Colleen Houck's Blog, page 68
June 24, 2010
I Have a Secret
Howdy,
I mentioned this earlier but I didn't give it proper emphasis so I'm sharing my news again. I can officially tell you that the Tiger Series has been sold to a major publisher! Everything is coming together perfectly and I couldn't ask for better people to work with. I should be able to announce who it is in the next week or two so keep your eyes peeled for the announcement. They're planning big things for the series and I'm very excited about this whole process. It's a big secret that very, very few people are aware of and it's just so cool it's hard not to say anything.
Many of you have been questioning the status of the movies. Right now the project is "in development" and potential screenwriters are being evaluated. This is the first step in getting a movie made. A book has to be adapted to screenplay first.
I am also now on Twitter. Be patient with me as I learn how to navigate some new (for me) technology. Sign up to get my tweets. The link is above the facebook one on the left of the website homepage. I'm planning on giving some stuff away and will share a little bit of my writing process and how I research. The website will be going through some changes, the book trailers need to get redone, and I now have deadlines! Who knew?
I've outlined a Wes book which will be an offshoot of the Tiger Series. (He's the Texas cowboy who makes a brief appearance in Voyage) It will be a wild west ghost story with romance, adventure, tall tales, a mystery to solve, and cowboys. What's not to like? Wes can't become a tiger but a good-lookin' Texan who calls you, "Honey," and "Darlin'" is a decent trade off.
Colleen
I mentioned this earlier but I didn't give it proper emphasis so I'm sharing my news again. I can officially tell you that the Tiger Series has been sold to a major publisher! Everything is coming together perfectly and I couldn't ask for better people to work with. I should be able to announce who it is in the next week or two so keep your eyes peeled for the announcement. They're planning big things for the series and I'm very excited about this whole process. It's a big secret that very, very few people are aware of and it's just so cool it's hard not to say anything.
Many of you have been questioning the status of the movies. Right now the project is "in development" and potential screenwriters are being evaluated. This is the first step in getting a movie made. A book has to be adapted to screenplay first.
I am also now on Twitter. Be patient with me as I learn how to navigate some new (for me) technology. Sign up to get my tweets. The link is above the facebook one on the left of the website homepage. I'm planning on giving some stuff away and will share a little bit of my writing process and how I research. The website will be going through some changes, the book trailers need to get redone, and I now have deadlines! Who knew?
I've outlined a Wes book which will be an offshoot of the Tiger Series. (He's the Texas cowboy who makes a brief appearance in Voyage) It will be a wild west ghost story with romance, adventure, tall tales, a mystery to solve, and cowboys. What's not to like? Wes can't become a tiger but a good-lookin' Texan who calls you, "Honey," and "Darlin'" is a decent trade off.
Colleen
Back Home
Hello All!
I just got back from my trip to Utah and Idaho. It was so great to meet fans in both states! My good friend Jenefer Reudter and my new friend Jenni Hamblin ran the show in Utah and they did such a great job! We had delicious snacks, gave away fun stuff, and I fielded some great questions. I didn't bring my camera which means I have no pictures, so if some of you fans can put up pics on facebook or send them to my brother at webmaster@colleenhouck.com, that would be great! I had a couple of fans that made their own Team Ren and Team Kishan shirts and they were so awesome! I did a podcast interview after the book signing. As soon as that goes live, I'll let you know.
Jenni Hamblin also set up a team and entered the chalk art festival in Utah the same day as the book signing. They drew the cover of Tiger's Curse and I was able to meet them and sign the drawing. They won 6th place in the popular vote which is fantastic especially for it being their first time! I have a few pictures of that and I'll send them to my brother so he can put them up.
Idaho was fun too! Jan Frew and her amazing family set up a deal at the Mystique restaurant that featured an excellent magician and a five course dinner. If you ever make it to Boise try it out! It's an awesome experience!
