The past several weeks since the official release of “The Sasquatch of Hawthorne Elementary” have been nothing short of amazing. I’ve had the opportunity to speak to hundreds of middle grade readers at various local schools, celebrated a successful launch event with author J. Anderson Coats at Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond, and even got to meet with aspiring authors at a local middle school. A couple weeks ago I had a mom come up to me to let me know her 3rd grader had previously only been reading graphic novels, but my book has helped her make the leap to chapter books. The response I’ve gotten from the kids and their parents and teachers has been so wonderful, beyond my wildest dreams. Teachers or librarians looking to have me do a school visit, email me HERE For kids with questions about Bigfoot or other cryptids (or even questions about writing) they are welcome to email Jake and the rest of the Sasquatch Hunters crew at SasquatchHuntersofWA@gmail.com Other happenings…In March I’ll be attending Left Coast Crime Conference in Tucson, Arizona where I’ll be both a panelist on the topic of plotting and character development as well as panel moderator discussing preferred methods of murder with other crime writers in “How We Kill.” I’m also thrilled to be involved with helping make Left Coast Crime 2024 in Bellevue, Washington the best one yet! UPCOMING: Join me Saturday March 25, 2023 at 12pm for a signing at the Alderwood Barnes and Noble in Lynnwood, Washington. I’ll have prize drawings and giveaways for those who attend. Subscribe to my newsletter Scenes from recent events:

The Students of Ms. Van Horne’s class today asked me to include the recipe for Dutch Babies as mentioned in “The Sasquatch of Hawthorne Elementary.” I’m sure there’s a more official version, but here’s what we do in our home:

DUTCH BABIES

Ingredients:

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

4 eggs

I tsp vanilla

1/2 stick butter

Syrup and powdered sugar

Directions:

In a baking dish (I typically use 9×13) place 1/2 stick of butter. Turn oven to 400 degrees and place baking dish into the cold oven. The butter will melt as the pan heats. Meanwhile, in a blender, combine milk, flour, vanilla, and eggs. Blend until all ingredients are incorporated, and then let it run for another two minutes to get the batter frothy. This is what makes the Dutch babies rise. Once the oven is preheated and the butter is melted, pour batter into the hot dish. Be careful! Like I said, it’s hot. Allow this to bake for 25-35 minutes. It should puff and brown but not burn. Serve with powdered sugar and syrup, or if you want to get fancy, add fruit.