What's New?
Interview With The Robot Named Audible's #1 Kids' Title of 2020
Exciting news! Audible has released its top audio titles of 2020. And my Audible Original Interview With The Robot was named the #1 Kids’ Title of 2020!
Interview With The Robot was also among the Top 10 Customer Favorites of the Year on Audible! If you haven’t listened to Interview With The Robot yet, now’s your chance. Best of all, if you have Audible Plus, it’s FREE! An inventive and exciting techno-thriller, only from Audible. |
New Year, New Audio Original story!
Back in May 2019, my first Audible Original was released. The Mystery of Alice was such a fun project. Audible did an amazing job on the production. And the voice cast brought the story to life in such a spectacular way. The Mystery of Alice went on to spend four weeks at #1 on Audible's Young Adult bestseller list.
Now that 2020 has rolled around, I'm thrilled to let you know that another Audible Original is out!
Now that 2020 has rolled around, I'm thrilled to let you know that another Audible Original is out!
Interview With The Robot begins when 12-year-old Eve is arrested for shoplifting. But Eve is no ordinary girl. She's not even human. She's a robot, who has spent most of her life in a high-tech lab with her inventor and his son.
Interview With The Robot unfolds in two different times: In the present, as Eve tells her incredible story from a police station interrogation room, and in flashback scenes, as we listen to her evolution--from an A.I. box to a robot that looks and sounds just like a human girl. I conceived Interview With The Robot like a TV show. Each chapter is an episode, filled with dialogue between the main characters and sound effects, with a larger story that unfolds over the course of the entire "season" (i.e. the 3 hour and 40 minute run time).
And more exciting news: If you're an Audible subscriber, Interview With The Robot is available for free for the entire month of January as part of Audible's Original Member Benefit program! If you're not a subscriber, don't worry. The book only costs $5.95, which is a pretty good deal, I have to say.
To find out more, check out Interview With The Robot on Audible!
Interview With The Robot unfolds in two different times: In the present, as Eve tells her incredible story from a police station interrogation room, and in flashback scenes, as we listen to her evolution--from an A.I. box to a robot that looks and sounds just like a human girl. I conceived Interview With The Robot like a TV show. Each chapter is an episode, filled with dialogue between the main characters and sound effects, with a larger story that unfolds over the course of the entire "season" (i.e. the 3 hour and 40 minute run time).
And more exciting news: If you're an Audible subscriber, Interview With The Robot is available for free for the entire month of January as part of Audible's Original Member Benefit program! If you're not a subscriber, don't worry. The book only costs $5.95, which is a pretty good deal, I have to say.
To find out more, check out Interview With The Robot on Audible!
Book Launch: The Last Human
The Last Human is finally out! And to celebrate the publication, we held a launch party at our amazing local indie bookstore [words] in Maplewood, MJ.
I'm grateful to all those who showed up to the event, and to [words] for hosting us.
Find out more about The Last Human.
Find out more about The Last Human.
Books! Books! Books!
Look what arrived in the mail! Copies of The Last Human! Fresh off the printing press!
One of my favorite features is only visible when you remove the book's (lovely) jacket. Underneath, you'll see the title logo has been stamped directly onto the cloth cover. In shiny, silver text! Perfect for a story that's told by a robot!
And if you flip open the book, you'll see some cool character illustrations by the artist Karl Kwasny, who also illustrated the cover and all the emojis throughout. This is a great way to get an introduction to the major characters from this world.
And to give you a sneak peak inside The Last Human, here's a virtual flip-though!
And if you flip open the book, you'll see some cool character illustrations by the artist Karl Kwasny, who also illustrated the cover and all the emojis throughout. This is a great way to get an introduction to the major characters from this world.
And to give you a sneak peak inside The Last Human, here's a virtual flip-though!
You can get your very own copy of The Last Human--everywhere books are sold--on October 8, 2019. If you'd rather read it on a device (how appropriate for a book that's narrated by a machine!) or listen to the audio version, those are available too.
And if you want your very own TOTALLY UNIQUE SPECIAL EDITION™ of The Last Human, that's an option too!
And if you want your very own TOTALLY UNIQUE SPECIAL EDITION™ of The Last Human, that's an option too!
OUT NOW!
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An enthralling and inventive thriller, only on Audible
Thirteen-year-old Emily Poe has been given the opportunity of a lifetime: A chance to attend the exclusive Audyn School in Manhattan. But to win the scholarship, she has to pass a test like nothing she’s ever experienced before: A nearly bare room, a set of strange clues, a locked door. And a mysterious organization—the Leopold Foundation—that’s watching her every move. But the real test has just begun. Despite the strange circumstances—in a new house, at a new school—Emily instantly bonds with fellow scholarship winner Alice Wray. And then Alice goes missing. Chronicling every surprising twist and turn of her search through her own private video diary, Emily sets out to find the truth behind Alice’s disappearance. Soon she’s drawn deep into the inner circle of the Audyn School’s elite, the Nobility, who each have secrets of their own. As clues and lies mount, Emily must sort truth from fiction to solve the Mystery of Alice before it’s too late. |
THE LAST HUMAN MOVIE
I'm so excited to announce that my upcoming novel, THE LAST HUMAN, is being developed as a film with Sony Pictures! And it gets better. Because the movie is going to be directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, the brilliant minds behind Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs, The Lego Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The script is being written by Henry Gayden, the writer of the upcoming DC superhero movie SHAZAM!
This is just the beginning. The film isn't a sure thing yet. But it's definitely an exciting possibility. And I'm incredibly excited to be working with so many amazing filmmakers toward bringing THE LAST HUMAN to the big screen!
Want to find out more? Here are a couple of stories about the deal.
The Hollywood Reporter: Sony Wins Phil Lord, Chris Miller's 'Last Human' Sci-Fi Movie Project
Deadline: Sony/TriStar Closes 8-Figure Deal for Lord-Miller Hybrid Animation 'Last Human'
This is just the beginning. The film isn't a sure thing yet. But it's definitely an exciting possibility. And I'm incredibly excited to be working with so many amazing filmmakers toward bringing THE LAST HUMAN to the big screen!
Want to find out more? Here are a couple of stories about the deal.
The Hollywood Reporter: Sony Wins Phil Lord, Chris Miller's 'Last Human' Sci-Fi Movie Project
Deadline: Sony/TriStar Closes 8-Figure Deal for Lord-Miller Hybrid Animation 'Last Human'
CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?
Pay attention. I have some very important news. It's about two upcoming projects. But these projects haven't officially been announced yet. Which means I'm technically not supposed to tell anyone about them. If my publishers find out I've shared this top secret intel with anyone, I'd have to go into hiding. Change my name. Wear a fake mustache (see image below). Things would get real awkward, real quick.
