Wild Ride

Century Junior High, near Chicago 4-10-08

2008-04-11T18:39:00.003-05:00

The Steel Trapp tour continues.
yea! Century Junior

Steel Trapp Tour

2008-03-06T06:20:00.001-06:00

The TOUR is on-line.
Some dates may change, but this is pretty close...

Ridley

Blood Tide!!!

2008-02-11T07:09:00.001-06:00

Here's the cover to Blood Tide (the 3rd Never Land book). The book publishes this summer.

I'm only going to leave this up a few days, since it's a work in progress. So tell your friends!

Pretty amazing work by Greg Call, who does all our Dave/Ridley covers.

Ridley

Steel this book...

2008-02-11T07:02:00.001-06:00

Did you see the cover to Steel Trapp coming out in late March, early April?

It's a "crime thriller" for younger readers. A 14 year old boy gets on an overnight train and sees something he shouldn't. He has a perfect memory, so things get a little sticky because he can't forget what he saw....

I speak at Chillicothe R school in western, Missouri next week (6 talks to all different grades). Looking forward to it.

Spoke at Solomon Schecter Day School on Friday. Great bunch of kids!

Ridley

KINGDOM KEEPERS 2 - Finished!

2008-01-29T14:55:00.000-06:00

I am happy to report that Kingdom Keepers 2 has been printed as page proofs, and I've copyedited them, and it's into production at Disney Books. Here we go!!!
I'm told the first copies of Steel Trapp should arrive on my doorstep any day. It will be published in April -- a crime novel for younger readers.
Also, Dave Barry and I are within days of finishing Science Fair, for publication next January.
Things are looking up!

Ridley

More signs, more signings.... Day... 9

2007-11-06T16:32:00.000-06:00

More signs, more bookstores. This time, from last week in Naperville, IL at Anderson's Bookstore. We're in Los Angeles today, using a Starbucks as our office(s) while we await a radio interview. Ah... the glamour of it all!

Fun in Phily....

2007-11-05T12:32:00.000-06:00

A tired author in front of the display outside of Philadelphia. We had 175 people attend, magic, Radio Disney and a TON of fun.

Next stop was Corte Madera, near San Francisco, and another great event. Dave was in rare form telling our snake story (see below).
Ridley

Cleveland

2007-11-03T07:43:00.001-05:00

Thanks to everyone who showed up at Joseph-Beth in Cleveland! What a great event. The magic show was particularly memorable. Thanks to David for his participation. Next stop: Philadelphia.

Halloween on Tour

2007-11-01T15:42:00.001-05:00

Dave and I encounter the Big Bad Wolf, a Night Before Christmas character in the airport, and a relevant street sign, while in Chicago on Halloween.

Rundoon Tour-Day 2

2007-10-29T13:00:00.001-05:00

Dave and I spoke to patients and some kids from nearby schools while at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, in New York City.
We had a terrific time and met some great kids. They enjoyed the telling of the snake story most of all.
We wish everyone well. Nothing like visiting a hospital to get your priorities straight...
This afternoon we have radio here in NY and the reading for the 92nd St Y tonight.... Ridley

Starcatchers Tour, Day 1

2007-10-28T16:07:00.012-05:00

Dave (Barry) and I kicked off our Peter and the Secret of Rundoon tour with an amazing party at Books and Books in Coral Gables, Florida. We had a terrific turnout (thank you!) but also the book store went "all out" with pirate costumes, flags, decorations, events for the kids, Radio Disney, and ...

...an 11', 95 lb, python that we had to hold while read from the book. Not only was it absurdly heavy, and constantly moving, and slimy, but after this shot, it curled around me and laid its head on my shoulder and steadily hissed into my ear, to where I was convinced I was going to be its dinner, while 300 people looked on.

(notice the Mickey Mouse ears I get from the eyes of the pirate flag—this confirms it was a Disney event!)

Anyway it was a wild start to what I'm sure will be an equally wild book tour. We look forward to meeting many of you on the road—just one thing: don't bring any snakes.

Ridley
10/28 – on way to NY to begin the 2 week tour

RUNDOON, and other matters

2007-09-21T08:29:00.000-05:00

As the publishing date for Peter and the Secret of Rundoon approaches (Oct 23rd), comment here on the book, or ask questions, or whatever you want!

Denver Friends

2007-07-20T09:40:00.000-05:00

I saw Hale and others at my talk in Denver last night. We discussed the next Kingdom Keepers, the stage production of Peter and the Starcatchers and more. Thanks to all for coming out and supporting the books. Still a few cities to go. Hope to see more of you out there.

Kingdom Keepers 2 appears to be on track for August 2008. Steel Trapp will publish in April 08, and I hope to tour for it.

Ridley

KINGDOM KEEPERS 2 - For the curious

2007-06-14T08:28:00.000-05:00

Here's the catalog copy for Kingdom Keepers 2 (note, the title is still being considered):

Kingdom Keepers: The Second Server
Disney At Dawn

It's supposed to be a happy day at the Magic Kingdom – the return of the teenage, holographic hosts. But things go very wrong when a sudden lightning storm disrupts the celebration, and Amanda's mysterious sister, Jez, disappears. The only clue is the sighting of a wild monkey in the Magic Kingdom during the storm.

