| Dream-Riders Knightmare |
SEACOAST BOOKS
Statistics prove that kids who read more, get better jobs, live happier lives and go to heaven. Okay, we’re not sure about the last part. But what could be more for kids than a do-it-yourself science fiction thriller – and a contest – rolled into one? Back Channel Press brings digital publishing into the classroom.
"Dream-Riders demonstrates once and forever that the human imagination is the most powerful force in the universe. Also, it’s wicked good fun!" ~ Rodman Philbrick, Author of Freak the Mighty
Dream-Riders, a sci-fi-adventure series for kids set at Portsmouth Middle School, is boldly going where no book series has gone before. The publishers are inviting young readers to download a free copy of the first installment, then submit ideas for stories based on the premise and characters. Winning contributors to the "Dream Up An Adventure" contest will have a complete Dream-Riders book written around their idea, get full credit for their contribution and receive special editions of each book in the series as it is published.
DOWNLOAD THE BOOK NOW at Dream-Rider web site
"Having kids participate in the creation of a book series is part of a trend to get audiences interactively involved in their entertainment," says New Castle resident Dennis Kleinman, who created the original idea for the series. "We want Dream-Riders to be something kids will totally relate to and enjoy. The best way to do that is to let them tell us where the series should go next."
Kids who want to download their free copy of Dream-Riders #1: Knightmare can go to the web site where they will also find instructions on entering the "Dream Up an Adventure" contest.
To help launch the series and the contest, the Portsmouth Public Library is hosting a party on December 1st from 12 to 2pm. Called "The Event of Your Dreams," it will be a chance for kids to meet Mr. Kleinman and co-author Nancy Grossman and hear a dramatic reading from Dream-Riders #1: Knightmare. There will also games, songs and free lunch. For more information on "The Event of Your Dreams" at the Portsmouth Public Library, call 766-1742.
"This was an opportunity for us to do something a little different to get 7 to 13-year-olds interested in sci-fi and reading in general," says Susan Brough, Supervisor of Children’s Services. "Not only is Dream-Riders #1: Knightmare imaginative and exciting, it takes place right next door at the Middle School, so we wanted to do something special to bring it to kids’ attention." Ms. Brough is also encouraging kids to download and read the book before the December 1st event. "We’re going to have a Dream-Riders trivia contest for those who have already read the book. The winners will get a collector’s edition of the book signed by the authors." Dream-Riders chronicles the ongoing adventures of Toby, Brittany, Alynda and Boz, four Portsmouth Middle School students who can enter other people’s dreams and must use their "dream-riding" abilities to fight off the Draxx, alien invaders with similar powers who are taking over the dreams–and minds–of the most powerful people on earth. Dream-Riders #: Knightmare, published by Back Channel Press, is set to hit bookstores on June 15, 2008, the same day that the contest winners will be announced.
BACKCHANNEL PRESS is Portsmouth’s newest print-on-demand publishing house. Offering a full menu of services for writers seeking to self-publish their work, publishers Nancy and John Grossman provide expertise in editing, design and formatting for publication in both small and large quantities. Information on all they offer can be found at the official web site. .
DENNIS KLEINMAN is a writer/producer whose work has appeared on The Disney Channel, Showtime and The History Channel. Kids know Dennis best for writing the theme song for the multi-Emmy Award-winning PBS series Reading Rainbow.
NANCY GROSSMAN is the author of local bestsellers The Placenames of Portsmouth and Portsmouth: New Hampshire’s Colonial Capital, as well as The Dutch Mill Stable Series, written for young adults and published by Tor Publishing.