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I finally get to share my big news.
I know, MORE BIG NEWS?? How is that possible?

I've had an incredible year, and been very very lucky.

This is what I've been working on lately. From Publishers Weekly:

Christine Krones at HMH has acquired the first four books in a fictional series of young chapter books called Survivor Diaries byÌýTerry Lynn Johnson. Each book will feature a different survival story about kids who get lost in the wilderness and are able to survive using their knowledge and skills in climates ranging from snowy Wyoming backcountry to tropical Costa Rican rainforest. Publication of the first title,ÌýOverboard, is scheduled for spring 2017; Caryn Wiseman at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.

An example of "never give up":
Survivor Diaries has been super fun to write. I felt blessed each day during my recent leave of absence from work that I got to stay home and do something I love.Ìý
But before that, I had started to wonder if my writing career was over. I hadn't sold anything in four years. Not since ICE DOGS.Ìý
Now suddenly, with the 4-book SURVIVOR DIARIES series added to my other contracts ( is the new official title of my falconry novel coming out next fall, and SLED DOG SCHOOLÌýcoming out Feb. 2018), that makes six books sold in one year! Publishing can be like that. I'm just so grateful to be writing again.


We've recently returned from a research trip hiking in Montana and Wyoming, so here are a few pictures while we wait for the book covers to arrive.Ìý

Yellowstone Park, WyomingGrand Canyon of Yellowstone

getting into the local vibe



hiking Sphinx Mountain, Montana

I'm excited to share more news - I have another dogsledding novel coming out next year!



Here's the announcement from Publisher's Weekly:


Ann Rider at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has acquired a middle-grade novel byÌýTerry Lynn Johnson.ÌýSled Dog SchoolÌýtells the story of a lonely 11-year old boy who starts a business teaching dog sledding to fulfill a class assignment, but his lessons don't work out the way he expected. Publication is scheduled for fall 2017; Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.ÌýÌý


I'm also sitting on even bigger news, but can't spill yet. Soon!Ìý
For now, here's a few photos from our latest adventure - kayaking, snorkelling in Baja Mexico
No one knows why Grey Whales bring their babies to meet us, Magdelena Bay.
That's me wearing the Canadian bandana

Humpback whales feeding in La Paz Bay
Grey Whales coming for a scratch, they have fleas that look like white Ìýticks
spy hopping
snorkelling with juvenile whale sharks!

snorkelling with sea lion pups

Lots of book goodness happening around here.Ìý



First, here's the latest book deal I can share from Publishers Weekly:

Julie Bliven at Charlesbridge has boughtÌýBirds of PreyÌý²ú²âÌýTerry Lynn Johnson. It's a middle-grade survival story about 12-year-old Karma's quest to rescue her dad after a car accident leaves him trapped in the desert. Karma has only the help of her trained falcon and a troubled runaway boy, who may or may not be a friend. Publication is slated for 2018; Caryn Wiseman of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.Ìý

I'm so thrilled to finally get to share this story with you. I've had a fascination with raptors for years - seriously, look at that face, doesn't everyone?

You can for updates and more on my research for this project. The photo is a hint for exactly what kind of falcon is in the story. Can you guess?




Next, the paperback edition of ICE DOGS is out! I had a giveaway for my mailing list subscribers. Congrats to the following who won signed copies:

Cara FalcettiMargaret BlackKathleen Byrd
If you purchase a copy and want it signed, send me a self addressed envelope and I'll mail you a custom bookplate with little sled dogs on it!

I have one more thrilling bit of news that will have to wait till next month to share. I hope that you may come back to join the celebration. Thank you, everyone for sticking with this blog!Ìý

I still can't tell you my big news.

But I do have more happy photos to share of our latest adventures.

Three weeks kayaking St. Lawrence and the Saguenay Fijord in Quebec.
Very French. Very WHALE.


little fuzzy, but here's me taking the above photo. This minke whale got a might close but the best part I wish I could share with you is the noise they make coming out of the water and blowing. Spectacular!Ìý




Beluga Whales!






Grey seal - heavy breathers when following your kayak!Ìýstayed in this tent for three weeks!
Notice the tide markers in front on the beach. Sneaky coming up 14 feet during the night, had to keep an eye on it.

Two minke whales in a feeding frenzy. This photo was taken just before they got way too close erupting out of the water in a chaotic fashion and we had to back paddle post haste. Notice we are already rafted together with our kayaks to feel more stable and safe.

Note: "safe" being a relative term while sitting in a plastic tube on freezing water with mammals the size of busses underneath you.Ìý

I have news!Ìý

But I have to wait to tell you.

In the meantime, here are some photos of our latest kayak trip along beautiful Lake Huron from Sault Ste. Marie to Spanish, Ontario.

I love getting mail from readers. It is the best part of being an author to imagine my book touched anyone enough for them to take the time to tell me about it.

This latest package I received has to be shared!

