ETJ Writes

Indian Echo Caverns November 2018

Hello Friends!

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.
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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.
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“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!

Thanks 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