“If you like creepy and mysterious, this is the house for you! Every room opens a door to magic, true horror, and amazing surprises. I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?” —R.L. Stine, author of Goosebumps
Whirlwind is shipping!
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new favorite!!"
-Fiction Addict
Whirlwind is the fifth book in the bestselling Dreamhouse Kings action-adventure series for young adults. Although its official street date is December 29, many brick-and-mortar and online bookstores started selling it today (December 3)--in time for Christmas.
I sent out an announcement and newsletter, packed with news and reviews about Whirlwind. If you didn't get it, take a look by clicking here. And while you're there, sign up to receive my newsletters (they go out about once every two months or so).
Thank you, everyone who voted for the various Frenzy covers. We've finalized the design, except for a few tweaks, like adding a blurb. (Blurbs are quotes from people--like the ones from R.L. Stine and Ted Dekker, which have appeared on the previous books in the Dreamhouse Kings series). Here it is:
I love hearing how readers interpret the things I write. I'm always amazed by how vastly different the descriptions are of characters or action or the Dreamhouse itself--all based on the same words I've written. And no one is wrong. In fact, I strive to write in such a way that encourages people to paint story images in their minds that mean the most to them, ones that help them get the most out of the story. That's the power of the written word.
So I'm always thrilled to receive artwork from fans. Readers have sent me Crayola renditions of David and Xander on the front lines of a Civil War battle, watercolors of Taksidian (looking more than a little like Death himself), and stick-figure illustrations of the family flying around in the clearing behind the house. The one below is especially vivid. So well done. It's from 16-year-old Robyn Twomey, who lives in Mason, Ohio: Robyn says: "The picture I drew is Xander King from a scene in Timescape, the fourth book in the Dream House Kings series. In this scene, Xander is getting the portal items that will lead him to the Titanic. Xander is thinking of many things: His father and brother for one, but also the main goal. He can't save his mother without the rest of the family. He's also thinking of what he's getting himself into!"
Frenzy is the sixth book in the Dreamhouse Kings, the best-selling action-adventure series for young adults. For the cover, we've decided to show the King family framed by the light of a portal door. The challenge now is selecting just the right color. Tell me what you think! By participating, you'll be entered into a drawing for a personalized copy of Frenzy. The winner will get a hot-off-the-presses copy before it's available in stores. Thanks for your help!
UPDATE: The blue/green cover won with 80% of the votes! Brooke from Canada won the drawing for the personalized copy of Frenzy. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOTES, AND I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.
We've come up with a stunning design that actually incorporates colors from both covers. I'll post it soon.
Last Saturday, July 18, the Dreamhouse Kings Team converged on the Chapel Hills Borders store in Colorado Springs for the Timescape launch party.
What a blast!
More than 350 fans showed up, and I signed books for three hours. We all pigged out on candy, fruit, cheese & crackers, and sodas. Borders served free drinks from their cafe to the people waiting in the signing line (thanks, Borders!).
Congratulations to our drawing winners: Complete set of Dreamhouse books — Nathan Williams and Stephen McGuire Personalized Timescapes — Ben Curnell, Karen Birch, and Patricia Yellico Dreamhouse Kings tee shirts — Daniel Cuchiara, Walter Smith, Betsy Brown, and Reid Council
Personalized Comes a Horseman — Luke Weiderander
Personalized Germ — Karen Streng
Personalized Deadfall — Caitlin Tabor
Personalized Deadlock — Tina Dewar
And our contest winners, who took home signed Timescapes: The winners of the "Draw Bob" contest — Hannah and Ladette Kerr
The winners of the "Poor David!" contest (who can list the most number of his injuries?) — Deborah King and Megan Davis
The winners of the "I Can't Be There!" drawings — Fleur Wayman of North Carolina and Jesse Peterson of California
A big THANK YOU to Borders and Shannon Bailey, for hosting the party; my wife Jodi, who put it all together; and my tireless helpers: Anthony Liparulo (who Tweeted about the goings on during the party), Ben Fitzpatrick, Alec Oberndorfer, Jesse Montero, and Brandon and Breanna Bailey.See more pictures on Facebook: click here.
The covers below are from the first round of possibilities.
