Blogging About John Paul 2 High

Happy C&M Day (again)

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:47:00 +0000

Just wanted to re-post this:
http://johnpaul2high.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-c-day.html

You know, I was intending to do a lot more of these, but life got in the way.

Did I mention Book IV is coming out very soon?

Now taking pre-orders from Book 3!!!

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:16:00 +0000

The day is close at hand! I've just received this email from Chesterton Press:

Toward the end of September, Chesterton Press, publisher of Regina Doman's Fairy Tale Novels, obtained the rights to publish the John Paul 2 High series. We are working like crazy to put new covers on the books and release Book 2: Summer of My Dissent by November 1.
All three books are available for PRE-ORDER at http://www.fairytalenovels.com/RetailOrders.cfm#JP2H
We plan to release Book 4 by Easter 2012.

So there you have it! Told ya Book III would be out soon! Pre-order now!

We're baaack! With now covers and lots of other cool stuff

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:45:00 +0000

Man! It's been a long time since we posted anything here, hasn't it? As usual, we have a good excuse, but as usual, we should have just ditched the excuse and posted more, right? Right. Moving on.

Okay, here's what's going on: Book 3 has a title now: "Summer of My Dissent". And it has a cover:

If you're wondering why this book cover looks so different than the previous two book covers...well....the first two books are getting new covers as well!

And that's not all - we're working on getting E-Book versions of all three books as well - that means you'll be able to get the books on your iPhone or Kindle or whatnot; purchasing right from the iBookstore or Amazon (or whatnot).

So...when is all this cool stuff going to happen?

We're working on it. Night and day. Trust me. We're working really hard to get all three books out to you for Christmas. Book I is already done, and the other two are close behind.

Keep praying for us!

Big News about Book 3!

noreply@blogger.com (Christian M. Frank) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:39:00 +0000

Help with our book trailer!

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:43:00 +0000

Book 3 rewrite is done (phew)!

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:28:00 +0000

Hey guys,

Sorry about the long dearth of posts. I had a good reason for it though (I ALWAYS have good reasons, don't I?) -- I was undertaking a massive rewrite of Book 3. Which is now...phew...complete.

So what happens next? Well, first the editor of the John Paul 2 High team, Regina Doman, will be reviewing the book and doing a final edit. Then she will submit it to the guys at Sophia Institute Press for final approval. Hopefully, I got it done just in time for a summer release.

I will post more once we have any news on a release date (not to mention a title, a sample first chapter, etc....)

Some Tidbits to hold y'all over: Meet Athan Courchraine

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 21:32:00 +0000

I know what you're all thinking: "You said Book 3 was done! So where is it? What's it gonna be called? What's it about? Can we get the first chapter? Or some more feast day stuff? Or SOMETHING?"

Well...it is done. But we're still working on it! I know you're probably tired of hearing that. Heck, I'm tired of saying it. But it's true. Just be patient a little while longer...darn, I'm tired of saying that too. Oh what the heck, I'll throw you some more stuff your way. You ready?

You're gonna see a lot of new stuff in Book III; more characters, more adventures, more lessons learned. Some mysteries will be solved. Maybe. But new mysteries will arise.
Book III will be from the viewpoints of Allie Weaver and Brian Burke, and you'll learn a lot more about these two. A lot more. Plus, like I said, you'll meet a lot of new brand new characters. Let's just say that the student body of John Paul 2 High is going to get a bit...larger.

So when I can spare time from rewrites, spell checks and editor's meetings, I will attempt to introduce some of the new characters you'll meet. Today we'll focus on a young freshman called Athanasius Courchraine -- or Athan for short.

Athan looks like this:

But this is what he looks like in his own head:

Athan is an artist. He's Byzantine Catholic. Plus he likes football. And bazookas.

One thing he doesn't like is St. Francis. We don't agree with him, of course. Apparently he thinks St. Francis is too wimpy. He'd like him better if he looked like this:

The views of Athan do not reflect the views of the JP2 High team, Sophia Institute Press, or anyone else besides the dancing monkeys inside his own head.

Athan's best friend is Joey Simonelli:

And who is Joey? Why, he's the younger brother of Liz Simonelli, whom you've already met. Oh, by the way...you'll learn some more about her too. You've been warned :)

Learn more about Athan, Joey and a multitude of other things in JP2 High Book III! Coming soon! And not in the biblical sense!

