Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Maryland Tour and Contest Photos

We are driving to Maryland today for the final leg of my May book tour. Here are the planned events:

May 29 - 10:00 am
Anne Arundel County Homeschool Group
Bible Church of Lake Shore
860 Swift Road
Pasadena, MD

May 29 - 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
With Wayne Batson
Talks for Parents and Students
Dayton Oaks Elementary School
4691 Ten Oaks Road
Dayton, MD

May 31 - 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Book signing
Amazing Grace Resource Center
33 South Main Street
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

May 31 - 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Book signing with Wayne Batson
Borders
6151 Columbia Crossing Circle
Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: 410.290.0062

The Beyond the Reflection's Edge contest rolls on. Here are more photos.


Here is Shae with Alex at Borders, 800 W. 78th St., Richfield, MN

Shae again, this time with Joy at Northwestern Bookstore, 6819 York Ave. So.. Edina, MN


Here is Abigail with Carolyn at Mardel Christian Store 4848 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Chicago Area Book Tour

I had a great time visiting schools in the Chicago area. The photo shows me speaking to a great group of kids at Harvest Christian Academy in Elgin, Illinois.

Their facility was unique, a converted office building that Hobby Lobby sold to them for one dollar. They did a superb job transforming it into a school.

The other three schools I visited, Westminster Christian in Elgin, Calvary Christian in Naperville, and Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights were all great as well.

I also signed at two John's Christian stores and had the opportunity to meet Galadriel, a member of my message board and one of the top contestants in the Beyond the Reflection's Edge contest. You can see us in the photo posing with the book.

Speaking of the contest, we had quite a few correct answers to the first quiz. Keep the answers coming. They will count for twenty points through the end of June.

Since I'm going on the road again this week, I plan to wait for Monday, June 2, to post the second quiz. Watch the forum, because the first five correct answers will get more points than the others.

Also, I have removed from the contest list those who have not accumulated any points. If they report any points, I will immediately put them back on.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Contest Quiz Number One

It's time for the first quiz in the Beyond the Reflection's Edge contest (for contest rules, Click Here). You will need the release version of the book, rather than an advance copy, to be sure of getting the right answer to this quiz.


Send your answer by email only to bryan (at) dragonsinourmidst (dot) com. Comments posted on the blog that contain the answer will be deleted, and they will not count.

Anyone who sends in a correct answer for quiz number one will receive twenty points. The first five people who send the answer, based on the time stamp of the email, will receive thirty points.

You may answer at any time all the way to the end of the contest (end of June), and you will receive the points.

Please be sure to identify which quiz number you are answering. This is quiz number one.

The first question is based on words you can find in the book.

Page 260 word #68

Page 92 word #24

Page 264 word #181

Page 246 word #85

Page 51 word #40

Hyphenated and contracted words count as one word. When you put these words together, they make a short phrase that indicates a question. Send the answer to the question the words ask.

Also, you will need this answer in order to be able to solve the final quiz, so save it for later.

You may post comments to clarify the rules but no hints about the words or the answer to the question.

Contest Photos Once Again

The Beyond the Reflection's Edge contest is going strong. Some contestants are piling up the points, while some are still waiting to send me their reports. It's not hard to pile up a bunch of points quickly, so I expect the contest to tighten even more.

With the first of the quiz questions coming later today, everyone will have an opportunity to get a jump in their totals.

Here are more photos:


Jessica H. is standing with Bernice Derksen at Blessings in Chilliwack, BC.


Moncowgirl poses with Ashley at Family Christian store at the Westbrook Plaza, 662 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA


MeghantheDraygon is with Larry at the For-All store in the mall in Joplin, Missouri.


Twin4God is with Sarah at a Family Christian store at Regency Square, 2454 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL


Twin4God again, now with Norma Jean at a Family Christian Store, Gulf Coast Town Center, 9924 Gulf Coast Main Ste A125, in Fort Myers, FL


And finally, Lightbearer with her poster at the Cedar Point Grille in Cedar Crest New Mexico.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Chicago Events and More Photos

I have been in Chicago the last few days visiting schools. The photo shows Susie (my wife) and Hannah (my youngest daughter) looking out the window from the skydeck at the top of the Sears Tower.

Today I will be signing books at two stores:

May 24 - 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
John's Christian Bookstore
1212 S. Naper Blvd. (105)
Naperville, IL. 60540

May 24 - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
John’s Christian Bookstore
520 S. Schmale Road
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188


If you're anywhere in the area, I would love to meet you. If you already have my books, I'll be glad to sign them.