This is the one we like best, because it shows the whole family. The designers will tweak the figures to better represent the Kings. For example, the figure to the right of the smallest one (Toria) will be shortened to make it clear that it is 12-year-old David. Xander stands next to him.
This one is pretty cool, too. I'm concerned about two things: (1) It seems a little to much like a "horror" cover to me...or maybe "science fiction" (the figure looks kind of like an alien); and (2) I'm not sure WHO this is supposed too be. One of the Kings? Phemus?
One possibility we're considering: The first cover (with the family) with the greenish-blue coloring of the second one.
Here are the other Dreamhouse Kings covers for comparison.
Just finished signing 30,000 limited editions of House of Dark Shadows and Watcher in the Woods (the first two Dreamhouse books) for Scholastic. You'd think doing the same thing over and over so many times would allow your mind to wander; during the last two-and-a-half weeks, I should have written an entire new Dreamhouse story in my head.
But that's not the way it worked. I found that a wondering mind led to either really sloppy signatures or slowing down to the point that it'd take a year to finish. So instead, with each signature, I thought about the kid who would read the book, and hoped he or she enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.
I did learn a few things about taking on such a big project:
• I signed faster with rocking tunes pounding through my headphones. I especially liked Meatloaf, Phil Keaggy, The Kry, and Bruce Springsteen.
• The more I tried to make my signature nice, the sloppier it got.
• It's amazing how different a signature can look when you're signing so many. Everything made a difference: whether I was fresh or tired, if my hand was starting to ache or my mind to wander, what music I was listening to. Sometimes I would vary my signature just for a break, to keep the boredom at bay. Then, the weirdest thing: A few times I realized I couldn't remember how to sign my name normally. It was like if you said the same simple word over and over... eventually, it sounds strange and not right. Thankfully, that didn't happen often or last long.
Here are are some fun fact about 30,000 signatures:
• A stack of 30,000 Dreamhouse books would be 2,000 feet high—higher than the tallest skyscraper in the United States (which is Chicago's Sears Tower at 1,450 feet).
• Laid end-to-end, the books I'm signing would stretch 4 miles.
• The total length of all those signatures would be over 1 mile.
• My two-word name times 30,000 books, means I'm handwriting 60,000 words—that's longer than the longest Dreamhouse Kings book (which is Whirlwind at 57,000 words). • It takes me 8 seconds to sign my name and prepare for the next signature. That means it'll take me almost 67 hours of straight signing to finish—80 hours, if I take a ten minute break each hour. That's two standard work weeks doing nothing but signing my name.
• If it took one secondlonger to sign each signature, it would add a full day to the project.
I think for the next batch, I'll change my name to X!
Now, here's a question for you: Counting all your homework papers, birthday cards, letters, etc., how many times do you think you've written or signed yourname?
PS, If you already have some of my books and would like free signed bookplates to stick in them, email me. Don't forget to include your mailing address.
We've nailed the launch party details. Click here for more information and to sign up to receive an email reminder.
If you can't attend:
• Click here to be entered into a drawing for a Dreamhouse Kings tee shirt & signed book (we'll hold a special drawing at the launch party for people who can't be there). Just tell me your name and what state you live in.
• We'll post pictures and information here about the launch party and give you another chance to win a tee shirt when we do.
• And I can always send you signed bookplates to stick in your books. Click here to request some. Make sure you tell me how many you need and your mailing address.
• See the post below to learn how I can talk to your class or reading group.
Have Robert Liparulo visit or call your school or book group
“Our sixth graders discovered your series first and it spread like wildfire! Now the seventh and eighth grades are going crazy for them! I’ve never seen them reading like this. Thank you!”
—Alexandra Seabourn, Lewis Palmer Middle School, Monument, Colorado
“Awesome!! You won’t believe how excited these kids are about your series! Your Dreamhouse Kings books are now required reading here!” —Bentley Brown, Teacher, Parkview Baptist School, Baton Rouge, LA
“I wanted to let you know that your visit to our school was one of our best events in the last few years. Our students and teachers were so impressed with your genuinely friendly manner and your obvious care and concern for them. We are truly excited by the response to your books.” —Rick Slenk, AACS, Annapolis, MD
The Dreamhouse Kingsseries has been a big hit with schools and book clubs. To say "Thank you," we've put together some programs to give readers a more meaningful experience with these books: • School visits: Over the past year, I've visited schools all around the country. I generally address an assembly, as well as visit individual classes. I talk about writing as a career, how I came to write Dreamhouse Kings, and how to tap into your passion (for any vocation) at an early age. Email me to request information about bringing me to your school.