CREDITS: Drawings by Christian Frank 2.5 (Ryan Corrigan). See more of his stuff here. Photos by Craig Spiering (see his work here). Inane scribbling by me; see more inane scribbling here.

Happy Chair Day!

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 14:55:00 +0000

Hello.

My name is Daryl.

And I am the Chair of St. Peter.

I am here because today, February 22nd, is an ancient and mighty feast day in honor of...me.

Myself.

I, the Chair of St. Peter.

Now I shall recite an epic poem that tells of the heroic deeds of...me.

Ahem.

Oh Great! Oh Glorious Daryl!

So old! So gold! So sterile!

I've endured greatest perils!

Made more jokes than Will Farrell!

Did you know that I write Christmas Carols?

Hold it!

Ah. Larry. I was expecting you.

Really? How?

The Chair knoweth all.

Balderdash! I come by every year! Look, Daryl, I've had enough! I, the Hat of St. Peter, protest!

(Heavy sigh...) Very well. What is the nature of your protest?

I protest the idea of giving a feast day to a moldy, pompous old stool!

What? (Splutter) I'll have you know that I'm a throne, not a-

A stool, I say! A stool with delusions of grandeur!

I shall endure your impudence with patient silence. The chair shall prevail, despite the ravings of one lone article of clothing-

I, the shorts of St. Peter, protest!

And we, the shoes of St. Peter, protest!

...Kevin? Phyllis? Argus? How could you?

I, the shirt of St. Peter, protest!

Oh, Bob. Not you too.

Sorry man. But Larry has a point.

I see. Anyone else?

I, the spatula of St.-

Save it. There's no way I'm going to be lectured by a kitchen utensil. I've been around longer than any of you, and-

Not longer than us! We remember when you were like us, Daryl...just a simple, humble fisherman's stool, willing to serve the master and be content.

And then you started calling yourself a throne...

And writing epic poems about yourself...

You are certainly not sterile!

Okay, fine. Maybe the poems were a bit much. But I am a throne. The master said so.

No! You're no greater than the rest of us!

Hold on. We hear someone coming!

(door opening)

The master!

..so Cunningham's in his own endzone, and then he lobs it 63 yards-

No way! I don't believe it!

EEEEEK!!!!

It's true! Happened in 1990 against the Bills...hey, wait a sec. What is my spatula doing in here...and why is it screaming?

...Um...actually, all of your things are screaming.

HIM! The German!

Run away! Run away!

Um...Hey guys. What's going on?

Master! How could you be associating with HIM!?!

After all the things he said about you!

Um...well, actaully, to be fair, I said those regrettable things about his successors. The men who sit in that chair over there.

Leave me out of this! I got enough on my plate today!

But I was wrong. I didn't understand-

Silence, heretic! Master, shall I smite him for you?

Heh heh. No, that's okay Janet. Why don't you tell us what's going on?

(5 minutes later...)

Okay...I think I understand. Time for a teaching moment.

Actually, Pete, I'd like to take this, It's the least I can do.

I agree, brother. Go ahead.

All right guys. So you're all angry about Daryl here being arrogant, and pushy, and pompous...right?

That's right, heretic. And especially that he calls himself a throne.

But he is a throne. Sorry, but he's right about that.

What? Master...is this true?

Yep. Every word.

Ha! Told you! Who's da man? DARYLL's the man; I mean, the THRONE! Woot! Woot!

Ah, Daryll. I was just getting to you. You DO know that this feast, Feb. 22, the Chair of St. Peter, isn't actually about you, right?

I...whaat??

Ha ha! Nice job, heretic!

That's right, Daryl. It's really about Jesus. Jesus started it all. He put me on that throne when he told me, "You are Rock, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it." And ever since then, my successors have sat on that throne, and Hell hasn't overcome the Church. Not for lack of trying. And that's what this feast is really about.

Ha ha! You see, Daryll! You're just a piece of furniture after all, you pompous, motheaten...

Hang on there, Larry. You got to show Daryll a little respect. Don't do what I did.

Oh yeah? And what did you do, heretic?

Glad you asked. Well, I had to deal with some pretty pompous popes back in my day. Worse than pompous, actually. Corrupt.

Sigh... that's right.

