Tag Archive for James Preller email

Summer Hours, Publishing News, School Visits . . .

It’s July 1. Boy, that happened fast. 

As the sole proprietor of James Preller Dot Com since May of 2008, possibly the longest continuously operated blog within spitting distance, I’ve learned that readership quiets down during the summer. 

This aligns with schools and the lives of teachers and librarians. 

So I kind of back off on content. You are out getting a tan anyway. 

But I actually keep working through the summer.

Here’s two pieces of news from Publishers Weekly:

And also this, from further back:

Exciting, right?

I’ve got a 3rd “. . . And a Moose!” book coming out for early readers, Two Astronauts . . . and a Moose! And I believe I’ll be seeing copies of Two Ballerinas . . . and a Moose! any day now. 

 

 

I’m going to write another Choose-Your-Own-Adventure, and those books are just pure entertainment. 

And there are two more even bigger projects in the works (a graphic novel series and something else that’s super exciting in the very, very early stages of development — so hush that mouth, Jimmy). 

And all I can say is that I am grateful and proud to be survivor in this bunny-eat-bunny business. 

Summer hours, indeed!

 

SCHOOL VISITS

Yes, this is a great time for librarians and PTA members to start thinking about next year’s author visits. Calendars fill up, time flies. For me, I love beginning with a query and a phone call. I mean, there’s written information to find on the site. But it’s just warmer and easier if we can chat briefly and see if there’s a match. Or send an email to [email protected] and I’m happy to answer any questions. From there, we can go amiably forth!

I am fairly unique in the business because I have recently published, age-appropriate titles from PreK-8. Almost all of them in paperback at affordable prices. 

While I do a majority of my visits in elementary schools (this past year brought me happily to Tulsa, OK!), I also get to a number of middle schools. During a June visit, we enjoyed “Cupcakes and Conversation” with a small group of students. The fabulous librarian, Rebecca Ekstrom, served these . . . 

I think that’ s more than enough for today. Sorry for all the me, me, me context. Sometimes it has to be done.

Oh, wait. 

I’m excited to see the paperback of Shaken, due sometime next year (hardcover available now). Bank Street named it one of the best books of 2025. 

I think they were right!

Ha.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER, FOLKS!

Junior Library Guild Selection for “Blood Mountain”

          

 

Happy to share that BLOOD MOUNTAIN (Oct 8, 2019) is a Junior Library Guild Selection.

Think “Hatchet” meets “Misery” . . . and there’s a dog! Perfect for fans of wilderness survival and adventure stories. In this fast-paced novel for middle-grade readers, two siblings, Carter (11) and Grace (13), thought the hike with their dad and their dog would be uneventful. But the hike on Blood Mountain soon turns ominous as the siblings become separated from their father. They are lost, braving the elements, fighting to survive. They are also being tracked, but who will reach them first: the young ranger leading the search, or the erratic mountain man living off the grid? When Grace injures herself in a fall, Carter decides to set out alone to seek help, leaving them both more vulnerable. Told in alternating points of view, this survival story will have readers on the edge of their seats.

Institutional reviews should start coming in soon — fingers crossed. This is one of those rare cases when I know, deep in my bones, that this is a book readers will really enjoy. I believe in it with all my heart and I’m proud of it. Early feedback from friends and family has been very enthusiastic (I’ve heard “best one yet” from a number of folks, including my wife). And the recognition from the Junior Library Guild is a very encouraging sign. 

I hope this book finds an audience.

Oh, and by the way, still have far too many open slots for school visits. Contact me directly at [email protected]

My thanks for your support!

Jigsaw Jones Update: 5 More Titles Coming Soon!

Question: So what’s new with Jigsaw Jones?

Answer: Funny you should ask! There’s actually a lot going on and I’m excited to tell you about it.

First, I handed in a manuscript last week for a new Jigsaw Jones title, The Case of the Hat Burglar. It centers around the school’s Lost & Found. We’ll see how my editor likes it (fingers crossed). I am not clear on the pub date for this or any of the following titles. Note to self: Find out!

As readers may know, I wrote many Jigsaw Jones titles over roughly a 15 year period. Those books were originally published by Scholastic. Over time, they slowly went out of print. It was sad. I regained the rights, and Macmillan quickly stepped up with a plan to republish the series. To date, I’ve written one all-new book, The Case from Outer Space. In addition, we’ve put out 8 “classroom classics.” Each book completely revised and reformatted (slightly larger trim size). 

Now I’ve been asked to revise and update 4 more titles (plus the aforementioned “all new” title). That will make 14 titles available in all. We’re making progress! Thank you, Macmillan. And thank you, Scholastic, for once more offering these books on your fabulous book clubs!

To recap:

ALL NEW!

The Case from Outer Space

 

COMING SOON!

The Case of the Hat Burglar

 

REVISED & UPDATED!

The Case of the Bicycle Bandit

The Case of the Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost

The Case of the Mummy Mystery

The Case of the Million-Dollar Idea

The Case of the Best Pet Ever

The Case of the Disappearing Dinosaur

The Case of the Smelly Sneaker

The Case of the Buried Treasure

     

     

 

COMING SOON!

The Case of the Golden Key

The Case of the Bear Scare

The Case of the Vanishing Painting

The Case of the Haunted Scarecrow

 

Joey and Danika visit Jigsaw’s house in THE CASE FROM OUTER SPACE. This wonderful illustration is by R.W. Alley.

 

I very much look forward to sharing these stories with a new generation of readers. With 11 million Jigsaw Jones books in print, this series is fairly well-known with experienced (read: older) teachers. I’ve learned that quite a few newer teachers are less familiar with Jigsaw and Mila and the gang. Hopefully you’ll check them out! Please know that I am eager to sign up school visits for next year. Openings still available. Just drop a line to [email protected]. Thanks!