• Calls to classes and book group: Another popular event. Once your class or group reads a book or two from the Dreamhouse series (or one of my other books), I'll phone in to answer questions. Click here to request more information.
• Classroom reading: We're looking for schools that are interested in using the Dreamhouse books in the classroom. Each book comes with discussion questions and have been approved by Scholastic. Information packages include a copy of House of Dark Shadows, testimonials from educators, and ways in which students can enrich their reading experience through writing assignments and history lessons. Educators are welcome to request more information; just click here.
• The Dream the Scene Contest: Get your students thinking about history and storytelling by asking them to tell me where in history the King family should go to look for their missing mother—and what they find there. If I select the idea, I'll write it into a future Dreamhouse Kings book and give the entrant credit for the idea and an iPod Nano. Find out more here, and about the first two winners here.
• Coming soon. We're turning the discussion questions at the back of each book into easily printed and copied documents, as well as working with educators on an Ideas for Teacherspamphlet. Check back soon, or let me know you're interested, and we'll give you a head's-up when they're ready.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to email me.
Here's the cover of Whirlwind (Dreamhouse Kings #5), which will hit stores in December. This cover depicts a place/time in history the Kings find themselves. Xander and David see this gate before stepping through it to discover the place isn't anything like what they thought it was. If you thought the ride was wild before . . . well, let's just say Whirlwind lives up to its title.
Let's party! To mark the July 7 publication of Timescape, we're having a launch party in Colorado Springs. There will be munchies & drinks, drawings for books and t-shirts, and all sorts of fun. Of course, I'll be there to chat and sign books. It will be held at Borders in the Chapel Hills Mall on Saturday, July 18. If you're interested in coming, send me an email--I'll drop you an invitation/reminder closer to the date. (Or just stop by.)
Attention Dream the Scene Entrants: [Update: The newsletter mentioned here will go out later than originally announced. It turns out that compiling the list of emails for every entrant is a lot more difficult than we thought, due to entries coming in from all kinds of sources: direct emails, emails to my publisher, bulk entries through teachers and schools, mailed-in entries, hand-delivered entries, etc. In the interest of making sure everyone who entered gets a notice, we're holding off until the list is completed. Sorry.]
During the first week of June, I'll send out an e-Newsletter just for you. It'll fill you in on what's happening with the contest and when the next two winners will be announced (soon!). If you emailed me your story idea, you don't need to do anything (I have your email); but if you sent it through the mail or handed it to me in person, I may not have your email address. Please send me an email so I can put you on the Dream the Scene mailing list.
Countdown to Timescape: In the right column of this blog, you'll find a clock counting down to the release date of Timescape (Dreamhouse Kings #4). If you want to put it on your blog, FaceBook or MySpace page, just click here. You'll be taken to a page that will show you how (it's easy).
Finally, a new order of Dreamhouse Kings tees! Answer some of the Dreamhouse Kings trivia questions for a chance to win one! We'll give one away every week. If you want to buy one, let us know, and we'll get you on the list for the next order (tell us what size you want). They should arrive in about six weeks (in time for the release of Timescape). Not sure of the price yet; probably around $15.
Most readers who have written to me seem to enjoy the cliffhangers at the end of each book. A typical response: "My friends and I always try to guess what's going to happen next. It's fun to see who's closest when we get the next book."
And that's one of the reasons I decided to structure the story this way. When I was a kid, the local theater showed serialized short movies before the feature. They were usually ten-minute clips of a western or a Robin Hood story or something like that. Each ended with the hero in some great danger, with no easy escape. Until the next episode, we imagined all sorts of ways he or she would get out of the trouble. Some of the ideas were wild and implausible ("Angels will come down and rescue him!"), others more believable ("Remember? He's got that lock-pick thing in his shoe!"). I hope the Dreamhouse Kings cliffhangers encourages conversations like this.
Another reason for writing the Dreamhouse books this way is that it's a big story. I just couldn't tell it in one book (or even two or three books). It seemed logical to me to give readers something exciting to look forward to.