And that's what started me off on the wrong road. I was so angry at the corruption and the lack of focus on Jesus that I went too far. I didn't stop with condemning the corruption; I condemned the papacy itself...and then the Mass...and that lead me more and more into error. I grew more anti-semitic, for example; a horrible sin. And I incited violence and wars. In the end, my actions led to a permanent split in the Church, a century or more of wars all over Europe, religious persecutions on both sides, and suffering and violence...all because I didn't respect the Chair of St. Peter.

So what are you doing up here, heretic? Why aren't you down in the other place?

Because he loved Jesus, of course! As did his followers...and all of the separated brethren! So stop calling him heretic!

Well...let's be honest, Pete. I was a heretic.

Well...that's all in the past. And your followers are not. We're all part of the Body of Christ. And we need to work together; now more than ever.

Amen to that, brother. So all of you need to get along. Daryll, stop being such a jerk. And the rest of you...no matter how big of a jerk he is, respect his office. Okay?

Sigh....okay.

...can I still make poems about myself?

Not unless you want to get smitten.

Happy Chair of St. Peter Day!

(Editor's note: Sorry this was so late. I was sick. That's why).

Happy C&M day!

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Hi there! I'm Methodius!

Um...and I'm his brother Cyril.

And today is-

Also known as Cyril the lesser.

Um...what? I never heard of that title...

Oh, yeah. They call me that all the time. Also "Cyril the Shorter," or "Cyril the Sicklier", or "Cyril the one who died first-"

Speaking of which, today, February 14, is the date of my brother Cyril's death, and thus, our feast day!

It should have been your death day. You're more important.

Um...well...the Church thinks we're both important. You see, my brother and I lived in the 9th century. Back then, most of Eastern Europe was still barbarian; they didn't even have a written language! So that's why me and Cyril invented...Cyril? Where you going?

Just need to visit the little monks room.

What? We're dead! We don't have bodies! And why are you acting like this? Making up nasty titles for yourself, pulling your hood over your face, trying to sneak off-

Argh! Because of what you're about to mention!

What? The Cyrillic Alphabet?

Exactly! Cyrillic! CYRIL! I'm tired of being in the spotlight! It's not fair to you!

Dude! I don't care!

Well I do! Why is it always "Cyril and Methodius?" Why did they name the alphabet after me? Why did-

Cyril!

........

Calm down. They probably named it after you because you got a cooler name. But if it really bothers you, I'll do most of the talking. But you got to stop acting weird. Okay?

Okay. Sorry.

Anyway, you're freaking out for no reason. I bet that most people reading this don't know what the Cyrillic alphabet is.

What? That's terrible! I mean...not that I care for my sake.

I know you don't brother. Listen up kids. You ever see something written in Russian, or in Polish? Like this:

Or this:

Ever wonder where those weird letters came from? Well, you can thank Cyril and me. Here's what happened: Cyril and I were asked by the Pope to go and preach the Gospel to the Slavs - the people in Eastern Europe. The Slavs were not only pagan - they were poor and downtrodden - in fact, the word "slav" comes from the german word for "slave" - because other people enslaved them so much. The Slavs didn't even have a written language, which was kind of important for our mission, since preaching the Gospel means reading the Gospel, and the rest of the Bible.

That's right! That's the only method we knew.

Er...yes. So Cyril and I decided to sit down and make an alphabet that the Slavs could use. And this is what we came up with:

And here's the crazy part: our little alphabet is still used today in all of Russia, and Poland, and Slovakia...

...and Bulgaria and Croatia and Macedonia...

Yep. So a pretty big deal. So Cyril, you want to tell the kids how we invented the Cyr- Um..I mean, our alphabet?

Hmm. Well, it wasn't easy. We had to be very careful. Very methodical.

Er...yes.

Sometimes we even had to use math.

....well, not really...

And even though it was hard, we just trusted in God and kept plugging along. We didn't resort to any chemical stimulants. Like Caffeine, or coke, or Chrystal Meth.

What's Chrystal Meth?

I'll tell you later. Also, we often eased the tension by cracking jokes. Sometimes Methane-related.

What?

Because let me tell you, it's a good thing Methodius here doesn't have a body anymore, 'cause he would rip some mighty-

Well, that's all the time we have for today! Praise God in all things, and wish your Polish and Russian friends a happy Cyril and Methodius day!

A happy Methodius and Cyril day!

Whatever. See ya!

(Click here to learn more about Cyril and Methodius!)

Happy St. Scholastica day!

