Sword in the Stars Book Release Party #1: Dec. 4th at His Way!

Jazzed, Amped, Stoked--these are the three words that most accurately describe how I'm feeling these days. Sword in the Stars has been officially released and is starting to appear in bookstores all over the US. Reviews are beginning to come in and they're so good, I'm humbled. I'm getting hourly Facebook messages from great readers who just got Sword in the Stars in the mail and have begun reading. For an author, the time right after a book releases is like Christmas every day. I'm still just blown away that God has allowed this dream to come true.

So, it's with ridiculous glee and massive thrillage that I announce the first official Sword in the Stars Release Party! In the Maryland area, come one, come all to His Way Christian Bookstore on Saturday, December 4th at High Noon! I'll be there in full medieval costume, brandishing any one of a number of swords, doing readings from Sword in the Stars, Signing Books, and celebrating with wonderful readers like you.

Sword in the Stars Book Release Party #1

His Way Christian Bookstore 

Saturday, December 4th at High Noon! 

And, as a special bonus, there seems to be some strange conspiracy afoot amongst my readers, something that is sure to make this Book Release Party a one of a kind event. In the words of my good pal Bilbo Baggins, "Gandalf, my old friend, this should be a night to remember."

Oh, and see below for a word from some very sneaky people. 

Need more info:  See below!

His Way Christian Bookstore - Ellicott City

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8450 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: 410 465-7546
Fax: 410 465-5301
Email: customerservice@hiswaystores.com

A word from the League of Extraordinarily Sneaky People...

Sneak, the definition thereof: 1.) To go or move in a quiet, stealthy way. 2.) A person regarded as stealthy. 3.) An instance of sneaking; a quiet, stealthy movement. 4.) Carried out in a clandestine manner. 5.) Perpetrated without warning

Greetings Warriors, Shield Maidens, Elves, and all those that dwell in the Realm of Glimpses;

There are passages and doorways…and realms that lie unseen. And there are those who traverse these lands in secret to fight for the One True King. They are many and they are one. They are:

The League of Extraordinarily Sneaky People.

I am but one though I speak for the many. There is a warrior outside our ranks whom we desire to honor greatly. Many of us he has trained, many he has shown light, and into all he has burned a message of hope. His name is Sir Wayne Thomas Batson, the Loremaster.

The League has special things in store. Sneaking of the sneakiest sneakiness. Sneaking of great awesome power. Sneaking so sneaky we needed a new word to describe it—Sneakalotoricalsneakiness….No wait, that’s just ridiculous. <_<

Our scheme will come to fruition at His Way Christian Bookstore In Ellicott City on Saturday December 4th from 11AM-3PM. This happens to be the first official Sword in the Stars Book Signing as well!

Plan on attending and entering to win one of two copies of Sword in the Stars, a copy of The Door Within book on CD as well as other surprises! And dress in your sneakiest fantasy costume!

If you cannot make the journey, the League has more sneakiness to offer. Contact our leader for more information!

Join our ranks through the Book of Faces here: http://on.fb.me/eEZ1lJ Or contact our leader by email: everlastingscribe@hotmail.com

Oh, did I mention there’ll be cake?

~ The League

::sneak::

 

Want to win a sharp, pointy thing? Today only!

Want to win a sharp, pointy thing? Come out to His Way Bookstore in Ellicott City, Maryland at 1pm, buy a Wayne Thomas Batson book and be entered into a raffle to win a seriously cool broadsword! Today: Saturday, October 23rd only!

I'll be there doing readings, booksigning, and general tomfoolery!

Christian Authors all over Champaign? Gasp!!

I just know there are some tea totalers out there thinking, "See, I told you those fantasy authors are agents of the devil! Look, they are drinking champagne and boasting about it!"

{Sigh}

Not champagne...we mean Champaign, as in the cool city in Illinois!

As a result of the Tribe Building Contest, author Christopher Hopper and I will be flying out to the great state of Illinois and having a private book signing party with Nightwing Tribe, the Tribebuilding Challenge Winner from last year.

But later that day, Christopher and I will descend upon the local Borders store to meet and greet the public. ALL are WELCOME!! You don't have to be an Elf! But please no Drefids or Warspiders!