I can officially tell you now that the Tiger Series has been sold to a major publisher! Everything is coming together perfectly and I couldn't ask for better people to work with. I should be able to announce who it is in the next week or two so keep your eyes peeled for the announcement. They're planning big things for the series and I'm very excited about this whole process. It's a big secret that very, very few people are aware of and it's just so cool it's hard not to say anything.
Some fans have asked how they can get me to come to their state. I hope to go to California and Arizona next. Fill out the fan demographic survey near the movie survey so I can plan book signings better. 2011 is going to be a big Tiger year so get ready, because the craziness is coming sooner than you think!
Colleen
I just got back from my trip to Utah and Idaho. It was so great to meet fans in both states! My good friend Jenefer Reudter and my new friend Jenni Hamblin ran the show in Utah and they did such a great job! We had delicious snacks, gave away fun stuff, and I fielded some great questions. I didn't bring my camera which means I have no pictures, so if some of you fans can put up pics on facebook or send them to my brother at webmaster@colleenhouck.com, that would be great! I had a couple of fans that made their own Team Ren and Team Kishan shirts and they were so awesome! I did a podcast interview after the book signing. As soon as that goes live, I'll let you know.
Jenni Hamblin also set up a team and entered the chalk art festival in Utah the same day as the book signing. They drew the cover of Tiger's Curse and I was able to meet them and sign the drawing. They won 6th place in the popular vote which is fantastic especially for it being their first time! I have a few pictures of that and I'll send them to my brother so he can put them up.
Idaho was fun too! Jan Frew and her amazing family set up a deal at the Mystique restaurant that featured an excellent magician and a five course dinner. If you ever make it to Boise try it out! It's an awesome experience!
I can officially tell you now that the Tiger Series has been sold to a major publisher! Everything is coming together perfectly and I couldn't ask for better people to work with. I should be able to announce who it is in the next week or two so keep your eyes peeled for the announcement. They're planning big things for the series and I'm very excited about this whole process. It's a big secret that very, very few people are aware of and it's just so cool it's hard not to say anything.
Some fans have asked how they can get me to come to their state. I hope to go to California and Arizona next. Fill out the fan demographic survey near the movie survey so I can plan book signings better. 2011 is going to be a big Tiger year so get ready, because the craziness is coming sooner than you think!
Colleen
June 12, 2010
Going on a Trip
I've been writing like crazy this week and finished chapters 12, 13, and 14 of Destiny. I'm leaving monday to drive to Utah for an interpreting conference. I need workshop credits to keep my certification. At the same time I'll be juggling family visits, a possible podcast, if I can fit it in, and a book signing in Salt Lake City to which I'm bringing hardbacks for Curse and Quest which are $45 for the set. If there are any left after that and you who live in far off places want hardbacks email my husband at sales@colleenhouck.com and tell him if you want them signed or not. We won't be able to send out anything until we return from our trip in two weeks though so don't expect anything quick. I am also excited to meet fans in Idaho at a cool magic show kind of restaurant. If you live in the area there are still plenty of seats left at our fancy banquet table or if you don't want to stay for dinner, I'll sign books before the show starts.
I know many of you are waiting to hear what's happening with Voyage. Be patient just a bit longer and I'll have some very exciting news to share with you soon.
Have a great weekend!
Colleen Houck
I know many of you are waiting to hear what's happening with Voyage. Be patient just a bit longer and I'll have some very exciting news to share with you soon.
Have a great weekend!
Colleen Houck
June 6, 2010
Tour Info
Hello All,
I've posted the Q & A I remember from the tour on my FAQs page and the reading scavenger hunt sections are under Books then Tiger Tours in a PDF file. I had a great time at WOU and the Polk County Fairgrounds and meeting some of my fans. There weren't a lot of people there so they got a lot of one on one time and they asked some really good questions. My sister-in-law, Suki, will be posting pictures soon. I am now the proud owner of a henna design on my right arm for the next four weeks or so. It was really fun to see all the designs people chose. My husband has a tiger on his hand and my mom got the blue dragon on her arm. The only downside is that I now have a cold. I get a week off before I head off for Idaho and Utah so I hope to use that time to write.
