf Fairy?” Josephine asked almost timidly. “Groovy!” Elf Fairy Spryte replied. “Over a thousand years ago, when I was but a very young Mynx, like yourself, I traveled to a realm named Earth where I lived and wrote a great manuscript on plates of gold and silver. Then, when it came time to depart, I was prohibited from bringing my writing back home so I buried them in a secret location along with a deciphering stone and a pair of magic spectacles that I had magicked for ease of reading. I hid my work in a location so secret that only a Mynx of the greatest mischief would ever be capable of finding them so they would never be tampered with. That day has come. The moment is nigh. Josephine, you are the greatest mischief maker in the realm and therefore I have chosen you to undertake this great task … to travel to the location of my plates to the realm of Earth where the humans dwell … to find and return my manuscript to me now that the prohibition has been repealed.” Josephine gazed upon the Elf Fairy Spryte for a moment or two then asked … “Do I have to? I mean I am rather busy with all my usual Mynxy mischief and all. What if I get distracted along the way or get lost or get eaten alive by Earth monsters … or worse!”
The Elf Fairy Spryte laughed and said unto Josephine “It is your destiny and you shall not fail … so long as your mischief is pure. You have proven it is. You shall not fail.”
“Yeeaaaahhhhh but you buried those plates … so you know better than me where to find them … so … shouldn’t you retrieve them yourself? It would be less stress and worry for you wouldn’t it?” Josephine asked. Elf Fairy Sprytes eyes flared with a mighty brilliant light and a glowing loving smile as she spoke. “No Josephine. I am a Spryte of this realm and you are a natural Mynx in form and it is written … So get to it … and make it snappy, dear.”
Josephine scratched her Mynxy chin and replied. “Sounds a little 4 THE BOOK OF MYNXONIA fishy but … sure thing Spryte boss. Just point me in the right direction.” Elf Fairy Spryte smiled as she waved her hand, snapped her fingers and clicked her heels together saying “Head North dear Josephine … and mind the gaps …” With that Josephine vanished from the Elf Fairy realm in a blinding flash of light.
“Is She the one?” an ethereal voice asked.
“Yes,” came the reply. “ She is the one of which my visions and foretelling predict can do that which needs to be done.”
“What is her name?”
“Her name is Josephine.”
“I see. A strong name. A powerful name.”
For several moments the voice was silent while Josephine was watched with intense interest.
“Yes, I sense a powerful spirit in this one.” The ethereal voice finally continued. “It is vital that she Is successful and completes this mission to its end. We trust entirely in your mastery of the oracular acumen, so we will trust in you once again and leave this matter in your capable hands.”
“Thank you,” the Oracle replied. “Naturally, you all must keep in mind that my vision is not one hundred percent guaranteed to all ends, nevertheless, I feel a confidence in young Jospehine as I have never felt with any other. I have known her since she was but a flower pod infant and I have no doubt in her potential.”
“Very well,” the voice responded, “this matter is to be left in your most capable hands and those of dear little Josephine. We shall communicate with each other as necessity dictates. Do not hesitate to contact us whenever you wish. Farewell, Irulan. For now.”
“Thank you,” Irulan replied.
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