Bestselling author Rae Bridgman sets books free in parks, coffeeshops, laundromats

Emerging fantasy author, Rae Bridgman is now tracking THE MIDDLEGATE BOOKS which have been released into the wilds of North America. Rae Bridgman's books are available in all of the usual places, but this time she has chosen to place her young adult fantasy series in cities throughout North America and around the world…on park benches, in coffee shops, hair salons, airports...or a library, anywhere someone might pick up a book and wish to read.

Where are they now? Rae Bridgman has heard from readers in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Gimli, Toronto, Ottawa, Fredericton, Calgary, Frankfurt, Cairo, Reykjavik, Glasgow, Minnesota, New York, Los Angeles, Johannesburg (South Africa), London, Sydney (Australia), Rome.

Rae Bridgman has released ONE HUNDRED COPIES of The MiddleGate Books during the month of February 2009, inspired by the time-honoured concept of bookcrossing. The series has been distributed in order, beginning with the first in the series The Serpent's Spell (copies 1 – 50), followed by Amber Ambrosia (copies 51 – 75) and Fish & Sphinx (copies 76 – 100).

Why send books into the wild? Books take on a life of their own and travel the world looking for new readers. A book is left on a park bench, in a restaurant, or at an airport, laundromat or library. Perhaps one friend gives it to another. The idea of leaving a book for someone else to find and read combines serendipity, adventure, altruism and literature in a unique mix that true bibliophiles find irresistible. With its similarity to releasing messages in a bottle or notes in helium balloons, bookcrossing hearkens back to fond childhood memories. It's an ideal activity for parents and teachers to encourage children to read and share, and an excellent way to encourage literacy and learning.

Rae Bridgman believes passionately in helping to promote the love of books, the love of reading and literacy, along with the love of fantasy books for kids. "This began as an opportunity to celebrate February as I Love to Read Month and Freedom to Read Week (the last week in February)and now we realize that it's taken on a life of its own. Why not read a good fantasy book today? Go to http://www.raebridgman.ca/ for a list of more than 100 authors writing fantasy books for kids."