Colleen
I've posted the Q & A I remember from the tour on my FAQs page and the reading scavenger hunt sections are under Books then Tiger Tours in a PDF file. I had a great time at WOU and the Polk County Fairgrounds and meeting some of my fans. There weren't a lot of people there so they got a lot of one on one time and they asked some really good questions. My sister-in-law, Suki, will be posting pictures soon. I am now the proud owner of a henna design on my right arm for the next four weeks or so. It was really fun to see all the designs people chose. My husband has a tiger on his hand and my mom got the blue dragon on her arm. The only downside is that I now have a cold. I get a week off before I head off for Idaho and Utah so I hope to use that time to write.
Colleen
June 1, 2010
Tiger Tour Maps
Hello!
We're getting ready for the Tiger Tour and I'm looking forward to meeting those of you coming up. Here is a Mapquest map of all the locations on the tour. http://www.mapquest.com/mq/1-ehnGM1hy.... And the link for the Western Oregon University map is here. http://www.wou.edu/online_catalog/dis...
I will be in the Werner Center which is in section D-5 for the campus book signing at 10 am or you can meet me at White's in the morning and follow us over if you like. It's not too late to RSVP. We still have some dinner tickets left so contact my husband at sales@colleenhouck.com if you plan on coming even if its just for the evening. (There's only so much BBQ chicken I can take home) I've got a fun reading scavenger hunt set up at all the tour sites that I think you'll enjoy.
There will be ten reading clues along the tour.
Clue #1-White's
Clue #2-Signing Table
Clue #3-WOU Bookstore
Clue #4-Hamersly Library
Clue #5-Jensen Arctic Museum
Clue #6-WOU Football Stadium
Clue #7-Burgerville
Clue #8-Kelsey's Mountain Road
Clue #9-Dallas Library
Clue #10-Polk County Fairgrounds
Have a good week and take care!
Colleen Houck
We're getting ready for the Tiger Tour and I'm looking forward to meeting those of you coming up. Here is a Mapquest map of all the locations on the tour. http://www.mapquest.com/mq/1-ehnGM1hy.... And the link for the Western Oregon University map is here. http://www.wou.edu/online_catalog/dis...
I will be in the Werner Center which is in section D-5 for the campus book signing at 10 am or you can meet me at White's in the morning and follow us over if you like. It's not too late to RSVP. We still have some dinner tickets left so contact my husband at sales@colleenhouck.com if you plan on coming even if its just for the evening. (There's only so much BBQ chicken I can take home) I've got a fun reading scavenger hunt set up at all the tour sites that I think you'll enjoy.
There will be ten reading clues along the tour.
Clue #1-White's
Clue #2-Signing Table
Clue #3-WOU Bookstore
Clue #4-Hamersly Library
Clue #5-Jensen Arctic Museum
Clue #6-WOU Football Stadium
Clue #7-Burgerville
Clue #8-Kelsey's Mountain Road
Clue #9-Dallas Library
Clue #10-Polk County Fairgrounds
Have a good week and take care!
Colleen Houck
May 21, 2010
Delicious Food and Other Stuff
Hi All,
If you haven't signed up for the tour yet, please do asap so we can have enough food there. I'm listing the menu below for those of you concerned with alergies. Notice we have not one delicious cake but two-a triple chocolate and a peaches and cream cake. I will also be setting up a reading scavenger hunt. For example when you go into the Breakfast at White's there will be a section of reading material that has not yet been made public. I will probably have the book trailer scripts for all three books as well as some material from Voyage and maybe even some from Destiny. I'll have to think about that. At the book signing there will be another reading section. When you drive into Dallas to their public library there will be another one, you get the idea, and they'll all be highlighted with cobalt blue arrows.
