LISTEN TO THE BOOK

Click here to listen to the story of Arianna Kelt and the Wizards of Skyhall! (WMA Streaming Audio)

A HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM J. R. KING

SEASONS GREETINGS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! For those who may not know about me, my name is J. R. King. I’m 14 years old. I finished my first book when I was 12 and my book was published May 2006. My book is called “Arianna Kelt and the Wizards of Skyhall.” I spent a lot of time writing my book, and almost two years editing and rewriting it. My teachers, my parents, and my friends encouraged me to finish my book and find a publisher. I owe a lot to my fourth grade, fifth grade, and sixth grade teachers for believing in me. I finally found a publisher in 2005. It was hard work to find a publisher. I received lots of rejection letters, then finally I got a couple of acceptance letters from publishers who wanted to publish my book. I was so excited!

Just because my book is published it doesn’t mean all the hard work is done. My parents and I decided to go with the small publisher rather than the big publisher who gave me an offer on my book. I don’t regret the decision, but it is hard for small press books to be successful without help from readers like you. I poured my heart into my book. I wanted it to be a really good book, and I worked very hard to make sure it had everything I think makes a good book. I hope when you read it you think it's cool.

My favorite part of the book is how the wizards protect the people of earth from all the bad things, and how the wizards can step through portals to travel to other worlds and dimensions. I like how Arianna was a bad kid who becomes a force for good. As I wrote about Arianna, Meilan, Ranth, and all the rest, they became like good friends. The growing friendship between Arianna, Meilan, and Ranth is strong and an important part of the story.

I hope you like the wizarding universe I created. I tried to make it as real and complex as our own with strange new worlds and places to visit around every corner. My dream is to be a full-time writer some day.  I haven’t given up that dream, and I will keep trying to improve my writing. I hope my dream comes true because it would mean all my hard work was worth it. The message I want to send to others my age is to believe in yourself, and always follow your dreams. Because what you want to do, you can do. I hope you will read my book and tell your friends about it.

Thank you,

J.R. King

P.S.

I hope at least one of your dreams comes true this year or next year. My Christmas wish is simple: I wish for J.K. Rowling, Terry Pratchett, Brian Jacques, and Chris Paolini to answer my letter and read my book. I sent my book to them. It would mean the world to have my favorite authors read my book and write me about it.