The mystery deepens as Finn is contacted by Wayne, an old man he hasn't heard from in months. Wayne tells Finn that there's trouble at the Animal Kingdom: the evil Overtakers have gained control of one of the computer servers that will be used to operate Daylight Holographic Imaging there. That means that if any of the holographic hosts fall asleep, they will go into comas – permanently.

With time running out, Finn, Philby, and Maybeck, along with Willa and Charlene, and Amanda, begin a desperate search, following a string of cryptic clues found inside the diary of the missing Jez. They must find and destroy the second server before they fall asleep; their survival -- and the future of the parks – depend on their success.

Filled with action and brimming with the same meticulous detail as Kingdom Keepers: Disney After Dark, this second book in the series — Disney At Dawn --is the result of hands-on research behind the scenes at the Animal Kingdom. Young and older readers alike will get a glimpse into a second Disney kingdom. The wild rides have only just begun; and the clock is ticking. How long can the teens keep themselves awake in their quest to find their friend — and what happens if they fail?

Questions and Answers - June / July

2007-06-13T09:11:00.000-05:00

The Cave of The Dark Wind is in stores!! (#2 in the Neverland series)
Peter and the Secret of Rundoon will publish in October.
Steel Trapp will hit shelves in April and...
Kingdom Keepers #2, arrives Summer 2008 (about a year from now).
Jump in and ask anything you want, or discuss past or future books.

Amazon blog is up

2007-06-04T07:10:00.000-05:00

I'm blogging on Amazon now as well: Amazon Connects. Just call up one of the recent titles of my books and you'll see the blog there. I'll try to copy it here as well.
Ridley

---

Just back from the Book Expo in New York City, where Dave Barry and I signed copies of Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, and I signed for Killer Weekend. The ROCKBOTTOM REMAINDERS, Stephen King, Amy Tan, Mitch Albom et al, performed both on Good Morning America and at Webster Hall, raising money for Dave Edgers' New York 826, and also for Get Caught Reading.

But the highlight of the weekend was, when Dave and I couldn't get a cab at midnight, following the Remainders show, we were approached by a pedacab driver named Omar, who then pedaled us 20 blocks to the band hotel. It was a surreal moment, but one of those weird other-worldly ones I won't soon forget.

I got home last night to our new dog, Tater, who is about the size of a bedroom slipper, running around like crazy while my daughters and I watched the first Harry Potter movie. The contrast to a jam-packed trip to New York couldn't have been more. But just guess where I'd rather be?

Have a good week. There are two surprises coming up on Amazon (for Killer Weekend) in the next week or two. Keep your eyes out. One is a video Dave Barry and shot; the other is a free short story we're offering....

Ridley

Answers to Questions

2007-03-28T08:07:00.000-05:00

If you asked questions in the forum below, look for your answers here.
I've been traveling (for work) and finishing up some books and haven't been here
enough. I plan to answer your quesions, so look here.

I will also add a new section to ask questions.
Ridley

JUST TALK (#2)

2007-02-01T18:44:00.000-06:00

This is a spot to just talk about whatever you want.
And I'll answer any questions you have.
Ridley

Friday Night Disney Movie

2007-01-12T11:12:00.000-06:00

We, at the Pearson house, are planning a premiere night for Jump In, a new Disney Channel movie. If you see the movie, let me know what you think about it.

Speaking at Schools

2007-01-10T10:02:00.000-06:00

I'm giving a lot of talks over the next several months at schools around the country. Typically, I talk about research done for the Kingdom Keepers, my co-writing with Dave Barry, as well as conducting writers workshops.

If you're interested in me speaking to your school, please have your school contact: llaird@talent-plus.com and she'll be happy to work to get me there.

Ridley

Birds

2007-01-02T09:56:00.001-06:00

I just put two bird feeders out (south and west walls) and what fun! Winter is the time for great bird watching, if you can get some feeders out. Give it a try.
Ridley

NOW YOUR MUST REGISTER

2007-01-02T09:56:00.000-06:00

We started getting spam on the blog. Sorry but you now much register. But I hope you will, because it's fun to hear from you.
Ridley

Ambergris is used in making perfume=$$$

2006-12-19T06:57:00.000-06:00

Please Let It Be Whale Vomit, Not Just Sea Junk
Gordon M. Grant for The New York Times (c)2006

Dorothy Ferreira with a gift from her 82-year-old sister in Iowa. In a post-whaling age, she has yet to find someone who knows whether it is truly ambergris.

Published: December 18, 2006

MONTAUK, N.Y. — In this season of strange presents from relatives, Dorothy Ferreira got a doozy the other day from her 82-year-old sister in Waterloo, Iowa. It was ugly. It weighed four pounds. There was no receipt in the box.

Inside she found what looked like a gnarled, funky candle but could actually be a huge hunk of petrified whale vomit worth as much as $18,000.

Happy Holidays

2006-12-16T09:51:00.000-06:00

Have a great Christmas! What are you asking for this year? Where do you hope to visit? What do you want to read?

Happy Holidays!

Ridley

Questions for Ridley Pearson

2006-10-16T15:42:00.000-05:00

If you have questions about the books, post them here and I'll get back to you.
You can also write me at:
email@ridleypearson.com