YA Fest Archives - Donna Galanti - Where heart and hope meet adventure!

I’m not sure who was more excited to get in my copies of Joshua and the Lightning Road yesterday – me or my son! He raced downstairs and gave his own dramatic take on it. Please enjoy. 🙂

And hop on over to The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow blog where the second review of Joshua and the Lightning Road just hit! This is such a fun blog with character book clubs, riddles, and amazing author guests run by co-authors Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson. Their middle grade book hits stores this December. You’ll want to check them out!

Here’s a tidbit of their review:

Joshua and the Lightning Road by Donna Galanti is a book that I would recommend to anybody who enjoys mythology. Joshua is a character that kids and adults will be able to relate to because he’s brave, scared and stubborn. I like the themes of friendship and family that run throughout the book, as well as honesty and building trust. The book is fast paced and intriguing. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and finding out what happens next!

Mark you calendars for YA Fest Junior on April 25th at the Bethlehem Public Library in Bethlehem, PA. Should be tons of fun with some great authors and illustrators and I’ll be signing FREE copies of Joshua and the Lightning Road that my publisher Month9Books so wonderfully provided. Here’s a nice piece about it in Lehigh Valley Live.

And don’t forget you can pre-order Joshua and the Lightning Road and enter to win an iPad Mini and a poster of the Lost Realm!

Where in the world am I next week? Catch me speaking at The South ambien Jersey Writers’ Group at the Barrington, NJ, VFW on Thursday, April 16th at 7pm. See all my upcoming events. Want me to come speak at your school or organization? Send me a note!

What I’m reading this week:
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi. And what a taut, wild ride it is! So far I’m enjoying this tense read where every day is a fight to survive in this futuristic world fraught with danger.

What I read last:
Survival of Bear Island by Paul Greci. Run out right now and read this book! I’m still sad it’s over and wish I could read it for the first time all over again. Liked Hatchet? This is waaaayyy better. A beautiful tale of a courageous boy and his will to live when he’s separated from his father in the Alaskan wilderness on a sea kayak trip.

This story is one where each step for Tom carries heartache and hope, as he is torn by guilt over the part he may have played in his mother’s death and father’s disappearance. Tom may have only himself to count on in this harsh landscape, but he is not alone. His mother’s songs and father’s words of wisdom, come to him as he faces life and death each day. We watch him go from the reluctant hero of his own adventure tale to a young man, strong of heart and spirit, who can face his own death and fears with the courage and wisdom of the greatest heroes known. This beautifully written novel of love, loss, faith, and survival will stay with you long after you’ve cherished the last word.

See my full review here and pick up a copy – today!

So many fun things are popping about with Joshua and the Lightning Road (coming May 19th!) that I had to share in the excitement with all of you folks!

First, Joshua and the Lightning Road is now available for pre-order on some outlets! Amazon & Barnes & Noble

And I’m so giddy that I’m doing a pre-order giveaway with lots of goodies!

How awesome is this?! Even if you don’t win an iPad Mini look how cool this 18 x 24 map poster of the world of Joshua and the Lightning Road is that you could win!

Second, I had so much fun in my first interview about Joshua and the Lightning Road and received my first review – 5 stars! I’m also giving away a print galley (a pre-publication copy). Check it out on This Kid Reviews Books . Even more amazing is that this book blog is run by 13-year-old Erik, who also happens to have his first book published! He is truly inspiring. Watch for his interview on my site this month featured in my Kid Heroes series.

Here’s some of what Erik had to say:

The descriptions in this book were so vivid I could feel, smell and envision the setting. The characters were solid. Joshua was totally believable. He had all the right characteristics of a great main character – brave, smart and kind, but he also acted like the kid he is. The story has a lot of action but also a great plot line that strings everything together. The ending is satisfying but leaves the reader buy ambien wanting to get into the next book in the series. (Read more)

In other bookish news, I also had an amazing time presenting at my first two writer’s conferences in March, at Liberty States Create Something Magical Conference in Iselin, NJ, and The Write Stuff in Bethlehem, PA . I spoke about how to position yourself as an author before you get a book deal, foundations of world building, and revision techniques. I finally got over my anxiety of teaching (eek!) and met some great new folks and met up with old friends.

You can also catch my latest post on Project Mayhem about blurring the line between good and evil in fiction. Stop in and chat about your favorite villains, heroes, and anti-heroes!

And you can see me speak this month in NJ at the The South Jersey Writers’ Group at the Barrington VFW on April 16th, and at the Bethlehem Public Library, Bethlehem, PA, on April 25th at YA Fest Jr. where I’ll be signing free copies of Joshua and the Lightning Road that my amazing publisher Month9Books is giving away – plus I’ll be hanging out with tons of cool authors!

Check out all my events that keep growing. Would you like me to come speak to your group or school? Just email me! See what I include in my school assembly presentation.

So come party with me as Joshua and the Lightning Road blasts to Earth. My favorite space traveler Captain Picard says “make it so”!

Joshua and the Lightning Road Copies Arrive + Review & My Reading List!

Pre-order Joshua and the Lightning Road & win an iPad Mini + 5-star review!