Aunt Dondi prepares pancakes for our last breakfast at August 2011 Author Quest

Mmmm mmmm good!

Aunt Dondi has a new helper???

Everyone sings “Happy Birthday” to Counselor Jessica.

Counselor Ken is packing out his stuff.

Instructor Lynn also takes her stuff to her car.

Camp Director Ann Rowland prepares to ring the cow bell for the last time.

And everyone has gathered for graduation and awards.

Ann introduces the counselors and CIT’s to the parents.

Everyone applauds Aunt Dondi and Janie for an outstanding job of keeping us all well fed.

Ann introduces nurse Deb. . . .

and in turn each of the teaching staff.

Johnathan Rand introduces Mrs. Chillers and begins the graduation and award ceremony.

And every author checks out with Ann and staff.

Our last view of the Chillers Van outside the window.

Thanks to all of our author /campers for making August 2011 the best Author Quest ever.

A light rain greets early Saturday morning risers.

But it’s bright and cheery in the kitchen!

The authors await the call to breakfast.

Johnathan Rand’s Saturday Writeshop.

Lynn DeGrande’s Saturday Writeshop.

Kim Diment’s Saturday Art Workshop.

Michal Jacot’s Saturday Writeshop.

Empty in the rain!

Must be time for lunch. Can you ever forget the Author Quest Cow Bell??

Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies!

The lunch line has formed.

Looks like Art and Illustration instructor Kim Diment has come a little too close to “Mr. Jaws”!

Ah Ha! The Snack Fairy and her accomplices are caught in the act.

Johnathan Rand’s Writeshop.

Lynn DeGrande’s Writeshop

Kim Diment’s Art and Illustration Workshop

A Blue Heron scours the lakeshore looking for a Saturday afternoon snack.

Student authors ask questions of instructor authors.

Cassie is wished Happy Birthday by all – 18 today!!

The artwork is laid out prior to hanging and judging.

Art Instructor Kim Diment begins to hang the artwork on one wall.

And Lynn DeGrande begins the hanging on a second wall.

The staff admires the art work.

The dishes are being washed. . . .

The judging begins!

And the winners are selected in each catagory.

Ann Rowland announces the start of the skits.

And the staff has prepared a “First Time Ever” roast of Johnathan Rand!

I’ve been getting a lot of writing done, working on numerous projects. The wait is almost over for Freddie Fernortner, Fearless First Grader book 11: Tadpole Trouble. There will be a special announcement on the main page regarding the World Premier of the book in a couple of weeks.

I’ve been having a frustrating time with the software for our new website, which is why I haven’t been posting a lot of journal entries. It’s very strange, and we’re working on a solution. I think we will have to make some more major changes after our August Author Quest.

It’s time once again for the annual Indian River Summerfest Beach Bash at DeVoe Park on Burt Lake! Mark your calendar for Thursday, July 14 at 7:30 in the evening. I will be reading a story from the forthcoming Creepy Campfire Chillers Volume 2. (All the stories are written, and all I need to do is get into the studio to record them.) the Beach Bash will be a lot of fun, with games, prizes, and a lot more. If you need more information, call the Indian River Chamber of Commerce at (231) 238-9325.

I am just about ready to send American Chillers #31: The Nevada Nightmare Novel to my editor. I wound up going back over the story (once again!) and rewriting 10 chapters! That happened a lot, as any writer will tell you. Just because I finish the story, doesn’t mean that it’s done. I always wind up going back and changing things, rewriting paragraphs and, as in this case, entire chapters. But all in all, I’m really happy with the way the story is finally turning out. I really want to be done with it soon, because I have a great idea for my next American Chillers book.

I’ve been receiving a lot of e-mail from those who have been reading my story Return to Zantoth in the newspaper. Right now, I don’t have any plans to publish it as a book, but that might change, as a lot of people have requested it. (Return to Zantoth is the continuation of Journey to Zantoth, yet another story that was serialized in newspapers.) It’s a science fiction/fantasy story that is a little different than what I normally write. But it was a lot of fun, and I’m getting some great feedback from readers. And yes, the series will continue . . .

I’ve also been writing more short stories for adults. Some of these are published in the Mackinaw Journal, and free copies are available at Chillermania. This month, the story is called The Girl in the Backyard. I might add that although the stories are intended for adults, fans of my Chillers books might enjoy the stories, too.

Thanks for checking in! Don’t forget to check back to find out about the world premiere of the new Freddie Fernortner book! It will be announced on the main page very soon!

Best wishes and happy reading,

Johnathan Rand