The photos keep rolling in. Here are a few more.

This is Araken with Charlie Thompson at the Family Christian Store at 403 East Kemper Rd, Springdale, OH.

Kale with Sandra at Family Christian Stores 1520 Airport Blvd. Ste. # 2 , Pensacola, FL


Kale with Charles at LifeWay Christian Stores 1654 Airport Blvd. Suite 500, Pensacola, FL

Kale and Shiloh with Linda at Barnes & Noble Bookseller 1200 Airport Blvd. Pensacola, FL


And Abigail with her poster at her church.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

More Contest Photos

The Beyond the Reflection's Edge contest (Click here for contest rules) continues with more great photos!


Here is lightbearer with Kate at Borders, 2563 35th Ave, Greeley Colorado. She also sent one in with her and Delia from the Family Christian Store at 1936 Greeley Mall in Greeley, Colorado.


Here is son of Shem with Jessie at Borders, 3577 River Rapids, Coon Rapids, MN. He also sent photos with Larua at Borders, 12059 Elm Creek, Maple Grove, MN and Sarah at Northwestern bookstore, 13040 Riverdale Drive, Coon Rapids, MN.

This is godsgirl with her poster at her pediatrician's office.

And here is our current contest leader, moncowgirl, with her poster at her local library.

I'm in Chicago right now for part of my book tour, but I'll try to keep posting updates as often as possible. Keep the responses coming! If you think you're too far behind, it's not hard to pile up points quickly. You can catch up!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Contest Rules Addition and Quiz Announcement

I have few updates to give, but first, a new photo. To the left is godsgirl with Erica at the Family Christian store, 5042 Airport Pulling Road in Naples Florida.

I am adding a new way to get points. If you make a T-shirt and wear it while handing out fliers that tell about Beyond the Reflection's Edge, send me a photo of you doing that, and you'll get twenty points (only one twenty-point award per person). Remember to put on your flier where a person can get a copy of the book, whether locally or on the Internet, and suggest that they let you know they bought it so you can get referral points. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can earn.

Some people have asked about doing reviews on my other books. You are welcome to do that, of course, but they won't count for this contest. I am planning another contest when Last of the Nephilim is released, so reviews for all Dragons in our Midst and Oracles of Fire books will count for that contest, whether you do the reviews now or after the contest begins.

I have decided to delay the beginning of the quiz portion of the contest until Monday, May 26. Be ready to check this blog for the first stage then. Everyone who emails me with the correct answer will get points, but the first person will get extra points. I will provide details on Monday.

Answers will have to come through email. Adding a comment on my blog that contains an answer will not be allowed.

Action among the top contestants is heating up. Many of you haven't turned in any reports, but it's not hard to accumulate points quickly. Let's get those reports in!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Many More Contest Photos

The photos are still coming in, so many, I don't want to post them all, because my bandwidth out here in rural Tennessee is severely limited. I will, however, post a couple and list the stores for all of them in order to give them some promotion.


Above is Araken, at the Family Christian store with Kathie France at 9938 Waterstone Blvd Cincinnati, OH.

Josh sent a photo with Keith at the Lifeway store at 2200 Hamilton Place Blvd in Chattanooga, TN, but I have deleted that photo at Josh's request.

Moncowgirl sent me photos from the following places:

Family Christian Store at Northpoint Center, 6010 N Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA

Borders at John's Creek, 3630 Peachtree Pkwy. Suwanee, GA

Borders at 1705 Mall of Georgia Blvd. in Buford, GA

Barnes & Noble at Building 200 Suite 252, 410 Peachtree Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30041

Lifeway Christian Bookstore at Mall of Georgia Crossing, 3125 Woodward Crossing Boulevard, Suite 2000, Buford, GA

Magma had photos taken at the Baker Book House and Schuler's Bookstore in Grand Rapids during my signings there, so those count.

Grand Rapids Tour now Complete

I had a great time in Grand Rapids promoting Beyond the Reflection's Edge. I visited five schools and signed at two bookstores, Baker Book House and Schuler's Books and Music.

In the first photo, I'm speaking to students at Northpoint Christian Elementary School. I have been there before, and, as usual, they were a wonderful group of kids.

In the next photo I'm signing books for a couple of enthusiastic readers at Schuler's. We had a steady stream of customers the entire time I was there.

