Enchanted Kingdoms is available on Apple, Amazon and Nook here.
International Team Spinning Fairytales for Autism
An international team of best-selling and award-winning authors from USA, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden, have pooled resources to help children with Autism. Fueled by their enthusiasm for supporting a good cause, these authors are putting a new twist on classic fairytales in Enchanted Kingdoms, an e-book box set of twenty novels. All funds from this venture will be donated to Puzzle Peace United, a New Jersey-based charity that supports children with Autism and their families.
If readers are hoping their fairy godmothers will grant their wishes for fantastical adventures, they’re in for a treat. For 99 cents, they can plan an escape to Enchanted Kingdoms and enjoy the fairytales they loved as children, now twisted into bewitching stories that will transport them to new worlds. Handsome princes, spellbound princesses, kick-butt heroines, dragons, shape shifters and beasts join the fundraising effort in Enchanted Kingdoms.
The effort is spearheaded by J. A. Armitage and Rhianne Parkes, directors of Enchanted Quill Press, and J.A. Culican, director of Dragon Realm Press, small independent publishers who’ve had online success, including their books hitting the USA Today bestseller list multiple times.
On its first day on sale, the Enchanted Kingdoms box set has become an international bestseller, hitting #256 in the entire Amazon Kindle store, and #5 on Apple iBooks.
Armitage says, “We’re delighted to support such a worthy cause and know Puzzle Peace United makes a real difference to the families of autistic children. With the Enchanted Kingdoms box set, we’ll add some magic to their lives by enthusing fantasy readers around the world to support their cause.”
Rhianne Parkes adds, “We’ve had a lot of readers purchase this 99c box set of twenty novels because they have family members who have Autism. It’s great to see everyone get behind the project.”
J.A. Culican, who is both a USA Today Bestselling author and president of Puzzle Peace United, is thrilled the authors have chosen to raise funds for the non-profit organization. Culican holds a masters in special education and has taught students with Autism for over fifteen years. She also has a daughter on the autistic spectrum.
“We work with parents, teachers, schools, businesses, community leaders and families to enhance the lives of children with Autism,” Culican says of Puzzle Peace. “It’s wonderful to add an international team of authors to our support crew. I hope everyone gets behind this initiative and helps Enchanted Kingdoms to succeed.”
As well as J.A. Culican, many of these fantasy authors have worked in the health arena or have friends or family members with Autism. Some are former nurses, mental health workers and one is a transformational life coach, but they all have something in common — compassion for those on the autism spectrum, and a desire to help readers escape to other worlds.
Their tales span a variety of genres that reflect each author’s passion — traditional high fantasy, epic fantasy, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, historical fantasy and fairytale retellings. All of the novels are suitable for young adults.
NZ AUTHORS SUPPORT THE CAUSE
When local award-winning New Zealand authors Eileen Mueller and A.J. Ponder heard about the initiative, they were thrilled to join the cause and teamed up to write a retelling of Snow White and Rose Red, using modern fantastical characters.
“We both have friends or family with Autism and wanted to be part of an intentional effort to make a difference,” says A.J. Ponder, who writes fantasy for children and young adults.
Eileen Mueller, author of the bestselling young adult dragon series Riders of Fire, of which two books hold NZ Storylines Notable Book Awards, adds, “We couldn’t resist adding dragons to our story. Snow and Red is a paranormal romance in an urban fantasy setting with dragon shapeshifters, street gangs and mages. Our teen advance reading team loved the story so much we’re developing it into a series, The Dragon Shifters’ Hoard, which will launch in 2022.”
“It’s been a lot of fun,” says Mueller. “Just the sort of virtual adventure the world needs during these covid-stricken times.”
Ponder adds, “We’re very happy with the international reception to Enchanted Kingdoms and hope Puzzle Peace does well.”
Fairytale retellings include:
Alice in Wonderland by J. A. Armitage and J.A. Culican
Cinderella by Kimbra Swain
Snow White and Rose Red by Eileen Mueller and A.J. Ponder
Beauty and the Beast by Beth Hale
Aladdin by Zara Quentin
Rumpelstiltskin by Craig Halloran
Sleeping Beauty by Stacey O’Neale
Wizard of Oz by Amanda Marin
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves by Lacy Sheridan
Red Riding Hood by May Dawson
Rapunzel by Anne Stryker
Robin Hood by Jacque Stevens
Little Match Girl by Lee Ann Ward
The Snow Queen by Laura Burton and Jessie Cal
Little Mermaid by Nadira Golde
The Pied Piper by Alice Ivinya
Mulan by Charlotte Daniels and Charlie Daniels
The Girl without Hands by Daphne Moore & D. Fischer
Nix of the Mill Pond by Astrid V.J
Thumbelina by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
Look at all the gorgeous covers!
To read a preview, of Snow & Red Dragon Shifter’s Hoard book 1, click the preview button below!
