About Alan Lindsay
The books found here represent the work I've done in the realm usually known as fantasy or YA literature, including elements of Oz and its themes of Tyranny. I do not think of such things when I write; categories are merely marketing tools. Writing toward them may create a product easier to market, but it will not create a book more pleasurable to read. I write stories I would like to read, stories I believe many people will enjoy, including those who appreciate the imaginative landscapes of Oz.
Alan Lindsay is a novelist, playwright, and English professor. His novels include The Burzee Rose, Stolen to Oz, and the ongoing OzHouse Trilogy, co-written with his long-time friend Dennis Anfuso: OzHouse, OzHouse Revisited, and OzHouse Ends. His plays have been performed more or less annually at Hatbox Theatre in Concord, New Hampshire. He teaches and serves as Department Head of English at NHTI, Concord’s Community College. He holds several advanced degrees, including an M.A. in Fiction Writing from the University of Notre Dame.
The Love Magnet of Oz
The Marvelous Land of Oz Invaded by Raving Pink Sorceress
There's a new witch in the broken castle of the Wicked Witch of the West. She calls herself The Sorceress Lady Mumps and vows to “make Oz marvelous again,” determined to overthrow the tyranny that has plagued the land. All she needs is three clever cronies and a powerful weapon.
Meanwhile, at Reed Elementary, Mildred finds an old magnet stuck to the buckle of her boot. Louise recognizes it immediately as the famous Love Magnet of Oz. But this charm possesses more magic than anyone ever knew, drawing Mildred, Louise, their friend Thaddeus, and even Sam the bully into the chaotic world of Lady Mumps. In the struggle that follows, they realize just how powerful the magnet truly is.
The Love Magnet of Oz revisits familiar characters from the old story: The Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman, while also reviving lesser-known inhabitants of L. Frank Baum's world: the Shaggy Man, the Patchwork Girl, Tik-Tok the Mechanical Man, and Professor H.M. Wogglebug, T.E.
The Burzee Rose
A Christmas Carol
Morris’ life would have been great—if not for his new stepsisters and those crazy little men who thought they were elves. No matter. Morris’s latest stepmother would certainly be gone by Christmas like all the rest. Wasn’t she already trolling on the internet all day for her next husband? But would she take Jasmine and Tanya with her? And why did these girls want to pull him into their troubles anyway? He just wanted to play video games. Everything would have blown over if that substation hadn’t blown up. But when the power blew and he scurried out to get gas for the generator, Jasmine just had to go with him. And then they stumbled into those reindeer and that rogue pair of little men on a mission to rescue the North Pole from tyranny. And then—wouldn’t you know it—they had to get themselves sucked into the time vortex. So now there were two problems to solve: Claire and Christmas in Oz.
Stolen to Oz
The Con and the Crazy Bike Lady in Oz?
Where did that balloon come from? And why were bags of Emeralds tied to the side? Miss Jennie Grierson and Doctor Morgan Fiddledog tumble together inside the basket, with Toto dangling down below. The three of them are blown away on an adventure to the castle of an old witch in the strange and curious Land of Oz. In this land, the proud remainder of a once-great southern family must learn to navigate the tyranny of a snake oil salesman if she is to have any chance to survive among talking trees, Winkie guards, and flying monkeys. And also the little dog.
OzHouse
It Wasn't Supposed to Be Magic
They built it for children, and there were certainly going to be children—there was no doubt about that. They had always envisioned a place filled with kids, lots of them. As artists and writers, their favorite books included the classics like Alice in Wonderland, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wizard of Oz, the Grimms' fairy tales, and Hans Christian Andersen. From the pages of these stories, they constructed OzHouse on fifty acres of woods in rural New Hampshire. It was an emerald green wonderland, complete with towers, turrets, and a widow's walk. Yellow bricks led to the doors and meandered around the grounds. This house stood as a monument to creativity, fantasy, and imagination, meant for children. However, Life had other plans, much like the unexpected tyranny that can emerge in a tale of Oz.
OzHouse Revisited
The Curse of Budistiltskin
Ten years have passed. Charlie fears his love of fairylands, particularly the enchanting Oz, has ruined him. Jessica is determined to save her sister from following the path of their lost and alcoholic mother, a path that feels like a tyranny of despair. Doug Robbins' marriage is coming unraveled, and the state almost never sends children to OzHouse anymore. Should they look to the fairylands for help? Or do fantasies just exacerbate their struggles? No one has dared to approach the magic doorway in years, but perhaps there are answers hidden within. Can Charlie revive his art? Can Doug rediscover himself? Can Jessica find a better future for her sister and her sister's doomed children? Perhaps the answers are tied to the fate of the one they left behind, poor little Buddy Samson. Perhaps they need to find him. But first, they'll have to confront their own demons.