ETJ Writes

Archive for the category “Book Events”

2019 CHAP Convention!

Hello Friends!

books on con tableThis past weekend I went to my second CHAP convention (check out last year’s blog post to see what the 2018 convention was like!) with my wonderful mother – again featuring her memoir, Four Jewels in My Crown, a lovely tribute to biblical focused home education and an encouragement for other homeschooling familes.

Last year was tons of fun, and this year was even better! Naturally I was there with my medieval themed novel Tedenbarr of Have Lath, discussing the uplifting themes presented within, and connecting with other homeschool families at all different stages in their homeschool journeys.

I had so many more goodies to offer this year – crossword & word search puzzles (available for download right here) and two different colouring pages that were perfect for the little kids to attack with crayons while the parents and older siblings chatted.

Jones with reader Jones with Fan

Additionally, this year I debuted the hardcover editions of novel – beautiful glossy case laminate with larger print for easier reading – and sold my very first one to an avid young reader and an overall fan of books. I also got to meet a fan of Tedenbarr of Have Lath who told me told me she loves it so much it’s going on her extra-special bookshelf. Every author’s dream, and I couldn’t be happier!

Moments like these make every single minute of work worth it as I’m always so excited to meet young readers, and it’s my sincerest desire that each person who reads my novel comes away even more enthused about literature.

Of course this being
a homeschool convention,
I would be remiss if I
didn’t include a picture
of my mother again this
year, as her hard work
and dedication helped
mold myself and my
siblings into the people
we are today.
marann Jones with book chick fil a mascot

(It was also pretty fun meeting the Chick-Fil-A mascot on the first day of the convention. Eat more chicken!
New this year to CHAP were the Interactive Corners.

The one I hosted was called “acting out the story,” featuring short, one act plays based on scenes adapted from my novel wherein we read through the plays, discussed their meaning, and then, scripts in hand, acted them out using assorted props to really bring the story to life!

Doing so was such a fun experience, and one I hope to repeat over and over again, bringing the art of storytelling to young readers through play(s).

Don’t forget to check out my mother’s article on “Gardening with Children” in the CHAP 2019 Spring Magazine, and for those of you who weren’t able to make the convention this year, the kindle edition of Tedenbarr of Have Lath is on a countdown deal until the end of the week!

Many Blessings, & Happy Reading!

ETJ

College Park Book Fest 2019

Hello Friends!

On Saturday, Four Jewels in My Crown author Marann H. Jones and I attended the 7th Annual Book Festival co-hosted by the College Park Lions and the College Park Community Library.Marann and Esther Jones with their books

It was a bit farther afield than we’d ventured before, so we didn’t quite know what to expect, although the beautiful spring flowers blooming outside the event venue gave us a good feeling before we even went inside.

Straight away we met some amazing authors who had engaging, thoughtful, and interesting books, and every author we spoke to had a friendly smile to give and a kind word to say.


Here’s a few neat authors with poetry and prose of all kinds:

 

Esther Smiling with bookThe attendees were also great, and it was so much fun to watch the kids with their balloons animals and painted faces while munching on some free popcorn. Laughter and excitement filled the air, and we got to listen to some fascinating stories from people who have seen and experienced everything life can throw someone’s way.

Special thanks to all who bought copies Tedenbarr of Have Lath for themselves or friends and family; you’re in for a grand adventure!

I look forward to returning to the College Park Area for future events, and wish the Community Library much success in continuing to connect and grow with the College Park community.

And if you didn’t get the chance to attend the book festival and get a personally signed copy, I still have some online bonuses available. On the Games & Quizzes page Tedenbarr of Have Lath themed crossword and word search puzzles can be freely downloaded, and the kindle countdown deal is still running for a few more days, so be sure to snag a copy before the novel returns to full price!

Happy Reading!

ETJ

Tedenbarr of Have Lath

Brand New ETJ Writes Author Feature. (At addisoncarmichael.com)

HELLO FRIENDS!!!

I’m super excited to be sharing my first ever online author feature with you all! The lovely Addison Carmichael has graciously taken the time to feature me this month on her website:

I absolutely adore this pretty header Addison chose that goes so well with the content of the feature.

All the details are here, so go check it out!

And while you’re at it, add her newest upcoming book “Knight” from the “Sons of the Alpha” series to your to-be-read pile. I had a chance to read it in advance, and you can check out my goodreads review here.

