It's my privilege to have three humorous devotionals included in the new book from Tyndale House Publishing, The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter compiled by Mary Hollingsworth
From the publisher:
Another devotional from the best-selling One Year line, The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter is specifically designed to brighten your day with laughter and joy. Joy is a special type of happiness. Each one of us needs to and should create habits in our lives that encourage us to look on the bright side of our circumstances and see the goodness in what God has given us. This devotional is a daily joy break—something all of us need.
From the Back Cover
Start off your day with a little joy! The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter is specifically designed to brighten your day with laughter and joy. Joy is a special type of happiness. It requires a deep appreciation of what God has given. Each one of us should create habits in our lives that encourage us to look on the bright side of our circumstances and see God’s goodness—whether it’s appreciating the dawn of a bright, beautiful spring day, savoring a warm cup of coffee, enjoying the company of good friends, or giggling with a toddler. Recognizing and celebrating God’s everyday wonders require a certain frame of mind. This devotional is designed to help you create that mind-set each and every day. Start today to build your own habit of a daily joy break.
My contributions:
The three devotionals I submitted are What Powdered Sugar Doughnuts? - Where's Donn? - and I See That Finger.
Other books on the way:
- At the present time, I have three more mysteries in production for readers 8 - 13. More on those at a later time.
- I've submitted a major manuscript to my agent on a project for adult readers.
- Additional submissions have been made (2) to Chicken Soup for the Soul, and one for a book about grandparents. My wife and I will become first-time grandparents around the first of the year.
Stay tuned to this blog for details and further information about releases.
It’s International Talk Like A Pirate Day. Pick up Captain Jack's Treasure today!It’s International Talk Like A Pirate Day. Pick up Captain Jack's Treasure today! http://treasurecaptainjack.blogspot.com/
P. O. Box 4126 Rockford, Illinois 61114 (815) 877-1514
(Note – You are welcome to use this article on your web site, blog, in a newsletter, in print, electronically, or in any way you choose. You may also use photographs from this blog or contact me at mander8813@aol.com if you need anything.)
Do We Need More Good Books for Boys? By Max Elliot Anderson
“We need more good books for boys.” That’s something I’ve heard for a number of years from parents, teachers, librarians, grandparents, publishing sources, and others. The first time I heard those words was back in 2001 when I set out to write for kids. After surveying the market, I chose to start writing action-adventures and mysteries for readers 8 – 13, especially boys. How did I arrive at this segment of readers?
I grew up hating to read. My father was the author of over 70 books during his lifetime, but I didn’t read any of them. I decided, instead, to follow a career of film and video production. Through this field I learned some valuable lessons. Much of my work included the production of dramatic films that were rented for children. This was back when schools and churches had their own 16mm motion picture projectors and movie screens. Video and online material has since replaced that antiquated system.
The most important thing I learned was that girls would watch a boy’s story while boys were not interested in films in which a girl was the main character. Fast forward to my market survey. What I found were plenty of books for girls, or about girls, but not so many for boys.
Using the same template I learned from the film business, I began writing books that I knew boys could relate to, because they were the kinds of stories I would have enjoyed as a boy. The good news is I found that girls enjoyed the stories just as much as boys did.
At a recent bookseller convention, in Atlanta, one of my publishers invited me to appear in their booth to sign copies of my latest adventure for kids. As each person approached, I said hello, asked about them, and then said, “I write adventures and mysteries for readers 8 – 13, especially boys.” Without exception, a look of surprise spread across each face, followed by some variation of, “Good! That’s what we need, more good books for boys.”
From a number of online sources I encounter the same cry.
Over the space of a few years, I did nothing but write story after story until thirty-six manuscripts were completed. In the beginning, I didn’t have a publisher. I didn’t have an agent. What I did have was the desire to create the kind of material that would have interested me when I was younger. And for those who have discovered my books, that plan seems to be working.
Parents of young readers, teachers, and the kids themselves, began to write back to tell me how much they enjoyed a particular book. But the greatest responses have been those where young readers said that reading one of my books is like being in an exciting or scary movie. Given my film background, that’s one of my favorite things to hear.
While it’s true that my books are slanted toward boys, that’s not to say that girls are excluded. In some of the stories, girls are also a part of the plots. I just felt it was important to address the growing problem of struggling or reluctant readers. In the vast majority of cases, those are boys.