But I'm just too excited to keep my mouth shut any longer. So, here's the deal. I'm going to share the news. But just with you. Right here on this ultra-secure website. And only under ONE condition: You have to PROMISE to keep it a secret. No blabbing to your friends, family or the media.
Have I made myself clear?
Can you keep this to yourself?
Good. I knew I could trust you! Like I said, I have a couple of super secret, super mysterious projects that are coming soon. Here are the details...
SUPER SECRET MYSTERY PROJECT #1
The first secret project is aptly called THE MYSTERY OF ALICE. It's an original audio book for young people that will appear exclusively on Audible. This project is like nothing I've ever attempted before. It's a mystery story, filled with puzzles and suspense. And I wrote it specifically for the audio format. Usually, I imagine people engaging with my books on the page, but with THE MYSTERY OF ALICE every scene was conceived around the listening experience. This changed how I constructed the story and how characters interacted. It was such a fun challenge, and I can't wait to share it with listeners! FIND OUT MORE HERE
SUPER SECRET MYSTERY PROJECT #2
Let me ask you a question. Do you like robots? How would you like to read a book that's FULL of robots? One that's even NARRATED by a robot? Well, I've got just the thing for you! It's called THE LAST HUMAN. It takes place in the distant future. Humans have gone extinct. The world is ruled (very efficiently) by machines. XR_935 spends nearly every waking hour installing solar panels. Each day is exactly like the last. Until it encounters something impossible. A human. An actual, living human! After all these years! What follows is a fun, funny, poignant adventure about an unlikely friendship. FIND OUT MORE HERE
There you go. Now you know about my secret projects. Just to be safe, you might want to invest in a few fake mustaches. Never know when some angry publishers will come banging on your door.
Have I made myself clear?
Can you keep this to yourself?
Good. I knew I could trust you! Like I said, I have a couple of super secret, super mysterious projects that are coming soon. Here are the details...
SUPER SECRET MYSTERY PROJECT #1
The first secret project is aptly called THE MYSTERY OF ALICE. It's an original audio book for young people that will appear exclusively on Audible. This project is like nothing I've ever attempted before. It's a mystery story, filled with puzzles and suspense. And I wrote it specifically for the audio format. Usually, I imagine people engaging with my books on the page, but with THE MYSTERY OF ALICE every scene was conceived around the listening experience. This changed how I constructed the story and how characters interacted. It was such a fun challenge, and I can't wait to share it with listeners! FIND OUT MORE HERE
SUPER SECRET MYSTERY PROJECT #2
Let me ask you a question. Do you like robots? How would you like to read a book that's FULL of robots? One that's even NARRATED by a robot? Well, I've got just the thing for you! It's called THE LAST HUMAN. It takes place in the distant future. Humans have gone extinct. The world is ruled (very efficiently) by machines. XR_935 spends nearly every waking hour installing solar panels. Each day is exactly like the last. Until it encounters something impossible. A human. An actual, living human! After all these years! What follows is a fun, funny, poignant adventure about an unlikely friendship. FIND OUT MORE HERE
There you go. Now you know about my secret projects. Just to be safe, you might want to invest in a few fake mustaches. Never know when some angry publishers will come banging on your door.
More International Editions!
It's always a thrill to see the international editions of my books. Because international publishers usually bring in completely different people to design and illustrate the cover, every time a title comes out in a different country, it looks like a completely different book. Which is so fascinating! All these different interpretations of the exact same story! Some are bright and colorful and cartoon-ey. Others look like something Tim Burton might've dreamed up. Each time I see a new version, it's a wonderful surprise.
Speaking of wonderful surprises...
In the past few days, I received international editions for both the Joshua Dread and Legendtopia series. And I've gotta tell you--they're AMAZING!
First up, the Israeli edition of Joshua Dread: The Nameless Hero. This one's super interesting because the publisher Keter also completely redesigned the first book as well. (You can see the original here.) With this redesign, the first and second book have a similar style that is instantly recognizable, but they're also different enough that you don't accidentally mistake one for the other--perfect for a series!
Take a look for yourself. The first book is on the left, book #2 is on the right.
Speaking of wonderful surprises...
In the past few days, I received international editions for both the Joshua Dread and Legendtopia series. And I've gotta tell you--they're AMAZING!
First up, the Israeli edition of Joshua Dread: The Nameless Hero. This one's super interesting because the publisher Keter also completely redesigned the first book as well. (You can see the original here.) With this redesign, the first and second book have a similar style that is instantly recognizable, but they're also different enough that you don't accidentally mistake one for the other--perfect for a series!
Take a look for yourself. The first book is on the left, book #2 is on the right.
Up next is the Spanish-language cover for Legendtopia: The Battle for Urth, published by V&R Editora. Usually, I only show the front cover, but this one looks so cool on the back that I wanted to share the entire cover--front, back and spine.
Big thanks to both publishers for the great work they've done on these books! I may not be able to read them, but I love the way they look!
A Lie and a Launch
I am a liar. Might as well get that out in the open now. If you open a copy of my most recent book – Legendtopia: The Shadow Queen – to the back flap, this is what you’ll see.
Can you spot the lie?
Is it the author photo? Maybe the person in the picture is not really Lee Bacon! Maybe the real Lee Bacon hired some other guy to pose as "Lee Bacon" so that he could maintain his precious anonymity.
Nope. That’s not the lie.
Keep looking. What else do you see? “Author of Legendtopia: The Battle for Urth and the Joshua Dread series”...all that checks out. Next line: Germany...Castles...Dragons. Yes, yes, and yes. All true.
But what about that last line? “He now lives in Brooklyn”?
FALSE!!! Bogus!!! #FakeNews!!!
That's right, folks. We have stumbled upon a big fat lie. I don’t actually live in Brooklyn now. In September 2016, my wife and I packed up our lovely apartment in Brooklyn and moved to a house in Maplewood, New Jersey.
So why does my book jacket still claim that I live in Brooklyn? Well, the reason comes down to the sloooooow pace of the publishing business. When the first Legendtopia book was in the works, I was still a Brooklynite. And so when I submitted my author bio (yes, that’s something the author writes), I included the line about living in Brooklyn. But then time did its thing. Months went by. And when the second book arrived in the world, the whole “lives-in-Brooklyn” part of my bio was no longer true.
So there you have it. I am a liar. I live in Maplewood. And therefore, I decided to hold the book launch for Legendtopia: The Shadow Queen in Maplewood. Luckily, our little town has an amazing local indie bookstore.
Is it the author photo? Maybe the person in the picture is not really Lee Bacon! Maybe the real Lee Bacon hired some other guy to pose as "Lee Bacon" so that he could maintain his precious anonymity.
Nope. That’s not the lie.
