Just in time for the holidays, we are pleased to offer a 25% discount for purchases of The Legend of Barknight through December 31, 2009 on Amazon.com. When checking out, enter LKQHFSCQ in the space provided for Gift Cards & Promotional Codes.
Happy Holidays from The McConell Family!
The Nashville Book Festival completed its competition on November 7, 2009 and named The Legend of Barknight Runner Up in the Children’s Book category. The McConnell Family is delighted to receive the recognition and looks forward to competing in several other book competitions this fall.
November 2, 2009 marks the fifth anniversary of Barknight and the first celebration since The Legend of Barknight was published on December 30, 2008. Much has changed since our family first conceived of the story back in 2004. In 2009 alone we have entered several book competitions, donated dozens of books to pet friendly churches and even managed to hand a copy to Food Network personality, Paula Deen. We plan to continue promoting the idea of a holiday for pets where we celebrate and give thanks to those, past and present, that continue to warm our lives.
In honor of this year’s Barknight, we are modifying our website to include new functionality. First, you can share with us how you celebrated Barknight by clicking on the Celebrate Barknight page. Next you can refer the book to a friend. Third, we added a downloadable excerpt that captures the story’s climax where all of the world’s dogs bark at exactly the same time and forever bond themselves to humans as our best friends. Finally, you can send your own Barknight Greeting including an image of “the big bark” right from the website.
Our family is grateful for all of the support and encouragement we’ve received since our book became available. We’re especially touched by those who embrace Barknight and make it a tradition of their own.
Dan, Meg, Kelly, Brian, Kevin, Matthew and Chip
Blessing of the Animals has a long history in Christianity that dates back to St. Francis of Assisi (1182 – 1226). October 4 is the day set aside to honor St. Francis, who had a great love for all of God’s creatures. By attending Blessing of the Animals, humans honor how God touches us through the relationships we have with our pets.
To celebrate this event, the authors of The Legend of Barknight sent free copies of thier book to dozens of pet-friendly churches around the United States. The Legend of Barknight’s storyline celebrates the special bond that humans have with their pets and is a perfect companion for this annual tradition.
Book Revue has agreed to carry The Legend of Barknight as one of its titles. Book Revue, located in Huntington, NY, is one of the nation’s largest independent bookstores. www.bookrevue.com
The Co-authors of The Legend of Barknight are proud to support the first annual Bark Night sponsored by BARK–a non-profit organization that encourages children to increase their reading skills by reading aloud to certified therapy dogs. We have gladly donated a copy of our book to this terrific organization. Below are details about this event:
Meet the BARK dogs and find out about BARK on August 8, 2009, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Therapy Dogs Welcome – One Handler Per Dog – Bring lawn chair or blanket – Drinks/Snacks provided – Raffle – TDI Evaluations (e-mail to reserve space) – Location: Stearns Park, 4520 E. 23rd Avenue, Long Beach, CA – Picnic Tables on 23rd- close to Argonne.
RSVP: barkreadingdogs@aol.com, (562)235-8835
The Legend of Barknight picked up another Honorable Mention at the Hollywood Book Festival competition held in early July 2009.
The Legend of Barknight received Honorable Mention in the New York Book Festival and Beach Book Festival. Both competitions took place in early June, 2009. These book festivals feature works by self-published and independent authors. The book was entered in the Children’s Book category. In the Beach Book Festival competition, The Legend of Barknight received first Honorable Mention.
Our family is absolutely delighted to receive recognition for the book, especially since less than five percent of entries are ever honored according to Bruce Haring of JM Northern Media LLC, the organizer and sponsor of both competitions.
I’m delighted to announce the launch of Barknight.com! This site is intended to create interest and awareness around our family’s book, The Legend of Barknight. I welcome your feedback on the site, the book, and on our new holiday, Barknight.
Dan