Rye is more than just a tasty bread! It’s also the town in New York where I’ll be signing books this Sunday, October 10th, from 11am–4pm at the Rye Children’s Book Festival! And if you can be there at 12:30pm, you’ll get the chance to see me do a live reading of THIS IS NOT THAT KIND OF BOOK! Come check it out!
A short while ago, I hinted at a big announcement that would be coming soon to this site. Since then, I have had numerous questions from you all as to where that big announcement is, what it is about, and if there really even is a big announcement. These are all good questions. So, to get to the bottom of things, I decided to go to the source of this supposed announcement, Christopher Healy.
Me: So, is there really a big announcement coming? Or are you just a liar?
CH: Whoa! Hey, there’s no need to get so harsh! We are the same person after all.
Me: I don’t care. Are you a liar or not?!
CH: Well, I do write fiction for a living—does that make me a professional liar? Either way, though, I was telling the truth about the big announcement. It is coming.
Me: When?
CH: Soon.
Me: You said it was coming “soon” well over a month ago.
CH: Who can say what “soon” means, really? Is two days soon? Two weeks? Two years?
Me: Two years is not soon.
CH: Okay, I’ll give you that. It will be sooner than two years. In fact, it will be before the end of this year.
Me: Finally a straightforward answer! Thank you! And will this big announcement be about a new book?
CH: Yes, a book I am currently writing.
Me: Is it a fourth Hero’s Guide book?
CH: I can’t say.
Me: That totally means it is, right?
CH: I didn’t say that.
Me: But if it wasn’t, you’d just say it wasn’t, so it must be.
CH: Not necessarily.
Me: Stop being so vague! You’ve hinted that this announcement will excite the readers who’ve been asking you for years for a new Hero’s Guide book.
CH: I think it will.
Me: So that’s the new book: Hero’s Guide Book 4!
CH: No.
Me: Let me get this straight: People ask you for something, you tell them you’re going to give them something that should make them happy, and then you tell them it’s not the thing they asked for.
CH: Sort of? But no exactly.
Me: Aargh! Why are you so frustrating?!
CH: You know exactly why I’m so frustrating! You’re me! In fact, you know the answers to all these questions. So why are you even asking me?
Me: For the kids. I’m doing it for the kids. And I’ll do it again if I have to! You haven’t heard the last of me, Healy!
Well, that’s all for now, kids. I hope this answered some questions for you. Until next time, this is Christopher Healy, signing off from my interview with Christopher Healy.
I like taking photos of animals I come across. Mostly bugs. The only problem is that I don’t know their names yet! And since Prince Duncan is busy, I need your help. Tell me in the comments what each of these critters should be named—be specific about which one you’re giving which name—and I will re-caption the photos with my favorite responses.
I and a slew of other great authors will be signing books at the 2021 Maplewood South Orange Book Festival in Maplewood, New Jersey, on Sunday, Sept. 26th, from 11am–4pm. If you’re in the vicinity—or if you’re not, but have a teleportation device that can get you there—stop by and say hi!
Through the writing of my last seven books, I have had the constant presence of a black labrador retriever on the floor of my office, either sitting and panting while watching me type, or laying in his fluffy dog bed by my bookshelf, snoring like a horse. That dog, Duncan, has been a beloved member of my family since soon after I wrote the first Hero’s Guide book (perhaps you’ve noticed his name in the About the Author blurbs of my books). Sadly, Duncan passed away this month, and his absence has left a huge hole in my heart. But my memories of him will never stop bringing me joy or inspiring me creatively.
In case you were wondering, yes, Duncan the dog was named after Prince Duncan from the Hero’s Guide series. When we first got that tiny handful of puppy (who later grew to a whopping 90 pounds), we gave him that name because he was a silly little pooch who would make goofy faces and stumble into walls. But we could never have realized back then how much he and the lovably eccentric prince would actually have in common.
Our sweet dog was incredibly enthusiastic about everything—occasionally a bit too much for his size. He loved meeting new people and visiting new places, though he was socially awkward and would sometimes give people the wrong impression by coming on too strong. But what it says about Prince Duncan in The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom also applied to his canine namesake: “If Duncan were to become your friend, he would bring a lot of positive energy to your day, he’d certainly make you laugh, and he’d prove himself to be perhaps the most loyal pal you would ever have.”
So, here’s to Duncan, whom I’m sure is getting endless belly rubs from every soul and spirit he comes across in the afterlife. Because when he rolls over and offers you that fuzzy tummy of his, he’s just too cute and lovable to pass up.
We will miss you forever, Duncan.