Still, I know cliffhangers can be as frustrating as they are fun. I don't even watch television shows when they first air; I'm too impatient. I usually wait until the whole season is available on DVD or iTunes, then I'll watch all the episodes at once. Every now and then, however, I'll catch a show and can't help myself: I start that once-a-week ritual of planting myself in front of the TV, bowl of popcorn in hand, to catch the next show. I wish that Dreamhouse gives you that excited sense of anticipation.
So, what do you think about the cliffhangers? Take the poll below and let me know.
(This poll feature is new to me. If it doesn't work, or you want to tell me more about how you feel, send me an email.)
Update: Just finished Whirlwind (book five). I'll get to the posts mentioned below soon.
I'm planning a series of posts that will answer some of the more frequent questions I receive, such as why I end each book in a cliffhanger, how I came up with the titles of the books, and what the status is on the Dreamhouse Kings movie. I'll also introduce you to some special readers who help me catch goofs before the books go to press.
Gatekeepers (Dreamhouse Kings book #3) is available NOW—a bit earlier than its "street date." Check with your local bookseller or order from one of these online retailers:
The first two "Dream the Scene" winners . . . and more chances to win!
UPDATE: WE'VE EXTENDED THE DEADLINE! SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS...
I've selected the first two winners of the "Dream the Scene" contest! (If you don't know about the contest yet, click here.) Congratulations to:
Joshua Ruark, age 13, who suggested the King kids should walk through a portal into ninth-century England, during the Viking raid on Alfred the Great's castle. There, they face a bloodthirsty berserker.
Katie O'Dell, also 13, who thought the Kings should suddenly find themselves on the deck of the Titanic, as it's sinking.
Joshua and Katie will receive iPod Nanos.
You'll be able to read these adventures (and many others) in Timescape (June 2009). What leads them to each world is almost as incredible as the things they do once they're in the midst of them. And head's-up: Our bad guy, Taksidian, is turning up the heat. He's making the King family's life in the house as scary and dangerous as the worlds they find through the upstairs doors!
More chances to win!
We've had so much fun reading the "Dream the Scene" entries, my publisher and I have decided to add two more chances to win. Instead of four total winners, six contestants will now win iPod Nanos. So we've extend the contest deadline to at least September 15, 2009 (we've had such a great response, we're looking for ways to keep it going, so check back to see if we've pushed the deadline even further down the calendar). Entries will be considered for extended Dreamhouse adventures—either in future books or in special online stories. So send 'em in!
Some hints to make your ideas really stand out:
• The more details you provide, the better. That way, if more than one person suggest the same adventure, the winner will be the one who gives me the most details that I'm able to work into the story.
• Make the place where they go and the people they meet real. The story is so wild as it is, we don't want the Kings bumping into Bugs Bunny! They don't have to meet famous people, but who they do run into should have possibly existed.
• Entries can be in any form that works for you: rough sentences, bullet-points, crayon drawings—anything that gets your idea across.
Hi! I've returned from three weeks on the road. I had a great time meeting students from schools all over the country (Boston, Annapolis, Atlanta, Orlando, Asheville, Austin, Los Angeles, Westlake Village, [Calif.], Seattle, and Colorado Springs). I'm beat, but meeting young readers and hearing their ideas for future Dreamhouse Kings books is one of the most rewarding parts of my job! It's a blast to see all the different reactions to the Dreamhouse Kings series: "I read both books in one day!" "I couldn't sleep after I read it!" "What? I have to wait for book three? Write faster!" I hope to get out and visit more schools soon.
Some of you noticed the trivia contest wasn't being updated while I was on the road. I'm happy to report we're back on schedule - I've notified eight new winners and posted the questions I missed while I was away. So far, we've given away over $600 in prizes. If you want a shot at some of the loot, all you have to do is send in your answers!
A lot of you have emailed me. Thank you! I love hearing from you. Keep 'em coming!
Remember, if you want signed bookplates (stickers that go on the backside of the covers) or bookmarks, send me an email with your address.
Hi, everyone! If you have any questions about the stories or me or whatever, please post them as a comment or email me (or just say "Hi"; I'd love to hear from you). I'll answer your questions in a future post.