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:52:00 +0000

Today is the feast of St. Scholastica, and I think we should celebrate it, for three reasons:

She's got the coolest name ever. I mean, you know she was smart if that's what her mom and dad named her.

We don't know much about her, aside from her famous twin brother. She needs a little more love.

Because of this story:

Her brother was accustomed to visit her every year, for "she could not be sated or wearied with the words of grace which flowed from his lips." On his last visit, after a day passed in spiritual converse, the Saint, knowing that her end was near, said, "My brother, leave me not, I pray you, this night, but discourse with me till dawn on the bliss of those who see God in heaven." St. Benedict would not break his rule at the bidding of natural affection; and then the Saint bowed her head on her hands and prayed; and there arose a storm so violent that St. Benedict could not return to his monastery, and they passed the night in heavenly conversation.

I just think it's kind of cool. And I wonder how it played out…

St. Brother, I am at the brink of death. Will you keep me company?

Sorry. Gonna be late for Vespers.

Vespers!?! I'm gonna be singing Vespers in heaven, for Pete's sake! Speaking of Pete, I'm going to tell him you said that when I meet him. Later tonight.

Um…well, see, St. Sis, I wrote this rule. And…the rule says I got to be back for Vespers.

To heaven with the rule! I'm dying here, Benny!

But Schola, they named it after me! The Benedictine Rule! I mean, St. Benedict can't break the Benedictine rule! It would cause some kinda rift in the space-time continuum!

….........

Fine. Have fun at Vespers.

Thanks! See ya! (leaves with cheery wave)

(Folds hands, starts praying.)

BOOM!

Aaaah!! Rift! Rift!

Happy Scholastica day!

More website updates: Memes!

noreply@blogger.com (Christian M. Frank) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Even more updates to the character webpages! Now each of the students has a little quote about them from the books. More intriguing, though, is this: each character has a meme! Check them out here. These memes were originally written by our very own Ryan Corrigan, the co-author of Book 2, and posted on this very blog last year - so this isn't exactly a new update, but it makes it much easier to find them.

For more of Ryan's...unique...brand of humor, check out here...or here...or especially here.

New Character Pics! Check them out!

noreply@blogger.com (Christian M. Frank) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:56:00 +0000

Hey guys, since we're done book 3 we have time to give the website a much-overdue makeover! Lots of new stuff will be added.. but for now, check out the character pages! There's several new pics of each of the students at JP2High, along with some...interesting...commentary by the students themselves! My personal favorite is James.

You can see all the rest here.
Stay tuned for more!

So the Book is done...

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 22:06:00 +0000

...so what now? Well, lots. First of all, this book is awesome. That's what everyone who has read it tells me. However, there's still a lot of post-production work to be done. Editing...cutting...thinking of a cool title (NOT "Protestant for the Summer") and promotion and such. So it looks like y'all have to wait just a little bit longer for the final product. All of this delay is just standard for publishing, by the way. But rest assured that all of us on the team are working as quick as we can to get the book out to you.

Location:Alan Wood Rd,Plymouth,United States

BOOK 3 IS DONE!

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 17:18:00 +0000

Hey guys and gals. Guess what? Book 3 is done!

Unfortunately, neither a title nor a publishing date is available, but rest assured that both should appear shortly (RIGHT, Series Queen?)

The Book Club Notes are Here!

noreply@blogger.com (regina doman) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:02:00 +0000

After what seems like forever (at least to those of us who worked so hard on it!) the Book Club Notes for Catholic Reluctantly are available at last!

And they are FREE. Yes, if you want your very own discussion guide for Book One, all you have to do is click here and download it. Make as many copies as you need to for your group, and have fun reading and discussing!

We'd wanted to create this guide for a long time, because we have been hearing from Catholic school teachers who want just such a resource so they can use the book in their classrooms. Now it's here, at last!

So-- hey, tell your friends. Tell your youth group leaders. Tell your teachers. Wouldn't it be great it this was your assigned summer reading? Now's your chance to lobby for it!

Another great review of TAU

noreply@blogger.com (Token "Teenager") — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:40:00 +0000

From some fabulous people. Take a look!
http://joes-everything-blog.blogspot.com/2009/10/stalkers-mystery-and-catholic-school.html

Review of Tresspasses

noreply@blogger.com (Token "Teenager") — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:18:00 +0000

Check out a new review of Tresspasses Against Us at A Helping Hand! Here is the link:
http://ahelpinghand2.blogspot.com/2009/10/catholic-company-book-review-jp2-high.html

Great review of TAU at Catholic Ponderings...