Not only did these elementary students from Massachusetts send me some fantastic ideas for a sequel (sadly, there will not be a sequel guys, ICE DOGS is a stand alone) but they also sent me these amazing POEMS

I have their permission to post these on my blog. Enjoy!




Chrisburned the map by JaimeÌý
this is just to sayÌýI have burned theÌýmap that you gaveÌýto me
and you were probably trying toÌýget us home
forgive meâ€� I am very clumsy boyÌýandÌýso foolish

Four Little BootiesÌýBy ChristianÌýThe Point Of View Of Whistler
so much dependsÌýupon
four littleÌýbootiessewn with the cloth from aÌýblanket
on my paws

Triple­Cheese Burgers
ÌýBy DeclanÌýFrom The Point Of View Of Chris
So much depends upon
Triple­cheese burgers
Cooked perfectlyâ€� With orange cheddar cheeseÌý


My team
by RebeccaÌý
So much dependsÌýupon
My muscular dogs
Dorset, Blue, Drift,ÌýGazzo, Whistler,ÌýandÌýdon’t forget Bean
Carrying me inÌýthe sledÌýrunning rapidly
Bean By:ÌýSofia
from the point of view of Vicky
so much depends upon,Bean the ice dog,Ìýin the wilderness,Ìýguiding me home
this is just to sayi need foodÌýand i wanted to hurt your dogÌýbut when i got on the trail
Ìýyou threw your snow shoe at meâ€�
and i ranÌýand your dogs chased meÌýand i hurt one of your leaders bean
by DominicÌý
Ìý

What's been going on with me?Ìý

First - I've been touring!

in Washington last month was incredible!

While I was there, Michelle Lane, the event coordinator, organized some middle school and elementary school visits for me which included dogsled races down the hallways of course. And lots of laughs.

DOGSLED RACES!

This was my first Cavalcade and wow, what a day! The Cavalcade workshops were intense and full of magic - feeling the buzz of energy coming from all those enthusiastic readers.

There were 15 authors - what a thing to organize, yet they still made time for the little things like GIFT BASKETS!

my first ever GIFT BASKET waiting for me in hotel room! OMG!
I also had two personal assistants who took care of me - drove me around, made sure I made it to dinner, to my presentations, book signings, and to the airport! I don't know what I would have done without them!

A huge thank you to Michelle and all the brilliant organizers who made things run smoothly. I feel so lucky to have been a part of this.


Fun classes waiting for me to say something dog-tastic
B&N book signing - the line up went to the door!
Cavalcade of Authors book signing - where I learned what 1400 students in a gym sounded like
A treasured momento from Enterprise Middle school - all kids signed!






What's been going on PART TWO -ÌýAwards for ICE DOGS!
Children's Choices Book Award nominee with the CBC - you can .
Ice Dogs is in the Grade 5 and 6 category!

Kiss the Book Top 50 List - Utah Librarians

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award - Maryland 2015 - 2016Maine Student Book Award - Maine 2015 - 2016Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award - Vermont 2015 - 2016


And finally - PAPERBACK NEWS
Not every book automatically comes out in paperback. It's often determined by sales whether it will have a second release. So I'm extremely thrilled to announce:
Ice Dogs is coming out in paperback November 3, 2015
Thank you so much to everyone who helped make this happen!Ìý

by .

Bet you're wondering what happened to the good old days when I used to post here about my outdoor adventures and share buckets of photos.

Few things have made this a busy summer and sadly, we missed a few planned trips.

And the final blow was a very heartbreaking decision to put our Husky dog down due to cancer. This hollowed me out right good till we met Lady Bird.

Lady Bird - our 10-month-old latest family member. Border Collie / Lab mix

We've just returned home from our two-week adventures in Nova Scotia where we all bonded and ate seafood and hiked and camped in a tiny tent, and now Lady Bird is home and wondering - "What?? I can't sleep with you in your bed? What the heck is this business?"

Lady Bird LOVES to sleep in a tent with THE PEOPLE

And now for buckets of photos:








When I say hiking in Nova Scotia, I mean - the ENTIRE province. We went all around. 6,000 km. Fun, but next time we are flying to the destination!

anyone else do an epic road trip this summer?

Ice Dogs is going on tour in Seattle!

August 7 - 10, 2014



If you live in the Seattle area, I'd love to see you! Here's my schedule of events


Aug. 7

Barnes and Noble signing 2 - 7pm
, Seattle


Aug. 8


Barnes and Noble signing noon - 4pm



Books by the Bay Festival,
Port of Olympia Plaza 6 - 8pm

Silent auctions, food, live music, and authors! All to benefit South Sound Literacy Programs. More details on website. I'll be doing a presentation with signing to follow



Aug. 9

Barnes and Noble signing noon - 2
, Silverdale, WA

Barnes and Noble signing 4 - 6pm - Pop Culture Day - also meet a Ninja Turtle!





Aug. 10

Barnes and Noble signing noon - 2
, Tukwila, WA



I hope to see you!

.... seriously, please come and smile at me. I'll be the one dressed as musher and looking enthusiastic but big-city-terrified.