Everyone I met in Grand Rapids was super--the school personnel, the staff at both bookstores, and the folks at Zondervan, who had at least one person in attendance at every event except one, and that omission was due to illness. I hope to come back again soon!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Bookstore Appearances in Grand Rapids

If you're in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area, please consider coming to one of my books signings. Here are the details:

May 17 - 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Baker Book House
2768 East Paris Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 957-3110

May 17 - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Schuler's Bookstore 2660
28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512

I will be signing Beyond the Reflection's Edge as well as my dragons books. If you bring in books you have already purchased, I will be glad to sign those as well.

I have a couple more photos to show you. Here is Abigail with a poster she put on a bulleting board at her Tae Kwon Do class.


And here is Djaq with Adam at the Borders store at 350 N Milwaukee St, Boise, ID 83704.

Great work!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Photos and Videos Keep Rolling In

More contest entries!

Here is a video from BookwormforGod



Here is Shae posing with Julie at the Northwestern Bookstore at 14150 Nicollet Ave. So. Burnsville, Minnesota.
Next is Araken with Patrick at the Berean Christian Bookstore at 1183 Smiley Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Nice "Save Pluto" shirt, Araken. I support your cause!

More Contest Entries

The contest entries are rolling in!

Here is a video from Son of Shem:




A video from Katie G.



And one from lightbearer:



And here is Son of Shem in a photo with Brit a the Northwestern Bookstore at 13040 Riverdale Dr NW in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.
Here is a photo of twin4god with Kim at the Family Christian Store at Carillon Place
5042 Airport Pulling Rd N in Naples Florida.Thank you for all the great participation! Keep them coming!

Grand Rapids Tour Starts Today

I am in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the start of a three-day tour promoting Beyond the Reflection's Edge. I will visit five schools and two bookstores. Here is my schedule:

May 15 - 9:00 am to 11:10 am
Algoma Christian School
14471 Sparta Avenue
Kent City, MI 49330

May 15 - 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm
Northpointe Christian High School
3101 Leonard St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI (616) 942-0350

May 15 - 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Orchard View Elementary
2770 Leffingwell NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

May 16 - 8:15 am to 9:15 am
Northpointe Christian Elementary School
540 Russwood NE
Grand Rapids, MI

May 16 - 1:45 pm to 2:35 pm
Northpointe Christian Middle School
3101 Leonard St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI

May 17 - 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Book signing
Baker Book House
2768 East Paris Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 957-3110

May 17 - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Schuler's Bookstore
2660 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512

The contest continues to steam ahead, and we have the first poster posting posted. Here is Moncowgirl with the poster she created and posted on a bulletin board. That gives her five points.

Keep it coming contestants!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

More Photos!

Lightbearer submitted these photos for the contest. The first one is with Penny at Bibles Plus bookstore at 2740 NE Wyoming Blvd, Albuquerque, NM.

The second is with Barbara at Borders, 2100 NE Louisiana Blvd, Albuquerque, NM.


Thank you, Lightbearer! If anyone is in the Albuquerque area and wants to pick up a copy, here are two stores you can visit.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Contest Update #5

I have updated the point totals on the left based on everything I have received as of 6:00 pm Central Time on May 13. A couple of you have points pending because you referred other contestants. Those won't be added until the contestant you referred starts getting points. Also, a few of you sent me reviews from Goodreads.com. I tried searching for those reviews without logging in, and it wouldn't let me show them, so that site isn't public enough.

If you calculate a different point count than I did, please let me know, and I will look at it more closely.

The people who have sent photos from bookstores and/or posted a video are piling up the points. Here is Moncowgirl with Kay at the Alpharetta LifeWay Christian Store, Mansell Crossing Shopping Center, 7131 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30022. If you live in the area and want a copy of the book, you can find it there.

Abigail sent in the next photo. She is posing with Zach from
LifeWay Christian Stores. Store #4757, 3621 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.

We also have a three new Youtube videos to show you. In order, they were posted by Magma, Galdriel, and Djaq.





Book Tour Update - Arkansas and Texas

I had a great time at the Skia store in Bentonville, Arkansas. What a great place! I've never seen any Christian store like it.

I had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful people. The photo shows me with a young lady who often posts on this blog using the name Sapphira Adi. It was great to finally meet her! She and her mother drove two hours to get to the store. What a blessing!

I met a few others, as well, but I forgot to get their permission to post the photos.

My son Caleb played his cello while I greeted people and signed books. Several people just sat and listened while he played a variety of classical pieces and hymns.

