WIN ANY BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE CONTEST!!!

FIRST... congrats to Isaac McCurdy for winning Contest #4 and correctly answering "A white dragon," when asked "who is Sorcha?"

In a tribute to the Team Effort of all the authors going on the MOTIV8 Fantasy Fiction Tour, I am kicking of a new contest that will run until August 30th!

Instead of answering a question about my book, you will need to do a little detective work and peruse the blogs and websites of the 8 authors going on tour and answer the 8 questions below. One winner will be chosen from the correct answers and will win the book of their choice from any of the authors!

1. Bryan Davis - What white creature will be on the cover of Book 4 in the Oracle of Fire Series?

2. Wayne Thomas Batson - What is Wayne's occupation?

3. Donita K. Paul - What is the name of Donita's "Shop" to buy cool dragon stuff?

4. L.B. Graham - L.B. would like to have a house by the sea some day and call it "what?"

5. Sharon Hinck - What was one of Sharon's favorite television shows growing up?

6. Christopher Hopper - What is the name of Christopher's wife?

7. Jonathan Rogers - How many children does Jonathan have?

8. Eric Reinhold - What is the first creature Ryann meets in Aeliana? (Hint: it's on my book website).

SEND YOUR ANSWERS LISTED 1 - 8, PLUS YOUR HOME STATE & CITY TO:

Eric@RyannWatters.com

Christian Retailing Latest News!

ICRS: Journey begins for Christian fantasy authors

In a move somewhat paralleling familiar mythical tales, eight fantasy writers from different backgrounds and publishing houses will unite to embark on an epic journey, Oct. 4-11, for a common goal-to increase awareness of the Christian fantasy genre. Announced in a Tuesday press conference at the International Christian Retail Show, the tour will assemble eight fiction writers, each from a different publisher, including Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, NavPress, WaterBrook Press, B&H Publishing Group, Tsaba House and Creation House.
"Our belief is that fantasy opens up eyes to the spiritual world," said L.B. Graham, author of "The Binding of the Blade" series from P&R Publishing.
The authors will do book signings, visit book fairs and speak in homeschool meetings during the tour, raising awareness for a genre that is strong in the general market, but is underrepresented at Christian retail.
"It's a world (Christian retail) needs to be involved in," Graham said.
This year's tour features Graham along with Bryan Davis, Sharon Hinck, Eric Reinhold, Wayne Batson, Jonathan Rogers, Donita K. Paul and Christopher Hopper, and has doubled the number of participating authors from last year.
Several of the authors will contribute blogs, vodcasts and their itinerary on the tour's Web site, www.fantasyfictiontour.com

Update on Book 2!

I believe this has to be one of my favorite fantasy pieces of artwork. If you haven't been to my website and seen everything on Book 1 (excerpts, contests to win books and name characters, etc.) go to www.RyannWatters.com. The picture above reminds me of a little mentioned character in "Ryann Watters and the King's Sword," Sorcha (the White Dragon), who plays a key role in book 2, "Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith." I have just completed Chapter 8 and the book is outlined, so I hope to have it completed by Christmas. Busy...busy...busy...

Corey Wolfe will again be the cover artist and I have some cool ideas in mind for that. As my daughter is my harshest critic, I have headed her words and book 2 is longer and filled with some intense action! In addition, there are new fantasy characters galor, including: several unicorns, a pegasus, halfling, dwarves, 2 almost identical twin bulls and even a new fantasy race... the Hugons.

I am in the process of interviewing an up and coming artist to do the chapter sketches for book 2 and so far I have been pleased with his work. As I go through that process, I will put up a few samples so you can tell me what you think!

Now, I'm off to the ICRS (International Christian Retail Show) at the Orlando Convention Center. A book signing, interviews and a media kick-off tomorrow morning with 4 of the 8 authors going on the West Coast Fantasy Fiction Tour www.fantasyfictiontour.com.

Eric

NEW "HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA" CONTEST!!!

