Upcoming Book Signing Event and Youth Writers Contest

I am going to be at Barnes and Nobles in Ann Arbor Michigan on Saturday August 22nd at 2:00pm to discuss and sign my children's series, The Crypto-Capers Series. Book 1: The Case of the Missing Sock and Book 2: The Case of Red Rock Canyon. I am also going to be doing some fun things for this event. Below is the information.

If you had your choice, would you prefer an antique sock that purportedly belonged to Elvis Presley’s grandmother or a pair of diamond-studded, gold and onyx designer sunglasses? Maxwell Sherlock Holmes, age fourteen, and his sister Mia, age twelve, live in London, England. Their mother and father are ace detectives with Scotland Yard, and the brother and sister seem to have inherited their parents' abilities to solve crimes. Therefore, with their Granny, Nellie Holmes, and Max's fourteen-year-old friend Morris Weedlesom, a computer whiz, they have formed the Crypto-Capers and unravel mysteries by traveling all around the world solving cryptograms that criminals leave behind.
What you have is the makings of a new children’s series known as The Crypto-Capers Series written by award winning author Renee Hand. This new series has captured children’s attention from all over the world. An instant classic, the author weaves an interactive tale that the reader participates in, in order to solve the case. Book one of the series The Case of the Missing Sock is based in Florida and sets the stage for what must be done in the series, laying out specific details for easy understanding. Throughout the series, the reader will need to solve cryptograms and puzzles, as well as to participate in various activities along with the detectives. Each book in the series becomes harder and more challenging for the reader, making the series more interesting. Book two of the series The Case of Red Rock Canyon leads the team to Las Vegas, Nevada, where they are thrown into the dramatic world of theater to solve their next mystery. This series will not only grab the attention of the advanced reader, but of the reluctant reader as well because the reader is participating into the story instead of just reading it.
Author Renee Hand will be at Barnes and Nobles in Ann Arbor at 2:00pm on Saturday August 22nd to discuss and sign her new series as well as to sponsor a mystery hunt in the store where participants can win prizes. Author is also hosting a Young Authors Writing contest where writers will have a chance to win various prizes as well as receive various opportunities for their efforts. Stories can be turned in to the author at the book signing. Information about the writing contest is below.

Award-winning author, Renee Hand , will be sponsoring a Youth Writers Contest. This is a chance for writers of various ages to really show their creativity and writing abilities to the world. Being a great writer is to be able to adapt to any situation. Each contestant must write two stories. The first story will be writer’s choice. It can be any topic and setting of writer’s choosing. The second story will be an assigned topic of author’s choice. For a list of topics contestants must look at author’s website at www.reneeahand.com and click on Youth Writers Contest. The winner will be chosen based off of the ability to create two wonderful and imaginative stories.
Rules and Requirements:
Writing cannot consist of extreme violence or anything vulgar or will be immediately disqualified. There will be two age groups: 8-12 and 13-18. The word length for the 8-12 age groups will be between 500-1,000 words. For the 13-18 age groups word length will be between 1,000-1,500 words. Story must be double spaced and typed. Writers name should not be anywhere on the entry. Cover page should have title on it only. Next page should begin story. A separate page should consist of writer’s name, age, e-mail, phone number, address and word count. Contest will start on August 1st and end on August 31st. A panel of writing and reading professionals will pick winning entries. Entries must be sent through the mail and sent to:
Youth Writer’s Contest
P.O. Box 144
Byron, MI 48418

Prizes:
There will be first place winners and honorable mentions. Winners and honorable mentions will receive various prizes and opportunities from the sponsor and co-sponsors. Thank you to everyone for participating and good luck!

Come and join the Crypto-Capers on their adventure of self discovery and courage. Help them by solving the cryptograms and participating in the various activities. They are not for the faint of heart, but for the bravest and most confident of souls. Can you do it? The Crypto-Capers are counting on you. Good luck!

Linden Summer Happenings

Over the weekend I was at the Linden Summer Happenings selling The Case of the Missing Sock as well as The Case of Red Rock Canyon and my romance novels. It was two glorious days of meeting people and talking to budding writers. I met a few who love to write, and anything I can do to encourage a child to write, I will do. Some of these great children will be sending me some of their work and I will be posting it on my website. Check them out on my Writers Showcase Page at http://www.reneeahand.com/. Currently, me and my boy's are reading The Trumpet of the Swan. We are enjoying it so far. I will be writing a review as soon as we are finished.

June 24th Book Tour Stop

Hello everyone! Today I am going to be visiting two blog stops for my virtual book tour. The first is the following blog.
http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/2009/06/review-of-crypto-capers-in-case-of.html
Marta has reviewed The Case of the Missing sock-Book 1 and The Case of Red Rock Canyon-book 2. What a great review! Please check them out and leave a comment. I have also left more cryptograms for those of you who are keeping track.

Next stop is at the following blog http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2009/06/23/book-review-the-crypto-capers-the-case-of-the-missing-sock-by-renee-hand-middle-reader/comment-page-1/#comment-16791
Dawn has also reviewed my blog. She also gave the book a great review. Check it out and say hello! I hope you are enjoying my book tour.

June 16th New book tour stop

I am going to be at the following book tour stops today for Divine Caroline. She is interviewing me about my new childrens series. We are discussing book 1 and book 2 of the series. The Case of the Missing Sock and The case of Red Rock Canyon.

http://www.divinecaroline.com/49804/75956-new-interactive-reading-series-kids

http://www.divinecaroline.com/49804/75958-new-interactive-reading-series-kids

Please check them out. It is a two part interview asing me great questions about getting reluctant readers to read as well as enjoying more of what they are reading. Hope this helps everyone.

Tour blog stop for June 8th & June 9th

Today and tomorrow I am going to be on the following blogspot:
http://theplotline.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/the-crypto-capers-in-the-case-of-the-missing-sock-by-renee-hand/
This is an interesting blog because for the 8th there is a summary about me then the 9th there is an interview, which I think that all of my readers are going to love and enjoy. I interviewed Granny Holmes and we all know how wonderful and eccentric she is. Please check it out and see how the interview went. Please comment. I look forward to reading what everyone has to say. Cryptogram #8 is posted on the website. If for some reason it doesn't post I will post it here.
Thank you to everyone for all of your wonderful comments thus far at all of my stops. I greatly appreciate it. Also keep in mind that book 2 is out as well, The Case of Red Rock Canyon. The adventure continues.