We will have prizes for the people who dress the most like Ren, Kishan, Nilima, Kadam, and Kelsey and for whoever dresses up like the craziest tiger fan.
The Salem Costco and the Boise one have been asked by fans to sell the books and we're trying to get book signings set up there so if you'd like me to come to your Costco let them know!
Have a great day!
Colleen
The menu follows...
Grilled and Marinated Flank Steak
Served with a homemade BBQ Sauce.
Grilled BBQ Chicken- Sliced
Creamy Red Potato Dill Salad-tossed with Hard Boiled Eggs, Celery & Capers in a Mayonnaise-Dijon Dressing
South Western Black Bean Salad-with Roasted Corn, Red Pepper & Red Onion in a Cilantro Lime Dressing.
Mixed Greens with Tomatoes & Cucumbers-your Choice of Dressing: Blue Cheese-Buttermilk; Creamy Cucumber Dill; or Balsamic Vinaigrette.
French Baguette, dinner size slices-served in a basket.
Butter Chips
Triple Threat Chocolate Cake
Three layers of moist chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and a dark chocolate ganache
Peaches & Cream Cake
Three layers of moist yellow cake, peaches and whipped cream frosting.
Beverages
Strawberry Lemonade with Fresh Strawberry Slices
Iced Water with Fresh Lemon Slices
If you haven't signed up for the tour yet, please do asap so we can have enough food there. I'm listing the menu below for those of you concerned with alergies. Notice we have not one delicious cake but two-a triple chocolate and a peaches and cream cake. I will also be setting up a reading scavenger hunt. For example when you go into the Breakfast at White's there will be a section of reading material that has not yet been made public. I will probably have the book trailer scripts for all three books as well as some material from Voyage and maybe even some from Destiny. I'll have to think about that. At the book signing there will be another reading section. When you drive into Dallas to their public library there will be another one, you get the idea, and they'll all be highlighted with cobalt blue arrows.
We will have prizes for the people who dress the most like Ren, Kishan, Nilima, Kadam, and Kelsey and for whoever dresses up like the craziest tiger fan.
The Salem Costco and the Boise one have been asked by fans to sell the books and we're trying to get book signings set up there so if you'd like me to come to your Costco let them know!
Have a great day!
Colleen
The menu follows...
Grilled and Marinated Flank Steak
Served with a homemade BBQ Sauce.
Grilled BBQ Chicken- Sliced
Creamy Red Potato Dill Salad-tossed with Hard Boiled Eggs, Celery & Capers in a Mayonnaise-Dijon Dressing
South Western Black Bean Salad-with Roasted Corn, Red Pepper & Red Onion in a Cilantro Lime Dressing.
Mixed Greens with Tomatoes & Cucumbers-your Choice of Dressing: Blue Cheese-Buttermilk; Creamy Cucumber Dill; or Balsamic Vinaigrette.
French Baguette, dinner size slices-served in a basket.
Butter Chips
Triple Threat Chocolate Cake
Three layers of moist chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling and a dark chocolate ganache
Peaches & Cream Cake
Three layers of moist yellow cake, peaches and whipped cream frosting.
Beverages
Strawberry Lemonade with Fresh Strawberry Slices
Iced Water with Fresh Lemon Slices
May 18, 2010
Very Very Good News-Very Very Bad News
Hi Everybody,
I have very very good news and very very bad news. I'll go with semi-bad news first. There will not be a tiger expert with a tiger coming to the Tiger Tour after all. Hopefully, you'll all still come out and hang out with me and eat BBQ and chocolate cake. We'll be doing lots of giveaways through the day and will still have lots of fun.
Now for the very very good news. I have an agent! Whoo Hoo! He's a great guy who works for Trident Media Group which is a reputable New York company. His name is Alex and he is making lots of big plans for the series.
