Fans invited to submit writing and artwork based on Ridley Pearson’s ‘Kingdom Keeper’ books

Author Ridley Pearson has long celebrated the fans who have made his “Kingdom Keepers” books best sellers, even inviting them to help him write the last novel in the original young adult series that is set at Disney properties. That book, “The Insider,” was published last spring.

Since then, Pearson has been at work on a trilogy that picks up where “The Insider” left off. The first book in the new series, “The Return: Disney Lands,” has a U.S. publication date of March 31. The author also has been busy creating “Fairlies Adventures,” a series of novellas in the “Kingdom Keepers” series. The first, “The Syndrome,” will be released March 3. And throughout the creative process, Pearson has again solicited submissions from fans, the best of which will be included in the projects and their promotions.

Although some writing contests have closed, there still are some ways young adults can be involved with their beloved “Kingdom Keepers” series. Last summer, Pearson invited readers to participate in eight writing challenges that ended on Sept. 1. The deadline has been reached, but the entries (and the winners) are posted on kingdomkeepersinsider.com, so fans can have a sneak peek at what will be in the finished novel.

Pearson sums up the plot on his website this way: “With the defeat of the Overtakers behind them, the five teenagers known as the Kingdom Keepers should be celebrating. By all accounts, they saved Disneyland from certain destruction. Why then did their mentor leave one last puzzle for them to decipher? The Keepers must solve a puzzle of the past, or be crushed under an evil that makes the Overtakers seem like gentle souls.”

As for the “Fairlies Adventures,” Pearson says the name comes from the “fairly human” girls Amanda, Jess and Mattie. “Over the years, they’ve protected and supported the five Disney guides with their paranormal abilities,” he wrote.

Writing challenges still are open for the first novella on TheKingdomKeepers.com. According to the website, “If you, collectively, can decipher the clues in time, you’ll unlock sneak previews and behind-the-scenes intel on this awesome new book.”

Plus, artists are asked to submit drawings of Amanda, Jess and Mattie by Jan. 17 for a chance to be featured in the book trailer. Submissions should be sent to Pearson’s assistant Jen at [email protected]. Fans can view the art as it is submitted on Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/ridleypearson/fairlies/

The team has utilized fan art for projects in the past, including T-shirts for the book publicity tour.

Speaking of the tour, for the last several years, Pearson has launched each new “Kingdom Keepers” novel at Walt Disney World. No word yet on whether he will be in Central Florida for the release of “The Return: Disney Lands,” but stay tuned because we definitely are watching for the announcement. In the meantime, here are some tips and thoughts about what to expect at such a popular book signing, should it come our way again.

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