After the Saturday signing, we drove to Dallas. Sunday, we visited the Conrad family in the Dallas area for a cookout. Although I had never met them, they are readers of my books, so we felt like friends already. That was a great time of relaxation and refreshment. Caleb again played his cello for our enjoyment.

On Monday, I visited Life School in Red Oak, Texas, and gave two talks. In the photo I am telling a story, part of which I delivered while standing on a chair. I like to get dramatic.

In the final photo, you can see the kids listening. They were a terrific group of students: courteous and attentive. I had a great time.

Caleb went to a concert that night, so I waited for that to be over, and we drove all night to get home this morning. I'm tired, to say the least.

Tomorrow, my wife, three of my daughters, and I start the long drive to Grand Rapids, Michigan. If you live in that area, I hope you'll check out my schedule by clicking here and come out to see me!

Monday, May 12, 2008

On the Road - Contest Updates Soon

Just a brief post to let you know that I have received many contest reports, but, since I am on the road, I haven't had time to answer them or update the contest counter with names and point totals.
I hope to do that tomorrow (Tuesday). Thank you for your patience.

Friday, May 09, 2008

Bookstore Event & Contest Rules Update

I am traveling to northwest Arkansas for a book signing at the Skia store in Bentonville. Here are the details:

May 10 - 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Book signing

Skia Bookstore

3301 South Walton Blvd.

Bentonville, AR


If you are anywhere in the area, please come out and see me. I will sign any books you already own, and I'll give you a free autographed poster of Beyond the Reflection's Edge.

Here is a new way to gain points in the contest:

Make a poster about Beyond the Reflection's Edge and put it on a school, church, or store bulletin board. The poster has to be at least eight and a half by eleven inches, which is the sized of standard paper, and it must have an image of the book cover.

You can get the book cover image by clicking here. A poster needs to include where a person can purchase the book locally, or if there is no local place to get it, mention that it can be purchased online at Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, or another online bookseller.

A poster is worth five points, but you won't get extra points for more than one poster at the same school. You may put the poster up in many different places, but only one credit per establishment. To get credit for a poster, please send me a digital photo of you at the place where you placed it.

I will update the original contest post with this new rule.

Contest Update #4

The contest has grown larger with 24 now participating. Magma got off to an early lead, but Moncowgirl has surged ahead. When the other participants get going, this should be a fun race. It doesn't take long to accumulate points.

I plan to start the book knowledge quizzes next week, so be ready.

As an added incentive to making a video, I will send an autographed Beyond the Reflection's Edge poster to everyone who posts a video on Youtube or Godtube. I will add that to the original contest post.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Check out Moncowgirl's great Youtube review of Beyond the Reflection's Edge. She gained twenty points in the contest for doing it.



I'd love to see more videos. If you do one, let me know by email, and I'll award your points. Let all your friends know about your video, too.

Another New Book Contract and Contest Update #3

I signed a contract with AMG for a book called I Know Why the Angels Dance, a story I wrote more than 12 years ago. Although it was one of my early efforts and will need polishing, I love this story. It has more emotional impact than any I have written to date. It should come out in the spring of 2009. I will post more about it as the time draws closer.

We now have 22 contestants for the Beyond the Reflection's Edge promotion, but only a few have reported anything that give them points. In the list to the left, a couple of you have three points pending because of referrals. When you referrals start getting points, you will get your referral points. If I am missing anything, please email me instead of posting a comment.

Let's get those point totals going!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Contest Rules Update

Because some people live in small towns without any bookstores, I will allow you to ask friends to get photos for you. The friend must be in the photo along with the store employee.

Another change, when you refer people to join the contest, you won't get your three points until that person gets at least some points through reviews, photos, etc.

I am adding a new way to collect points. Make a video supporting Beyond the Reflection's Edge and post it on Youtube or Godtube. You can interview people, use music or artwork, or even recruit people to join the contest. If you don't mind, I would like you to include a positive comment or two about the book. Make it imaginative, funny, insightful, anything (within reason) to attract attention.

Posting a video will be worth twenty points, but only one video per person will count. As the contest draws to a close, I will award an additional twenty points to the person who makes the best video (in the opinion of the judges).

I will add these new rules to the original post.

Contest Update #2

Fifteen contest participants have emailed me their information, and four have sent me reports for points.

Here are the participants so far and their point totals:

Magma - 28 points
Shae - 11 points
Twin4God - 8 points
Katie G. - 5 points
Sapphira
Craig
Dragonfire
Tiffany
Grace
Kristen
Nick
Son of Shem
Elliot Reed
Anna
Ashley

If you aren't on the list, then I haven't received your participation email.