Hello, Dreamhouse Kings readers! Here's your chance to test your knowledge of the story so far, and win some loot in the process, like gift cards, books, and t-shirts.
Here's how it works:
• Answer as many questions as you can. Send your answers to me by clicking here. Please include your age, school grade, and email address.
• Every correct answer gives you one drawing entry (ten correct answers = ten entries). • Once a week, we'll draw a winner from all the entries, and notify him or her with an email. All the entries stay in the drawing for as long as the contest goes on, so once you've entered, you'll always have a chance to win.
• Every Monday, we'll post a new question—so come back often for another entry and another chance to win!
(Hint: The easiest way to answer multiple questions is to copy the list to an email message, then answer each one next to the question.) Here we go!
73. Which arm did David break?
72. Who do Xander and David meet when they travel back to the time when the house is being built? 71. What purposed do the strangely carved wall lights in the third-floor hallway serve (besides providing light)?
70. How many books will there be in the Dreamhouse Kings series?
69. What cartoon character's teeth does one of Jesse's symbols remind Xander of?
68. Where is David at the very end of Timescape? 67. What happens when people from other times (or who spent a lot of time in the past) stay in the house too long? 66. In what hospital does Jesse end up? 65. What kind of rental car does Keal drive? 64. What "artwork" does Xander find in Taksidian's house? 63. To where do the symbols Jesse left written on the floor lead David and Xander?
62. What kind of car does Xander borrow from a classmate? 61.(First from Timescape!) Right after returning from the future, to what historic event is David dragged?
60. Again, there's no wrong answer for this one: Which of the two FRENZY covers (shown on the right) do you like best? (Frenzy is the sixth book in Dreamhouse Kings series.)
59. Who do Toria and David bring home from the Civil War? 58. What does Jesse give Dad to bring into the future world? 57. Who is Gatekeepers dedicated to?
56. How does David cut his palm in the clearing?
55. What is the title of the sixth Dreamhouse Kings book? (Hmm...I think the covers we're considering are somewhere on this page.)
54. In what branch of the military did Keal serve (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)?
53. Where does the title of the first book, House of Dark Shadows, come from (what character thinks of it and why)?
52. Another freebie entry to mark the one-year anniversary of this trivia contest! Just email me your answer and you'll be entered into the weekly drawing for a Dreamhouse Kings t-shirt or a Borders gift card--your choice. Which Dreamhouse Kings book is your favorite so far?
51. Here's another free entry (there are no wrong answers): Name a character and the actor you think should play him or her in a Dreamhouse movie.
50. What's Xander's girlfriend's name?
49. What type of house is the Dreamhouse (hint: it's an architectural style named for a British Queen)?
48. In Gatekeepers, when Toria shakes David to wake him up, who does he mistake her for?
47. What is the publication date of Timescape?
46. Whose shoes does David see under the linen closet door?
45. In what city near Los Angeles did the King family livebefore moving to Pinedale?
44. Name one item that was in the antechamber the big guy went through when he took Mom.
43. What is Taksidian's real name?
42. What does Phemus hurl at Xander, David, and Toria in the clearing?
41. What three words does David often say (sort of his catchphrase) that conveys optimism when it's time for the family to spring into action? 40. What does David do to keep Clayton from talking about the locker portal to the house?
41. What city do David, Xander, Dad, and Keal find over the hill in the “peaceful world”? 38. Here’s an easy one, because there are no wrong answers: Of all the times and places the Kings have ventured into so far, which has been your favorite?
37. The little girl who David saved in the World War II French village grows up to help eradicate which disease?
36. What name does Xander give the big brute who reminds him of the Cyclops that captured Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey?
35. What is the title of the magazine the policeman watching the house is reading? 34. What is Xander's favorite movie soundtrack?
33. (The first from Gatekeepers!) Who chases Xander, David, and Toria into the clearing?
32. Who, besides the Kings and Taksidian, discovers the secret portal between locker 119 and the linen closet in the Kings' home?
31. What is the name of Jesse's friend, the one who helps him get to the house?
30. What is the model of the SUV the Kings drive?
29. How old are Toria, David, and Xander?
28. (Here’s a freebie entry for everybody): Who is your favorite Dreamhouse Kings character and why?
