Do you want to impact kids in a positive way?

My non-profit, 501(c)3 organization is up and running on-line at www.character4kidsinc.org.  It has been approved through the  IRS since 2008 with the mission stated to: "encourage children who have had financial or physical setbacks to read by providing exciting, character building books, through donations by corporations and individuals."

Giving That Makes A Difference
Exciting Books with Positive Moral Values - Builds Good Character

Think back. What is the first time you can recall someone reading an exciting book to you? Did you picture yourself in the story and the adventures you would have? When you traveled through time, rode the high sees to a distant land, or passed through a portal into another world... how did you feel? Did you encounter pirates? Dragons? Talking animals? This is the type of excitement that Character 4 Kids, Inc. wants children to experience, especailly those that have had health setbacks or are challenged financially and might not be able to get one of these great stories on their own. At the same time, we screen books to make sure that they have positive, uplifting themes with good morals and values for children to embrace and learn from.

Character 4 Kids, Inc. takes stewardship of its assets very seriously. 100% of the money donated to the organization, goes towards the purchase and delivery of books. while we appreciate donations for us to utilize in the various projects we evaluate on an ongoing basis, we like to encourage donors to use us as a resource to impact your own community, where ever that may be.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN IMPACT YOUR COMMUNITY
www.character4kidsinc.org/donate.html.

Victim of Cybersquatting - My Domain Name has Changed

I wanted to give a quick update to let you know that the domain name for Ryann Watters has changed to www.ryannwattersbooks.com I officially have become a victim of "Cyber Squatting." My primary job changed in February and unfortunately GoDaddy (my domain carrier) didn't have my new contact information. Therefore when my website domain came up for renewal in August, they couldn't locate me and let it lapse and then allowed it to go up for sale. Apparently there are companies out there that buy up domain names for $10-15 and then try and sell them back to the owner who let them lapste for $150+. I guess I should feel complimented that someone would think my domain is worth something, but hey, I'm no Wayne Batson, Bryan Davis, Donita K. Paul, Christpher Hopper, the Miller Brothers or J.K. Rowling. After trying to figure out a way to rectify the situation through GoDaddy and e-mailing the new owner (yes, it's public information), I decided to make the best of a bad situation and rename ryannwatters.com to ryannwattersbooks.com. There are two books and I'm working on book three and hope to have it ready to read by the Summer of 2014. LESSON LEARNED: Update your contact information with your domain carrier if you ever change your e-mail or phone number! Blessings, Eric www.ryannwattersbooks.com

PUBLISHER'S WAREHOUSE BLOWOUT SPECIAL - Either Book only $1.99 each!

Yes, you read the title right... Ryann Watter's and the King's Sword, just $1.99 (originally $17.99) or book 2, Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith, for just $1.99 (originally $19.99).  The publisher is blowing out the remaining inventory to hopefully make room for softcover copies in the future (if the movie is ever made - another story).  You can get both books for just $2.99!  I know, it's crazy... pass the word!  If you buy in bulk (they ship the case), then they are $1 each.  Go here to order: http://shop.ryannwattersbooks.com/

Will 2013 be "The" Year?

There are always things to be excited about as you start a new year.  It's a chance to make new committments, resolutions, set goals, be thankful for the previous year and look forward to improving upon it for the new year. 

I've been getting quite a few e-mails resently from restless fans that want to know when Book 3 will be out.  Believe me, I'd like it to be sooner rather than later.  I've written six chapters and have the rest outlined.  I think if I took a few weeks off and just wrote then it would be done.  Alas, I have a "real" job and it actually pays the bills!

CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?

I'd love to tell you what's in the works, but the icing hasn't been put on the cake yet.  My hope is that over the next few weeks details will be finalized so a BIG announcement can be made.  If 2013 is indeed "The" year, then you aren't going to believe it.  Eric

-94% OFF RYANN WATTERS BOOKS - MASSIVE WAREHOUSE SALE!

I'm working towards a 2013 release date for "Ryann Watters and the Belt of Truth," but for now you can get a massive discount on book 1, "Ryann Watters and the King's Sword," due to the publisher releasing a pallet of boxes from their inventory.  While they last, you can get one case (that's 22 books) for just $25!  That comes out to $1.13 a book and -94% off the original $17.99 retail price. Go to www.ryannwatters.com and click on the "Shop" stone.  Feel free to pass it on, but only after you order yours :)

They will be mailed in the original publisher box via media mail for the lowest shipping cost of only $11.50.  One book via normal first class postage was $3.00.  Here are a few reasons to act quickly...

