Everything else that was ordered from either Coppervale or from Crossroads Books is shipping out this week.

We’ve gotten a few emails from people either asking if 1) their order got lost; or 2) just wondering why it takes so long to ship a book. And the answers are that 1) no, most of the orders do seem to come through fine, but it’s no problem just checking; and 2) it’s taking so long to ship a single book, because there are LOTS and LOTS of you who ordered books, and all of them needed to be drawn in and personalized – and up until a week ago last Friday, I was doing eighteen hour days trying to complete the illustrations for the NEXT book, and so could only squeeze in a few extra drawings a week.

Now, however, all that’s done, and the books with the nicely-drawn sketches are being completed, and they’ll all be shipping out this week. But I want to also say while I appreciate the patience of everyone who ordered, I appreciate your patronage just as much. Your buying these books, and more, enjoying them, is what supports this enterprise – and I literally couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.

James

Save for the last signing event this Friday, at my hometown museum, the SHADOW DRAGONS book tour is done and done. I’m exhausted, and energized, and glad it’s over and wishing I was still out there all at the same time. It’s been a thrilling month.

Spread over five states (Arizona, Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, and California) we managed to get in a huge launch party (Changing Hands), the Texas Book Festival, The Kalamazoo Teen Lit Conference, the Phoenix Faerie Festival, a second launch party (also at Changing Hands), ten school presentations, eight bookstore events, and thirty stock signings. And there were far more hits than misses.

We sold lots of books, and more copies of Book One than I expected. Complete sets of all four books were also popular. Post-school visits, I’m hoping we see more sales across the board this week and up to the holidays. For now, I’m drawing the rest of Book Five; and getting out the book orders that came in while I was away (and thank you for your patience!), the bookplates, and the t-shirts.

As always, I am extremely grateful for all of the support I’ve gotten from everyone at Simon & Schuster. From editorial to publicity to the sales teams, I have seen nothing but good work, and I have tried my best to reciprocate by giving every effort I can to promote the books. Their support has made my job easier to do.

I’m also grateful to the booksellers, librarians, educators, and especially the fans for supporting me and my books in the way that you have. I would not be able to do this without you. Thank you all.

Since the SHADOW DRAGONS signing event at the Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge takes place on the night before a certain author’s (ahem-hem) tenth thirtieth birthday, we’re going to turn it into a Book Signing Ice Cream Party!

Bring your kids! Bring your books! I’ll be signing, sketching, and discussing the proper way to construct an ice cream sundae. Is this a full service author tour, or what?

**********
James A. Owen
The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica: The Shadow Dragons
Author Event, Children’s Event
Tuesday November 10, 2009 7:00 PM

Barnes & Noble Desert Ridge
Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. Suite 42, Phoenix, AZ 85050, 480-538-8520

Remember that for one more week, HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS can be read for FREE over at the Simon & Schuster site here: http://promo.simonandschuster.com/dragons/

Please re-post the link and pass along your friends and family! It’s also a great place to listen to excerpts of the audiobooks, and get great extras like the Dragon Wallpapers. And if you haven’t stopped by yet, please go take a look!

James
Week Two of the SHADOW tour…