Author Events 2024

Phyllis Wheeler

Phyllis attended two homeschooling conventions, displaying New Classics authors’ books and study guides: GHC Missouri (March 21-23) and the MPE Kansas City (April 4-5). Here is a fun story from the GHC in Missouri. In Phyllis’s own words: I sold my book The Dog Snatcher to a woman, and the next day she texted me a picture of her son Jaxon reading it. Here is what she said: Hi Phyllis! My husband I met you last night and purchased some books for our son, Jaxon. He started reading it this morning and he is already hooked!! He said it’s so good. I wanted to thank you for writing these! I saw your number on your flyer and wanted to tell you thanks!! We appreciate meeting you and talking about your books. We will look forward to the next one coming out soon!

Another story from the MPE in Kansas City: One of the best parts of vendoring at a homeschool convention is meeting the kids and parents and networking. At the MPE, I sold books, taught a class about storytelling, and talked to a lot of people. Help and advice goes both ways! I gave suggestions when asked what an aspiring writer should study at college. On the other side of the aisle, a mom helped me with fine-tuning one of my study guides. A mom picked up my book and study guide and wondered how her dyslexic children might do with it. So I asked her for advice. She took them home and came back the next day with some very specific suggestions for my study guide. Her dyslexic husband said Book 1 of my Guardians of Time series, The Dog Snatcher, was fine for dyslexic readers because it’s full of action and momentum. I’m planning to re-issue my study guide shortly, integrating many of the suggestions.

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Susan K. Marlow

Susan vendored at three homeschooling conventions: Christian Heritage (WA), OCEAN (OR), and the AFHE (Phoenix). Here’s what she has to say about homeschool conventions. “I love chatting with parents and with fans. This year, just for fun, I offered two giveaways–one for Circle C readers and another for Goldtown readers. I gave away journals and puzzles, and even an audiobook player uploaded with my book series. This was a bittersweet year for me, as these three conventions were my last official homeschool conventions. I retired from all the traveling in July, after the AFHE in Phoenix. I have vendored since 2008 at homeschool conventions all over the country–from California to New York, Minnesota to South Carolina, and everywhere in between. It has been a wonderful time, and I have met so many parents and Circle C fans. But all good things eventually come to an end.”

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Mark L. Redmond

Mark is our newest New Classics author, with Arty Goes West. Here are highlights of Mark’s author events in his own words: “Last March, Susie and I participated in the Tombstone Festival of Western Books. Along with forty other western authors who gathered in Schieffelin Hall, the largest standing adobe structure still existent in the United States southwest, I signed and sold my books. The next day, we talked to store owners. Two of them bought some of my books to sell in their stores. We have also done book signings in five Barnes & Noble bookstores near Apache Junction, Arizona, where we live.”

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Becca Wierwille

Becca is another brand-new New Classics authors we’re excited to have on board. Take a look at a couple of fun things she did this year at her first homeschool convention and a school visit (one of many). Here’s Becca! “In June of 2024, I attended my first homeschool convention: the 2024 CHAP (Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania) Convention. This was a wonderful opportunity to connect with others who are searching for entertaining, faith-filled fiction for their kids. One of my favorite parts of being a middle grade author is visiting schools, homeschool groups, and other organizations to share with students about what it’s like to create stories and publish books. Since my debut novel, Road Trip Rescue, was published in October 2023, the 2023-2024 school year was my first year of author visits, and I had so much fun!”

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Rachel Newhouse

“Rachel Newhouse loves interacting with readers. She attended over 30 events in 2024, with more planned for 2025! One of the highlights every year is Planet Comicon. This massive convention in Kansas City attracts a lot of sci-fi fans, and Rachel loves reaching parents and readers who are looking for clean sci-fi. Another key event was Tremendicon. This Springfield, Missouri, convention focuses on creators, with content tracts for authors, game designers, and more. Rachel presented several panels in collaboration with her author friends and taught on rapid releasing, self-publishing outside of Amazon, and more. Lastly, Rachel was greatly honored to be asked to speak at the Mid-Continent Public Library multiple times in collaboration with the Story Center, MCPL’s connection for local authors and aspiring writers.”

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Kandi Wyatt

This year was a big year for Kandi J Wyatt author as far as in-person events went. In her own words: “I started the season (June) at OCEANetwork, the Oregon Homeschool Convention, and then did local events–some small and one larger. It was so exciting to see returning readers at OCEANetwork. One middle school boy vibrated as he pointed at my books saying, “Dad. Dad. Dad. These!” A high school girl told her friend that my young adult series has romance, action, adventure, and dragons–everything a girl could want! My local events were fun because people I’ve known for years were able to see me as an author. A former student was my best return customer, making my first purchases at all three of the events. He even wanted to purchase books for his cousins, and he bought some of my merch as well. Legends Fest 2024 was my first fairgrounds event, and it was a hit! I loved talking to readers. They asked insightful questions and bought books and merchandise. I even got to meet someone with the same name as my main character in Sovereigns, and had my picture taken with Sasquatch and Lady Squatch!

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