When I began writing The Shapeshifters’ Library series I realized that like any fantasy universe, my world I needed maps and drawings to keep my imaginary town consistent.
I could visualize the library and the town, but as characters moved around Shipsfeather, Ohio readers might also want a map. And I needed to keep my descriptions consistent.
I drew sketches of the town and then began to make the library more real, So much of both Released and Retrieved take place in the former shapeshifter academy turned into public library. The lovely old domed building is remodeled into a high tech modern library without losing the charm of the original building.
In Retrieved, as my dog-shifters and werewolves spread out in a wider area over the town, a new map was needed as they excavate a ancient mound, endure a Survival test, and run and swim a Quadrathlon. And then, there's the location of the werewolves bookburning ceremonies.
My talented friend Beth Bass, who loves fantasy, offered to turn my sketches into real drawings, forcing me to be even more specific about the town.
In Released, the town library burns and instead of rebuilding, the town buys a cursed academy on the river considered haunted by the local residents. As Liberty Cutter explores the building, she meets Chronus an Old English Sheepdog who begins to talk to her. As he tells her about the dog-shifters she learns hundreds of dog-shifters still live and work in levels below the library, unable to leave due to a curse by book burning werewolves. She accepts his stories of shifter magic reluctantly as she is brought into their world.
What isn’t included is the deeper levels. Below the library are more levels where the shifters live.They have a research library, gyms, spas, cafeterias, medical facilities, living quarters, and everyone’s favorite – the Starbarks café. The details of these levels I’ve left to the readers’ imaginations.
Thanks again to Beth for the wonderful
drawings.
See the other maps and floorplans.
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