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Celebrating EA 6: A Giveaway, a Deleted Scene, a Virtual Event and More!

Oct 22, 20212 min read

Updated: Nov 15, 2021

One of the best parts of writing is that moment when you, finally, get to bring your book into the world! I've been having a great time sharing the newest title in the EXPLORER ACADEMY series: THE DRAGON'S BLOOD. The book released Oct. 5th and since then I've done a cross-country radio tour (17 stations in one day!), virtual school visits, livestream interviews, and a blog tour (that includes an incredible giveaway, so if you haven't yet entered, read on!).

It was fun to visit with Gina and Aaron on one of my favorite livestream shows, Scout Life Magazine's TrekAt2. We talked about what it's like to research and write the series, I read from THE DRAGON'S BLOOD, and I even let a few secrets slip about what's ahead for Cruz and his friends in the 7th book of the series coming next year. If you missed us live, you can catch the recording of the show here: https://www.facebook.com/scoutlifemag/videos/1660850807579775


You can also read an excerpt (not the same one I read on TrekAt2) in the October 2021 issue of Scout Life Magazine.


The blog tour has been a blast, too. In the articles we posted, I cover how I created the characters, technology, and codes for EXPLORER ACADEMY. I give some of my favorite writing tips and even share a deleted scene from THE DRAGON'S BLOOD! That's a first for me. I've never before let anyone peek in my deleted scenes file. The complete lineup of tour stops is below. While you're reading the posts, be sure to enter the giveaway to WIN a set of the first six EA books. You can enter at each stop along the way, so that's five chances to win! The contest ends November 1, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST (U.S & Canadian residents only, please). Good luck, everyone!

Blog Tour Links:


Thanks to all the wonderful middle grade bloggers for hosting me. Have a great autumn, everyone, and happy reading!





It's Launch Day for Explorer Academy #6!

Oct 5, 20212 min read

Updated: Oct 21, 2021

It's here! It's here! Today, we send THE DRAGON'S BLOOD, the sixth title in my fictional Explorer Academy series for National Geographic, out into the world!

In this adventure, the explorers embark on their most daring missions yet, while Cruz's search for the seventh cipher leads him to an ancient Chinese city and right into Nebula's hands! Will Cruz, Emmett, Lani, and Sailor be able to escape this time? Without giving away too many secrets, I can tell you that with just one more book to go in the series, I tried to pack plenty of twists and turns into this tale, including revealing a major villain!


You can purchase an unsigned copy of THE DRAGON'S BLOOD wherever you shop for books or order online through the Bookshop.org page of The Neverending Bookshop.


For a PERSONALIZED SIGNED copy of the book, please contact The Neverending Bookshop directly at (425) 415-1945. Be sure to let Annie Carl and her staff know who you'd like the book signed to. I'll be stopping by the bookstore in the coming days and look forward to signing a copy for YOU!


Also, another one of my favorite indies, Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond, WA, has signed copies of most all of the Explorer Academy books in stock, so you can fill in your collection or start from the beginning. To place an order call (425) 869-0606.


In other news, I'm happy to be among the nominees for FAVORITE AUTHOR in this year's Kids' Book Choice Awards, the only national book awards program where the winners are selected by kids and teens. It's hosted by Every Child A Reader, sponsor of Children's Book Week. There are some gifted writers in my category, so this is one where I can honestly say, it's an honor just to be nominated, but I'd be even more thrilled to get your vote! Kids ages 3 to 18 are eligible to cast ballots (adults may help them), and voting runs through November 14th, 2021. Click HERE to vote (Google Chrome seems to work best for this one).


Many thanks for your support and as always ...

Keep reading, keep dreaming, and keep exploring!



Buy a Book, Give a Book ... And EA 6!

Aug 19, 20212 min read

Updated: Oct 5, 2021

With a month of summer still to go, I am making a decent dent in my reading list! This year, it's even longer because from now until the end of 2021, for every book purchased through shopDisney.com (my publisher), Disney will donate a book to First Book, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing new books and educational resources to educators who serve children in need. So when you pick up any of the Explorer Academy titles, know that you're making it possible for another child to join the adventure.


Also, if you buy EXPLORER ACADEMY from shopDisney drop me a line through my contact page and I will send you a signed bookmark to thank you for helping to benefit First Book.


I'm thrilled to share that latest release in the series: THE TIGER'S NEST is part of Disney's Summer Reading List. Hooray! No matter your reading level, the list features some great fiction and nonfiction to dive into, including a couple of books that I read and can highly recommend: Zeus The Mighty and National Geographic's Photo Basics. It's not too late to get in on the fun. Be sure to check out the complete summer reading list HERE.


Finally, EXPLORER ACADEMY #6: THE DRAGON'S BLOOD releases in less than two months! I can't wait for you to read it! In this installment, the explorers embark on their most challenging expeditions yet. For Cruz, it is a time of self-discovery as he seeks to make sense of the family mystery he is slowly unraveling. More surprises are on the way as Cruz faces new revelations about his destiny and those determined to keep him from fulfilling it. EA 6 launches October 5th, but you can pre-order the book now through your favorite indie bookseller or HERE.


Have a great end-of-summer, everyone. Stay safe and healthy and keep reading!

- Trudi



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