Coffee For The Brain Book Tournament - Author Contacts

As the judges submit their decisions about which books make it to the next round I have been trying to email or Tweet or Facebook the authors to let them know that their book has been nominated to move on. I have had some responses from the authors so far and just thought I would share them with everyone as I am still blown away that we can easily connect with these wonderful people. Nothing is more exciting than hearing back from the authors.


Here is what I have sent them via my message format

Good afternoon, my name is Aaron Maurer and I am a gifted education teacher for Bettendorf Middle School in Bettendorf, Iowa. I have operated a blog now for students for the last two years where I read and review books. This year I was awarded grant money to run a book tournament where students nominated books to be read, we paired them off as judges to read the books, and they had to make a decision as to which book is better and why. You can find all the details on my blog(posted below).


Anyways, I am contacting all authors that I can to let them know when their book makes it to the next round. Your book has passed Round 1 and is now in Round 2. Congratulations to you and your novel.

I also am contacting you for the fun aspect that if you would like for me to add anything on my blog to help promote your book that I would be glad to do so. The students would to have any author participation in any capacity that they can. I am leaving things open as I know that you are probably super busy, but just wanted to make you aware of what some amazing students and staff members are doing in the state of Iowa.

Have a great day.


Here is a response from Jordan Sonnenblick, author of Notes From A Midnight Driver
Students and judges: Please feel free to email me your questions for me to send to the author. I will be compiling all questions and submitting to him hopefully next week. My email is aarmau@gmail.comHi Aaron -


Thanks so much for getting my work into so many kids' hands!

If you'd like, as a promotional/educational activity, I'd be glad to answer a handful of questions from your students via email. Just send them along if that would be of interest to you, OK?

Take care -
Jordan


Here is what I got back from S.A. Bodeen, author of Compund

Dear Aaron,


That is so fun, and I am honored, thanks for letting me know. The blog is great, what a super bunch of books you have in there. I'm not sure what to tell you about The Compound. It's available in Chinese, Italian, German, Dutch, and Vietnamese if anyone cares:) Actually it's a finalist for about a dozen state reader awards, so that has been exciting this year.
Best,
Stephanie

Here is a response from W. Bruce Cameron, author of A Dog's Purpose

Dear Aaron,

How nice! Thanks very much for letting me know about this. It's very exciting!

I think you can let your readers know that the movie version of the book will be coming in 2012 from DreamWorks--my wife, who is also an author and screenwriter, and I are writing the screenplay.

Thanks again,
Bruce

W. Bruce Cameron
Critics agree, A Dog's Purpose is a hit! Kirkus Reviews says it is "Marley & Me" combined with "Tuesdays with Morrie." And Temple Grandin says, "I loved this book and could not put it down."