Keep looking. What else do you see? “Author of Legendtopia: The Battle for Urth and the Joshua Dread series”...all that checks out. Next line: Germany...Castles...Dragons. Yes, yes, and yes. All true.
But what about that last line? “He now lives in Brooklyn”?
FALSE!!! Bogus!!! #FakeNews!!!
That's right, folks. We have stumbled upon a big fat lie. I don’t actually live in Brooklyn now. In September 2016, my wife and I packed up our lovely apartment in Brooklyn and moved to a house in Maplewood, New Jersey.
So why does my book jacket still claim that I live in Brooklyn? Well, the reason comes down to the sloooooow pace of the publishing business. When the first Legendtopia book was in the works, I was still a Brooklynite. And so when I submitted my author bio (yes, that’s something the author writes), I included the line about living in Brooklyn. But then time did its thing. Months went by. And when the second book arrived in the world, the whole “lives-in-Brooklyn” part of my bio was no longer true.
So there you have it. I am a liar. I live in Maplewood. And therefore, I decided to hold the book launch for Legendtopia: The Shadow Queen in Maplewood. Luckily, our little town has an amazing local indie bookstore.
I love [words]. I’ve wandered the shelves there on countless occasions. Sometimes it’s a planned thing. Sometimes, I just seem to drift inside, as if the books are secretly singing to me through the window. [words] brings in TONS of amazing authors and hold other terrific events for the community. Which is why I was so thrilled and honored and slightly nervous to officially launch my newest book there.
The launch event took place on Saturday, June 17. Some of the attendees ventured out from NYC, while others included our new friends and neighbors from town.
Here I am, attempting to form a coherent sentence in front of so many nice people.
Here I am, attempting to form a coherent sentence in front of so many nice people.
Afterward, a little book signing action took place.
The event was a blast! But the fun wasn't over yet. Because when I got back home, I found a surprise waiting for me in our driveway.
A Legendtopia sign!!!
A Legendtopia sign!!!
In case you're wondering...no, the sign wasn't the result of a magic spell by the Sorceress. It was created by our wonderful neighbor Krysia and her son Jack. Here I am posing with them and the sign.
I had a legendary time at the Legendtopia book launch. Big thanks to [words] for letting me hold the event at their lovely bookstore, to all the folks who came out, and to my generous neighbors for creating such a cool, whimsical sign!
I might be a liar, but I also feel extremely lucky.
I might be a liar, but I also feel extremely lucky.
LEGENDTOPIA 2: THE SHADOW QUEEN is out now!
Two is an important number in the LEGENDTOPIA series. There are two main characters: Kara Estrada and Prince Fred. They come from two different worlds: Earth and Heldstone. They're caught in a battle between two powerful forces: good and evil. Even the title is a mash-up of two words (LEGEND + UTOPIA = LEGENDTOPIA).
And another way that the number two is significant in LEGENDTOPIA: There are two books in the series! And the second one just came out!
From the earliest stages, I had an idea of telling Fred and Kara's story as a duology--a two-book series. I imagined it like a mirror. One book would be a reflection of the other. The first would take place almost entirely in Kara's world, Earth (or "Urth," according to Prince Fred). And the second would take place almost entirely in Prince Fred's world, Heldstone.
After the first book in the series--LEGENDTOPIA: THE BATTLE FOR URTH--was published a few months ago, the wait for book #2 is finally over!
The second--and final--book in the series hit bookstores on July 13, 2017. The official title is LEGENDTOPIA: THE SHADOW QUEEN. And--WOW!--I love how the final version turned out!
And another way that the number two is significant in LEGENDTOPIA: There are two books in the series! And the second one just came out!
From the earliest stages, I had an idea of telling Fred and Kara's story as a duology--a two-book series. I imagined it like a mirror. One book would be a reflection of the other. The first would take place almost entirely in Kara's world, Earth (or "Urth," according to Prince Fred). And the second would take place almost entirely in Prince Fred's world, Heldstone.
After the first book in the series--LEGENDTOPIA: THE BATTLE FOR URTH--was published a few months ago, the wait for book #2 is finally over!
The second--and final--book in the series hit bookstores on July 13, 2017. The official title is LEGENDTOPIA: THE SHADOW QUEEN. And--WOW!--I love how the final version turned out!
The cover was illustrated by the same amazing artist who did book #1: Alyssa Petersen. You can check out more of her work here.
The first book included a map of Kara's town of Shady Pines. In book #2, the action has moved to Prince Fred's neck of the woods. And so when you open up the book, it comes with a brand new map of Heldstone.
The first book included a map of Kara's town of Shady Pines. In book #2, the action has moved to Prince Fred's neck of the woods. And so when you open up the book, it comes with a brand new map of Heldstone.
If you flip to the next page, you'll see this lovely invitation to the biggest, grandest, most important event in the Kingdom of Heldstone:
The Luminary Ball!
The Luminary Ball!
I'm so excited that the conclusion to Kara and Fred's journey has been published. Find out more! Check out some nice blurbs! Order a copy!
LEGENDTOPIA kommt nach Deutschland!
(Translation: LEGENDTOPIA is coming to Germany!)
I sometimes describe LEGENDTOPIA as "a fantasy foreign exchange program." And now the book is getting its own chance to travel abroad...
To Germany!
And Austria!
And Switzerland!
Basically, everywhere they speak German!
On April 27, 2017, LEGENDTOPIA was published in German-speaking countries by Fischer Verlag. This is the same publisher that did such an amazing job with the JOSHUA DREAD series.
Here are the covers:
To Germany!
And Austria!
And Switzerland!
Basically, everywhere they speak German!
On April 27, 2017, LEGENDTOPIA was published in German-speaking countries by Fischer Verlag. This is the same publisher that did such an amazing job with the JOSHUA DREAD series.
Here are the covers:
I mean, seriously! Those are some great covers!
By the way, Joshua Dread is called Joshua Schreck in the German editions because the German word "Schreck" translates to "Fear" or "Terror" or--you guessed it!--"Dread".
I love the way these books turned out. Which is why I was especially excited to discover that Fischer would also be publishing LEGENDTOPIA! And once again, they did an amazing job on the cover.
By the way, Joshua Dread is called Joshua Schreck in the German editions because the German word "Schreck" translates to "Fear" or "Terror" or--you guessed it!--"Dread".
I love the way these books turned out. Which is why I was especially excited to discover that Fischer would also be publishing LEGENDTOPIA! And once again, they did an amazing job on the cover.
I love what this cover accomplishes. It conveys a sense of danger and mystery, but with the potential for fun and adventure. Exactly what I wanted to achieve while writing the book. The subtitle--"Im Bann der Zauberin" translates to "Under the Spell of the Sorceress."
As they say in German, "Das ist Toll!"
As they say in German, "Das ist Toll!"
