Karen L. Kobylarz first encountered ancient Egypt while watching The Ten Commandments  and Cleopatra at the age of eight and has been a devotee ever since.   Her previous publications include the short stories “Cleopatra’s Needle” (Paradox), “Imperishable Stars” and “The Book of Thuti.” (Leading Edge), “Mistress of Magic” and “To Serve a God” (Mindflights), “Breath of Amun” (Lacuna), and “Firstborn” and “Eye of Ra” to Lorelei Signal, and “Serpent Song” to Lissette’s Tales of the Imagination.   When she’s not exploring the mysteries of the Land of the Pharaohs, Ms. Kobylarz teaches at a local elementary school. She has B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Writing.   She is also an active member of the Online Workshop for Writers of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror.    She finds ideas for her stories from three sources.  She remains an active student, attending as many classes, workshops, and lectures on ancient history as she can.  Nonfiction books are also a source of inspiration as are educational programs on the National Geographic Channel, History, Discovery, etc.  Sometimes a seemingly insignificant detail or a fleeting image raises the question:  What if . . .?