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ICE DOGS is available for pre order!

Pre orders are important. They show that there's an interest in this kind of novel, Ìýand the publisher may be more willing to spend marketing money on the title.

Send an email letting me know you've pre ordered my middle grade survival story, and attach a photo of screen shot of your order receipt, and I'll send you a package of swag.

Bookmarkstattoosa signed custom bookplateand other goodies while supplies last.



You'll also get my sincere gratitude! All my readers ROCK!

Links to your choice of pre order:















ICE DOGS is a JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION

Putting the kayaks away is always a sad event. But the good news is - it signals the start of my favourite season...

DOGSLEDDING


Many dogsled race committees are joining the growing trend to include an educational component to their race.

If you are a teacher interested in following a race with your class, or even just a fan wanting to learn more, there are blogs and websites you can follow along with.


Pick a favourite musher (I'm a loyal fan of Martin Buser, my musher-crush)Meet the dogsFollow the race via GPSLive ChatsRead news reports from a Canine news teamContests, videos for classrooms, games and more!
Here are a few links to get you started











Iditarod 2014 Teacher on the Trail, Jennifer ReiterÌý

Last month I travelled to Virginia to take part in a ,

Writing the Breakout NovelÌý
New friend, Sylvia and I hard at work...

It was a fantastic week and I learned so much...

perhaps too much, because I haven't been able to write since I returned home.

I've decided to take a wee break from writing to let everything I learned sink in

Plot, Pacing, Tension, Micro tension, Character, Secondary Emotion, Motivations, Scenes, Surprise, Paradoxes, Beginnings, Endings, and much more

During this break, I've been READING. And so here are some amazing books I've read that I highly recommend:

Currently I'm reading one that is blowing me away. You HAVE to read this:

what good books have you read lately?

I want to celebrate a few books this week

Ìýfirst Alex Cavanaugh's release of the third novel in his series, CASSASTORM!Ìý
What a successful series! Congratulations, my friend!
CassaStormBy Alex J Cavanaugh
From the Amazon Best Selling Series!
A storm gathers across the galaxy�
Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.
After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.
Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle�
“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…� - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken
Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space operaPrint ISBN 9781939844002 eBook ISBN 9781939844019
Find CassaStorm:Ìý
Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.
Ìý



And also this week, Ìýreleased the cover of her upcoming novel LUMIERE
Congratulations on this stunning cover, Jackie!Ìý

Expected release is October 26! Add it on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

We're back from an epic adventure in Alaska where my mg novel ICE DOGS is set.

For nearly three weeks we backpacked up mountains and camped, hiked across glowing glaciers, and kayaked our way through spectacular scenery.

One of the best things about travelling is sharing pictures! Here's a few:

note: I missed getting a really cool shot of a humpback whale breaching as well as a sea otter eating an octopus. The octopus was larger than the sea otter! The otter floated on its back while tearing at a rubbery tentacle. It was so cool to watch it smacking its lips while peering over to make sure we weren't trying to steal the prize.

Can't wait to go back!

Grizzly on the Denali Park roadKiller Whales in Kenai Fjords National ParkHaving fun on Mat-su Glacier
Hiking the back country of Denali
Sea Lions Kenai Fjords National ParkView of Mt McKinley
Kayaking out of HomerDenali Park roadUp on the Kesugi Ridge, Denali State Parkgreat viewKachemak State Park - the marmots were everywhere on this trail! Standing up and screaming their alarm.Ìý

'Scuse me while I gush a bit...

You know those moments when you've worked at something for years, and dreamt of how it would be, and visualized what you would do and how you would feel if you achieved it, and then it finally COMES?

I had one of those yesterday when my ARCs of ICE DOGS came in the mail. It was even better than I imagined it. The cover is so shiny and gorgeous! It looks like a real book, feels just like a real book - but with my name on it.

I wrote a book. Yes - I've been writing books since I was eight. Yes, I always said I was going to grow up to be a writer.

But it actually happened.

Here's what my moment looked like. ÌýTell me about yours!

I am truly blessed with a spectacular cover for my next middle grade novel,
ICE DOGS, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Feb. 2014

I couldn't be more excited about this amazing piece of art!






add ICE DOGS to Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ
like the

ARC's will be available in April. Note that the publisher gives out ARC's. If you are interested in receiving an ARC for review, please

I hope to be able to share my cover for ICE DOGS soon!!

But for now I will say that I'm so humbled and amazed that my publisher has chosen




You will recognize some of his work here

Ìý

I'm full of joy!

wow - it's been a while! I've been waiting on my cover, or some other book news to share, but since that is moving in typical industry style, thought I'd better share something so you know I'm still kicking!

And so...

my favorite reads so far this year (I'm up to 81 books read this year, my best year yet)

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Terry's favorite-books-read-in-2012 book montage







Terry Johnson's favorite books »
Share book reviews and ratings with Terry, and even join a book club on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.




Chime
The Sky is Everywhere
The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and the Evolution of Mara Dyer
Under the Never Sky and Roar and Liv
The Assassin and the Desert
Grave Mercy
Hidden
Wonder
May B
Smoke and Bone
Blood Red Road

We're back from our fall kayak trip, this time we explored islands in Georgian Bay. It was a chilly one this year - and the gale force winds made for some exciting moments! But the scenery made it all worth it.

loading my kayakIs all that gear going to fit in your kayak, Den?
(It did!)Love the rocksAwesome!Cooking supperSoup goes down nice when it's four degrees Celcius out!

Anyone have kayak adventures they want to share?