Above the Star
Page 29
To my parents: Charlotte Robb, Robert Duke, Doug Robb, and Nancy Reid. Mom, you are my hero. Thank you for your pep talks, kicks in the butt, and unconditional friendship. Dad, thank you for instilling in me a passion for fantasy, storytelling, and the arts. When you shaved your head to play Tuggeron in the book trailer, I felt incredibly loved. Bob and Nancy, I couldn’t wish for better stepparents. To me, you two are simply Dad and Mom. Thank you all for babysitting and taking such great care of my family while I am away on tour.
To my fabulous publishing and publicity team, thank you for your creativity, hard work, and continual faith in my stories. Gratitude to Brooke Warner, Lauren Wise, Crystal Patriarche, Morgan Rath, Savannah Harrelson, Rebecca Lown, and Stacey Aaronson. Thank you also to Marg Gilks and Megan Hannum, my keen-eyed editors, and to Warren Sheffer, one of the most badass lawyers I know.
To my early readers—I kiss the ground you walk on. Your feedback blew my mind and improved my story. Bountiful thanks to Charlotte Robb, Aaron Chute, Jeff Alberda, Melysa West, Naomi Maharaj, Maya Breen, Marlin Ehrenholz, Rick Cummings, Ashley Schiefer, Brooke Gander, and Cassidy Richlard.
To the Above the Star book trailer cast and crew . . . You signed on when you had little idea of the fantastical visual world we would create together, and yet your enthusiasm brought the Maiden, Tuggeron, Senior Karish, and Laken to life. Gratitude to Aaron Chute, Tom Lim, Maya Breen, Perry Medina, Evan Crawford, Janelle Snow, Doug Robb, and Brooke Gander—Brooke, your creativity and tireless work are immensely appreciated.
To my creative friends—writers, artists, photographers, musicians, curators, publishers, educators, and beyond—around the world, and online: I hold dear your encouragement, accountability, and community. Thank you to my Lesley University friends, advisors, and dearly loved mentors; Rachel Manley, Pam Petro, and Jane Brox.
As well, a special thanks to NaNoWriMo, otherwise known as the National Novel Writing Month. The challenge of penning a fifty-thousand-word novel in thirty days was the perfect distraction I needed at the end of a tragic season. Tessa, Ella, and Archie thank you as well.
Finally, to my readers. Thank you for your emails, reviews, and social love. You make the often solitary life of a writer and artist that much friendlier. Keep reading. Words are precious and powerful.
A Note from the Author
Dear Reader,
Thank you for portal-jumping with me to Jarr-Wya! If you enjoyed the journey we have taken together, please send a note to info@alexismariechute.com, as I would love to hear from you. For free downloads of Ella’s drawings, wallpapers for your phone and computer, discount codes, secret chapters, character profiles, book tour info, and more, please visit:
www.AlexisMarieChute.com
and subscribe to the e-newsletter at
www.AlexisMarieChute.com/contact
Thank you!
Alexis Marie Chute
About the Author
Alexis Marie Chute is an award-winning author, artist, filmmaker, and inspirational speaker. Above the Star is her second book. Her memoir, Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing and Pregnancy After Loss, was a Kirkus Best Book of 2017, and received many other literary awards. Expecting Sunshine is also a highly acclaimed feature documentary film produced and directed by the author. Alexis Marie received her Bachelors of Fine Art in Art and Design and her Masters of Fine Art in Creative Writing. She is an internationally exhibited painter and photographer, curator of InFocus Photography Exhibition, and a widely published writer of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Alexis Marie is passionate about creative living and coined the term, “The Healthy Grief Movement.” She is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and teacher across all her artistic and healing disciplines. In her spare time, she loves traveling, canoeing, and paddle-boarding, sharing thoughtful conversations with friends—old and new—and spending time with her family. Alexis Marie lives in snowy Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with her husband Aaron and their children.