Top 5 States who have purchased my book - FL, TX, MD, VA, and MI - Thanks!

The New Contest is "Finish the 50 States!" So far, 32 states and Canada have been documented to have purchased a book. If you get 3 people from the following states to buy a book from my website http://www.ryannwatters.com/ and put your name in the "special instructions" block, then you can pick one of the books off of my "Shelfari" bookshelf for FREE! Coincidentally, they are all part of the Fantasy Fiction Tour http://www.fantasyfictiontour.com/. Here are the 18 states I am missing: Arkansas, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missiouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakoto, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

I'll post updates and remove states as we fill them. Hurry up, because a state can only be filled once! ER

Television Interview on "The Good Life"

The following is an interview of me on Central Florida's "The Good Life." It was apparent by the questions and passion, that the interviewers had read my book. I hope this helps you get to know a little more about me and the passion I have for what I write. Please pass it along to friends. This is part one and part two follows.
Thanks,
Eric
Part 1

Part 2

The 2008 Fantasy Fiction Tour

Last summer, Christian fantasy authors Bryan Davis, Christopher Hopper, Sharon Hinck, and Wayne Thomas Batson drew swords together and toured from Atlanta, GA to New York City, NY. Along the way, they met hundreds of readers, signed innumerable books, and garnered press from the A.P., RNS, Reuters, The Washington Post, and Fox National TV! One national correspondent even asked the question, "Could the Next Harry Potter be a Devout Christian?"That was Fantasy Fiction Tour 2007, and it was a smashing success. For readers of fantasy, what could be better than having four fantasy authors in one place at the same time? Try doubling the number of authors! Can you wrap your brain around eight EIGHT fantasy authors {well armed with swords, I might add} touring together?!!

This year, I have been humbled as a first time author, to be invited to join this merry band as we head to the West Coast, Oct. 4-12!

With the four additional authors added to last year’s lineup: Donita K. Paul, L.B. Graham, Jonathan Rogers and me. Together, we are the Motiv8. 8 Authors, 8 Different Publishers, 8 Days and 8 Cities in, yes... 2008!

Allow me to make the introductions in case you don't know some of them. Starting at the top left of the picture above, they are: Donita K. Paul, Wayne Thomas Batson, Jonathan Rogers, Bryan Davis, (now bottom row, left to right) a very handsome young man casually resting against an austere, yet pensive facade, L.B. Graham, Sharon Hinck and Christopher Hopper.

You can read all about all of the authors on our Meet The Authors page on the Official 2008 Fantasy Fiction Tour Website!
The website itself is about to get a massive overhaul and we’ll be issuing HTML banner ads very soon for you to put up on your websites and blogs to help us promote the tour. If you’re press, you can find the official Press Release here.
We look forward to your comments and can’t wait to see everyone on the road! During the tour itself you can follow along with us on the daily Video Journal, and if you missed last year’s–no worries–you can watch the entire collection in the 2007 Video Journal Library.Much, much more to come. Stay tuned and visit the Fantasy Fiction Tour Website often for new original features, interviews, blogs, and contests!

March Brings Excitement!

I suppose the first time around is always the most exciting... so for me, the process of printing to shipping to storeshelf continues to elevate my emotions. Books have been shipped out to Mardel Bookstores in the Midwest (Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Colorado) and Family Christian Bookstores nationwide. Christian Retailing Magazine went out today to store owners and purchases around the country and my book was advertised. Next month there will be a first time author article. I have a few more book signings set up for this month and then next month a local television interview. Everything changes daily, keeping it fresh.

Book signings have been a blast! I love meeting new readers at schools, churches, book stores and homeschool groups. All of this and I am working on book 2 early each morning. Today I began Chapter 4 and am excited to see what happens next! My wife laughs at that, but to be honest, I outline each chapter and things change as I write it.

Talk to you again soon! Feel free to write and ask questions... I'll answer as I can.

Eric