Monday, March 4, 2013

Two of our very own need us.

I have always been so amazed at how supportive, loyal, encouraging, and helpful the writing community is. Writers rock, big time. Whenever someone's in need, writers rally the troops, which is why I'm posting this. Guys-- we need to rally the troops for two of our own.

First: Chad Morris.

I've gotta say, a debut year is extremely busy and stressful. But there are a lot of very rewarding and fun parts of it, too! Chad Morris, a blogger many of you might know, has willingly given up all the fun and rewarding parts of his debut year for something infinitely more important-- his 9 year old daughter. Last Tuesday he and his wife Shelly (a writer who many of you might know, too) took her to one of the best neurosurgeons in the nation to get a tumor removed from her brain. Dang! I'm getting teary-eyed just typing this! *deep breath*

Chad is in a hospital, being there for his daughter as she recovers. He can't promote his book, but we can! We can give him the book launch that he deserves. His book releases tomorrow. If you feel so inclined, think about mentioning his book on Twitter, Facebook, on your blog, on Pinterest, or on whatever other form of social media you enjoy.

Here's the quick details:

Book: CRAGBRIDGE HALL: THE INVENTOR'S SECRET (Shadow Mountain, 3/5/13)
The blog post where Chad talks about his daughter: http://writingwithshellyandchad.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-more-important-dream.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chad.morris.5
Twitter: @ChadCMorris

The longer details:
About THE INVENTOR'S SECRET:

Imagine a school in the year 2074 where students don’t read history, but watch it happen around them; where running in gym class isn’t around a track, but up a virtual mountain; and where learning about animals means becoming one through an avatar.

Welcome to Cragbridge Hall, the most advanced and prestigious school in the world. Twin siblings Abby and Derick Cragbridge are excited as new students to use their famed grandfather’s inventions that make Cragbridge Hall so incredible. But when their grandfather and parents go missing, the twins begin following a trail of clues left by their grandfather. They must find out where their family is, learn who they can trust, and discover what secrets are hidden within Cragbridge Hall.

Abby and Derick soon realize they are caught in a race with a fierce adversary to discover their grandfather’s greatest secret–a dangerous discovery that could alter both history and reality.


About Chad:

Chad Morris grew up wanting to become a professional basketball player or a rock star. (Inspired by Animal from the Muppets, he’s been banging on drums since he was eight years old.) After high school, he wrote and performed sketch comedy while going to college, and eventually he became a teacher and a curriculum writer. He lives in Utah with his wife and five kids. Chad would love to teach at Cragbridge Hall.

Unlike Oscar Cragbridge, however, he hasn’t really invented anything, though his son once sketched out blueprints for a machine that would turn celery into cookies.


Second: Bridget Zinn

Bridget's debut novel, POISON, releases a week from tomorrow. Sadly, Bridget died from cancer in May of 2011, and never got to hold her book in her hands. Being published was her dream, and her husband and friends would love some help putting the finishing touches on her dream. Her husband has set up a website that talks about all the ways you can help. It's a pretty awesome thing. You can find his plea for help here: http://bridgetzinn.com/help/index.php

Here's the quick details:

Book: POISON (Hyperion, 3/12/13)
Twitter Hashtag: #poison

The longer details:
About POISON:

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she's the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom's future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart…misses.
Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king's army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she's not alone. She's armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can't stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she's certainly no damsel-in-distress—she's the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.


About Bridget:

Bridget grew up in Wisconsin. She went to the county fair where she met the love of her life, Barrett Dowell. They got married right before she went in for exploratory surgery which revealed she had colon cancer. They christened that summer the "summer of love" and the two celebrated with several more weddings. Bridget continued to read and write until the day she died. Her last tweet was "Sunshine and a brand new book. Perfect."

Bridget wanted to make people laugh and hoped readers would enjoy spending time with the characters she created. As a librarian/writer she loved books with strong young women with aspirations. She also felt teens needed more humorous reads. She really wanted to write a book with pockets of warmth and happiness and hoped that her readers' copies would show the watermarks of many bath time reads.


I am positive that anything you want to do to get the word out about these two fabulous books--- no matter how small--- will be greatly appreciated.

I'm honored to be part of the troops with you all.

35 comments:

Aurora Smith said...

Both of those look neat. Poisen looks rad!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for sharing about these. I posted about Chad's book on Facebook last week when the plea for help first came out. Glad you're shouting out too.

Shell Flower said...

