Category: Childrens story

Ford Mountain Publishing Is Heading to the Appalachian Highlands Celts Celtic Festival!

We’re going Celtic this weekend.

Ford Mountain Publishing will be joining the Appalachian Highlands Celts Celtic Festival, taking place September 4–6, 2026, at the beautiful and historic Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The festival brings together the history, music, traditions, and cultures of the Seven Celtic Nations for a weekend of celebration—and we’re looking forward to being part of it.

But before you make your plans, there is one important detail.

You Can Find Us Friday and Sunday Only

Ford Mountain Publishing will have our booth open on:

Friday, September 4 & Sunday, September 6

We will not have our booth open on Saturday, September 5. So, if you’re coming specifically to see us, browse our books, or check out what we’ve brought along, make sure to find us on Friday or Sunday.

A Few New Things Are Coming to the Mountain

We’ll be bringing some familiar Ford Mountain Publishing offerings with us—but we’ll also have some new items for sale.

That means this will be one of your first opportunities to stop by, browse, and see what we’ve been working on.

There will be books. There will be publishing and creative goodies. And there may be a few things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them sitting on the table. That happens sometimes. We make no promises about your wallet.

Books and Plus Ultra Are Joining Forces

Because apparently we have decided that simply bringing books was not enough.

We’re also partnering with our friend Roy from Plus Ultra Coffee to share some of his excellent goodies with visitors at our booth. It seemed only reasonable to bring them together.

So while you’re visiting Ford Mountain Publishing, you’ll also have an opportunity to check out some of the offerings from Plus Ultra Coffee.

Come Enjoy the Festival Weekend

The Appalachian Highlands Celts Celtic Festival offers far more than a reason to visit our booth.

The weekend is an opportunity to enjoy Celtic history, music, traditions, and culture in the setting of one of Northeast Tennessee’s historic sites.

Take some time to explore. Enjoy the festivities. Visit the vendors. Spend the day surrounded by history and community.

And, somewhere along the way, come find us.

We’d love to meet you.

Whether you’re:

  • A reader
  • A writer
  • An independent author
  • A lover of history
  • An anime enthusiast
  • Interested in Celtic culture
  • Or simply looking for something worthwhile to do over the holiday weekend

Stop by and say hello.

Save the Dates

Appalachian Highlands Celts Celtic Festival

September 4–6, 2026

Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site
Johnson City, Tennessee

Ford Mountain Publishing Booth

OPEN:

Friday, September 4

Sunday, September 6

CLOSED:

Saturday, September 5

Planning Your Visit

For complete festival information, schedules, and event details, visit:

Appalachian Highlands Celts Celtic Festival
https://www.tipton-haynes.org/events/celtic-festival-09042026

We’ll see you at the festival.

Join Us for a Book Signing Event in Cleveland

Dragons, folklore, coffee, storytelling, and a few surprises are all coming together on May 17 at Plus Ultra Coffee inside Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Starting at noon and continuing until closing, readers and writers alike are invited to stop by for a special book signing event featuring both the Wings of Wisdom fantasy series and the Realms Unwritten writing prompt collections.

Featured at the event:

🐉 Roderick’s Perilous Journey — the newest installment in the Wings of Wisdom series, blending Welsh mythology and Russian folklore through the story of a displaced dragon on a dangerous quest

📚 All five Wings of Wisdom books available in hardcover

✨ 3D-printed dragons inspired by the stories

🔖 Illustrated bookmarks

✍️ D.B. Hopson’s complete Realms Unwritten writing prompt collection

☕ New drinks and experimental menu items in development at Plus Ultra Coffee

And for early attendees:
🎁 The first few sales of the day will receive a free gift.

Whether you’re a longtime fantasy reader, a mythology enthusiast, an aspiring writer, or simply someone looking for a fun afternoon surrounded by creative people, this is a chance to meet fellow story lovers and explore a growing world of dragons and imagination.

Also worth marking on your calendar:
⚔️ One Piece Day arrives at Plus Ultra Coffee on July 18.

Bring your curiosity, your favorite fantasy recommendations, and maybe a little room on your bookshelf.

Wings of Wisdom Book Signing Event

Roderick’s Perilous Journey — Wings of Wisdom #5

In Roderick’s Perilous Journey, the fifth installment in the Wings of Wisdom series, a Welsh dragon is forced out of familiar skies and into the cold logic of another land—Russia. Within that tension, Roderick encounters Snegurka, and when her life becomes endangered, his journey ceases to be geographic and becomes personal—measured in choices rather than miles.

Book Signing — May 17

The event will include the full Wings of Wisdom collection, presented in hardback editions only, though this new story will also have paperback editions available, alongside series-linked artifacts:

  • All five Wings of Wisdom books available for purchase
  • 3D-printed dragons representing each installment in the series
  • Illustrated bookmarks tied to individual stories

Featured Author: D.B. Hopson

D.B. Hopson will also be present with the full Realms Unwritten collection.

The Realms Unwritten series functions as a counterpoint to Wings of Wisdom: where one constructs narrative, the other asks readers to construct their own.

Plus Ultra Coffee

The signing will be hosted in collaboration with Plus Ultra Coffee, at Bradley Square Mall, in Cleveland TN, where new drink concepts are currently in development.

The signing starts at noon and continues until closing. Come on out to get a yummy treat, have a chat, and take home a story.

Additional note for attendees: One Piece Day — July 18 will follow later in the season at the same location; definitely something to put on your calendar!