The very very bad news is that to really be able to sell the series, I need a completed unpublished manuscript and since I only have one book that fits that criteria, we've decided to pull Voyage so he can use it to sell the series. I'm so sorry! I know there is a huge group of you that have been waiting patiently, watching the minutes tick by as the month of May draws to an end. I really feel for you and I asked if it was absolutely necessary. He said the odds of selling the books are much much better if he has one that hasn't been on the market.
This is a giant step ahead for me on my author journey and I appreciate all the support and help you've given me these many months. I would never have captured his attention if not for your persistent support.
In the long run the books will be on the shelves to be enjoyed by more people and the prices will drop significantly. I'll be able to focus one hundred percent of my time on writing and I'd be able to get out more and meet more fans in places other than Oregon. Curse and Quest will still be on the market while he's shopping them out to publishers but once I sign a contract they'll all be pulled off the market. The books you have will be considered collector's items and the covers and designs of the books will likely be redone by the publishing house. It's also probable that the books will go through more edits and revisions during that process. As soon as the final touches on the current hardbacks are done. I will buy up a lot of copies to sell on my website for those of you who want to be tiger collectors.
If you haven't been able to sign up for my newsletter on my website, contact Jared at webmaster@colleenhouck.com so he can add you to the account.
With many thanks, profound gratitude, and the deepest of apologies,
Colleen
I have very very good news and very very bad news. I'll go with semi-bad news first. There will not be a tiger expert with a tiger coming to the Tiger Tour after all. Hopefully, you'll all still come out and hang out with me and eat BBQ and chocolate cake. We'll be doing lots of giveaways through the day and will still have lots of fun.
Now for the very very good news. I have an agent! Whoo Hoo! He's a great guy who works for Trident Media Group which is a reputable New York company. His name is Alex and he is making lots of big plans for the series.
The very very bad news is that to really be able to sell the series, I need a completed unpublished manuscript and since I only have one book that fits that criteria, we've decided to pull Voyage so he can use it to sell the series. I'm so sorry! I know there is a huge group of you that have been waiting patiently, watching the minutes tick by as the month of May draws to an end. I really feel for you and I asked if it was absolutely necessary. He said the odds of selling the books are much much better if he has one that hasn't been on the market.
This is a giant step ahead for me on my author journey and I appreciate all the support and help you've given me these many months. I would never have captured his attention if not for your persistent support.
In the long run the books will be on the shelves to be enjoyed by more people and the prices will drop significantly. I'll be able to focus one hundred percent of my time on writing and I'd be able to get out more and meet more fans in places other than Oregon. Curse and Quest will still be on the market while he's shopping them out to publishers but once I sign a contract they'll all be pulled off the market. The books you have will be considered collector's items and the covers and designs of the books will likely be redone by the publishing house. It's also probable that the books will go through more edits and revisions during that process. As soon as the final touches on the current hardbacks are done. I will buy up a lot of copies to sell on my website for those of you who want to be tiger collectors.
If you haven't been able to sign up for my newsletter on my website, contact Jared at webmaster@colleenhouck.com so he can add you to the account.
With many thanks, profound gratitude, and the deepest of apologies,
Colleen
May 14, 2010
Confirmation!
We have a white tiger coming to our tour! He's just a baby. He will be only four weeks old at the time of the tour which likely means you can interact with him more. I'm so excited we can get him! Please everyone come on out so we get a good turnout. I'm setting this up as a gift to my fans but some have asked about donations. If you want to donate to help pay for the tiger visit contact my husband Brad at sales@colleenhouck.com. Have a great day and hope to see you there!
Colleen Houck
Colleen Houck
First Tiger Tour
Hi Everybody,
It's time to RSVP. On Thursday, June 3rd we're setting up our first Tiger Tour. You can participate in part of it or all day.
Part 1-Author Breakfast at White's (Space will be limited on this one so confirm if you want to go). Time is from 7:30-9am. Address is 1138 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97302. If you just want to hang out, it's free, if you want breakfast it's on your own.
