There’s a formidable stack of stamped-and-addressed postcards sitting next to my coffee cup. Tomorrow, I’ll drop them in the mailbox up town. I love sharing these art peeks with readers. Are you on my mailing list? Continue reading BYWAYS: Postcards for 5-7
My Hometown. I’ve mentioned before that I’m originally from a small town in Minnesota. My folks still live in the big old farmhouse where I grew up, and I adore revisiting it and them. I’ll be hopping on a northbound plane on Saturday (7/4), and I’ll spend several summer days re-exploring places that are dear to my heart. While I’m away, I’m issuing a special challenge to all Byways readers. Continue reading MINNESOTA TRIP: Mini-Challenge
As part of our Anniversary celebrations for the Byways series, I bring you another interview. This one’s unique and fun because Kim (one of my editors for these books) sits down and asks the brothers about the race. Directly. Continue reading INTERVIEW: Childress Ink
Byways. Vanessa just posted an interview and excerpts from the Byways series over on the Scriblerians blog. You may remember her earlier post and giveaway for the Galleries of Stone trilogy. The Scriblerians are a group of nine writers who’ve banded together because they write “for non-adults of all ages.” Do follow them!
Anniversary Sale! The special deals continue with today’s special price on Byways Book #5, Inside the Tree: A Ewan Johns Adventure. For one week, this title will be a Kindle Countdown Deal, which means the sooner you buy, the lower the price. If you go over to Amazon and take a look, you’ll find a ticker counting down the seconds to the next price jump. Right now, you can get this new release for only $1.99 (regularly priced $4.99).
This year’s anniversary deals will allow you to really get to know Ewan, the eldest of the Johns brothers. Is it okay to skip from Book #2 all the way to Book #5 in a series? Yep! I release the books in batches of three, one for each brother, so you’ll simply be “playing favorites” by following Ewan’s course.
Free eBooks! In celebration of the kick-off of the Byways series on July 4, 2014, I’m offering an Anniversary Sale. For the next few days, the first two titles are FREE! Nab them for yourself. Tell a friend about the sale. Bonus points to anyone who brings the series to the attention of a school teacher. More festivities to follow soon!
New Arrivals. As you may already know, I love art and artistry, so when I have a new book in the offing, I celebrate with swag. Art cards that can be used as postcards are a Byways tradition, and a brand new set is hot off the presses. Continue reading POSTCARDS: Byways 5-7
“What’s going on?” asked Ganix.
“A show. That’s Hurlock. He’s famous around here because of his magic.” Luke shook his head. “It’s sad.”
While Ganix watched, purple fire bloomed in the magician’s bare hands, and he sent it whirling over his head. The flames turned into a dragon that twisted through the air. Shoppers stopped to stare. Some clapped. And a few tossed coins into a basket at the edge of the stage. Hurlock thanked them with a gentle smile.
“Sad? He’s amazing!”
“He is. But purple fire means a sad day for Hurlock. Can you see his feet?”
Standing up to get a better look, Ganix asked, “Are those chains?”
—Byways #7: Across the Line: A Ganix Johns Adventure
Ganix Johns is the youngest son of Liberty’s Postmaster. Up until this point in the storyline, he’s been changing traveling partners at every waypoint. But when he meets Continue reading FOLKS: Ganix’s Team
Every Byways book is a story, but it’s also a game. There’s an educational element to this series of kids chapter books. Details in each story are borrowed from its assigned state. (As in the United States of America.) Byways will work through all fifty in order of ratification, so Book #4 covers our fourth state—Georgia. Sharp-eyed readers will spot cities and towns, icons and emblems, famous firsts and claims to fame. Hide and seek. Search and find. Fun and learning. Continue reading BYWAYS: Georgia
Fwee! Art is one of the surest ways to make my heart go pitty-pat. Today, I’m smiling over story art from Skylee, who just finished Byways, Book #2, Aboard the Train: A Ewan Johns Adventure. The eldest Johns brother puts the gentle in gentleman. Here he is with “his” girls, Tamaqua and Juniata. Continue reading ART: Ewan’s Girls
C. J. Milbrandt 