Red Oak, The Home of The New Phenomenon

On January 3, 2012 the newly published young adult fiction author (and his smokin' hot wife) traveled to Red Oak, Iowa to share his novel with the home of the fighting tigers. Red Oak holds a special place in Chris' heart, after all it is the setting of the first book in the Phenomenon Trilogy. We were thrilled with the excitement that was generated by the five book talks in the schools.  At the end of the school day we zipped to the public library to find a crowd already waiting to purchase THE NEW PHENOMENON by Chris Raabe. 

In case you are not from a small town, let me explain something to you.  The people of towns such as Red Oak, Ia support the school, the city and the interests of the community.  If only we had known there were so many distractions already on the calendar that day we might have changed our date. 

1. High school boys basketball game at home

2. High school girls basketball game away

3. High school wrestling

4. City Council Meeting

5. THE IOWA CAUCUS...how did we miss this one????

We still had great sales and met so many wonderful people. (funny side note: chris' old girlfriend stopped by but sent her son in to buy a book, she wouldn't come it.)  We want to send out a shout to the Red Oak community and say THANK YOU!  So many of you asked about book #2.  It is still being edited and revised but we will let you know when it is available, we hear there's a possible October 2012 release. 

We gave away a bunch of these shirts

If you didn't get one we left some at the library.

Chris speaking to the middle school students

He saw about 280 kids at the first stop of the day.

Chris gave some tips about the writing process.

1. have a plan

2. write on

3. revise revise revise revise

4. edit

 5th Graders took in every word the author had to share with them and then eagerly peppered him with questions about the cover, the characters, making money and book #2.

 Our last group of students for the day was a bit of a surprise.  Chris thought he was going to be speaking to two small groups of 9th and 10th grade students which turned into several hundred 9-11th grade high school students.

It was fun to watch Chris give the same presentation to each group but change it just enough to capture the interest of the student.  Some may say he pushed the envelope just a little at Red Oak High School but the kids loved it.

What use to be Red Oak Jr High is now Red Oak Middle School.

In general it is the same building with some minor changes.  Thank goodness they got rid of the pink walls.

You may recognize the name of these streets from the book. 

Here it is...the house where Christian grew up.

He really had his bedroom in the basement and really hit his head going down the stairs on numerous occasions.

Notice the wrap around drive way and there's even a boat parked  back there.

This picture is one of my favorites from the day.

Red Oak is the home of the fighting tigers and you bet, the water tower is bright orange...there it is in the background.  This picture should have been on the back of the book.  :)

I also want to say "HEY" to our friends the Brownlees.  It was fun to see your parents...hope you enjoy the book.  We miss you!

Good are always the way of the Lord.

It's embarrassing that I have to admit again my lack of trust...ok probably faith.  I told God what we needed and then I doubted we could do it.  He exceeded it because it was Him and not me doing the work.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?  He always has our best at heart.  Thank you for loving me and coming to my rescue time and time again!

Great are you Lord!!!