Fantasy Fiction Authors Reach Out to At-Risk Kids Who May Never Read Their Books

Sept. 26, 2008 - PRLog -- DALLAS, TX, August 12, 2008—Not all stories end happily ever after, especially when a child cannot read. This is one reason why eight fiction authors will put away their pens and computers and hit the road, Oct. 3-11, 2008. As the Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour travels to eight cities throughout the west coast, they will partner with Charcter4Kids to confront head-on the issue of adolescent literacy.  

In hospitals and after school programs from Seattle, WA to Los Angeles, CA, the Motiv8 authors will deliver spirited programs to young people during which hundreds of age-appropriate character-building books will be donated. The goal is to encourage reading and help mold positive thinking and behavior. On Oct. 7 at 11 AM PST, Motiv8 will visit Children's Hospital Central California in Madera, CA, and later that day at 3 PM, they will work with first through third graders at Fresno Read.  Similar charity events are currently being booked along the occidental route.

Approximately 8 million of the 32.5 million students in fourth through twelfth grade read below the National Assessment of Educational Progress’s minimum or “basic” standards for their grade level, according to a 2003 Analysis of the National Center for Education.

Like the characters in their best-selling novels, this new breed of faith-based fantasy fiction authors representing eight, separate publishing houses will wear medieval cloaks with steel swords by their sides.  In addition to speaking out about literacy, they also will engage thousands of their fans during scheduled book-signings, school and church programs, and a book fair.

The Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour authors and their publishers are Bryan Davis (Zondervan), Christopher Hopper (Tsaba House), Sharon Hinck (NavPress), Wayne Batson (Thomas Nelson), Donita K. Paul (WaterBrook Press), Jonathan Rogers (B & H Publishing Group), LB Graham (P&R Publishing Group), and Eric Reinhold (Creation House).

On a shoe-string budget and a prayer, in 2007 the first-ever Christian fantasy fiction tour, known as the Fantasy 4 Fiction Tour, successfully launched with four authors caravanning to events in 15 cities throughout the eastern U.S.  The unprecedented initiative drew the attention of fans, industry peers, and mainstream media who conjectured, “Could the next Harry Potter be a devout Christian?” Their story has also been covered by Washington Post, Fox News, Christian Retailing, Beliefnet.com, and Publisher’s Weekly, among other outlets.

While interest in other literary genres has declined over the last several years, Christian book sales have steadily grown at a rate of about 30 percent with annual revenues reaching $2.4 billion.
   
For more information about the Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour authors, scheduled events, book titles and blogs, please visit www.fantasyfictiontour.com. Character 4 Kids, Inc. is a Florida-based nonprofit corporation. For information, visit www.character-4-kids.org. Motiv8’s official outfitter for medieval swords and costumes is www.RealArmorofGod.com  .
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Media interested in Motiv8 Fantasy Fiction Tour interviews, book review copies, videos, photos and other information should contact Gregg Wooding, I AM PR Services, 972-567-7660 mobile or gwooding@texasprototypes.com via email.
To contact the hospital directly, please call Micheline Golden,
Public Relations Manager, Children's Hospital Central California, 559-353-7049, 559-446-4650 pager, MGo

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I AM PR Founder Gregg Wooding served as pr account executive for Bishop T.D. Jakes and Rev. Billy Graham during his tenure at A. Larry Ross Communications in Dallas, TX. Before that, Wooding promoted movies and series for The Family Channel network.