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Boys Life Magazine

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Boys Life DelaBarreBOYS LIFE MAGAZINE

Writing a feature for Boys Life Magazine, a publication that reaches 1.4 million boys across the country, was truly an honor. The December issue hit newsstands on November 17, 2014 and the story I wrote is entitled 700 Feet of Terror.

I think the reason I enjoyed this assignment so much is that it enabled me to continue writing stories that not only entertain young readers, but teach them about life as well.

I believe this is where I am doing by best work, which started when I wrote Saltwater Taffy. Authors who are looking to write for children and ultimately teach them how to leave behind fear, doubt and all the worry of growing up, my advice is to make sure you take them on an adventure where you can weave in your message organically.  If you don’t, they see you coming and immediately tune out.

While I am thankful for beginning my career with Dick Wolf on NBC’s Law & Order, I now know that I am at my best when I am writing for children.  Imagine the possibilities of being able to enhance the life of a child through writing narrative fiction….it’s awesome.  Or, as we like to say here at Saltwater Taffy….it’s SAWEET!

If you love adventure and have a tweenage son, pick up the December 2014 issue of Boys’ Life Magazine and take a read on 700 Feet of Terror.  I think you’re going to love it.  If you would like the chance to win an autographed copy of my award-winning adventure novel, Saltwater Taffy head over to the Bookzone page on Boys Life’s website.  Oh…and always remember, every moment is a new adventure waiting to happen.

 

CAN FAMILY FILMS CHANGE THE LIVES OF OUR CHILDREN?

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Saltwater TaffyThe question remains: can family films change the lives of our children?  We believe the answer is YES.

As young children, our lives are filled with many amazing dreams of tomorrow.  We believe we can accomplish anything and that nothing is out of reach.  Because of our age, we aren’t yet worried about what other people think of us and we have the organic ability to listen to our heart’s desire.  Then something happens…we begin to grow up.

Faced with the peer pressure and the overwhelming drive of fitting in, we withdraw from our dreams and develop the dysfunctional habit of playing small.  As a result, we shy away from anything that might make us appear vulnerable to our peers.

Over time, our self-worth is suddenly based on how many friends we have on Facebook, what label of clothing we wear, or how popular we are at school.  Saddled with this dysfunctional habit of playing small, we begin to change our character and in the blink of an eye, we lose sight of our dreams.

If a dysfunctional mental habit like this has the ability to derail a child’s future potential, is it possible for us to alter their direction by enhancing their entertainment experience with positive family films?

In 2013, only 23 family films entered the marketplace against 320 Contemporary Fiction titles.  Capturing an impressive 16% market share and $1.7B in revenues, family films continue to be the most profitable film ventures in Hollywood…year after year.  Based on these overwhelming numbers, we are currently in a fund raise to make Saltwater Taffy into a feature film for the entire family.

We have raised $1.5M against our budget of $5M, but we need your help.  We need to get in front of individuals who not only have the money to invest in family films, but in front of individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of our children.

BOOKMARKS FOR KIDS

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Saltwater TaffySaltwater Taffy

BOOKMARKS FOR KIDS

Our Bookmarks For Kids program continues to expand the reach of the award-winning children’s book, Saltwater Taffy.  This Accelerated Reader title is a race-to-the-finish adventure story for TWEENS, but then again, it’s an adventure story for the entire family! The story begins when five “tween-age” kids discover a map belonging to the great New Orleans pirate, Jean Lafitte. The discovery thrusts them from one treasure-hunting adventure to the next.  Endorsed by 12 Teachers of the Year, an Accelerated Reader title as well as a children’s book club favorite, Saltwater Taffy is unlike any other children’s book on the market. If you would like to receive a complementary package filled with the latest Saltwater Taffy bookmark seen here, please leave your comment below and be sure to leave us your mailing address so we know where to send the SAWEET package or marks.  Because of the popularity of the program, we need to ask that you handle postage fee.  $5 for 500 bookmarks is a SAWEETheart of a deal!!!!

 

KINDLE DAILY DEAL FROM AMAZON

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Saltwater Taffy bookAttention Taffy Heads!  It’s official!  Saltwater Taffy is today’s KINDLE DAILY DEAL from Amazon.

With a daily price set at $1.99, you won’t see this deal anytime soon, so click on the link and get your digital copy today.  Currently we are ranked #2 for children’s adventure books on Kindle.  The only author ahead of us is Rick Riordan! and his book series!  Yesterday we were ranked #324,000.  Who says marketing doesn’t work!

If you haven’t heard about Saltwater Taffy, the award-winning children’s book is an Accelerated Reader title with endorsements from 12 Teachers of the Year.

The Kindle Daily Deal is part of Amazon’s way of taking care of their customers by offering them a savings up to 80% off the regular cover price.

Saltwater Taffy follows the lives of five “tweenage” friends as they uncover a treasure map leading to the Lost Treasure of Jean Lafitte.  With this amazing Kindle Daily Deal, we suggest reading the book with your children for their next bedtime story book.

Often called “Stand By Me” meets “The Goonies,”  Saltwater Taffy not only takes the reader on an epic treasure hunting adventure, but it teaches children how to reach their full potential in life by thinking UP, not DOWN.

SAWEET HOODIES SALE

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SAWEET hoodiesThe official SAWEET HOODIES and SAWEET T-SHIRTS are finally here and available in our “Saweet” Store.  Click on the link BUY SALTWATER TAFFY above and get yours today.  Since the SAWEET sticker was the hottest sticker on the Saltwater Taffy book tour, we finally listened to the Taffy Heads and made up some sweatshirt hoodies and T-shirt hoodies to sell.  The sweatshirts are currently on sale for $25.00 plus tax and shipping.  They are made by Gilden and are 50/50 poly and cotton.  Youth sizes S, M, L, and adult sizes L, XL, and XXL.

Saweet Hoodie - T-ShirtThe SAWEET T-shirt hoodies are from Canvas and are 100% combed ringspun cotten.  These SAWEET HOODIES are super soft and cozy like a T-shirt should be and currently only available in adult M, L, and XL.  We are looking for youth sizes, but haven’t found any T-shirt maker who makes a hoodie for kids.  Crazy, I know.  They are currently on sale for $22.00 plus tax and shipping.