But I discovered something else after a few of my books were published. Not only did boys appreciate them, and girls, I also started hearing from lots of adults. In some cases, a dad has picked up a copy and it turned out to be the first book he’d ever read from cover to cover. And avid readers enjoy them as much anybody else. Again, I attribute that to the fact that I bring the same excitement and heart-pounding action from my film production experience to the pages of these books. One reviewer even said it was like reading a movie script. I don’t know if that was intended to be positive or not, but the fact is, readers have a difficult time putting one of these books down until they finish.
My writing approach is a little different in a few key areas. I keep descriptions and details to a minimum. Readers won’t find large, intimidating blocks of words which ordinarily make it difficult to find your place at times. The stories are fast-paced, exciting, using shorter sentences, and lots of humor and dialog.
These books are published now.
Lost Island Smugglers – 1935600028 Book #1 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series
Captain Jack’s Treasure – 1935600141 Book #2 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series
Barney and the Runaway 0984559841
Newspaper Caper 193669526X
When the Lights Go Out 1936695472
North Woods Poachers 1936695057
These books are in production now.
River Rampage – Book #3 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series – due out in late 2011
Legend of the White Wolf – due out in February, 2012
We know that reading has been on the decline primarily because of other distractions including video games, computers, television, smart phones, and other activities. Yet, we also know that there are processes that take place in the brain which can only happen while reading. When I speak in schools, I often begin by saying, “Something has been stolen from you, and you don’t even know it.” Students become wide-eyed as they try to figure out what it is. That’s when I tell them, “It’s your imagination.” This is because in the electronic world, everything is already packaged and presented so that kids don’t have to use an imagination.
We’re in real danger of losing the battle with many of our children. If you’re having difficulty in getting children in your family, school, or circle of friends interested in reading, try one of the books listed above. Maybe your kids will also say that it was like being in an exciting movie when they finish reading. And remember, readers are the leaders others follow.
Biography - Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a struggling, reluctant reader. Using his extensive experience in the production of motion pictures, videos, and television commercials, he brings the same visual excitement and heart-pounding action to his adventure and mystery stories, written especially for boys. Both boys and girls have reported that reading one of his books is like being in an exciting movie.
I received the following notification announcing my inclusion in Who's Who in America for five years straight.
Who's Who in America ---------------------------------------------------------- Your outstanding record of achievement has earned you a place in Who's Who in America for 5 years. Celebrate your historic milestone which recognizes your long-standing commitment to greatness and the lasting contributions you have made to your field.
Congratulations on your continued inclusion in Who's Who in America, and best wishes for your continued success.
Max Elliot Anderson Author of Adventures & Mysteries for Young Readers
How many times have we heard those words over the past few days? Still, many children know little or nothing about 9/11 or why it's important to them. There is a new book for kids, When the Lights Go Out, for readers 8 - 13, that you might consider purchasing for your home, school, church, or public library.
Within an exciting, heart-pounding adventure / mystery, When the Lights Go Out, the father of the main character is able to tell his kids why he joined the army instead of going into business. He says, "After what happened on 9/11, somebody had to help keep the country safe." This opens a short discussion with his two children in which he recounts the events of that day.
There is a special web page for When the Lights Go Out with lots of information, a video, and a news release. You are welcome to lift any material that might help you in communicating with your circle of influence. http://max-whenlightsgoout.blogspot.com
Order one or more copies of When the Lights Go Out today, while 9/11 is still fresh in your mind. Available in bookstores and online everywhere.
Never forget...When the Lights Go Out will help.
Other exciting adventures & mysteries include Lost Island Smugglers - Captain Jack's Treasure - Barney and the Runaway - Newspaper Caper - North Woods Poachers
Adventure, mystery, action, suspense, danger, excitement, courage, faith, character...just a few of the elements you'll find in books for boys & girls by Max Elliot Anderson.
My latest mystery / adventure book, North Woods Poachers ISBN 1936695057, was released on September 1, by Comfort Publishing. Comfort has also published Barney and the Runaway, Newspaper Caper, When the Lights Go Out, and now, North Woods Poachers.
This story actually originated from two trips that I took to northern Saskatchewan, Canada. I shot a dramatic film production for children each time. I was struck by how remote the area was. The last 50 miles of the trip took place over loose, gravel roads. Many of the fishermen, who came to Dore Lake, did so by flying in on float planes and landing on the water.