Happy reading!
ETJ

Tedenbarr of Have Lath

Indian Echo Caverns November 2018

Hello Friends!

indian echo with books

Many thanks to the lovely ladies at Indian Echo Caverns for inviting my wonderful mother and I to their homeschool day at the caverns alongside CHAP: Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania. (Find Marann Jones’ book on the joys of Christian home education here: Four Jewels in My Crown).

We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and the caverns were a delight to explore. I could just see all the scenes from “Tedenbarr of Have Lath” coming to life:

The convoy rounded a corner and Tedenbarr caught his breath. Unlike the dim, sombre chamber the Alliance had first passed through, torches flung their light from every corner of the enormous cavern the longboats had just entered.
_

An ancient stone city was carved into the rock of the cavern, its grandeur like something out of the old tales. Free standing houses sat along the canal’s walkways, and some of the windows had curtains hung from them that glowed from the presence of light within. Lar Jahaal let go of his oar to gesture to the broken yet magnificent city that stretched out before Tedenbarr.
_

“Welcome to old A’an.”


Meeting all the homeschool families was really fantastic, and thanks to all who bought books – your support is much appreciated.

Looking forward to seeing everybody at the next book signing – until then, happy reading!

ETJ

2018 CHAP Convention

Hello Friends!

This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending my first CHAP convention from the perspective of a vendor (as a home educated graduate, I have been many times in the past with my mother to review and obtain high quality curricula and materials). I was mostly attending the June 1st & 2nd convention to assist my wonderful mom as she displayed her recently published work Four Jewels in My Crown, a part-memoir, part-instructive narrative that is a lovely tribute to biblical focused home education and an encouragement for other homeschooling moms – new, current or veterans thereof.

In the process I was also granted the opportunity to be able to present my debut novel Tedenbarr of Have Lath, and I must say that the event was absolutely wonderful. We conversed with attendees and other vendors alike, enjoying so many meaningful interactions with homeschooling families of all ages and size. The staff and volunteers could not have been any more helpful or welcoming, and were a huge part of making our first CHAP vendor experience such a positive one.

Lord willing, I hope to be able to return in the years following and continue to be encouraged and encourage others in the home education community, and to keep supporting excellence in literacy in readers both beginning and advanced alike.

Happy Reading!

ETJ

Books, Books, Books!

Hello Friends!

Reading from Tedenbarr of Have Lath in the Children's LibraryThanks so much to all who came out to the Coyle Free Library’s Grand Reopening to hear me read excerpts from Tedenbarr of Have Lath, and who bought copies for themselves or friends and family. I enjoyed hearing all the fascinating stories that everybody had to share, and it was absolutely wonderful to meet so many different people all brought together by the love of books and joy of reading!

Many thanks also to Sarah, the children’s librarian, who couldn’t have been more helpful in coordinating the event, and also to the other brilliant and talented writers at the event. I shared a cosy, sun-filled room with Sherri Maret, Jennie K. Brown, and Rachael T. Reiton, who were three of the most genial and welcoming ladies I have ever met. It really was a joy getting to know each author and watching kids’ faces light up with each new story they discovered.

I look forward to returning to the Coyle Free Library for future events, and to enjoy all the features the newly refreshed library has to offer.


Additional photos can be found at Instagram and Facebook, and don’t forget to join the mailing list and follow me on your preferred social media to receive notifications for future events, and keep up-to-date on the latest news from me.

Happy Reading!

ETJ

Coffee and Books!

Hello Friends!

I was so thrilled to meet those of you who were able to come out to Friday’s book signing. The gathering was small but cosy, and I really got to know each person. I loved hearing all your thoughtful questions, as well as your own experiences with writing and I do hope you will continue your creative endeavours.

For those of you who missed the event, I do have additional pictures posted both on Instagram and Facebook, and please keep scrolling to view a 2-part video of the event featuring the entire reading session, and part of the Q&A (unfortunately the camera did cut out here and there, so part 2 is edited together as best as possible).

Thanks to everybody who graciously allowed me to post pictures of them online, and thanks to my wonderful mother who kindly filmed the event and took many of the photographs.

Don’t forget to join the mailing list to receive notifications for future events, and please follow me on your preferred social media if you would like to stay up-to-date on the latest news from me.

Happy Reading!

ETJ



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