27. What do the Kings call the room they use to gather portal information and plan their rescue strategies?
26. What actress does the real estate person in Pinedale remind Xander of?
25. How does David break his arm?
24. What is the first weapon Xander picks up when he's fighting the gladiator? 23. What do the Kings do at the dinner table to honor Mom?
22. What does Mom hide in a ceramic rooster?
21. In what fictional California town does the story take place?
20. What's the name of the school bully who finds out about the locker-to-house portal?
19. Who starred in the movie Danielle told Xander she watched recently?
18. For what ancient empire did Taksidian work as an assassin?
17. What does the family call the cartoon face Xander draws on the Civil War tent?
16. What is the name of the nursing home Jesse lives in?
15. What is the name of the doctor who set David's broken arm? 14. What sport does David like to play?
13. What was Dad's occupation before he became principal of Pinedale Middle and Senior High School?
12. For which army does David's coat suggest he's fighting when he and Xander first go to the Civil War?
11. Name one of the videogame posters David has.
10. Xander finds a zoot suit in a closet. What movie does he remember having seen clothes like it?
9. What is the name of Toria's "talking" teddy bear?
8. What is the locker number that the linen closet portals to?
7. Here's a tough one: How old is Dad (Ed King)?
6. How many doors are in the third-floor hallway?
5. What famous person did David and Xander meet in the Civil War?
4. This one's from book two, Watcher in the Woods: What is the name of the little girl David saves in the World War II scene?
3. What was the theme of the items in the very first antechamber Xander and David looked into?
2. What is the street name on which the Dreamhouse is located?
1. What is the style (theme) of the pajama bottoms that disappear under the portal door?
Weekly Drawing Winners September 27: Bobby C., Wyoming September 20: Mary W., Georgia September 13: Jack E., California September 6: Nanci N., Tennessee August 30: Elizabeth S., California August 23: Micah L., South Dakota August 16: Jeff T., Texas August 9: Joshua F., Australia August 2: Maddy R., Texas July 26: Rebeca B., Colorado July 19: Jeremy C., Utah July 12: Vickie K., Arizona July 5: Michael L., California June 28: Nancy F., Louisiana June 21: Melissa S., California June 14: Scott C., Nebraska June 7: Robby B., Michigan May 31: Jeffery R., Washington May 24: Caitlin R., North Carolina May 17: Jacob C., Colorado May 10: Shannon L., Minnesota May 3: Michael G., Texas April 26: Brandon F., Oregon April 19: Melissa M., New Mexico April 12: Jessica O., Iowa April 5: Valarie B., Florida March 29: Nate P., New Jersey March 22: Mackenzie J., Michigan March 15: Christine W., Colorado March 8: Asa F., Pennsylvania March 2: David E., Arizona February 23: Virginia B., North Carolina February 16: Thomas M., Texas February 9: Mark N., California February 2: Cindy P., Florida January 26: Andrew S., Colorado January 19: Linda L., Hawaii January 12: Timothy G., California January 5: Rachel H., New York December 29: John S., Tennessee December 22: Trevor G., Utah December 15: Samantha S., North Carolina December 8: Connie W., Virginia December 1: Caleb S., Colorado November 23: Bryce B., Mississippi November 17: Sriram, Washington November 10: Brian L. Massachusetts November 3: Elizabeth R., Texas October 27: Alexander D., Georgia October 20: Jenny, Colorado October 13: Jacob M., Florida October 6: Kendra F., Colorado September 29: Nathan, Colorado September 22: Caroline T., North Carolina September 15: Josh H., California September 8: Chloe, Colorado September 1: Amy A., Washington August 25: Dillon D., Wyoming August 18: Ethan M., California August 11: Caleb F., Florida August 4: Amy L., Maryland July 28: Justin D., Minnesota July 21: Jordyn G., Texas July 14: Nicholas F., Colorado July 7: Molly, Iowa June 30: Sarah S., North Carolina June 23: Tyler T., Georgia June 16: Leanne M., New York June 9: Nicholas F., Colorado June 2: James N., Oklahoma May 26: Truitt M., Colorado May 19: Jason S., Florida May 12: Elizabeth T., California
"Ladies and gentlemen,
Just finished signing 30,000 limited editions of 