So if you live in Illinois or will be in the area, please drop by and see us! Even if you can't go, tell friends and family who might be in the area. Signed books make RIGHTEOUS Christmas gifts! :-D

Here are the details of the event:

Where: Borders, West Town Blvd, Champaign IL

When: Saturday, Oct. 16th, 2pm-5pm

What: Authors Christopher Hopper and Wayne Thomas Batson

Why: Well, because we are two wild and crazy, entertaining author type dudes who will sword fight, insult each other (not you), and sign your books with all kinds of pithy wisdom stuff!

Hope to see you there! You are coming, aren't you? Don't make us beg. :-D

Lunch for Young Authors...Venom and Song Signing Event!

Greetings Adventurers, Storytellers, and Fantasy Fans of All Ages;

His Way Christian Bookstore in Ellicott City, Maryland invites you to our
The Berinfell Prophecies Book Two: Venom And Song
Launch Party on Saturday July 17th from 1-3PM
Come and meet Author Wayne Thomas Batson and have your copy of his latest book signed!

His fellow Author, Christopher Hopper, will not be able to attend, however signed bookplates from him will be available for those who come on the 17th! There will also be a dramatic reading, time to ask Wayne questions, and give aways!
Don't miss this wonderful opportunity for fellowship and fun!

Can't make the date? Pre-buy your copy and Wayne will sign it for you that day. We will also reserve a signed book plate for you from Christopher Hopper, and you can pick up Venom And Song at your convenience.

Here is what one young adult author/reviewer had to say about Venom And Song:

'Venom and Song is a classic Christian Fantasy novel with a page-turning plot, themes of bonding friendship and love, and the true power of God.' Seth Reid

Special Opportunity for Tween and Teen Writers

Wayne Thomas Batson will be at Nora's Cafe before the event and invites you to come and eat with him and chat about the writing craft. Seating is limited, and you are responsible for purchasing your own food.

To reserve your spot send an e-mail to HisWayEvents@hotmail.com
no later than Wednesday July 14th

Today is the Day! Time for the Curse of the Spider King Amazon Blitz!

Today is the day!

October 7th

Now is the time! 

Blitz Amazon Day:

If you are planning to purchase Curse of the Spider King, would you consider preordering from Amazon TODAY, Wednesday, Oct. 7th? We are trying to get Spider King to climb (pun intended) high on the Amazon Bestseller List. 

Free signed bookplates for all who purchase Spider King on this day. Plus: If you're in on the Tribebuilding Contest, you get mega points for ordering on this day. Multiple copies count! lol

Please reply to this post if you "Blitzed Amazon" and purchased a copy of Curse of the Spider King today! And, if you get a chance, see what Curse of the Spider King's Sales Rank is up to and POST IT here on this thread.

As of 10pm on Oct. 6th (Blitz Eve), the ranking for CotSK was as you see below. 

 

Well done, so far you've helped CotSK increase its ranking: 59,165 places!!! Now it's at 10,947!

Correction, now it's at 2,217! AMAZING! 

Correction, as of 3pm EST, it's at 1,727! Spectacular! Come on folks, pour it on! 

This is getting crazy. The # is dropping by the hour. It's 5pm EST, and the number is now down to 1,426! People are emailing me with receipts of 3, 4, 5, even 8 book purchases! You are very generous and dedicated to jump in with both feet like this! 

And thank you so much for supporting us on this adventure. All glory goes to Jesus. 

How would you like a private book party?

Greetings from the Realm of Berinfell. Lately Christopher Hopper and I have been getting a lot of emails and blog posts from areas of the country we've not yet had a chance to tour or visit. Just in the past week, I've heard from several disgruntled Minnesotans who claim their lovely state always gets overlooked. I also heard from a young man in Alaska who was quite sad that he couldn't make it to any of our events.

Well, listen up folks. How would you like Christopher Hopper and I to fly out to your hometown to do a private book signing party for you and your friends and family? This, of course, would include lots of Curse of the Spider King freebies, dramatic readings, swordbattles, music, and more. Sound good to you? Post here and let us know about it. Christopher Hopper and I are putting the finishing touches on a new contest, and the personal book party is one of the grand prizes. Stay tuned for the official announcement soon.