Let's get those point reports in!

Contest Update #1

A couple of questions have popped up that I will address here. When it comes to getting photos at bookstores, you may go to multiple stores at the same chain. For example, you can use the Barnes & Noble in one part of town and a different Barnes & Noble in another part of town. When getting the name of the employee, the first name is sufficient.

You may report reviews that you have already posted, even if they were for another contest, but if they posted before May 6, they are worth two points instead of three.

When the quizzes begin, it's crucial to have a final release copy of the book instead of an advance copy. I will sometimes refer to a specific page number or even specific words in the final release, and the advance version won't be accurate.

We have eleven contestants so far who have emailed me with their contact information. Some have posted that they want to participate, but they haven't emailed me yet. The email is essential.

Only one person, Magma, has emailed me anything that has counted toward points. The other participants had better get going. Magma has a big jump with 14 posted reviews, counting for 28 points, since she posted them before the contest began.

Let the race begin!

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

A Contest!

In order to promote Beyond the Reflection's Edge, I am starting a contest on this blog. The prize? Books for life! The grand prize winner will receive one autographed copy of every new book I publish for as long as we both shall live. He or she will also have the option of being a character in a future book, that is, I will create a character who will be a fictionalized representation of the winner, using a name and characteristics that we will agree upon.

Since contestants will accumulate points in this contest, I will be able to award prizes to others who do well. The second place finisher will receive the next five books I publish. Third place will win the next three books, and all of the top ten finishers will receive a free copy of Eternity's Edge, book two in the Echoes from the Edge series, when it comes out.

Here are the guidelines. First, post a comment here to let me know you are participating. You will also have to send me an email with your real name and address to verify your participation. I will keep your personal information private. Please send the information to bryan (at) dragonsinourmidst (dot) com. Of course, replace "at" with the @ sign and "dot" with a period.

Here is how you gain points:
1. Recommend Beyond the Reflection's Edge to someone. If that person buys it, send me a scanned photocopy of the receipt by email. The receipt must show the store name and the date, and the date must be on or later than today's date, May 6, 2008. Every bookstore receipt is worth twenty points.
If you have a receipt from an online store, I have to be able to verify that it's real. Since I'm trying to promote buying at bookstores, online receipts will be worth only five points, but that's better than nothing.Buying the book for someone else counts as a referral.

If you are unable to scan a receipt, you may mail a photocopy to me at P.O. Box 512, Middleton, TN 38052.

2. Email a digital photo of you posing with a store employee in a bookstore where the book is shelved. In the photo, I must be able to see the book on the shelf. Every photo you send is worth ten points, but each photo must be from a different store, and with each photo, include the name and address of the store as well as the name of the employee. Please let me know if I am allowed to post the photo on the blog.

Because some people live in small towns without any bookstores, I will allow you to ask friends to get photos for you. The friend must be in the photo along with the store employee.


3. Write an online review dated after the contest begins. Each new review is worth three points. The review must be on a public site such as Amazon.com or Christianbook.com, and the review must be positive. If you post a negative review, that doesn't help promote the book, right? I realize that many people have already posted reviews. Let me know where they are, and I will award two points for each.

If you want to post a review on someone else's blog, ask permission first. Don't assume that the blogger wants your review on his or her blog.

4. As the contest continues, at random times, I will post a quiz or a puzzle related to Beyond the Reflection's Edge. These puzzles will require possession of the book and knowledge of the story. Correct answers will be awarded points based on the difficulty. You will email me your answers. These questions might pop up here at any time, so keep checking back. The first person with the correct answer will get more points than others will.

5. Get someone else to participate in this contest. It's true that the new contestant will be in competition with you, but if you do well, you won't have to worry about that. When your referred contestant signs up through email, make sure he or she mentions you as the one who referred him or her. For each referral you will be awarded three points, but there will be a bonus. For every ten points your referred person accumulates, you will get another point. Does that sound like multi-level marketing? Yup!

If you get someone to participate, you won't get your three points until that person gets at least some points through reviews, photos, etc.

6. Make a video supporting Beyond the Reflection's Edge and post it on Youtube or Godtube. You can interview people, use music or artwork, or even recruit people to join the contest. If you don't mind, I would like you to include a positive comment or two about the book. Make it imaginative, funny, insightful, anything (within reason) to attract attention.