Part 2-Book Signing at Western Oregon University-345 Monmouth Ave N Monmouth, OR 9736. The book signing will be outside the WOU bookstore from 10-1. Guided one hour tours will be offered of the WOU campus at 10am and at either 11:30 or 12. And tours at the Jensen Arctic Museum are at 10:30 and 11:30. (Please let us know which tours you want to go on) From 1-2 you can meet Wolfie the WOU mascot at the football stadium for prizes and giveaways and photo ops. (Lunch is on your own either at Burgerville down the street or in the campus cafeteria)
Part 3-Take a drive up Kelsey's mountain-Directions and a travelogue will be provided. (On your own or in groups)
Part 4-Go down the street to the Polk County Fairgrounds-520 S Pacific Hwy W Rickreall, OR 97371. A guided tour of the fairgrounds from 4-4:30. Meet a tiger expert from 4:30-6 who will give a presentation on tigers and answer questions (he's trying to get a tiger to bring but may not be able to). From 6-7 picnic dinner and Q & A with the author.
Note: The entire day is free except for the picnic dinner at the fairgrounds but we would like to get RSVPs for the four parts. The picnic dinner is $12 per adult and $6 for children under 12, babies snack for free (grin) and dinner will include BBQ chicken, flank steak, and all the trimmings, including a many layered chocolate fudge cake exactly like the one Kishan presents to Kelsey on their date in Tiger's Voyage! That's right. I said it. Date. To sign up and pay for the BBQ please contact my husband at sales@colleenhouck.com.
Sign Up Sign Up Sign Up!
Colleen
It's time to RSVP. On Thursday, June 3rd we're setting up our first Tiger Tour. You can participate in part of it or all day.
Part 1-Author Breakfast at White's (Space will be limited on this one so confirm if you want to go). Time is from 7:30-9am. Address is 1138 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97302. If you just want to hang out, it's free, if you want breakfast it's on your own.
Part 2-Book Signing at Western Oregon University-345 Monmouth Ave N Monmouth, OR 9736. The book signing will be outside the WOU bookstore from 10-1. Guided one hour tours will be offered of the WOU campus at 10am and at either 11:30 or 12. And tours at the Jensen Arctic Museum are at 10:30 and 11:30. (Please let us know which tours you want to go on) From 1-2 you can meet Wolfie the WOU mascot at the football stadium for prizes and giveaways and photo ops. (Lunch is on your own either at Burgerville down the street or in the campus cafeteria)
Part 3-Take a drive up Kelsey's mountain-Directions and a travelogue will be provided. (On your own or in groups)
Part 4-Go down the street to the Polk County Fairgrounds-520 S Pacific Hwy W Rickreall, OR 97371. A guided tour of the fairgrounds from 4-4:30. Meet a tiger expert from 4:30-6 who will give a presentation on tigers and answer questions (he's trying to get a tiger to bring but may not be able to). From 6-7 picnic dinner and Q & A with the author.
Note: The entire day is free except for the picnic dinner at the fairgrounds but we would like to get RSVPs for the four parts. The picnic dinner is $12 per adult and $6 for children under 12, babies snack for free (grin) and dinner will include BBQ chicken, flank steak, and all the trimmings, including a many layered chocolate fudge cake exactly like the one Kishan presents to Kelsey on their date in Tiger's Voyage! That's right. I said it. Date. To sign up and pay for the BBQ please contact my husband at sales@colleenhouck.com.
Sign Up Sign Up Sign Up!
Colleen
May 12, 2010
Utah Book Signing
The date and place for my Utah book signing is confirmed thanks to my friend Jenefer who is organizing the whole event. It's going to be on Saturday, June 19th from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Utah Foster Care Foundation-5296 South Commerce Drive Suite 400 Murray Utah 84107 which is right off I-15 and 5300 South. I'm looking forward to meeting all my Utah fans! If you need more details about the event contact Jenefer at mommy@reudter.org. See you there!