Mark Your Calendars: October 7th Amazon Blitz! And Book Release Parties Announced!

October 7th

Hi, all! The immediate threat has passed, so I thought I'd take a moment to announce a new promotional contest. You may or may not know that the first month's sales of a new book can make or break a book long term. Publishers look at those first month numbers and make decisions on how much marketing and advertising they are willing to do for the book.--including placement in bookstores. The bookstores themselves also make decisions based on those number, perhaps even as soon as a couple of weeks worth of sales have been reported.

So, Christopher and I are asking, if you are planning to order Curse of the Spider King from Amazon anyway, please consider ordering on October 7th. Your order that day will drive Curse of the Spider King higher and higher up Amazon's bestseller list...which, in turn, will allow TONS of other people to see the book on the bestseller list. And that...leads to new sales. ;-)

For anyone who orders that day and emails me the Amazon receipt, I'll send you an Official Curse of the Spider King Bookplate Sticker signed by Christopher Hopper and by me! To order, you can click my Curse of the Spider King Amazon ad on my sidebar or go directly to Amazon.


Christopher Hopper and Wayne Thomas Batson are planning a series of huge release parties for Curse of the Spider King. The book isn't supposed to be in stores until November, but we've arranged to get copies available for four HUGE events--two in upstate NY and two in Maryland.

What to expect? Sword battles, dramatic readings, music, prizes, giant spiders, and much more!

Here are the dates and times:

In Maryland

Friday, October 16th: Barnes & Noble, Long Gate Shopping Center, Ellicott City Maryland. Time: 6:30 to Close. 410-203-9001

Saturday, October 17th: His Way Bookstore, Ellicott City, Maryland. Time: 6 to close. (410) 465-7546

In New York State:

Friday, October 30th: Borders Books, Watertown, New York. Time: 4pm to 7pm. (315) 779-0006

Saturday, October 31st (Special Halloween Creepy Signing), Barnes and Noble, Pittsford (Near Rochester) New York. Time: 2pm--5pm. (585) 586-6020

Even if you can't make it, tell friends and family who might be able to come. We want to blow the doors off these stores!

Reminder about a Way COOL event in PA.

Hey, all! 12-2pm Saturday, February 7th, Christopher Hopper and I will appear at Scranton’s own Banshee Pub for an ALL AGES Dramatic Reading, Swordfighting, Booksigning, and Discussion. So if you know anyone in the great state of Pennsylvania who might be into Fantasy books, please spread the word and tell 'em to come out and meet us!



In days of yore, traveling Bards entertained audiences with tales of faraway lands and feats of derring do. Return to yesteryear as two award-winning authors and entertainers come to lunch with patrons of the Banshee Pub at 320 Penn Avenue. Fresh off a 10-city Tour of the West Coast, authors Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper will appear in full medieval costume to entertain Banshee customers of all ages with dramatic readings from their books, swordplay, and perhaps a song or two.


For Fans of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Eragon, and Inkheart
With five young adult Bestsellers and eight published novels between them, Batson and Hopper know how to spin a tale. Families are welcome. Young and old come and trek with Batson and Hopper down a spiral stair to a subterranean labyrinth where a gigantic beast dwells. Or visit the kingdom of Dionia where great heroes train and something treacherous lurks in the shadows. Batson (Thomas Nelson Publishing) will be signing copies of his Door Within Trilogy, Isle of Swords, and Isle of Fire, and Christopher Hopper (Tsaba House Publishing) will sign copies of his Rise of the Dibor and The Lion Vrie—with perhaps a sneak preview of his soon to be released Athera’s Dawn.


For more details, email me (see sidebar) or contact The Banshee Directly:

Banshee Pub
320 Penn Ave
Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 969-4248

Event this Friday: McClean Bible Church

Hi, all! Just a quick blurb to let you know about a cool event coming up this Friday, November 14th. If you are anywhere in the Baltimore, Washington, Virginia region and would like to come hear some stirring dramatic readings and get some books signed, come out to McClean Bible Church.

The Holidays are quickly approaching, and signed books are unique gifts! Come on out and get a book or two. My mom says get seven! Join us Friday, November 14 at 7:30pm in Community Room C!