LEGENDTOPIA is out now!
I'm thrilled to announce the publication of my newest book: LEGENDTOPIA: The Battle for Urth. School Library Journal called it "a quick and easy title sure to appeal to both avid and reluctant readers, particularly fans of light adventure fantasy with doses of comedy."
LEGENDTOPIA: The Battle for Urth is the first in a brand new 2-book fantasy series. There's magic, dragons, talking animals and ogres in the boys' bathroom. What's not to love?
Find out more about the book here.
LEGENDTOPIA: The Battle for Urth is the first in a brand new 2-book fantasy series. There's magic, dragons, talking animals and ogres in the boys' bathroom. What's not to love?
Find out more about the book here.
יהושע אימה זמין כעת עברי !!!
(Translation: Joshua Dread is Now Available in Hebrew!!!)*
Well, this is super exciting. Joshua Dread has been published in Hebrew by the Israeli publisher Keter Books!
They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. But since I can't read a word of Hebrew, I don't have much else to go by. Fortunately, I LOVE this cover. It's bright and exciting. It features silhouettes of Joshua, Sophie and Milton. And there's an exploding pencil. So awesome!
Check it out for yourself:
They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. But since I can't read a word of Hebrew, I don't have much else to go by. Fortunately, I LOVE this cover. It's bright and exciting. It features silhouettes of Joshua, Sophie and Milton. And there's an exploding pencil. So awesome!
Check it out for yourself:
Introducing the cover of LEGENDTOPIA
I could write many paragraphs about how perfect this cover is, but I think you’ll be able to see that for yourself. So I’ll keep this short. My upcoming novel, LEGENDTOPIA: The Battle for Urth, comes out November 8, 2016. It’s the first in a brand new 2-book series. The cover was illustrated by the very talented Alyssa Petersen. And it is amazing.
Take a look!
Take a look!
A New Series is on the Way!
I'm very excited to announce that I have a brand new series coming out in 2016. And it's called ...[drum roll, please] ...
LEGENDTOPIA!
What is Legendtopia? Gee, I'm glad you asked! Legendtopia is a funny, action-packed fantasy story. It's a 2-book middle grade series that will be published by the same fantastic folks who published JOSHUA DREAD (Delacorte Press/Random House Children's Books) here in the U.S. And as much as I absolutely love the world of Joshua Dread, this new series features an all new cast of characters in an all new adventure. That said, I have a strong hunch that fans of Joshua Dread will love Legendtopia.
Want to know more? Here's a bigger description of the story:
Kara and Fred are from different worlds. Literally. She’s a regular sixth grade girl. He’s a young prince from an enchanted kingdom. But when they unexpectedly meet, neither of their lives will ever be the same.
Kara’s class goes on a field trip to Legendtopia, the cheesy fantasy-themed restaurant in town. Legendtopia is meant to look like an old European castle. Except not many European castles are located in shopping centers. During the trip, Kara is separated from her classmates and stumbles into a broken walk-in refrigerator, which leads her to another world…
There she meets Prince Frederick the Fourteenth, heir to the throne of Heldstone (Kara calls him Prince Fred), as well as a beautiful and terrifying Sorceress. Prince Fred is bored of his life in the kingdom where he is coddled and protected from danger by his royal parents. He wants adventure and he decides to follow Kara back to her town. The problem, however, is the evil Sorceress also decides to leave the kingdom and starts wreaking havoc, bringing dark magic to the suburbs. She turns Legendtopia into a real fortress and it’s up to Kara and Prince Fred to overcome spells, ogres and a dragon to stop her and save the world.
The first book in the Legendtopia series is slated to come out in the fall of 2016. Until then, stay tuned for more updates!
LEGENDTOPIA!
What is Legendtopia? Gee, I'm glad you asked! Legendtopia is a funny, action-packed fantasy story. It's a 2-book middle grade series that will be published by the same fantastic folks who published JOSHUA DREAD (Delacorte Press/Random House Children's Books) here in the U.S. And as much as I absolutely love the world of Joshua Dread, this new series features an all new cast of characters in an all new adventure. That said, I have a strong hunch that fans of Joshua Dread will love Legendtopia.
Want to know more? Here's a bigger description of the story:
Kara and Fred are from different worlds. Literally. She’s a regular sixth grade girl. He’s a young prince from an enchanted kingdom. But when they unexpectedly meet, neither of their lives will ever be the same.
Kara’s class goes on a field trip to Legendtopia, the cheesy fantasy-themed restaurant in town. Legendtopia is meant to look like an old European castle. Except not many European castles are located in shopping centers. During the trip, Kara is separated from her classmates and stumbles into a broken walk-in refrigerator, which leads her to another world…
There she meets Prince Frederick the Fourteenth, heir to the throne of Heldstone (Kara calls him Prince Fred), as well as a beautiful and terrifying Sorceress. Prince Fred is bored of his life in the kingdom where he is coddled and protected from danger by his royal parents. He wants adventure and he decides to follow Kara back to her town. The problem, however, is the evil Sorceress also decides to leave the kingdom and starts wreaking havoc, bringing dark magic to the suburbs. She turns Legendtopia into a real fortress and it’s up to Kara and Prince Fred to overcome spells, ogres and a dragon to stop her and save the world.
The first book in the Legendtopia series is slated to come out in the fall of 2016. Until then, stay tuned for more updates!
The Numbers Are In
I crunched the numbers for 2014 and here’s what I found:
Class Visits: 116
Bookstore Events: 15
International Events: 2
Number of awesome students, educators, librarians, parents, volunteers, readers and fellow writers I met along the way: Countless
Thanks to everyone who helped make this such an incredible year for me and Joshua Dread! Happy holidays!
Class Visits: 116
Bookstore Events: 15
International Events: 2
Number of awesome students, educators, librarians, parents, volunteers, readers and fellow writers I met along the way: Countless
Thanks to everyone who helped make this such an incredible year for me and Joshua Dread! Happy holidays!
School Visits!!!
I do school visits. Lots and lots of school visits. Since the publication of the first book in the JOSHUA DREAD series, I’ve visited over 200 schools, all across the country. During these visits, I get to meet so many bright, creative, interesting kids. It’s a great way to interact with the people for whom I actually write these books. To discover what makes them laugh, or squirm with suspense, or gasp. The entire experience motivates me to keep writing, to continue trying to come up with stories that I can share with young people out there.
But don't take my word for it. Here's some photographic evidence!
But don't take my word for it. Here's some photographic evidence!
Emails from Readers
Sometimes readers send me emails. This makes me happy, because reader emails are almost always very nice. I suppose I wouldn't like it if people were all writing to say, "Dear Lee, your books are terrible and you probably smell bad." Luckily, nobody's written me an email like that. At least not yet. Basically, when a kid or a parent or a teacher writes to me, it lets me know that the book connected with someone out there. That my book made a difference in someone's life. And that's a pretty good feeling.
