<![CDATA[ - blog]]>

<![CDATA[ - blog]]>Sat, 14 Mar 2026 03:06:17 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Finally...]]>Wed, 29 Jul 2015 21:19:43 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/finally

]]><![CDATA[And the Winning Shark Tattoo...]]>Thu, 02 Oct 2014 19:11:29 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/and-the-winning-shark-tattoo…has been chosen. However, it will not be revealed until it has been permanently inked into my skin by a needle.

Stay tuned...]]><![CDATA[Shark Tattoo Submissions]]>Wed, 27 Aug 2014 01:22:18 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/shark-tattoo-submissionsRemember when I said I'd get a shark tattoo drawn by one of you?

Yeah, me, too. And I meant it. But before I decide which drawing is the winner, I'd like to give people the chance to weigh in. See below for a bunch of submissions. Let me know what you think. Cast your vote. Speak your mind. But, most of all, be nice. If I see any mean-spirited comments, they will be deleted.

I also want to reiterate that the decision is still ultimately mine alone. Because, you know, it will be displayed on me forever and whatnot. But, that said, I'm pretty easily influenced by the thoughts of others, so feel free to make a strong case for your favorite design.

I received a few that I loved, but were too inappropriate to share on a blog sometimes viewed by kids. Otherwise, if you submitted a drawing, or saw one before, and don't see it here, please let me know, I may have missed it! Or even feel free to send me a late submission if these inspire you to draw a shark.

Anyway, here they are. Enjoy. I know I did.

]]><![CDATA[Want to See Your Artwork Permanently Displayed on an Author?]]>Tue, 22 Jul 2014 19:21:04 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/want-to-see-your-artwork-permanently-displayed-on-an-authorIf so, that's sort of a weird thing to have been hoping for, but regardless, now's your chance!

I will get a tattoo of my favorite original shark drawing sent to me between now and the end of Shark Week 2014.

Yes, seriously.

Keep reading for more details.

How do I enter?

To enter, you must simply send me an original shark drawing before the end of Shark Week (August 17, 2014.) Drawings can be transmitted any way you like.

Here are some suggestions:

- Twitter (@chris_rylander) with the hashtag #SharkWeekTattoo
- posted in the comments below
- Facebook
- Email: cdrylander (at) yahoo (dot) com.

Basically, if you can get your drawing in front of my eyes in some fashion, then you can enter the contest.

I mean, you can even enter in person if you see me walking down the street and just happen to have an original drawing of a shark in your pocket.

Who can enter?

Anyone. Even animals can enter if you have a particularly artistic pet horse or turtle or something.

NOTE: the tattoo artist may need to make minor changes to your artwork during the application process.

Does the drawing need to be realistic?

No, it just needs to contain a shark, or representation of a shark, in some form. Here are a few entries I’ve already received that took a more playful approach:

It can be any color, any size, any theme, anything your heart desires as long as it’s shark related.

Does the drawing need to be good?

Absolutely not! Anyone at any level of artistic ability can enter. In fact, here's the first entry I received:

Why on earth would someone do this?

Because I love sharks.


When will you choose a winner?

A winning drawing/painting/artwork will be selected by August 24, 2014. The tattoo will be permanently applied to my person by October 30, 2014, but hopefully sooner. Photos of the finished product will be posted to Twitter and Facebook.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me via Twitter, email, comments or otherwise.

Have fun!

]]><![CDATA[Codename Zero Book Launch]]>Wed, 08 Jan 2014 18:41:56 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/codename-zero-book-launchI'm excited to announce an upcoming event that is free and open to the public. On February 13, 2014, please join me at 7:00 pm at Anderson's Books in Naperville, IL for the official Codename Zero book launch event.

I'll be there to a do a brief talk, book reading, and sign copies of the first book in my new series, Codename Zero. If you're lucky, I might also wrestle a emu, which should be quite a t.