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:10:00 +0000

Check this one out, seriously. A great review with some really good insights.

+Catholic Ponderings+: Book Review - Catholic Teen Fiction: "Trespasses Against Us"

And this one ain't bad either:

Home Scribbles: Book Review: Trespasses Against Us

Christian Frank hits the big screen

noreply@blogger.com (John Doman) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:02:00 +0000

A couple of weeks I did an interview on Catholic TV regarding the JP2 Novels. Check it out!

In the Catholic Spotlight

noreply@blogger.com (regina doman) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:51:00 +0000

Check out this fun interview I did with Chris Cash and Catholic Spotlight for Catholic Company today. We talked about the Fairy Tale Novels, editing books for Sophia Institute Press, and John Paul 2 High. I had a bit of a cold when I gave the interview, but aside from the hoarseness, I think I did okay. Click here to listen.

I also mentioned two new books that I edited for Sophia Institute Press, Bleeder, and the on-the-verge-of-being-published Awakening. I'll be spotlighting both books myself later on this week. Enjoy!

Book 2: It's HERE.

noreply@blogger.com (regina doman) — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:32:00 +0000

Order it now.

And don't kill me when you finish it: all I can say is, Christian Frank is working hard on Book 3. :)

Trespasses Against Us: Pre-order Book Two!

noreply@blogger.com (regina doman) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:14:00 +0000

It's here. At last.

I am pleased to announce the second installment in a book series that's very close to my heart, John Paul 2 High Book Two: Trespasses Against Us. The saga of seven students in a Catholic start-up school and their tempestuous relationship to the massive secular school next door continues and intensifies. As Series Creator (and as you know, I prefer the title Series Queen) I have to say I think this is even better that Book One, Catholic Reluctantly. More suspense. More action. More craziness. More Catholic truth.

Celia Costain finds it tough being thought of as the perfect principal's daughter at John Paul 2 High. Being Catholic has never been easy, but now Celia’s friends are all dating and say she’s uptight. Celia can deal with that, but how can she relax with someone stalking her friend Allie?
And no one will tell her what’s really going on!

So click here to pre-order the book! It won't arrive in time for Easter, alas, but you could always ask your parents to order it for you and put a note in your Easter basket saying it's coming!

Trespasses Against Us - Coming April 2009!!

noreply@blogger.com (regina doman) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Yes, Book Two of John Paul 2 High is almost here: Trespasses Against Us was just sent to the publisher for proofing last night! We're still working on the cover photo, or I'd post it here for us. I really hope fans enjoy this book: Christian Frank has pulled it off again, and I think this book is even better than the first one! It chronicles George Peterson's "descent into darkness" as he starts seeking revenge against his enemy, Tyler Getz. Meanwhile, Celia Costain is trying to deal with the effects of dating as the school splits up into couples -- and she's not allowed to date. So more tension, more craziness, and more Catholic truth -- coming soon at John Paul 2 High!

Stay tuned for the cover and Chapter One -- coming soon!

No Delays for Book Two~!

noreply@blogger.com (regina doman) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:04:00 +0000

BTW to answer some concerns, a message was accidentally sent out from Sophia Press to the effect that Book 2 will not be out for another six months. I am pleased to say that we plan to have the book out a lot sooner than that! But as for a firm date, I don't have that yet. Let's just say we will be working as hard as we can to get it into your hands around Eastertime. Pray for us!

CR Review!

noreply@blogger.com (regina doman) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Against-All-Heresies gave a cracking review of Catholic, Reluctantly, the first book in the John Paul 2 High series I created for Catholic teens. Though the book is not written by me, I am its proud midwife. Here's a section of that review....

You really should order it here. You will not be sorry.

...I enjoyed reading them just as much as my daughters did. This book does not shy away from real issues. There are no pollyannas here. The characters are so real that you want to reach out and text them. Or IM them. They are people you would like to have as friends. They are people we would like our teenagers to be and maybe people that we wish we had been. Read More...

BTW to answer some concerns, a message was accidentally sent out from Sophia Press to the effect that Book 2 will not be out for another six months. I am pleased to say that we plan to have the book out a lot sooner than that! But as for a firm date, I don't have that yet. Let's just say we will be working as hard as we can to get it into your hands around Eastertime. Pray for us!