Recently, I received an email from a 4th grader in Round Rock, TX named Ryan. In her email, she asked several questions. Smart, interesting questions. I wrote back to Ryan. Then I realized--Hey, maybe other people would like to know my answers. So I hope you don't mind, Ryan, but I thought I'd share some of your questions and my answers here on my website. Here goes:
Where do your ideas come from?
My brain.
What is your favorite book of all the books you have written? Why?
Picking a favorite book seems mean. They're all so special to me. But if forced to choose, I'd have to say the first Joshua Dread book--simply because it was the first thing that I ever managed to get published and that will always be meaningful for me.
Of all the books you have read, which one have you never forgotten? Why?
James & the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl. It was the first book that made me realize that books can do ANYTHING. They can be weird and funny and creepy and wonderful--all at the same time.
When you close your eyes, what part of your favorite book plays a movie in your head?
I'm going to try it now. Here goes. LJlkjsedfl. Oops. I just tried to type with my eyes closed. That doesn't work very well. But the scene that passed through my head was from James and the Giant Peach: When the enormous peach rolls over and squishes James' evil aunts.
If you had to have another career, what would it be?
I would be a translator because that was the job I had before my book got published.
What advice do you have for 4th graders who need to narrow their topic?
Focus. Make a checklist and set goals. Keep working on it! If that doesn't work, tell your teacher that Lee Bacon gave you terrible advice and if anyone deserves a bad grade, it should be him!
What is your favorite vegetable?
Brussels sprouts--but they have to be cooked just right. Otherwise, they can be kinda gross.
Recently, I received an email from a 4th grader in Round Rock, TX named Ryan. In her email, she asked several questions. Smart, interesting questions. I wrote back to Ryan. Then I realized--Hey, maybe other people would like to know my answers. So I hope you don't mind, Ryan, but I thought I'd share some of your questions and my answers here on my website. Here goes:
Where do your ideas come from?
My brain.
What is your favorite book of all the books you have written? Why?
Picking a favorite book seems mean. They're all so special to me. But if forced to choose, I'd have to say the first Joshua Dread book--simply because it was the first thing that I ever managed to get published and that will always be meaningful for me.
Of all the books you have read, which one have you never forgotten? Why?
James & the Giant Peach, by Roald Dahl. It was the first book that made me realize that books can do ANYTHING. They can be weird and funny and creepy and wonderful--all at the same time.
When you close your eyes, what part of your favorite book plays a movie in your head?
I'm going to try it now. Here goes. LJlkjsedfl. Oops. I just tried to type with my eyes closed. That doesn't work very well. But the scene that passed through my head was from James and the Giant Peach: When the enormous peach rolls over and squishes James' evil aunts.
If you had to have another career, what would it be?
I would be a translator because that was the job I had before my book got published.
What advice do you have for 4th graders who need to narrow their topic?
Focus. Make a checklist and set goals. Keep working on it! If that doesn't work, tell your teacher that Lee Bacon gave you terrible advice and if anyone deserves a bad grade, it should be him!
What is your favorite vegetable?
Brussels sprouts--but they have to be cooked just right. Otherwise, they can be kinda gross.
Look out Germany...Here comes Joshua Schreck!
If you've explored other parts of this website, you might already know that I lived for a while in Munich. It was during this time that I began reading children's books in German as a way of improving my language skills. I also read a few kids' books in English. I even started writing a children's book of my own. The book became Joshua Dread.
So it was a huge thrill for me to learn Joshua Dread was also being published in German, under the title "Joshua Schreck". (Schreck is pronounced like the name of the big green ogre from the movies, but it's spelled differently and means "fear" or "dread" in German.) And now I'm writing this from Germany, where I've had the opportunity to do a couple of book events -- while also seeing lots of friends and eating way more sausage than I'm accustomed to eating.
So it was a huge thrill for me to learn Joshua Dread was also being published in German, under the title "Joshua Schreck". (Schreck is pronounced like the name of the big green ogre from the movies, but it's spelled differently and means "fear" or "dread" in German.) And now I'm writing this from Germany, where I've had the opportunity to do a couple of book events -- while also seeing lots of friends and eating way more sausage than I'm accustomed to eating.
My first German event was held at the LeseLotte Bookstore in Munich. I was honored that so many people came out on a rainy Saturday to listen to me talk about the book in German and make lots of embarrassing and/or hilarious mistakes along the way.
And here I am meeting a young and precocious reader (as well as his mom). Never too early to get kids reading about supervillains, zombies and killer robots.
The next stop on the Lee Bacon Attempts To Talk About His Book In Another Language Tour 2014 (better known throughout the world as "LBATTAHBIALT 2014") was Alzenau. If you've never heard of Alzenau, no need to feel bad. Very few Germans have heard of it either. Alzenau is a small and lovely village near the border of Bavaria and Hesse. It's surrounded by idyllic hills and vineyards. It has its very own castle. And it's also the place where my wife grew up. My parents-in-law still live there. And I was very pleased to have the chance to hold an event at the Stadtbibliothek (City Library).
Wanna see a few photos? Of course you do!
Wanna see a few photos? Of course you do!
I would like to extend a heartfelt "Dankeschön" to all those who helped to organize LBATTAHBIALT 2014, as well as those who came out to the events. I've had an incredible time. Already looking forward to the next Germany trip!
California!
I was lucky enough to be in California for the launch of "The Dominion Key" on May 13. And it couldn't have been a better trip! I visited lots of schools and met SO MANY awesome librarians, educators, booksellers, parents and--of course--young people. Here are some pictures from the trip.
At Rancho Vista Elementary in Los Angeles, a few youngsters and I took a moment to practice out "fancypants author" poses. I think they got the hang of it.
At Rancho Vista Elementary in Los Angeles, a few youngsters and I took a moment to practice out "fancypants author" poses. I think they got the hang of it.
During an event at Pages Bookstore in LA, I was joined by a very special guest: Maxwell Glick, the voice of all three Joshua Dread audio books. Maxwell lives in LA, and I was thrilled to finally meet the person who does such a great job of bringing these books to life in the audio versions. In addition to being a voiceover artist, actor and YouTube celebrity, Maxwell is also a really cool guy. He took the podium to read a little excerpt from The Nameless Hero. No surprise, he was great!
Pulling up to Stiern Middle School in Bakersfield, I noticed a large group of students waving and holding up signs. My first thought: "Uh oh. Must be some kind of protest. What horrible thing did I do this time?" But as we approached, I realized: It wasn't a protest; it was a welcoming committee!
I also found moments to take pictures next to posters and banners of my own name. Nothing egotistical about that!
