Soon, Kathryn Smith’s photo wll be replaced by a silhouette (we miss you, Kate!). Kathryn’s writing is taking her in exciting new directions, and her schedule coupled with blogging was just too much.  While we hated to see Kathryn go, we’re thrilled to bring another great author on board as the latest Jaunty Quill.

Her name is…

Well, I can’t tell you yet.

All of the Jaunties are excited about this author and we can’t wait for her debut blog.  But we’re not going to tell you who she is right away. We’re going to let you guess! And the best part is we’re going to reward you for guessing!

So Ta-Da!!!  The Guess the Jaunty contest begins September 1st and runs through the month of September.

Here’s how it’ll work.  Our secret Jaunty Quill will blog periodically in September, giving you hints as to who she is. Each time she blogs, we want our readers to post a comment guessing her identity.

Everyone who guesses will be entered to win a gift certificate for $50 to Amazon.com. Those who guess correctly will also be entered to win a signed copy of a book from each of us (that’s 12 signed books!). In the unlikely event that no one guesses correctly, the first person who is randomly chosen from our secret Jaunty Quill’s posts will win and get to choose her prize.

Fun, huh?  We’ll reveal the new Jaunty’s name, and the winners on Sunday, October 2nd. So visit us all through the month of September, and don’t forget to comment on all of those Guess the Jaunty blogs to enter the contest!

Oh, one last hint, but promise you won’t tell the other Jaunties I’m telling you this.  Are you one of Jaunty Quills’s Facebook friends? Jaunty, our resident porcupine mascot, has all the inside scoop. Friend him for additional hints and for the head’s up on when a Guess the Jaunty blog is coming.

Good luck everyone!