]]><![CDATA[Book Signing! Coming Soon!!!! Many !!!!!!! to be had!!!!!!!]]>Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:47:04 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/book-signing-coming-soon-many-to-be-hadHi, three people who read my blog per month. I've got some upcoming events to tell you about:

April 15 @ 7:00 pm - The Fourth Stall Part III book release signing - Anderson's Bookshops in Naperville, IL

April 23 - April 25 - Texas Library Association Conference, Ft. Worth, TX

April 30 - Middle School Writer's Conference, Bolingbrook, IL

May 2 - May 5 - Wild Wild Midwest SCBWI Conference, Ft. Wayne, IN

May 19 @ 2:00 pm - Class Acts Event - Anderson's Bookshops in Naperville, IL

Okay, that's all for now. Hope to see to you all soon.]]><![CDATA[Upcoming Events]]>Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:09:13 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/upcoming-eventsHey, I've got a whole bunch of upcoming events and school visits planned. See below if you're interested. In the meantime, stay frosty.

December 6, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm - Chicago Public Library, Roosevelt Branch, 1101 W. Taylor Street

December 12, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm - Chicago Public Library, Greater Grand Crossing Branch, 1000 E. 73rd Street

December 17, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm - Chicago Public Library, Richard M. Daley Branch, 733 N. Kedzie Ave.

December 19, 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Chicago Public Library, Dunning Branch, 7455 W. Cornelia Ave.

February 2013 - Book Launch Signing in Minot, ND (date, time, location TBD)

February 25 - Canarelli Middle School, Las Vegas, NV

February 26 - Lawrence Junior High School, Las Vegas, NV

February 27 - Gibson Middle School, Las Vegas, NV

February 28 - Keller Empowerment Middle School, Las Vegas, NV

March 1 - Bob Miller Middle School, Las Vegas, NV

March 9 - Plainfield Public Library Short Story Contest Award Ceremony, Plainfield, IL

March 12 - Salt Creek School District Elementary Schools, Villa Park, IL

April 24 - April 27 - Texas Library Association Conference, Ft. Worth, TX

May 2 - May 5 - Wild Wild Midwest SCBWI Conference, Ft. Wayne, IN]]><![CDATA[Upcoming Events & Book Signings]]>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:09:32 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/upcoming-events-book-signings
March 3 - UND Bookstore (Grand Forks, ND) - 11:00 am

March 6 - Barnes & Noble (Fargo, ND) - 4:30 pm

March 30 - Barnes & Noble (Bismarck, ND) - 5:00 pm

April TBD - Barnes & Noble (Minot, ND) Time TBD
]]><![CDATA[Some News and Stuff]]>Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:57:00 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/some-news-and-stuffSo, it's been a really long time. And I'm not really sorry about that, because instead of blogging I've been busy playing Madden 2012, er, uh, I mean, writing, I've been busy writing. Yeah.

Anyway, the point is I'm here now. And I have some events and news to share:

1. THE FOURTH STALL PART II releases in just six days! (February 7, 2012) Please go buy as many copies as you can possibly afford. Sell your parents' cars if you have to. Tell them to take out a second mortgage so you can buy a whole box of Fourth Stall Part II.

2. I was featured recently on Scholastic Book Clubs Arrow Book Box video: http://bookboxdaily.scholastic.com/category/arrow/ So cool!

3. I have some upcoming signings if you're in the area:

February 11 - Main Street Books (Minot, ND) 4 pm to 6 pm

March 30 - Barnes & Noble (Bismarck, ND) 5 pm to 6 pm

April TBD - Barnes & Noble (Minot, ND) Time TBD

4. Thanks to an awesome fan for sending me a picture of their book report, such a cool idea:

]]><![CDATA[New Interview]]>Thu, 18 Aug 2011 02:26:13 GMThttp://www.chrisrylander.com/blog/new-interviewHey, it's been a long time since I posted. I'll try to get better about that.

But in the meantime, a new interview with me was posted recently at a really cool site:
http://middlegrademafioso.blogspot.com/2011/08/marvelous-middle-grade-monday-fourth.html
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