At Munsey Elementary, I met Miss Smith's wonderful second grade class and we worked on our supervillain laugh. Mwahahaha!
One of the (many) cool things about visiting schools is that students and teachers put together some incredible posters and banners to celebrate the books. Authors love this kind of thing! It's such a thrill and honor to see people engage with the books in such a creative way. I was blown away by the talent I came across at the different schools. For example, Olive Drive Elementary, where a member of the school staff drew pictures of the characters from the series. Those aren't photos, people. They're illustrations.
One class created a word find based on JOSHUA DREAD. I'm still searching for "ZENOPLYRICACID".
Not to mention this amazing drawing of Phineas Vex...
...and this delightful Book of Super Heroes, created by a 1st grader. I don't remember what kind of creative projects I was doing in the first grade, but I'm pretty sure they weren't nearly this good!
I had such a blast visiting California. Already looking forward to the next trip!
For Your Consideration
If there are any Academy Award voters reading this (and I'm sure there are quite a few!), I'd like to suggest that you consider nominating this video for next year's Oscars. Might I recommend creating a new category? Perhaps something along the lines of, "Best Short Video That Was Made To Talk About How Excited The Author Is To Be Selected For The Awesome 'Spirit of Texas' Reading Program." Or maybe: "Best YouTube Video That Features Texas Twang, Brooklyn Snobbery, An Action-Packed Explosion, An Artsy Foreign Film, Sincerity & An Outtake At The End." I have to say, if that category existed, I'd have a pretty good shot!
Hope you enjoy! And I'll see you at next year's Academy Awards!
Hope you enjoy! And I'll see you at next year's Academy Awards!
Joshua Dread Selected for the Spirit of Texas Reading Program!
I'm honored and thrilled to have been selected as a featured author for the Spirit of Texas Reading Program!
The Spirit of Texas Reading Program is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART) of the Texas Library Association. The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 6-8 to explore a variety of current, quality books from Texas Authors, develop critical reading skills, and to encourage greater interaction between Texas authors, Texas Librarians, and Texas school children.
As a proud native Texan--who spent the first 24 years of my life in the Lone Star State--I've been so fortunate to have had many opportunities to visit Texas schools and bookstores over the past year and a half since Joshua Dread's publication. The Spirit of Texas Reading Program offers a terrific infrastructure for encouraging reading and creative thinking among young people, giving them smart and interactive ways to engage with literature. I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this! In fact, every time I think about it, I feel just like this:
The Spirit of Texas Reading Program is a recommended reading list developed by public and school librarians from the Young Adult Round Table (YART) of the Texas Library Association. The purpose of the list is to encourage students in grades 6-8 to explore a variety of current, quality books from Texas Authors, develop critical reading skills, and to encourage greater interaction between Texas authors, Texas Librarians, and Texas school children.
As a proud native Texan--who spent the first 24 years of my life in the Lone Star State--I've been so fortunate to have had many opportunities to visit Texas schools and bookstores over the past year and a half since Joshua Dread's publication. The Spirit of Texas Reading Program offers a terrific infrastructure for encouraging reading and creative thinking among young people, giving them smart and interactive ways to engage with literature. I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this! In fact, every time I think about it, I feel just like this:
Back to Texas
I live in Brooklyn, but I grew up in Texas. And one of the coolest things about becoming a fancy-pants published author is that I've had lots of opportunities over the past year to return to my native state for school visits, bookstore events, conferences and all kinds of fun. Over the past month, I was in Texas on two separate occasions.
Things kicked off in College Station, the town where I grew up. I re-visited my alma mater, Oakwood Intermediate School, as well as Cypress Grove Intermediate. And I also made my very first visit to Creek View Elementary, where I was met with a lovely portrait of . . . ME!
Things kicked off in College Station, the town where I grew up. I re-visited my alma mater, Oakwood Intermediate School, as well as Cypress Grove Intermediate. And I also made my very first visit to Creek View Elementary, where I was met with a lovely portrait of . . . ME!
Not bad, huh? I like how my first name is spelled out in bacon letters. For the sake of comparison, here's a shot of me standing next to me:
In College Station, we also held an event at the local Barnes & Noble. There I had a chance to say hi to a friend from high school, Kim Ellison Russell, as well as her adorable kids.
After College Station, it was on to Houston, where I participated in the Tweens Read Book Festival. Organized by fabulous Blue Willow Bookshop, the Tweens Read Festival drew huge crowds of young people, who came in from all over the state (and even some from other states). I was thrilled at the chance to talk with so many bright, enthusiastic tweens, as well as the many volunteers who made the event run so smoothly. And it was an amazing opportunity to hang out with some of my favorite authors, such as D.J. MacHale, who delivered the keynote address.
After Houston, I journeyed to Austin for some more school visits. Then I had a brief respite in Brooklyn, followed by another trip to Texas for a whirlwind of school visits in Katy (near Houston). Fifteen presentations in three days--a new record for me! The librarians and teachers did a wonderful job of getting the students excited about JOSHUA DREAD ahead of time. On the first day, I was at WoodCreek Junior High, where the book club joined me in trying out our "fancy-pants author poses"...
And we also showed off our maniacal supervillain laughs...
The next day, at Beckendorff Junior High, I was greeted by some terrific crowds, including this one:
And I also got the chance to hang out with the lovely 6th grade teaching crew.
With another great trip to Texas under my belt (which of course has a big, shiny Lone-Star buckle), I just wanted to say thanks to all the librarians, teachers, PTA members, parents and friends who made me feel so welcome in my native state. And to all the students who I met along the way, I want to say: YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! Keep reading and keep writing!
Find Out if you're a superhero . . . or a supervillain
I have good news and bad news. Okay, well actually, I have good news and bad news and more good news and yet more good news and great news.
Let me explain…
So on October 8, 2013, the paperback of “Joshua Dread” was published. (That’s the first bit of good news.) If you look on the cover, you’ll see a big, splashy icon that reads, “ARE YOU A SUPERHERO…OR A SUPERVILLAIN? SUPERQUIZ INSIDE!” Unfortunately, the quiz never actually appears anywhere in the book. (That’s the bad news.)
However, Random House has posted the quiz online, and it’s a lot of fun! By filling out a mere 9 questions, it gives you the chance to figure out your future career. Will you become a superhero? Or a supervillain? Or perhaps something in between?
Take the quiz to find out.
So that’s more good news. But because this is still a bit confusing, my publisher is recalling a lot of the copies and re-printing them to include the cover. Which means that soon you will be able to find the quiz inside the book, as originally planned. (Yet more good news!)
All of which means that the version of the paperback WITHOUT the quiz is going to be a very rare collector’s item. Which is GREAT NEWS for those of you who manage to snap up a copy.