Years later I thought it would be interesting to use this remote setting, from my memories of those two trips, as a location where international poachers would fly in, near dark in the evening, and leave again before the sun came up. The planes would go over to an abandoned fishing lodge, and the boys in the story, being boys, simply had to find out what was going on.
This video will give you a taste of the story:
Story Synopsis
It was that time again—the annual fishing trip. Every summer was the same. The two Washburn families packed up their identical over-sized pickup trucks and headed for Canada. Only this time Andy Washburn determined it was going to be different. He didn't quite know what, or how he was going to work it out, but he was not going to spend two weeks in a boat, fishing this year. There had to be something better they could do up there instead. Even if they had to include Sarah, Andy's nine-year-old sister, and Jessica, CJ's sister, they'd do it.
Andy and CJ, his cousin, both approaching their twelfth birthdays, tried to find ways to get out of all that fishing. CJ is a computer whiz, and tests new products for his father's company, so he brings this year’s newest games and gadgets along, and they sure come in handy.
After arriving at the lake, the boys made a deal with their dads. They'd fish for the first couple of days then the boys could go off and explore the area. This becomes even more exciting when two, identical, black float-planes landed on the lake, after dark, and disappeared into the cove around the bend from the Washburn's cabins. Then they took off again before sunrise the next morning.
The boys determined to find out what that was all about. When Andy remembered that, at the Canada/US border, they'd been stopped and searched, another vehicle had been found to have illegal turtles hidden in the spare-tire well. Andy was sure these planes were poachers landing and taking off in the dark.
When the four children set out on their mission, they have no idea what they're getting themselves into. They find an old forest watch tower which, of course, they have to climb. From there they can see into the lodge on the other side of the cove where the two strange float-planes had gone. They return to the tower the next day with a telescope that belongs to Andy's dad. What they see and discover turns into sudden danger for these four kids. They uncover the answer to the mysterious, black planes, but they also stir up some serious trouble when they discover that there is an international ring of wild animal poachers operating out of the old abandoned lodge. North Woods Poachers ISBN 1936695057
Author Max Elliot Anderson has published his next children’s adventure, North Woods Poachers for readers 8 – 13. The book is his fourth title from Comfort Publishing in Concord, NC.
“This book is not part of a traditional series,” Anderson said. “Each book stands alone.” The other three titles are Barney and the Runaway, Newspaper Caper, and When the Lights Go Out. “I grew up hating to read,” Anderson continued, “so today I’m writing the kinds of books I would have enjoyed as a child.”
These books are joined by two titles in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series; Lost Island Smugglers and Captain Jack’s Treasure, from Port Yonder Press – SharksFinn.
North Woods Poachers ISBN 1936695057
It was that time again—the annual fishing trip. Every summer was the same. The two Washburn families packed up their identical over-sized pickup trucks and headed for Canada. Only this year Andy Washburn determined it was going to be different. He didn't quite know what, or how he was going to work it out, but he was not going to spend two weeks in a boat, fishing again this year. There had to be something better they could do up there instead. Even if they had to include Sarah, Andy's nine-year-old sister, and Jessica, CJ's sister, they'd do it.
After arriving at the lake, the boys made a deal with their dads. They'd fish for the first couple of days and then the boys could go off and explore the area. This becomes even more exciting when two, identical, black float-planes landed on the lake, after dark, and disappeared into the cove around the bend from the Washburn's cabins. Then they took off again before sunrise the next morning.
The boys decided to find out what that was all about. Andy was sure these planes were poachers landing and taking off in the dark. When the four children set out on their mission, they uncover the answer to the mysterious, black planes. But they also stir up some serious trouble when they discover that there is an international ring of wild animal poachers operating out of the old abandoned lodge.
Author Jerry B. Jenkins reports, "Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries."
And author Bill Myers adds, "Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!"
“All of my books are available to bookstores through Ingram, and online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and others,” Mr. Anderson said.
Young readers report that reading one of Max Elliot Anderson’s action-adventures or mysteries is like being in an exciting or scary movie. His Books for Boys blog at http://booksandboys.blogspot.com often ranks in the top ten in Google searches. A short video about North Woods Poachers can be seen on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrJF8x9gqBw&feature
Using his extensive experience in dramatic film, video, and TV commercial production, Max Elliot Anderson brings that same heart-pounding, visual excitement to his middle grade adventures & mysteries for readers 8 and up
It's my privilege to have three humorous devotionals included in the new book from Tyndale House Publishing, The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter compiled by Mary Hollingsworth
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