A book tour passing through Sylvan Lake last week was about much more than promoting a new collaborative young adult series.
Authors who teamed up to write Seven the Series, as well as the recently-released Seven Sequels follow-up, spoke to audiences at École Mother Teresa School and École Fox Run School last Wednesday about everything from reading and writing to their adventures around the globe.
It was all part of a way of showcasing authors in a unique light, explained Richard Scrimger, who penned Ink Me in the Seven Sequels series.
“We’re certainly selling the novels, and the idea behind the novels, but we’re selling the idea as authors as more or less fun people,” he said. “We’re having fun on stage, and really enjoying the series — writing it and talking about it.”
The seven books in the series — authored by Scrimger, Eric Walters, John Wilson, Ted Staunton, Norah McClintock, Sigmund Brouwer and Shane Peacock — centre around one man’s seven grandsons and the adventures they embark upon around the world.
Released earlier this month, The Seven Sequels follows up on the original series released in 2012, and launched the authoring group into a nationwide tour.
Speaking to students last Wednesday afternoon, the authors reiterated their ‘human’ side.
“When I was growing up, we didn’t have author visits, and so the idea of seeing this guy or this girl who actually writes these books that I like to read, that’s a cool thing,” said Scrimger. “(Students) realize that (authors) are not special people; they’re not living in ivory towers and they’re not living in castles in the south of France.”
All seven of the series’ books are interconnected in some way, with some portraying the same scene from different perspectives.
The series’ authors share much of that same connectivity, according to Scrimger.
“I’ve known these guys a long time. They’re some of my best friends, and we’re having fun.” he said.
Ensuring young readers receive that same enjoyment is important, he added.
“We want them to take away that stories are cool, reading is fun, and whether you write it or read it, you can enjoy it.”