I’m totally excited by the great response to today’s launch of the free download of Media Meltdown, the latest in the Graphic Guide Adventures series. Readers from Canada, the US and the UK have grabbed their copies, so don’t you think it’s time you download your free copy of Media Meltdown. Go on, it’s free. As in free speech AND free beer. You can’t go wrong.

Enjoy.

I’m totally excited to announce that on October 1st my new graphic novel, Media Meltdown, will not only be landing in bookstores across Canada but also available as a free download to anyone who wants it.

We’re not talking just a few chapters or a sample of rough work, it’s a FULL free download of the final printed edition for you to enjoy, keep and share.  You’ll have to wait until October 1st to download your free copy, but for now you can preview the full graphic novel and get started on the adventure. If you like what you read and want your own papery copy, then head over to Orca Books and fill up your cart.

At the heart of Media Meltdown is a battle for control of the messages we all see and hear every day. It’s a struggle between young upstarts who want to get the truth out and the power holders who like things just the way they are.

I think it’s a fun story (I wrote it, so I am a bit biased),  but it’s also a very important message that is crucial to the ongoing struggle for control the media that we all own. To help this message reach the most eyes and ears, myself , Mike Deas and the great folks at Orca decided to release Media Meltdown into the mediascape for free to see where it goes and who finds it and in hopes that it inspires other media makers to jump in and take part in the meltdown.

Enjoy!

Short notice, I know, but . . .  if you’re Victoria, BC head over to Tall Tales Books (at 795 Fort Street) for the official launch of  Media Meltdown, book 4 in the Graphic Guide Adventures series. Illustrator extraordinaire, Mike Deas will be there signing copies and doing sketches for all.  I live in Ontario, so I’ll only be there as an author photo in the back of the books, but don’t let that stop you from dropping by.  It all kicks off at 1pm. Get going!

And don’t forget to check out the totally cool website for the book at: mediameltdown.net . There you’ll find games to test your media skills and a bunch of stuff you can download for free.

Sheesh, I stop blogging for a few months and you miss out on a barrel of book-loving good stuff. Not to worry, I’ve managed to gather it all together to get you up to date on the latest stuff happening with Bounce, Pema, Devin, Nadia and a few new characters that I’m so excited for you to meet. Let’s go!

Soccer Sabotage scores a trailer

Soccer Sabotage, Book 3 in the Graphic Guide Adventures series, continues to win readers across the country. To help spread the goals and the news, the great folks at Orca put together a trailer for the book. Check it out below:

Share the Soccer Sabotage Trailer with your friends!

Ramp Rats lands Shuster Nomination

Ramp Rats, the Book 2 in the Graphic Guide Adventure series has picked up some new fans over the summer months. Although Bounce and Pema’s biker gang-busting grindfest has been out for a few years, the comic aficionados at the Joe Shuster Awards have nominated Ramp Rats for their 2009 Comics for Kids award. Mike Deas and I are in with some great company, so thanks to the Joe Shuster folks and good luck to everyone nominated.

While Ramp Rats is winning friends and Soccer Sabotage is climbing the charts over at youtube, the Book 5 in the Graphic Guide Adventure series is getting ready to take on the net itself!

Media Meltdown on its way

Media Meltdown beams its way to bookstores in October 2009 and it’s set to change the way you look at your TV, game system and even the streets around you.

Combining more fast-paced adventure and mystery while uncovering the inner-workings of modern media, Media Meltdown is perfect for gamers, writers, readers and jammers everywhere.

To celebrate the launch of the book, we’re putting together a Media Meltdown website at http://mediameltdown.net/ filled with games, drawing tips, avatars and wallpapers to download and ways for you make a difference in your media-packed world.

Once again, illustrator extraordinaire Mike Deas has brought my words to life with his amazing artwork. Check out Mike’s post at the Graphic Guide Adventures website for a sneak peak at some of the illustrations and stay tuned here for news when mediameltdown.net goes live in a few weeks.

But wait! There’s more . . .

But is that all for the Graphic Guide Adventure series?

No way!

I’ve spent the last few months scribbiling away at Book 5 in the series: Food Fight. Due out in Spring 2010, Food Fight reunites readers with Devin and Nadia, as they stumble into a fresh mystery about not-so fresh food. As they track down clues and chase suspects, the kids learn the truth behind the food we all eat. Can’t say much more, but I’m very excited for this one too. Food Fight is now in Mike’s hands and he’s working his magic. Will reveal all when the time is right.

In the meantime, keep reading and enjoy the final weeks of summer!

Just got back from Halifax where I spent the last few days touring the province, visiting schools as part of the 2009 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Awards. I had a great time meeting kids from many schools, talking to them about writing comics and reading.

The awards cermony was a lot of fun and hopefully I’ll have photos very soon. Congratulations to winning author, Jennifer McGrath Kent and her action adventure Chocolate River Rescue. Like Wild Ride, it’s packed with survival skills and adventure, so it’s definitely added to my ‘must read’ list and I suggest you add it to yours too.

Thanks to all the kids who read and voted in this years awards – we couldn’t have done it without you!