Mark January 12, 2009, on your calendars and be sure to join me as I guest blog on Bertram's Blog. I'll be talking about my iPhone novel Finding Bliss, which has created quite a stir.

http://ptbertram.wordpress.com

A few days ago I received a letter from my publisher Kunati Books informing me that they have decided to make Whale Song "out of print", even though it continues to be their top fiction seller on Amazon and elsewhere.

While I don't completely understand their decision, I know that things are changing everywhere in the book world and publishers are scrambling to make decisions on what to do next. Rumor is, Kunati is going nonfiction.

What does this mean for Whale Song?

Well, it means that if you want to read it, you'd better order it now. Whale Song could be out of print and unavailable to the public in a matter of a week, maybe a few more.

I'd like to know that everyone who has wanted to read it has had the opportunity. I encourage you to pick up a copy for your mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, best friend. I encourage YA readers to check it out. Whale Song is even being used in schools for Language Arts studies, so if you're a teacher, please be sure to get copies for your classroom now, while you can. And if you're a librarian, order copies of Whale Song for your collection.

Whale Song is a novel that has a huge emotional impact on its readers. People's lives have been changed and are changing as a result. This novel explores themes of racism, bullying, tragedy, forgiveness and redemption, and it'll change how you view life...and death.

Chances are your local bookstore won't have any in stock--unless you're in Edmonton, Alberta, in which case you can pick up Whale Song from the following locations: South Point Chapters, Southgate Shopping Centre Coles, and Mill Woods Town Centre Coles.

Or you can order Whale Song from Amazon.com, Amazon.ca or Chapters.ca.

Whale Song has had a good solid run since 2003 when the first edition came out and I am still working on the movie angle. Who knows? For now, I'd like to thank every single reader who has taken a chance on my "heart book".

Thank you for every single review you've written and every email that you have thoughtfully sent me. Thank you for telling me your life changing stories and for sharing parts of your souls with me. I am working fervently to complete some new works that I hope you'll find just as meaningful and entertaining. And don't forget, Divine Intervention and The River are still available and going strong. :)

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author of Whale Song
http://www.cherylktardif.com

I am very honored to be gifting Whale Song to 125 celebrities who will be enjoying a 'Diamond Dinner' at an event called Dallas Rocks 2008, which benefits Russell Simmons' Diamond Empowerment Fund.

In 2007, USA Today named Russell Simmons one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years.”

The Diamond Empowerment Fund™ (D.E.F.) is a non-profit international organization that raises money to support education initiatives for disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

Thank you to my publisher Kunati Books for helping to make Whale Song a small part of this wonderful and inspiring event. I truly appreciate it and I am positive that all who receive Whale Song will enjoy it.

A special thanks goes to Rhonda Bunton, President of Lush & Luxe PR, the company in charge of creating spectacular VIP gift bags for the celebrities attending this event and many others. I really appreciate your patience and all your hard work, Rhonda.

Dallas Rocks 2008 takes place on November 7th, 2008. More at a later date.

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif,

Canadian suspense author

http://www.cherylktardif.com/

Last May one of my very loyal fans entered my novel Whale Song in Erin Aislinn's Book Cover of the Month contest. Whale Song won for the month of May!

For the past 2 or so months, Whale Song has been competing for Erin's 2007 Book Cover of the Year award.

I am proud to announce that...

WHALE SONG has won the 2007 Book Cover of the Year award!

Thank you to everyone who voted. I wish I could take credit for this beautiful, haunting cover, but I can't.

It was designed by Kam Wai Yu, graphic designer for Kunati Books.

"Operation TBD" puts 10,000 books into North America’s top pediatric hospitals in celebration of Support Teen Literature Day on April 17

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is interviewed LIVE on WorldWideArtist radio!

Monday, April 7th, 2008, at 8:00 pm EST

Cheryl will be talking about writing and publishing on "The World of Publishing" show hosted by Reign.

To listen live, go to:

http://www.worldwideartist.net.

Whale Song is the perfect choice for book clubs and schools!

Not only is Whale Song a “beautiful” and “compelling” novel, it has had an emotional impact on many readers and it explores numerous topics. Reading it, you will learn about living in an isolated town, the lives of killer whales, west coast native traditions and legends, the effects of racism, the impact of bullying and abuse, the choice and consequences of assisted death, the depth of a parent’s love, and surviving great tragedy. In the end, I hope you will come away feeling inspired and hopeful.

This guide was designed to help book clubs, schools and individuals get the most out of Whale Song. It will give you some insight into how to interpret this work of fiction and the subtle or not-so-subtle messages found in the book. While this novel was originally marketed mainly for women 30-60 years old, it has now broken all boundaries in age and gender. My youngest reader that I know of is 7 and the oldest is 108. And Whale Song has become an international hit.

Spoiler Warning: The following book club discussion questions on Whale Song reveal important details from the novel. You should finish reading it before continuing.

View the Discussion Guide online or download the PDF.