Thanks for letting me know about these authors in need. So sad, but also so amazing that the blogging community is there for them. Both of these books have such lovely covers, too. I will definitely buy these books and pray for these families.

Laura S. said...

Thanks for letting us know about these two great books and wonderful authors. Praying for their families.

Jessie Humphries said...

Oh my goodness, you are so awesome to do this! I've got to find a way to do the same. Big love for the Morris'!

Patti said...

What a great post and a great way to support those in need.

Kelley Lynn said...

I got goosebumps reading these. Thanks for giving them a shout out Peggy. Totally will support their work.

Rena said...

This is why writers are incredible. I'll do what I can to support their work.

Jenny S. Morris said...

I put a post up for tomorrow. I can't wait to read both of these.

Suzanne Furness said...

I gave Chad and Shelly a mention on my blog today. I will certainly check out Bridget's work. This is a wonderful community of supportive people.

Denise Baer said...

Thanks for posting. It's very sad that Bridget won't get to see her book published. My thoughts are with both authors and their families. I'll do what I can do. Take care.

S.P. Bowers said...

Thanks for sharing their stories.

Annalisa Crawford said...

Such sad and touching stories.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Oh my gosh!!! How heart breaking.

Prayers for Chad and his family. And Bridget's story is simply heart breaking.

I will do all I can!!!

Small Town Shelly Brown said...

You have a huge heart, Peggy! Love from the Morris' (still in Primary Children's Medical Center.)

Leigh Covington said...

This has been on my mind all weekend! I'm so glad you have something posted! I'm going to copy this and share. We've got to spread the word!
You're amazing Peggy! I just LOVE you!

Shallee said...

Peggy, you're so awesome. Best wishes and prayers going out to the Morris's, and what an amazing thing for Bridget's husband to do.

I'm actually hosting a contest on my blog right now to help spread the word about Chad's book. Feel free to share the link, if you want! http://www.shalleemcarthur.com/2013/03/mustaches-for-maddie-giveaway-for-brave.html

Chantele Sedgwick said...

You're the best, Peggy. I heart you. :)

Katie Dodge said...

You have just earned a bucket of awesome. (I hope you know what I'm talking about...) The writing community really is the most supportive and best group of people! Yourself, very much included. I will do what I can to spread the word about these two special books. <3

Nichole Giles said...

Thanks for putting these stories into words and making them easy to share. <3

Donna K. Weaver said...

I'm totally on Chad's and Shelly's bandwagon. Love them to death and found Chad's book Cragbridge Hall to be a delight to read.

That is so sad about Bridget. Wow.

prerna pickett said...

both of those sound fantastic! Definitely going to go check them out.

Carrie Butler said...

Both of these situations break my heart. Thank you so much for sharing this!

Elodie said...

Thanks so much for sharing, Peggy! I basically copied and pasted your post on my blog (giving you credit of course!). Hope it´s okay.

Anonymous said...

Reposted this on my blog (with a link and all credit to you, Peggy!) What an awesome thing. Thank you for sharing and letting all of us know we need to help out.

Kathryn Purdie said...

Wow, and to think I was feeling a little sorry for myself this morning. Thank you for sharing these two incredible stories of REAL people writing incredible stories despite and beyond incredible hardships. The theme seems to be INCREDIBLE. I'll do my part to spread the word about them and their books.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing, Peggy! I spread the word on my blog and FB, and will be ordering those books TODAY. Love and light to Chad, Bridget, and their families!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful network of authors and readers! It's so nice to see humanity at its best!

I tweeted your post to help spread the word... My best to both families.

Unknown said...

You know something, Peggy? You're a good egg and I'm glad I've met you. :D

Lora Palmer said...

Elodie posted about this, and when her post appeared in my inbox, I just had to spread the word. Will tweet this and post this in a couple other places!

Rachelle Christensen said...

This is incredibly touching and I'm so glad you shared it! You're right, writers are a great support to each other.

Peggy Eddleman said...

To everyone who has copied and pasted parts or all of this post, to those who tweeted, facebooked, blogged, linked, pinned, etc.-- Mwah! You're the best!

Nicole said...

Just catching up on blogs today...this is incredible! Such amazing stories, and I'm happy to help in even a small way.

Elephant's Child said...

I came to you via Laura Eno and have copied and reposted Chad's story (with credit and links) to my tiny corner of the blogosphere. My heart goes out to the family.

Unknown said...

Both those books look pretty cool!