David A. Poulsen – a new teen/adult novel … and an unusual launch

I’ve known David Poulsen for more years than either of us would care to admit! I was his sales rep when he published his humorous adult novel, Don’t Fence Me In, with Red Deer College Press during the Dennis Johnson days … We both miraculously survived that time – life in the book biz was always sketchy for both authors and sales reps whenever DJ was involved … and David has since gone on to successfully write and publish many more books, both for adults and teens, as well as continue his career as a Professional Rodeo Announcer. He has been a guest on Reading Recommendations several times and is back now to tell us about his new novel and a special event organized to launch it.

And Then The Sky Exploded
by David A. Poulsen
Published by Dundurn Press
Genre: Teen/Adult novel

When Christian learns his great-grandfather helped build the A-bombs dropped on Japan, he wants to make amends … somehow.

While attending the funeral of his great-grandfather, ninth-grader Christian Larkin learns that the man he loved and respected was a member of the Manhattan Project, the team that designed and created the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during the Second World War.

On a school trip to Japan, Chris meets eighty-one-year-old Yuko, who was eleven when the first bomb exploded over Hiroshima, horribly injuring her. Christian is determined to do something to make up for what his great-grandfather did. But after all this time, what can one teenager really do? His friends tell him it’s a stupid idea, that there’s nothing he can do. And maybe they’re right.

But maybe, just maybe … they’re wrong.

Where to Purchase:
Dundurn Press

From David:
Anybody can have a book launch in Toronto or Calgary but it’s not every day that Ponteix, Saskatchewan hosts a national book launch. I’m so excited that that is exactly what is happening in this cool town of 700 people. We’ll be launching my newest teen/young adult novel tomorrow evening (the 24th) in the high school gymnasium with a beef on a bun dinner at 5:30 pm and the reading/signing to follow.at 6:30 The community had gotten behind School Principal Chad Striker who has taken the lead in putting this together and even folks from neighbouring communities are planning to come–which is the way they do things in Saskatchewan (you may have heard of the Saskatchewan Roughriders)…so if even a tiny bit of that kind of community spirit is in play tomorrow night, it will be a wonderful evening. So if any of my Saskatchewan friends are near enough to pop by or even if you’ve never met me but would like to experience a book launch, rural Saskatchewan-style, stop by the Ponteix School tomorrow. Should be a very cool evening.

And … here’s what happened!

The National Book Launch of And Then the Sky Exploded in Ponteix, Saskatchewan on Monday night was not just a hugely successful literary event–it was one of the best “writer-days” of my life. Yes, we sold a whack of books but more importantly, I was overwhelmed by the friendship, the kindness and the generosity of the people of Ponteix and neighbouring communities. The tireless effort of Principal Chad Striker, the School Council and so many others in putting on the supper and launch/book signing is something I won’t ever forget. Ponteix, you will always have a special place in my heart. Now my tour of schools in amazing Saskatchewan continues.