Posting a video will be worth twenty points, but only one video per person will count. As the contest draws to a close, I will award an additional twenty points to the person who makes the best video (in the opinion of the judges).

As an added benefit, I will send an autographed Beyond the Reflection's Edge poster to everyone who posts a video.

7. Make a poster about Beyond the Reflection's Edge and put it on a school, church, or store bulletin board. The poster has to be at least eight and a half by eleven inches, which is the sized of standard paper, and it must have an image of the book cover.

You can get the book cover image by clicking here. A poster needs to include where a person can purchase the book locally, or if there is no local place to get it, mention that it can be purchased online at Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, or another online bookseller.

A poster is worth five points, but you won't get extra points for more than one poster at the same school. You may put the poster up in many different places, but only one credit per establishment. To get credit for a poster, please send me a digital photo of you at the place where you placed it.

8. If you make a T-shirt and wear it while handing out fliers that tell about Beyond the Reflection's Edge, send me a photo of you doing that, and you'll get twenty points (only one twenty-point award per person). Remember to put on your flier where a person can get a copy of the book, whether locally or on the Internet, and suggest that they let you know they bought it so you can get referral points. There is no limit to the number of referrals you can earn.

9. I might also add new ways to add points, so keep checking my blog.

This contest will last until the end of June, and the decisions of the judges will be final. If you have any questions, please post a comment. Questions that are already answered in this post will be deleted.

I hope this competition stays loving and friendly. Although I hope you want to win the books, I also hope you want to share with others the benefit of reading Beyond the Reflection's Edge. As the series progresses, the spiritual value of the story will become clearer. Since the book doesn't overtly preach, it's a great opportunity to introduce your friends to a story that will lead them on a spiritual journey.

I will post regular updates with contestants and their point totals. My thanks to Wayne Thomas Batson. I got the idea from a similar contest he ran to promote Isle of Swords.

By the way, the photo above is from my visit to Nixon Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Why is it relevant? With the students' raising their hands, it made me think of participation. I hope we get many participants.

Monday, May 05, 2008

Iowa Book Tour Complete

I had a great time in Iowa! But after eleven events, 2300 miles of driving, and traveling all night Saturday night, I am pretty tired--tired and very thankful for all the people I met. Everyone was helpful, gracious, and kind.

Three different families, unknown to each other, traveled three to four hours from Minnesota just to see me at one or more events in Iowa. That is amazing ... and humbling. I feel very honored that people would spend so much effort to bless me like that.

In the photo, I am speaking to a group at the Harding Middle School library in Cedar Rapids. They all seemed to enjoy my talk, and I certainly enjoyed speaking to them.

My next event is a book signing at Skia Bookstore in Bentonville, Arkansas, on May 10 from 11 am to 3 pm. I'm taking my son Caleb along, and he will be playing his cello at the store. If you're anywhere close by, please come out and see us.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Book Tour Day Three

I spoke at three schools in Cedar Rapids yesterday and then drove to Des Moines, two hours away, for a book signing at Wellspring Christian Bookstore. I had a great time. The bookstore is really great--spacious, great inventory, and friendly staff.

I have the privilege of meeting Elliot Reed (see photo), a frequent commenter on this blog. He and his family drove three hours from Minnesota to come to the signing. I am always thrilled to meet my readers, and it's overwhelming to think that people would want to drive that far to see me.

I have three bookstore events today, then I have to drive all night to get home. I probably won't post again until Monday. I appreciate your prayers for safe travel.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Book Tour Day Two

As part of my Beyond the Reflection's Edge blog tour yesterday, I visited two schools, including Newton High School in Newton, Iowa. Some of the action in the book takes place at this school, so it was fun to go back and interact with the students.

In the photo, I am sitting in an AP literature class, discussing various aspects of the writing. It was a small, engaging group, and we talked for about an hour and a half. I had a great time.

Today I will visit three schools in Cedar Rapids and then drive to Des Moines for a signing event at a Wellspring Christian Bookstore.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Beyond the Reflection's Edge Releases Today!

Today is the day! Zondervan officially releases Beyond the Reflection's Edge. I am now in Iowa for the event, and I will be speaking at Newton High School, the very school where a lot of the action takes place. I hope to post some photos from that event. Check out this article in the Des Moines Register, which mentions my research at the high school.

My month-long book tour promoting the new series has begun. Here is a photo of me from yesterday, speaking to a homeschool group in Marion, Iowa. I have thirty more events in the coming days, so I would appreciate your prayer support.