Connect with Alexis Marie Chute
WEB: AlexisMarieChute.com
EMAIL: info@alexismariechute.com
E-NEWS SUBSCRIBE: AlexisMarieChute.com/contact
INSTAGRAM: @alexismariechute
TWITTER: @_Alexis_Marie
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/alexismariechute
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/AlexisMarieProductionsInc
PINTEREST: pinterest.com/alexismarieart/
When sharing on social, please use these hashtags:
#alexismariechute, #abovethestar, #8thislandtrilogy
Help Spread the Word
Please join with readers around the world in spreading the word about Above the Star and The 8th Island Trilogy!
HERE ARE 10 IDEAS:
1. Write a review of the book on Amazon and Goodreads.
Review on Amazon: bit.ly/ats-amazon
Review on Goodreads: bit.ly/ats-goodreads
2. Recommend the book through word of mouth to your friends and family.
3. Share the book on your social media accounts—and post a photo of you and your copy on Instagram and Twitter to be in the running for a special prize.
Social Sharing Hashtags: #abovethestar #8thislandtrilogy #alexismariechute
4. Read the book at your book club (email the author info@alexismariechute.com for the club study guide, using the words “ATS Study Guide” in the subject line).
5. Order the book from your local bookstore and request it at your local library.
6. Purchase a copy for the waiting room of your doctor or dentist, or leave a copy for strangers to pass along on the train.
7. Invite Alexis Marie Chute to speak at your organization or community event, or to teach an art or writing class.
8. Write about the book on your blog or talk about it on your podcast or YouTube channel.
9. Invite people to the book launch events—and if there isn’t an event near you, join with the author in planning one.
10. Subscribe to the e-newsletter at www.AlexisMarieChute.com/contact for more ideas and ways to connect.
BONUS: Email the author at info@alexismariechute.com to share how the story has impacted you.
Thank you!
With gratitude,
Alexis Marie Chute
Other Books by Alexis Marie Chute
Expecting Sunshine:
A Journey of Grief, Healing and Pregnancy After Loss
(She Writes Press, 2017)
Follow the adventures of your favorite characters from Above the Star:
Book 2 in The 8th Island Trilogy coming 2019
Book 3 in The 8th Island Trilogy coming 2020
SELECTED TITLES FROM SPARKPRESS
SparkPress is an independent boutique publisher delivering high-quality, entertaining, and engaging content that enhances readers’ lives, with a special focus on female-driven work. Visit us at www.gosparkpress.com
Ocean’s Fire, Stacey Tucker, $16.95, 978-1-943006-28-1. Once the Greeks forced their male gods upon the world, the belief in the power of women was severed. For centuries it has been thought that the wisdom of the high priestesses perished at the hand of the patriarchs—but now the ancient Book of Sophia has surfaced. Its pages contain the truths hidden by history, and the sacred knowledge for the coming age. And it is looking for Skylar Southmartin.
The Infinite Now, Mindy Tarquini, $16.95, 978-1-943006-34-2. In flu-ravaged 1918 Philadelphia, the newly-orphaned daughter of the local fortune teller panics and casts her entire neighborhood into a bubble of stagnant time in order to save the life of the mysterious shoemaker who has taken her in. As the complications of the time bubble multiply, this forward-thinking young woman must find the courage to face an uncertain future, so she can find a way to break the spell.
Hindsight, Mindy Tarquini, $16.95, 978-1943006014. A thirty-three-year-old Chaucer professor who remembers all her past lives is desperate to change her future—because if she doesn’t, she will never live the life of her dreams.
Tree Dreams, Kristin Kaye, $16.95,
9781943006465. In the often-violent battle between loggers and environmentalists that plagues seventeen-year-old Jade’s hometown in Northern California, she must decide whose side she’s on—but choosing sides only makes matters worse.
The Raven God, Alane Adams, $16.95, 978-1-943006-36-6. As an army of fire giants amasses in the south, prepared to launch all-out war on the defenseless Orkney, Sam embarks on a rescue mission to bring Odin back from the dark underworld of Helva—but the menacing Loki is pulling all the strings.
But Not Forever, Jan Von Scleh, $16.95, 978-1-943006-58-8. When identical fifteen-year-old girls are mysteriously switched in time, they discover the love that’s been missing in their lives. Torn, both want to go home, but neither wants to give up what they now have.