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Monday, July 09, 2007

Fantasy Fiction Tour Report: Day 2

Day Two of the Fantasy Fiction Tour found my agent and I getting up at 7a.m. and then deciding NOT to go to the gym after all. lol We went back to sleep.

Thanks for your prayers. The Hoppers arrived safely, albeit with very little sleep. We were a little alarmed about Sharon Hinck though...at first. Bryan Davis, Christopher Hopper, and I met at the Tsaba House booth for our Meet and Greet Kickoff, but even as the start time ticked off, there was no Sharon. We'd all read her email about getting a terrible sore throat and thought, uh oh. Turns out, she had so many people in line for The Restorer that she could barely tear herself away.

So, we all met for the very first time. Funny though. I felt so strongly that I'd known them for years. God's like that. Kindred spirits. And it was upon this meeting that John Cooper, owner of our Tour Sponsor: Real Armor of God, met us and girded us with sword and shield. My sword, The Ranger Sword is shown below. I cannot tell you how fun it is to hold this puppy!


If you'd like to see the other cool swords, shields, armor, etc. at Real Armor of God, click on the pic above. Seriously, if you think you want some medieval weaponry in your life, you will not find any better than RealArmorofGod.com.

From 11-12, Bryan, Sharon, Christopher, and I met dozens and dozens of retailers. We talked Christian Fantasy. We talked about our books. Everyone seemed to really get into it. Things are happening here. Glory to God for what He's doing here, and thank you so much for your prayers. We are seeing the results.

If you'd like to see a video of highlights from the floor of the International Christian Retail Show, click HERE.

Or visit:
http://www.fantasyfictiontour.com/?p=73

At 12:30, my agent, Gregg Wooding, and I ate lunch with my Senior Editor at TN and the Vice President of Children's Publishing. It was a wonderful meeting. During the meeting, I mentioned a new fantasy concept that I've been working on for some time. It's a huge, epic plot that I am LOVING so far. It could be as many as 5-7 books! Well, long story short, the VP said, "Send me a proposal." I just about fell out of my chair. ICRS Answer to prayer #216.

From 5-6 I did a Thomas Nelson Publishing Event called a Personality Party. This is where the publishers invite the top 100-200 retailers to come and meet noted authors and get new books signed. This was really cool as I got to sign about 200 copies of Isle of Swords about a month before the actual release. These copies are given to retailers free of charge, but the potential is astronomical. The idea is, each one of these retailers reads (and hopefully likes) the book. SO, they then order stacks of books for their stores or even for a whole chain of stores. See what I mean about ICRS being a BIG deal for the future of Christian Fantasy?

About noonish, we found out that RNS (Religion News Service--think Christian AP) carried a story about Christian Fantasy based on the Fantasy Fiction Tour. Awesome article: Move Over, Harry, Because Christian Fantasy is Back. Check it out if you get a chance.

God is just blowing the doors off during this first real day of ICRS. But I saved the best surprise for last. We're a half our into our Meet and Greet when my agent gets a call. Turns out it's The Washington Post. They want to do an article on the Fantasy Fiction Tour. At 3pm, I spent an hour with a wonderful reporter/columnist talking about all kinds of things related to my books, Christian fantasy, the Tour. It was amazing. She had really done her homework and seemed to know quite a bit about what we're trying to do. AND, she's going to come out an cover not one but two of our signing speaking events! The Post will be covering our signing in Alexandria, VA, and our event in Washington D.C. Including photos! This is the Washington Post we're talking here. A circulation of what? 20 Million?? Are you kidding me?

Please keep praying about this. Attention of this type could be HUGE for the Christian Fantasy Genre, as well as, for our books. ;-)

And also, if you can at all make it to one of the events being covered by the Post, that would really be great. The dates, times, and locations are listed below:


Sunday, July 15th (9:15am)
National Presbyterian Church
4104 Nebraska Avenue N.W.
Washington D.C. 20016

202-537-0800

Sunday, July 15th 3:00 - 5:00pm
Barnes & Noble
Potomac Yard Store
3651 Jefferson Davis Highway
Alexandria, VA. 22305

703-299-9124

Thank you again for your prayers. More tomorrow:

Never alone!

WtB


17 comments:

Merrie Destefano said...

Thanks so much for the update, Wayne! I'm glad to hear that Sharon was late because her book was such a hit, not because of her sore throat.

I am so excited for the work God is doing at ICRS, particularly in the speculative fiction arena.

Go team!!
blessings and prayers

everlastingscribe said...

Really really fantastic! I'll have to make sure to get a copy of the Post, I'm going to be just a tad busy to come and be a warm body at the times they are going to be covering the events.

Valerie Comer said...

I'm thrilled to see the results thus far--that's a great article! Prayed for you guys for over an hour Sunday in the car; it's one way to make drive time go by!

Unknown said...

Wow! Glad to see God doing a lot for this tour. I'll continue to pray all this week. Great to see Sharon Hinck's book become such a hit. My mom really likes it, got her to read it. Heh! Heh!
Good Luck Tommorrow,
Justin B.

Roheryn said...

That's AWSOMEFUL!!!
I must remember to pick up a copy of the Washington Post when they run the article...

Sounds like the tour ish really shaping up to be a big success! and it just started!

Unknown said...

I'm going to be at the Alexandria event on Sunday! This will be awesome!!!

everlastingscribe said...

LOL I can't think of a better representative for us fans than you, pais charos! Though now it's a really good idea to go to another signing, that one in Richmond is likely to be swamped! I don't envy the store clerks.

Unknown said...

I'm still going to the Richmond one, I don't care :P The more the merrier! The one that's going to be swamped will be Alexandria.

I'm so excited, I can't wait till this weekend. My nephews won't know what to do with me, but they'll be stuck with me the whole time, so they won't have a choice. Heh.

everlastingscribe said...

:-D I didn't say that to discourage you, just brace yourself.

Unknown said...

I love when events are crowded. Sometimes you meet some very awesome people that way. Also, I'm so happy to see so many take an interest in Christian fantasy/scifi. That is really showing how much God is doing for this tour. I love those moments of life where you really can see God doing things, its so amazing, even the little things.

Anonymous said...

It's good to know Christian fantasy has a future.

James Somers said...

Wayne, sounds like you and Gregg are having a blast down in Atlanta. I hope he sells big on Chronicles too!!
I'll be trying my best to get over during my lunch break to meet you guys at the Cedar Springs Christian bookstore in Knoxville. You're literally two miles from my work place at TN. Valley Eye Center...LASIK anyone?

Be well,
James

Unknown said...

BTW, Wayne, that sword looks sweet!!

Roheryn said...

Ih! I LOVE the sword!

and crowds are fun!

chrisd said...

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And LOVE the sword.

I would love to buy "Boromir's" sword from LOTR. someday...

Amy Browning said...

WOW! I'm just SO blown away! I'm tempted to go into my best valley-girl "no way!" Ha ha!

I am so totally going to get that issue of the Post. I don't even read the newspaper, but I'll definitely be picking up at least one copy. YAY! The "Revolution" is actually happening!

Shannon McNear said...

That is a gorgeous sword ... I'm drooling ... good thing I'm far away or I'd rust that lovely blade. ;-)

I was hoping to make the Charlotte NC signing, but Real Life prevails and things just aren't going to work out. I will, however, be praying for you all each day, and following the tour updates.

Blessings!!!