CODE NAME 711 is out in paperback today! Here's to Linc and George...

Double Vision: Code Name 711 is out in paperback today! Very exciting, since I love paperbacks. There's nothing like a brand new book for just seven bucks, I think.

In case you're just joining the Double Vision trilogy conversation, Code Name 711 is the second book, set in Washington DC, city of spies... I have a soft spot for this book, since it gave me a chance to share a ton of cool spy history relating to George Washington and the Revolutionary War. Plus, Linc made a new friend in First Daughter Amy, and he got to see the White House... I love this book. I hope you'll have a chance to read it, and tell me what you think.

If you're an educator (or just a history nut like me), check out this post with resources related to George Washington and the Culper Spy Ring. Kid friendly and full of facts.

And in case you really want just the facts (ma'am), here's a review of non-fiction book for kids that pairs really well with Code Name 711, entitled George Washington, Spy Master by Thomas B. Allen.
Recommended for history buffs young and old.

I know it's not quite President's Day yet, or George Washington's birthday (Feb. 22nd), but I'm sure George wouldn't mind it if we have some virtual cake. Pass it around, guys!

Where I'll be this winter/spring, and some good news about Linc and George Washington

So far, 2015 has been all about writing for me. It's been nice to hibernate a little, especially with all the snowfall we're having here in Colorado.

But I do like to get out every once in a while. And I hope to see you at one of these events, if you find yourself in Colorado!

Here's where I'll be:

Feb. 5, 2015: CCIRA Conference (Denver, CO):

I’ll be at the SCBWI table, sharing all the great things SCBWI has to offer!

 

Feb. 14, 2015: Pikes Peak Writers one day conference (Colorado Springs, CO)

I’m hosting a free workshop for local writers on how to plot a novel using plot points.

 

Apr. 11, 2015: Colorado Teen Literature Conference (Denver, CO)

Presenting a workshop on reaching reluctant MG and YA readers 

Apr. 24-26, 2015: Pikes Peak Writers Conference (Colorado Springs, CO)

Faculty member, presenting workshops on writing MG, plotting, and author platform building.

 

Double Vision trilogy books will be available at the bookstore at all events. Hope to see you there!

And to add a bit of good news: Double Vision: Code Name 711 will be out in paperback on February 10th!

Just in time for Presidents Day (since the book features George Washington), very cool...

To celebrate, there's a giveaway of signed copies over at Goodreads (see nifty gadget to the right). Or be wild and crazy with seven bucks, and buy yourself a copy at your favorite bookstore, or straight from the awesome people at Harper Children's. I love paperbacks, don't you?

 

 

 

Happy birthday, George Washington!

It's George Washington's birthday! Pass the cake, all...

I hope you've enjoyed this mini-blog tour and celebration of Washington's spy history. And let me know if you have any facts to share about the first president in the comments! I'm a bit of a history nut...

Happy birthday, George.

Announcing the Code Name 711 blog tour (with lots of giveaways...)

I'm so excited that Double Vision: Code Name 711 is coming out next week...!

To share my excitement, I called on a bunch of blogger friends to help me get the word out about Linc's second adventure. And the kind people at Harper Children's have graciously donated a stack of copies of both Double Vision (Linc's first adventure), and the new Double Vision: Code Name 711 for a double-powered giveaway.

Cool, right?

So check out these blogs, and follow me as I make stops to talk about Linc, Culper spies, and how cool George Washington is (he really is, you know). And as always: thank you all, my faithful readers, for helping me make some noise. It's appreciated more than you know.

Double Vision: Code Name 711 Blog Tour Stops

Oct 7: Librarian extraordinaire Ms. Yingling reviews Double Vision: Code Name 711

Oct. 7: Criminal Element is giving away a Top-Secret Spy Kit for kids, including the first and second book in the Double Vision series.

Oct. 8: Double Vision is MG Ninja’s book of the week. There’s an interview and a review!

Oct 8: Check out this great review of Code Name 711 at Our Thoughts Precisely...

Oct. 15: Launch day! Look for an interview at Sleuths, Spies and Alibis plus another GIVEAWAY of books… Also, virtual cake and lemonade is on me.

