The Warble

The Official Blog of Karen Ullo

Cinder Allia… The Movie?

 

I am thrilled to announce that Believe Entertainment has purchased the film rights to Cinder Allia and will now begin fundraising for its eventual screen debut. When? In God’s timing, of course, which I don’t know any more than you do. But maybe someday, you’ll get to watch Allia de Camesbry save the world in technicolor!

Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman of Believe Entertainment have already established themselves as some of the premier Christian filmmakers of our day with films like God’s Not Dead and Unplanned. Now they’re looking to expand their repertoire into fantasy, and, as those of you who’ve read Cinder Allia already know, it’s a story made for film. Gorgeous settings, lots of action, war, intrigue, a crippled prince, a mysterious fairy godmother… Yes, of course I wrote it to become a movie someday. And now, it will have the opportunity.

If you didn’t already believe in fairy tales, hopefully you do now!

Cinder Allia has spent eight years living under her stepmother’s brutal thumb, wrongly punished for having caused her mother’s death. She lives for the day when the prince will grant her justice; but her fairy godmother shatters her hope with the news that the prince has died in battle. Allia escapes in search of her own happy ending, but her journey draws her into the turbulent waters of war and politics in a kingdom where the prince’s death has left chaos and division. Cinder Allia turns a traditional fairy tale upside down and weaves it into an epic filled with espionage, treason, magic, and romance. What happens when the damsel in distress must save not only herself, but her kingdom? What price is she willing to pay for justice? And can a woman who has lost her prince ever find true love? Surrounded by a cast that includes gallant knights, turncoat revolutionaries, a crippled prince who lives in hiding, a priest who is also a spy, and the man whose love Allia longs for most—her father—Cinder Allia is an unforgettable story about hope, courage, and the healing power of pain.

 

Announcing Chrism Press

Hello, Dear Readers! If I’ve been quiet for a while, it’s because I’ve been busy writing, but also launching an exciting new venture called Chrism Press!

Chrism Press is a brand-new imprint of WhiteFire Publishing dedicated to stories informed by Catholic and Orthodox Christianity that may not be able to find a home in either mainstream secular or Christian (Evangelical) presses. We are thrilled to announce that we are open to queries to adult and young adult fiction in all genres!
What is Chrism Press looking for? To quote our mission statement:
“Whether Christian themes are presented overtly, subtly, or symbolically, Chrism Press seeks Spirit-filled fiction in all genres. We are not afraid of darkness; we enjoy the strange and the weird, as well as humor, romance, adventure, and fun. We strongly believe that fiction should never be boring.”
The story behind Chrism Press dates back years, but the short version is that my friend and fellow editor, Rhonda Ortiz, and I have dreamed of “someday” opening our own publishing venture… and meanwhile Rhonda’s college friends, David and Roseanna White, wanted to expand their existing Christian press to include Catholic and Orthodox perspectives. So “someday” is now, and we couldn’t be more excited!
Please help us spread the word to both writers and readers who are interested in great stories told from Catholic and Orthodox perspectives!

A Playlist for the Triduum: Holy Saturday

As the Light of Christ illumines the darkness, we tell the stories of God’s saving works throughout time and worship Jesus who conquers death to raise us to new life. How strange it will be not to baptize or confirm anyone at this year’s Easter Vigil, but we know God is at work among us, alive and active today as he was in the days of Abraham, Moses, and all our ancestors in faith.

View the Holy Thursday playlist here.

View the Good Friday playlist here.

Exsultet, The Easter Proclamation, sung by Karl Kohlhase

Tchaikovsky, Hymn of the Cherubim – Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, sung by The USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir

Hosanna – Kantyk Mojżesza (Canticle of Moses, sung in Polish) – artist unknown

Holy Spirit, Come and Fill This Place, sung by Beverly Crawford

This song has a very special history in my parish.

Baba Yetu, Christopher Tin (The Lord’s Prayer in Swahili) – performed by Alex Boyé, BYU Men’s Chorus and BYU Philharmonic

How Can I Keep From Singing, sung by Voices of Ireland

Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, sung by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Mahler, Finale of Symphony no. 2, “Resurrection Symphony”

O Happy Day, Ray Charles and The Voices of Jubilation

A Playlist for the Triduum: Good Friday

View the Holy Thursday playlist here.

As we continue our journey with Christ in His passion, let us pray.

Father, I Put My Life In Your Hands (Psalm 31), John Michael Talbot

Stabat Mater, Giovanni Felice Sances, sung by Nuria Rial with L’Arpeggiata

From Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, O haupt voll Blut und Wunden (O Sacred Head Now Wounded), performed by Holland Baroque, the Netherlands Chamber Choir and the Roder Boys Choir

Miserere mei, Deus, Gregorio Allegri, conducted by Nigel Short

Expiró (Estación XII), Hakuna Group Music – The twelfth Station of the Cross

O Vos Omnes (O You People), David Childs, directed by Elizabeth Evans

Calvary, traditional Spiritual, sung by Mahalia Jackson

Pie Jesu, Andrew Lloyd Webber, sung by Charlotte Church and Willem Evans

If you don’t mind a less polished version, you can hear my son sing this with me during last year’s Good Friday liturgy here.