A Bit About Myself:

Although a retired teacher, I still have a passion for working with kids. I regularly conduct Medieval Writing Workshops for local elementary/middle schools and the Colorado Girl Scouts. It seems I'm not the only one who loves Medieval Times and the King Arthur Legend. The kids thoroughly enjoy writing their own medieval stories complete with dragons, wizards, unicorns, and knights!

I love to travel, and so my other job is with a major airline. My favorite trip was a two week visit to Egypt with my husband that included traveling by local train from one end of Egypt to the other.

Some of my favorite books, like "The Hobbit," "The Lord of the Rings," Golding's "Lord of the Flies" and "The Once and Future King" by T.H. White were all written to offer hope to a world embroiled in another world war. "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens illustrates how unselfish true love enables people to offer the supreme sacrifice to preserve that love, while Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" shows how circumstances can cause people to do despicable acts. The one book that connects of all of these texts as well as a multitude of others is Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." The journey of the hero, depicted by Campbell, is a universal theme that never dies out.

About My Writings:

My first book "Guinevere: On the Eve of Legend" introduces young readers to the timeless King Arthur Legend and Guinevere the girl as she struggles with growing up and fulfilling her destiny. I hope young readers develop an understanding of the girl Guinevere, how she is like them today. Everyone has to grow up; everyone has unpleasant choices to make; and regardless of when we are born or how old we are, we don't always get our way. And when that happens, we have to accept it and move on. Good lessons for any age.

"King Arthur's Story" is a short excerpt cut from "Guinevere" in the final editing. Only available as an ebook, it gives readers a brief glimpse into Arthur's reasons for seeking marriage with Guinevere.

My second book "Young Knights of the Round Table: The Kings' Ransom" released May 25, 2012 by MuseItUp Publishing in Canada. It is currently available in eBook format.

I have just started publishing my children's picture books under the series Grandma's Tales. The first one is What if I Went to the Circus and Came Home with ?

My current work-in-progress takes my readers out of Medieval England and back to Ancient Egypt for a visit with a famous pharaoh! Stay tuned.

I love to hear from my readers of all ages. Please contact me and let me know what you think of my books. You may contact me through my web site Beyond Today. On my blog I do MG/Tween book reviews, author interviews, and post what's just been published Carpinello's Writing Pages.
My Passion:

The Legend of King Arthur continues to Transcend the Centuries and All Age Groups because

(1) the Legend is packed with adventure. Tales of knights fighting knights, rescuing damsels in distress, and the quest for the Holy Grail are found in vivid detail throughout the unending array of stories.

(2) the Legend is about heroes, the Knights of the Round Table: Lancelot, Tristram, Percival, Galahad and the many others. Specifically it is about the main hero, King Arthur.

(3) the Legend is about magic and mystery. Merlyn, the most famous magician ever, lives backwards in time!

(4) the Legend is about women and love. The regal Guinevere; the mysterious half sisters of Arthur: Morgan le Fay, Morgause, and Elaine; the witch Nimue who tricks Merlyn into revealing his secrets and then encloses him for life in a cave. The one thing all these women have in common is that they are misunderstood. Writers can't even cast them into the same mold, especially the sisters.

(5) the Legend is about Hope. Arthur and his kingdom are essentially a utopia. A perfect world, at least in the beginning. There is a definite line between right and wrong. Chivalry rules the day. Arthur is the ruler who works not for himself, but for his people. In the time period that "The Once and Future King" was written (WWII), the Legend offered a safe haven for people's dreams. It continues to do that and that is why I love it.