1. Make Dave Ramsey proud.  Spend $25 and have Christmas and birthday presents for the year!
2. Donate the books to your church or school.  There is a free PDF at www.ryannwatters.com for teachers to use in class.
3. Use the books as a unit study for your home school group and the same free PDF on-line.
4. Start a children's book club and provide the first book for free to those that attend.
5. Donate the books to your local children's hospital or inner-city reading program.  Character-4-Kids, my non-profit charity, does this all over the United States.
6. Use the book as a fund raiser for your church, home school group, school or extra-curricular group.  Big profits in buying the books for $1.13 each and selling them for whatever price you choose.  Plus they are healthier for you than cookies, popcorn and candy bars that are the typical fund raisers!
7.  Keep the box in the back of your car and give them away when you run into families, friends, and kids who you think would enjoy them.

Don't delay.  I moved the boxes from the publisher's warehouse to a temporary location, but they are priced to ship out now and be where you want them in time for Christmas if necessary.

What's up with Ryann Watters?

I've had quite a few inquires into what is going on with the Ryann Watters book series and the film project, so I thought I clear it up on my blog and post an update to my website as well.  If you didn't know already, the movie first effort with "Ryann Watters and the King's Sword" began on-site in Mt Dora, two summers ago and was about 70% into initial filming when things went south.  It was fun to watch the shooting, on location, and see scenes I had only previously dreamed about being on film.  I learned a great deal about the movie industry, from cameras to budgets, to the actors involved and the film crew positions.  I'll spare you the details of what went wrong, but it was demoralizing personally, because I like to make people happy and I knew the results were going to disappoint readers, those involved with the film, and investors. 

Through the process I have come to terms with the fact that God's timing is not Eric's timing.  If things occured on my time table, book 3 would be in stores and you would be going to the theatre to see the movie.  So, where are we now?

There is still a core group that is making headway towards a film.  Gold Pictures revised the script for "King's Sword," and wrote a script for "Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith."  They have put together a great proposal for filming both movies simultaneously and there are even some actors that are committed to being a part if/when the time comes (see http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1858527/).

Taylor Boswell, who is slated to play Liddy, is the only actor from the first efforts who is still part of the new director's plans.  Taylor is currently on the set of "Summer Snow," filming in Kentucky.  It is a faith-based film that comes from the same people involved in "October Baby." http://www.kentucky.com/2012/05/18/2192653/faith-based-movies-being-filmed.html

The studio continues to seek financing for the approximate $6 million budget for both films.  Continue to keep that in your prayers.  I am specifically praying that God will provide a "yes" answer this summer!

In regards to "Ryann Watters and the Belt of Truth," I have written five chapters and outlined the rest of the novel.  The original studio bought back the rights to the first, two books, in my series from Creation House, so I am an author without a publisher as it stands right now.  My agent wants to wait until funding for the movie comes in and the studio makes a major announcement, so that he can use that news to secure a new, and larger, publisher.  He goal would be to have books one and two, re-released in paperback, with some rewrites based upon the movie (which I would enjoy doing) and then secure a contract for books three and four in the series. 

Right now, my plans are to see if funding for the movies pans out over the summer.  If it does then I believe the plan of action by my agent (above) makes sense and would hopefully play out.  If the funding does not come about then I may seek to follow the route of some of my fellow, friend, authors, Christopher Hopper and Wayne Thomas Batson, and self-publish an on-line and on-demand version for book three.  I can tell you that "Belt of Truth" has an awesomely, exciting, plot.  Ryann, Terell and Liddy are gifted with some amazing powers (which they can use in Mount Dora) and Drake Dunfellow returns, in a BIG way.

Thanks for your prayer and patience.  I hope to have more updates over the summer!

Eric

Visit the NEW Book Store in Mount Dora!

Hey! There's a great new bookstore in Mount Dora, Florida and you know what's really cool? It's located right next door to the old bookstore (sadly closed several years ago), that Ryann, Liddy and Terell meet in to plan all their adventures.

Barrel of Books and Games - 144 W 5th Ave, Mount Dora, Florida 32757

Phone 352-735-1950

www.barrelofbooksandgames.com

I stopped by today to visit with the owner, Crissy, who is now carrying my books. I signed, stamped, and put a gold sticker "signed by the author" on every copy and they come with our glossy, full color bookmarkers as well. Before I could leave the store 2 books were already sold!

Crissy is coming up with a date for a book signing at the store, probably the beginning of April. I will keep you posted here and on my Facebook page.

She indicated that the online store has been open for 5 years and they just recently opened the retail location. Games are a big seller on the website, but books dominate the sales in her store. New books and games are up front and there is a large section of used books in the back of the store. New books are 25% off and used are 50% off list prices.

Check them out the next time you visit Mount Dora and tell her I sent you!

Eric