For McClean Bible Church's contact info, see below:

Front Desk Phone: 703/639-2000 V/TTY: 703/770-2939 MBC Fax: 703-639-5680 MBC TTY: 703/770-2939
Physical Address McLean Bible Church 8925 Leesburg Pike Vienna, VA 22182

Young Authors...and Readers

I was blessed with a magical night tonight. I spoke at Howard County Public School's Young Author Awards Ceremony. It was one of those nights you long for as a writer--you get to touch kindred spirits and maybe even inspire a few.

These children, these precious lights in a dark world, they are so talented and so pure of heart. I pray that their innocence would remain and that their talents and hard work would not be tainted.

I wouldn't have a book published today if it weren't for my students who challenged me to write. They threw down the gauntlet for me. Tonight, I threw down the gauntlet for these magnificent young authors. I bet they pick it up and run with it.

And on top of it all, so many kids bought books. I am thrilled to think of how many of them, even now, might be reading by flashlight under the covers…somewhere in Howard County.

Never alone.

His Way Bookstore--Maryland Tour!

Last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night I spent some wonderful time with the splendid staff and patrons of Maryland's His Way Christian Bookstores. His Way is dear to me for many reasons, but, in particular, because they were the first bookstore to offer to allow me to have a booksigning. No one had ever heard of me or The Door Within. The only thing I had going for me was a cool cover and one of the kindest, most-generous, servant-hearted young sales clerk named Michelle. She talked the owners into allowing the signing, she talked the owners into buying my books for their store, and since then, she has single-handedly hand-sold more of my books than I can rightly count. That's her on the left (my actual right), holding the sharp pointy thing. And no, this isn't a pic from the recent event. This is from the Fantasy Fiction Tour as we made a stop in Ellicott City. See, of all the pictures taken of the event, I was sad to see that Michelle didn't post any of herself. But that's the way she is…humble.


The first evening, I appeared in the Eldersburg store (seriously a stone's throw from where I live). It was a fun evening. I met Randi (with an I) and Andy (with a Y). Swashbuckling ensued.
Here are some pics:


(Above: Andy says, "Why are you smiling?" I of course reply, "Because I know something you do not know.)


(Above: a wonderful young lady named Kimmie. She's come to about a half dozen of my events. Glutton for punishment, I guess.)

Here are a few more from Eldersburg:









Friday night found me at the Glen Burnie His Way Store. I met many kind people, including Lady Melody shown below along with her mom:



Here are some of the phenomenal props and decorations Michelle has hunted down and displayed at each signing:







Then on Saturday evening, we had a dual signing with amazing Emmy-winning writer George Bryan Polivka. He penned the Trophy Chase Trilogy, a thrilling tale by all accounts. Here are some pics of Bryan and I hamming it up with customers and staff:













As you can see, these were special events.

As I close tonight, I have so much more to write about. Many things have transpired in recent days, and there are some big announcements on the horizon. But the next time I post I will share news that is more important to me than any movie or book deal...

Til then,

Never alone.

Borders at the Woodlands

Had a great signing at the Borders Bookstore at the Woodlands (Just outside of Houston) here in Texas. And as the saying goes, they do things BIG in Texas! This was a monster of a Borders store.

Leslie, the store manager, had a great spot for me in the front of the store. We later decided that we would set up chairs and do a few readings upstairs. A couple of families showed up right away. These were fans of The Door Within books and had just purchased Isle of Swords. Very nice people...very happy with my books, so I was very grateful. The evening wet very well. I had the opportunity to hand-sell and introduce my books to a dozen new readers--always a good thing.

I read "Echoes of Cannon Fire" and "Race for the Mill." Lots of fun. Can I just tell you, I love reading scenes with Jacques St. Pierre. He's such a winning maniac! lol

Funny anecdote. Do you know what happens to people who come to a toll booth but don't have the cash money to pay? I didn't know either...until this afternoon. My publicist picked me up and drove us to the Borders event on I610. Apparently, I610 is a toll road. Who knew? We hit the first toll booth, and my publicist says, "Uh, oh. I don't have any cash." I reach for my wallet. "Uh, oh. I don't have cash either."

