Zak Bates Eco-adventure Readups

That’s right, our first Zak Bates Eco-adventure Readups were so much fun for parents and kids alike that we’re hosting additional ones in 2021. Truth is, the parents and guardians seem to enjoy the Readups as much as the kids.

That’s also why we’re expanding our invitation list. These Readups are:

• Perfect for kids between roughly 8 – 15 and their parents or guardians,
• Anyone who enjoys light fantasy with a humorous edge, and
• Readers who also love animals and stories about animals.

After all, the eco-adventure team is made up of Ra-Kit, the last living magic cat, Sampson, her giant flying dog, and 13-year-old Zak Bates. (And everyone who attends at least one Readup becomes an honorary member of the Eco-team!)

Click Here to Register

What’s Next? Reading from Junkyard Dogs Part 1

We will be meeting in the Zoom Room for a fun hour as we read sections of Junkyard Dogs, the fourth book of the Zak Bates Eco-adventure series.

Ready for a doggone great adventure?

EmBARK today!

As a teenage zoo owner and the head of an eco-team that’s been tasked to overcome global warming and protect endangered species, Zak Bates is as busy as ever. Despite much help from a truly stellar multi-species coterie, his life, in a word, is wild, and it seems that things are about to get hairier.

When the eco-team receives word from the Council of Animals of the Spiritual Frontier about a curious disturbance amongst New York’s animal population, it soon becomes clear that something truly sinister is afoot—or apaw—and, worse, the plague is prodigious.

Here are the details:

Day & Time for the Next Readup: Saturday, from 12 noon to 1 PM ET (9 – 10 AM PAC).

Date for Next Readup:  May 15, 2021 (this is a change.)

The next Readup will be Love Your Pet Day!

Given the subject matter of this story, my team and I thought what better time to share how much you love your pet, or if you don’t currently own a pet, how much you love dogs (and yes, cats. They’re in the story too.) Write a short paragraph about how much and why you love your pet. There will be time for you to read it during the Readup. 

Ben Fife

Do I Need a Copy of the Story? Well, no, you don’t. One of the reasons the Eco-adventure Team invited me, the author, was so I could bring a copy along to read online. In fact, we’re fortunate to have a professional audiobook narrator, Ben Fife, who will read sections of the book with all his marvelous voices.

If you want to get a jumpstart on the story, CLICK HERE for a sample chapter.

Click Here to Register

What if I Missed the First Readups?

   W. Bradford Swift

It doesn’t matter because this is a brand new Zak Bates Eco-adventure story that stands alone.

Who is W. Bradford Swift Anyway? I’m the author of 28 books of science fiction, fantasy, and visionary fiction including the four books of the Zak Bates Eco-adventure series. You can learn more boring stuff about me on my bio page here.

Where We Will Meet: In the Zoom Room (virtually and online). Upon registering, you will be provided with information on how to join.

Click Here to Register

Special Treats for These Next Readups

Each Readup is also a Coloring Book Page Day: Start by downloading one or more of these coloring pages, then print them out.

New pages are here ready for download and coloring, compliments of Elanor Fife, audiobook narrator’s daughter:

Ra-Kit

Then, get to coloring it in prep for the Readup Show and Tell time. Yes, this is for kids, parents, and kids at heart. Everyone can join in! Coloring pages like this can be very relaxing and reduces stress. Who couldn’t benefit from a little less stress these days?

These Are Also Invite Your Friends Days: You know you’ve got friends that could use a break from the hectic, crazy world we’re all living in. So invite them to join you. After all, it’s on Zoom so everyone can attend that wants to.

Click Here to Register

Ready to Start a New Adventure in Reading?

If this sounds like a fun, engaging way to spend quality time with your kids this summer, then complete the brief application below, and you’ll hear from me in no time. Combining technology’s modern marvels with storytelling—the oldest artform—together we will soon ensure your child has a passion for reading. This will also be a fun time for ‘kids young at heart’ and animal lovers of all ages.

If you can’t make this one (or you find registration is closed), and you’d like to know of future Readups, Click Here.

Or sign up to my newsletter to be kept up to date on what goes on in the madcap mind of an indie author by entering your name in the left sidebar. (You’ll also receive a free copy of the Zak Bates Eco-adventure book one, Dominion Over All.) 

If you are associated with a book club or library and would be interested in arranging for an Author’s Virtual Visit, Click Here. (Your event could be for young readers or adults.)

Register for the Next Readup