So here’s my advice. Visit your local bookstore (or go online) and seek out a copy of the paperback ASAP. Then go online and take the quiz, so you can find out whether you’re a superhero . . . or a supervillain?
Or if you can’t wait, go here to take the quiz.
Let me explain…
So on October 8, 2013, the paperback of “Joshua Dread” was published. (That’s the first bit of good news.) If you look on the cover, you’ll see a big, splashy icon that reads, “ARE YOU A SUPERHERO…OR A SUPERVILLAIN? SUPERQUIZ INSIDE!” Unfortunately, the quiz never actually appears anywhere in the book. (That’s the bad news.)
However, Random House has posted the quiz online, and it’s a lot of fun! By filling out a mere 9 questions, it gives you the chance to figure out your future career. Will you become a superhero? Or a supervillain? Or perhaps something in between?
Take the quiz to find out.
So that’s more good news. But because this is still a bit confusing, my publisher is recalling a lot of the copies and re-printing them to include the cover. Which means that soon you will be able to find the quiz inside the book, as originally planned. (Yet more good news!)
All of which means that the version of the paperback WITHOUT the quiz is going to be a very rare collector’s item. Which is GREAT NEWS for those of you who manage to snap up a copy.
So here’s my advice. Visit your local bookstore (or go online) and seek out a copy of the paperback ASAP. Then go online and take the quiz, so you can find out whether you’re a superhero . . . or a supervillain?
Or if you can’t wait, go here to take the quiz.
A New Book! A New Hero!
I'm thrilled about the publication of the second book in the "JOSHUA DREAD" series: THE NAMELESS HERO, which Kirkus Reviews gives "a superpowered thumbs up!"
This is a book that I'm very proud to have written. It takes many of the elements from book one (wild adventure, twists, humor, supervillainous mayhem), but also feels like a story that's able to stand on its own. At least I hope so! Joshua meets new friends, new challenges, and some extremely unpleasant new enemies. Along the way, he gets recruited to join a team of superheroes, battles a gooey, green replica of himself, and becomes an overnight celebrity sensation.
The action picks up seven months after the first book ended. The last year has been hectic for Joshua Dread. His supervillain parents tried to destroy the world. He discovered that he has a superpower. He and his friends nearly died a few times. And now that it's the last day of school, all Joshua wants is to enjoy a relaxed, stress-free summer. But this plan kind of falls apart when Joshua, Sophie and Milton are attacked by the substitute librarian. Who also happens to be a vicious mutant. Don't you hate it when that happens?
One thing's for sure. Any hope for a stress-free summer just went up in flames.
Find out more about "The Nameless Hero" here.
This is a book that I'm very proud to have written. It takes many of the elements from book one (wild adventure, twists, humor, supervillainous mayhem), but also feels like a story that's able to stand on its own. At least I hope so! Joshua meets new friends, new challenges, and some extremely unpleasant new enemies. Along the way, he gets recruited to join a team of superheroes, battles a gooey, green replica of himself, and becomes an overnight celebrity sensation.
The action picks up seven months after the first book ended. The last year has been hectic for Joshua Dread. His supervillain parents tried to destroy the world. He discovered that he has a superpower. He and his friends nearly died a few times. And now that it's the last day of school, all Joshua wants is to enjoy a relaxed, stress-free summer. But this plan kind of falls apart when Joshua, Sophie and Milton are attacked by the substitute librarian. Who also happens to be a vicious mutant. Don't you hate it when that happens?
One thing's for sure. Any hope for a stress-free summer just went up in flames.
Find out more about "The Nameless Hero" here.
Books of Wonder
There's an area of Manhattan, a single block between Chelsea and Union Square, that's one of my favorite spots in a city full of wonderful spots. There's an art store and a stationary store (I don't know how one hasn't driven the other out of business by now). On this block you'll also find a charming antique shop where, once, on a whim, I bought a chest of drawers that had been converted from an old wooden ice chest. A relic from a time when ice was delivered on horse-drawn carts. Now it holds our abundant tote bag collection, bottles of wine, and paper towels.
On this block you'll also find The City Bakery.
On many, many occasions, I've gone to City Bakery to sit at an upstairs table and enjoy a delicious chocolate chip cookie or pretzel croissant, along with an iced tea and a good book. Afterward, my next stop is inevitably Books of Wonder, just on the other side of the street.
Books of Wonder is devoted entirely to children's books--everything from picture books to YA. The staff is intelligent and committed. The walls are covered with cool original illustrations from classic children's books. It's a perfect place to wander, discover something new, or purchase a book that I've been meaning to read for way too long.
And on a recent Saturday, I took part in a panel there. This was such a thrill and honor. Especially since I got the chance to share a table with some terrific fellow middle grade authors.
And on a recent Saturday, I took part in a panel there. This was such a thrill and honor. Especially since I got the chance to share a table with some terrific fellow middle grade authors.
I'm the guy at the far end of the table, with my eyes closed. The other authors were: Wendy Mass, Chris Grabenstein, Dan Krokos, M.E. Castle and Richard Peck. Such a fun event!
International Editions
Joshua Dread is taking over the world!!! [Insert maniacal supervillain laugh.]
Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. The more accurate thing would be to say that the series is taking over a small part of the bookshelves in the children's section of some bookstores in certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Spain, France, Israel, Taiwan and Hong Kong. And while that may not quite merit an over-the-top supervillain laugh, it does at least make me feel very happy.
The book publication process is extremely sloooooow under any conditions. Add to this the delay in acquiring the book internationally as well as the translation time, and it’s clear why the book still hasn’t been published in most of these other countries. However, I have gotten a glimpse of the covers for some international editions, and wanted to share them here.
First up—Australia/New Zealand:
Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. The more accurate thing would be to say that the series is taking over a small part of the bookshelves in the children's section of some bookstores in certain countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Spain, France, Israel, Taiwan and Hong Kong. And while that may not quite merit an over-the-top supervillain laugh, it does at least make me feel very happy.
The book publication process is extremely sloooooow under any conditions. Add to this the delay in acquiring the book internationally as well as the translation time, and it’s clear why the book still hasn’t been published in most of these other countries. However, I have gotten a glimpse of the covers for some international editions, and wanted to share them here.
First up—Australia/New Zealand:
Australia/New Zealand are the only countries outside North America that have published the book so far. And the publisher—Hardie Grant Egmont—has done a marvelous job of getting readers excited about the series. The cover that they used is actually the original cover design by Brandon Dorman, the illustrator for the Joshua Dread series in the US. Before the book was published here in North America, Random House decided to go in a different direction and asked Brandon to draw up a completely new cover. But I’m so thrilled that the original gets to see the light of day after all.