Closing Note

Wings of Wisdom continues to expand as a series centered on journey-based storytelling: dragons placed in unfamiliar geographies, each story anchored in a distinct emotional or relational challenge, and each setting shaping the rules the characters must learn to survive within.

May 17 marks the next point of entry into that evolving world with one more coming in the future!

Join Us for Pokémon Day and Book Launch News

There’s a special kind of excitement that builds when a story you love is about to spread its wings again — and we are absolutely thrilled to share that the fifth installment in the Wings of Wisdom series is on the horizon!

✨ Roderick’s Perilous Journey Is Coming Soon!

The upcoming fifth book in the beloved series, Roderick’s Perilous Journey by M. M. Elmendorf Hopson, featuring breathtaking illustrations by Leo Chen, is nearing completion — and we cannot wait to place it into the hands of young readers and families.

Roderick’s next adventure promises heart, courage, challenge, and the kind of wisdom that has made this series such a meaningful experience for readers. With Leo Chen’s luminous artwork bringing every page to life, this newest chapter will carry forward the warmth and wonder that defines Wings of Wisdom.

While we had hoped to debut it at this year’s Pokémon Day celebration, it won’t quite be ready for launch by this Sunday’s event. But the wait will be short! The book is expected to release soon after — and we encourage everyone who’s eager to follow Roderick’s next great adventure to keep an eye on the Ford Mountain Publishing website and social media channels for the official release announcement.

Trust us — you won’t want to miss it.

🎉 Join Us at Pokémon Day – March 1st!

Even though Roderick’s Perilous Journey won’t make its first appearance just yet, there will be plenty to discover at the Bradley Square Mall in Cleveland, Tennessee this Sunday, March 1st!

🕚 Booth Hours: NOON – 5:00 PM

Here’s what you’ll find at the Ford Mountain Publishing booth:

📚 The exciting Realms Unwritten series by D. B. Hopson
📖 Newly released 2nd editions of the first four Wings of Wisdom books
🔖 Brand-new bookmarks
🎨 Fun coloring options for young readers

Every purchase comes with a free bookmark, and visitors will also have the opportunity to receive signed copies of their books — a wonderful keepsake for readers and collectors alike.

A whimsical illustration of a smiling dragon holding a bouquet of flowers, set against a scenic landscape with mountains and a pagoda. The text reads 'Everyone Can Change.' and 'Ford Mountain Publishing.'
A black and white illustration featuring a warrior resting beside a dragon in a mountainous landscape, with text that reads 'Even warriors need rest between battles.' and 'Where legends rest.'
An open book resting on a wooden surface with a scenic mountain background, accompanied by the text, 'The page is waiting for you.' and 'Tell your story, your way.'
A serene landscape featuring misty forest trails with trees and a path, accompanied by inspirational text about personal journeys and writing.
A serene landscape featuring two figures sitting by a campfire in front of mountains and forests. The sky transitions from blue to warm hues, with the text 'Your story is someone else's light.' and 'FORD MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING' at the bottom.

We love connecting with our readers in person, sharing stories, and celebrating imagination together. Pokémon Day at Bradley Square Mall is always a lively, joyful event, and we’re looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new friends.

The wings are spreading… the journey is beginning… and Roderick’s most perilous adventure yet is almost here.

Stay tuned — and we’ll see you Sunday! 🕊️✨

Discover the Magic: Updated Children’s Fantasy Books for the Holidays

There’s something truly magical about holding a newly updated edition of a beloved story—especially during the holiday season. I’m thrilled to share that all second editions of my children’s fantasy books are now available, expanded, refined, and brimming with fresh surprises for readers of all ages.

Whether you’re building a holiday gift stack or refreshing your family’s bedtime rotation, these new editions arrive at the perfect moment to spark imagination and wonder.

📚 What’s New in the Second Editions?

Each book has been lovingly enhanced to offer an even richer storytelling experience. Here’s what you can look forward to:

🖼️ More Art, More Magic

The new editions feature additional illustrations, breathing fresh life into scenes, characters, and creatures. These pieces deepen the visual storytelling and make page-turning even more enchanting.

✨ Expanded Stories

Every book now includes extra story content—extended scenes, added lore, and new moments of heart and adventure. Whether you’re revisiting these worlds or discovering them for the first time, you’ll find more depth and more delight woven through every chapter.

🌙 A Note on Print Style: From Large Print to Standard Print

The first editions were intentionally printed in large print, designed to support cozy bedtime reading—especially when lights are low or little eyes are sleepy.

The second editions, while beautifully formatted and easy to read, are not printed in large print. Even so, they remain absolutely suitable for bedtime routines. The formatting is clean, the layout is comfortable, and the storytelling still invites quiet moments and soft endings to busy days.

If you enjoyed the readability of the first editions, rest assured: these updated editions retain their bedtime-friendly charm while offering a more polished, traditionally styled presentation.

🎁 Perfect for Holiday Giving

With expanded stories, enhanced artwork, and a fresh cover-to-cover experience, the second editions make wonderful gifts for young readers, nostalgic adults, teachers, and fantasy lovers alike.

There’s no better time to bring a little more magic into someone’s December.

Here’s to stories that grow alongside us—and to the joy of sharing them during the most enchanting season of the year.

📣 Side Note for Local Readers

If you’re in the Tri-State area, don’t forget to stop by the Bradley Square Mall on December 14 for the book signing event at Plus Ultra Coffee, starting at noon. There will be free giveaways, opportunities to get your books personally signed, and even a few fun surprises waiting to be revealed. Come join the celebration and make a magical afternoon of it!