Oct. 16, 17: Buried in Books reviews Code Name 711, plus another GIVEAWAY:

Oct. 18: Unleashing Readers—a review of Code Name 711 and interview and GIVEAWAY…

Oct. 21: This Kid Reviews Books—cool kid Erik gives his verdict on Linc’s second adventure, and another GIVEAWAY

Oct. 23: Word Spelunking—an interview and GIVEAWAY

Oct. 25: The ever amazing in-the-know Pragmatic Mom reviews Code Name 711, plus another GIVEAWAY:

Oct. 28: An interview at Caroline Starr Rose’s blog feature,Curriculum Connections—find out how Code Name 711 can be used in the classroom! Plus, a GIVEAWAY…

Oct 29: Another amazing librarian, YA Booknerd, reviews Code Name 711... Plus, a GIVEAWAY

Oct. 30: A review at Kids Mystery Book Reviews! And an interview on Nov. 4...

And in case you missed it, here's the book trailer:


 

Double Vision: Code Name 711 book trailer

Happy weekend, all...!

Where you can find me this Fall for the Code Name 711 book tour

I'm so excited about this month's release of Double Vision: Code Name 711...! Those fans who've been patiently waiting since they read the first book can finally read Linc's next adventure.

And I'm hitting the road to tell everyone all about how cool Linc is. For Fall, I'm mostly roaming around the South, but in April/May, I'll be in the Washington, D.C. area, where Code Name 711 is set. If you want me to come visit your school or venue, shoot me an email!

Here's where you can find me for Fall 2013:

OCT. 11: SCBWI Wik conference—signing Double Vision (Birmingham, AL) 

OCT. 17 : Mississippi Library Association annual conference—hosting presentation on reaching MG/YA reluctant readers (Biloxi, MS)

OCT. 26: Signing: B&N (Gulfport, MS) 

NOV. 2: Signing: Louisiana Book Festival (Baton Rouge, LA) See me at the SCBWI booth from 2-3 p.m.!

NOV. 9: Signing: Bay Books (Bay St. Louis, MS) 5-7 p.m. 

NOV. 15/16: Signing: Christmas Jubilee sponsored by B&N (Mobile, AL) 

Hope to see you there! 

For those of you not in my neck of the woods, stick around for the Code Name 711 blog tour! There will be interviews, reviews, and giveaways.

Stay tuned, more news on that in the next few days...

The last ARC giveaway--version 2.0

**This giveaway has ended... I drew the winner from my hat: Akossiwa Ketoglo! Congrats. For those of you who didn't win, check in next month for lots of Double Vision: Code Name 711 giveaways in conjunction with my blog tour. Stay tuned...**

Okay, so the Rafflecopter doohickey doesn't work so well... My dinosaur status must be rubbing off on the blog. So I'm rebooting the giveaway of the last ARC of Double Vision: Code Name 711, Linc's second adventure, out in October.

We're going old-school. I'll take all your entries that the Rafflecopter did record, plus your comments are entries. Then I write your names on a piece of paper, and put them in a hat. No glitches possible there.

U.S. only (sorry, international friends), because postage beyond out borders is wicked expensive.

I'll run the giveaway until Sunday. If you want to enter, just say howdy below! Or tell me what your favorite snack is; I'm always looking to expand my food repertoire...

I'll draw and announce the winner Sunday evening...

Last ARC giveaway...

*** This giveaway has ended... I drew the winner from my hat: Akossiwa Ketoglo! Congrats :-) For those of you who didn't win, check in next month for lots of Double Vision giveaways in conjunction with my blog tour. Stay tuned...***

That sounds like I have an ark or something, but really, it's an advanced reader copy of Double Vision: Code Name 711. And since it needs a good home, I'm giving it away...

You can enter at the Rafflecopter thingy below--U.S. only, unfortunately, since I don't have any clout with the USPS...

And if you're feeling extra lucky, you can also enter the Goodreads giveaway that the kind people at Harper are hosting.

Goodreads giveaway of Code Name 711 ARCs!

It's just six weeks until Linc's second adventure, Double Vision: Code Name 711, comes out! Which is why I've been a bit quiet here on the blog for the past week: I've been planning launch events and other promotional stuff.

Stay tuned for more cool news on that over the next few weeks...

But for those of you who like to read a book before it hits the shelves: the awesome people at Harper Children's are running a Goodreads giveaway of advanced copies of Double Vision: Code Name 711. So enter if you feel lucky...

Thanks for the support, as always, YA Sleutheri. It's nice to have good friends in my corner.