As for “The Handbook for Gyfted Children”...that was the original subtitle of the book. If you’ve read JOSHUA DREAD, you know why. And if you haven’t read it, then what are you waiting for?!?! Get a copy and start reading now!
Anyway, late in the process, Random House and I opted to do away with the subtitle. But I believe that several of the international editions felt it was right for their markets. And so we have JOSHUA DREAD: THE HANDBOOK FOR GYFTED CHILDREN. I love it!
Next up is Germany:
As for “The Handbook for Gyfted Children”...that was the original subtitle of the book. If you’ve read JOSHUA DREAD, you know why. And if you haven’t read it, then what are you waiting for?!?! Get a copy and start reading now!
Anyway, late in the process, Random House and I opted to do away with the subtitle. But I believe that several of the international editions felt it was right for their markets. And so we have JOSHUA DREAD: THE HANDBOOK FOR GYFTED CHILDREN. I love it!
Next up is Germany:
Hold up? Joshua Schreck? But I thought his name was Joshua Dreck! No, wait—I mean Joshua Drip! No, that’s not it either. But anyway, I’m SURE his name ISN’T Joshua Schreck.
What’s going on?
Well, because Dread has a certain meaning (fear, trepidation, anxiety) in English, the German publisher decided to give Joshua a name that would have the same connotation in German. Makes sense, right?
But you may be asking yourself--Isn’t Shrek that big green ogre guy? The one that was in all those movies? The answer is—Yes! However, that’s “Shrek.” The last name of this book is “Schreck.” Same pronunciation, different spelling.
Anyway, the real point is--WOW!—I really, really love this cover. I mean, really. As you might say in German: “Das ist wunderbar!” (“That’s wonderful!”) Or: “Ich will dieses Buch sofort kaufen!” (“I want to buy this book immediately!” Or: “Ich habe ein Kartoffel in meiner Tasche!” (“I have a potato in my pocket!”). Okay, so you probably wouldn’t say that last thing. But still. It’s a great cover.
Also: the text near the title translates to: "He wants to save the world. His parents want to destroy it."
The German edition, published by Fischer Verlag, will be coming on August 22.
Finally, I present to you the French cover:
What’s going on?
Well, because Dread has a certain meaning (fear, trepidation, anxiety) in English, the German publisher decided to give Joshua a name that would have the same connotation in German. Makes sense, right?
But you may be asking yourself--Isn’t Shrek that big green ogre guy? The one that was in all those movies? The answer is—Yes! However, that’s “Shrek.” The last name of this book is “Schreck.” Same pronunciation, different spelling.
Anyway, the real point is--WOW!—I really, really love this cover. I mean, really. As you might say in German: “Das ist wunderbar!” (“That’s wonderful!”) Or: “Ich will dieses Buch sofort kaufen!” (“I want to buy this book immediately!” Or: “Ich habe ein Kartoffel in meiner Tasche!” (“I have a potato in my pocket!”). Okay, so you probably wouldn’t say that last thing. But still. It’s a great cover.
Also: the text near the title translates to: "He wants to save the world. His parents want to destroy it."
The German edition, published by Fischer Verlag, will be coming on August 22.
Finally, I present to you the French cover:
This time, Joshua doesn’t just have a different last name. His first name is different too. JACK VANDAL. And that’s not the only difference. The entire look of the cover has changed. All the other covers have only featured Joshua. Or in the case of the US edition, Joshua + smoke creatures. But in the French edition, we get a chance to see Joshua, Sophie, Joshua’s parents, and Captain Justice’s robotic butler, Stanley.
Not only that, but the style is quite different. More cartoonish. The other covers were more serious and tense, while JACK VANDAL looks a bit more playful and fun.
As with the German edition, the text below the title translates to, "He wants to save the world. His parents want to destroy it."
The French edition, published by Editions Milan, is coming out on May 22.
It’s been such a fascinating process to see Joshua Dread (or Joshua Schreck, or Jack Vandal) move toward publication in other countries. As I see more covers, I’ll be sure to share them here!
Not only that, but the style is quite different. More cartoonish. The other covers were more serious and tense, while JACK VANDAL looks a bit more playful and fun.
As with the German edition, the text below the title translates to, "He wants to save the world. His parents want to destroy it."
The French edition, published by Editions Milan, is coming out on May 22.
It’s been such a fascinating process to see Joshua Dread (or Joshua Schreck, or Jack Vandal) move toward publication in other countries. As I see more covers, I’ll be sure to share them here!
Swag
School visits are the best. They're a chance to interact with young readers, to talk about my own journey as a writer, and to hopefully get students excited about reading, writing, and creativity. I am constantly amazed by the curiosity, engagement, and cleverness of the students I come across. And by the devotion of their teachers, administrators, and librarians.
Another benefit of school visits...the swag.
During a recent visit to Spring Branch Middle School in Houston, Texas, I was given a gift bag that included a school t-shirt. When I got home, I tried it on and did a little photo shoot. Here are the results (featuring my cat Pippa).
Another benefit of school visits...the swag.
During a recent visit to Spring Branch Middle School in Houston, Texas, I was given a gift bag that included a school t-shirt. When I got home, I tried it on and did a little photo shoot. Here are the results (featuring my cat Pippa).
I think Pippa makes a pretty good model, don't you?
And here are a few shots from the event itself.
And here are a few shots from the event itself.
Many thanks to Spring Branch Middle School for making me feel so welcome! Particular thanks go to the spectacular library team, Brandee Smith and Elvira Ayala.
Back in the Lone Star State
During the first week of March, I was fortunate enough to return to my native state of Texas for another round of school visits. This time I was in Arlington, visiting junior high schools all over town. I got the chance to meet some bright, excited young people, talking to entire auditoriums, small book clubs, and everything in between.
Here's a photo from the Shackelford Junior High Book & Writing Club, as well as their fearless leader and amazing school librarian Alicia Vandenbroek (far right). It was so fun to chat with them about reading, writing, and creativity. And I look forward to reading the books that they'll be publishing before too long.
Here's a photo from the Shackelford Junior High Book & Writing Club, as well as their fearless leader and amazing school librarian Alicia Vandenbroek (far right). It was so fun to chat with them about reading, writing, and creativity. And I look forward to reading the books that they'll be publishing before too long.
Below is a photo of me giving a presentation to a group of 7th graders from Shackelford. During the Q&A at the end of my talk, I often call on students by saying something like, "You in the green shirt" or "You in the plaid cardigan" (okay, I've never actually called on anyone in a plaid cardigan--yet!). This crowd made it a little harder on me. "You in the red sweatshirt," or "You in the blue t-shirt" didn't really narrow it down much.
When I visit schools, students often ask me to sign all sorts of things--notebooks, random sheets of paper, journals. I've even been asked to sign someone's forehead (I politely declined). Here I am signing more traditional objects: Books and bookmarks.