So my publicist gets a ticket. Off we go. Five miles later, another toll booth. Repeat steps 1-3, and now my publicist has two tickets. I610, a toll road. Who knew? Now we know. lol

Finally, The News I've Been Promising!!

I know you all think I'm a sadist about SUSPENSE because I've been hinting at some really big news on the horizon. Well, I've been waiting for the official Press Release to go out (publishers are kind of touchy about protocol), but now that the releases have been, er…released, I am BUZZED, PSYCHED, JAZZED, and otherwise generally enthusiastic to announce:

The 1st Fantasy 4
Book Tour

CLICK on the picture to see a LARGER image.

One of those days...

Speaking engagements and book signings are a blast most of the time. I absolutely LOVE having an opportunity to read my work to kids {and big kids, lol}. I break into English accents and immerse myself in the characters and just generally have a blast! The pic below shows me at a local elementary school. I read snippets from The Door Within and Rise of the Wyrm Lord and made the kids jump a few times. Heh, heh, heh. A great response from all involved. ;-) Most book-related events have gone that way for me, and believe me, I'm thankful. But...



There are times when things don't really go as planned. Take this last Friday for instance. I was at a middle school and speaking to about 250 sixth graders. This is, by the way, the grade I teach at my school, Folly Quarter. So I went there thinking, piece of cake. {He rolls eyes at his own tragic hubris}

So, thinking the event starts at 1:30, I get to the school at 12:50 to set up. I walk in and I'm met at the door by one of the coordinating teachers. She rather cryptically says, "Whew, we were worried you might not make it." Puzzled, I smile and make small talk. It was nice for them to meet me there, I thought. I have lots of medieval/fantasy props that I set up, including a forty foot faux castle wall made of ribbed cardboard.

Inside, several teachers are flying around, helping me set up, shouting out questions like "Where does the candelabra go?" and "What should I do with the dragon hourglass?" Scratching my head and feeling a bit of ice in the bottom of my stomach, I clarify, "We start at 1:30…right?"

"No, we have to start by 1:15 at the latest." EeeeeeeeYaaaaaaaahhh!!!

And so began a comedy of errors. Allow me to list the things that went wrong. Now remember, this is all in one (one hour) performance:

1. My opening English accent joke (that usually gets a roar), goes right over their heads. Whoosh. I deliver the punchline and get…chirp, chirp, chirp.

2. I usually pick a kid to hit the space bar on my laptop during the powerpoint portion of my show. Usually this works out well…but not this time. The kid I chose was way too busy talking to a friend to hit the slides when I asked, so half the show I'd look up and see I was 1-2 slides behind. DOH!

3. I mic my sound system for the Door Within Promo video, but it's an old school. So when the kickin' guitar riffs and thumping bass beat come in--it sounds like a cross between a terrorist attack and a giant who had a bean and beef burrito about an hour back.

4. Half way through my sneak preview reading of Falon's Stair, the forty foot faux castle wall unhooks itself from the stage and begins to do its impression of the Berlin Wall. Down it went. But on with the show.

5. At some point during the performance (I think after the first 10 minutes), several of the sixth grade teachers decide that they should have some extra planning time. So they leave their kids and the auditorium. Now 6th graders are wonderful kids--and this school has a really nice bunch. Buuuutttt...leave them on their own? So it has now become me and the six or seven teachers remaining to handle crowd control. That puts it at about 31 kids for every adult. Hmmm...it was a good thing I brought my broadsword.

6. And then, the worst of it all {for me} came during the signing portion. A sixth grader comes up. I glance, see the long hair, the earring, the smile. "Greetings M'lady," I say. "What can I do for you."
"Uh…I'm a guy," he replies. Immediately, I break into damage control. "I'm SO sorry. Mannn, see I have long hair too. If it wasn't for the goatee, people'd make the same mistake with me. Blah, blah, blah." OHHHHggghhhh. I'm an idiot. The kid is like, "No problem. I'm not worried about it." But I know…I've just crushed this young man's spirit. I quickly scan the auditorium for an escape route, a rock to hide under, or a grenade launcher to eat. No such luck. I must endure.

And so ends one of those days...

What are your experiences at signings? For authors--ever had a bad one? Readers: what do you like not like about them? Anyone you've seen who was good?