WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL BLOG SITE FOR THE TEEN FICTION NOVEL, SPEEDSUIT POWERS!

SPEEDSUIT POWERS is now available on Amazon Kindle!  BUY Speedsuit Powers  HERE!!!

PREVIEW CHAPTER 1 HERE!

Author, Allen Paul Weaver III has been working hard to give you an amazing story that you won’t be able to put down! This book has been a long time coming and there were a few obstacles in the way - but that’s life, right?  Life’s about navigating through and around obstacles while we press towards our dreams of becoming people of significance.  Nothing comes easy… not even writing a novel.  But that’s part of the adventure!

We’re still adding content to this site.  Take a look around.  Thanks for stopping by and keep coming back. Read the book that is starting a phenomenon! Help spread the word.

-The Speedsuit Powers Team-

A FATHER’S DAY IMPACT

Towards the end of last year, I watched CNN’s Black In America 2 on television. There were many stories about African Americans making a difference in their community.  One such story was the work that Entertainer, Comedian & Author Steve Harvey does to reach and mentor 100 minority boys during the Father’s Day weekend. (These boys are raised by their mothers in single-parent households.)  As I watched and listened, I asked, “How can I make a difference in the lives of African American adolescent boys? How can I help ensure that they grow up to be productive members of society—men who make a positive impact on their families, community and the world?” My answer came in the realization that the teen fiction novel I had just written, Speedsuit Powers, could play a role in providing a solution. In it, both the protagonist and antagonist are fatherless - but for very different reasons - and are struggling to find their place in the world.

HAPPY FATHERLESS DAY…

Fatherlessness is a grim reality for many young people across America.  According to the article entitled, “Fatherless Day” from the May/June issue of Relevant Magazine, “Children without fathers are five times more likely to live in poverty and commit crime, nine times more likely to drop out of schools and 20 times more likely to end up in prison…  An estimated one out of three American households with children are single-parent, and usually mother-only, homes. That’s an estimated 25 million fatherless kids…    The epidemic of fatherlessness causes a strain on young lives and leaves many young men with the burden of trying to figure out how to be a good man without any solid examples to look to” (p 75).

Father’s Day is fast approaching and for many young boys it’s a reminder that they are fatherless. But with your participation, we can take action to help counteract this negative reality.  Speedsuit Powers is helping adolescent youth and their parents.  As a result, the Speedsuit Powers Book Gifting Program has been created. This program, through sponsors who purchase copies to be gifted, serves as a way to get Speedsuit Powers into the hands of at-risk youth who would not be able (or willing) to purchase the book on their own.

A BOOK AND A DREAM…

With the help of several sponsors, a limited number of gifted Speedsuit Powers books have been made available for a Father’s Day Special.  If you know an African American boy (age 11-18) who is without a father, you can have a gifted copy of Speedsuit Powers mailed to him at no cost to you.  This will let him know that even though his father is not around, his life is still important and valued by others.  It is our hope that Speedsuit Powers will help inspire, motivate and educate African American boys towards their God-given dreams.

To have a gifted copy of Speedsuit Powers mailed out to the young man you have in mind; go to www.speedsuitpowers.com. Click on the Book Gifting page and enter the following information: (In the first two boxes) enter your name and email. (And in the large comment box) enter your contact information,  the young man’s name, age, grade and mailing address.

PLEASE LIMIT ONE COPY PER HOUSEHOLD. OFFER ENDS SUNDAY JUNE 13th. GOOD WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. USA ONLY.

Here’s a time-lapse video of me using Photoshop to color in a drawing of Curtis Powers, the protagonist of Speedsuit Powers.

Here’s a segment of Allen Paul Weaver III’s  interview on the Open Show, hosted by Daren Jaime.

THE OPEN SHOW

Speedsuit Powers was on the “Open” show—hosted by Daren Jaime!  It’s amazing how fast a 10-15 minute interview goes on television. It was over just as things were getting good.  My stomach was churning and my mouth was drying out as my segment approached; me…the guy who has shot hundreds of hours of video from Africa to China, produced interviews for various clients and coached them to be comfortable in front of the camera… I was nervous. As they turned on my microphone and did sound checks, I could hear my heart pounding.  It’s different being in front of the camera on a live show where they can’t edit out your mistakes.

(”Open” host: Daren Jaime and author, Allen Paul Weaver III)

KEEP PRESSING FORWARD…

But I prayed and pressed forward, remembering not to look at the cameras, but to focus on the discussion, listen to Daren Jaime’s questions and comments, and speak from my heart about the issues.  This is how someone avoids a ‘crash and burn’ in front of a television audience of thousands, the crew, and the other invited quests.

(Daren Jaime and Allen Paul Weaver III discuss ways to impact youth)

After discussing the storyline of Speedsuit Powers, the motivation behind the book, the cover artwork, the rising tide of school bullying and what the community can do to make a difference in the lives of our youth—the result was a room full of people who were excited to know more about my book, me as an author and ways to make an impact.  Several people shared stories about youth they felt would benefit from this epic urban adventure called Speedsuit Powers.

(Assistant, Bharati Kemiaj and host, Daren Jaime presented with their copy of Speedsuit Powers)

A FIRST AMONG MANY…

This was my first television interview for anything created by my heart, mind and hands. It was humbling.  One of the greatest things I learned during this experience was that, an interview is over quick—so live in the moment.  Be there in the discussion; because afterwards you will have to continue to live on purpose.  So take every moment and don’t try to forecast into the future. Just be there and enjoy the ride.

Several opportunities have already presented themselves because I showed up to a single interview, pressed through my fear and spoke from my passion to impact lives and bring hope.  Who knows where things will lead?  I’m just grateful to God for being able to have this opportunity. 

(Invited guests of “Open”: musician/actor, political analyst, author, filmmaker, Census Bureau reps)

(crew and guests of “Open” 11.18.09)

-Allen Paul Weaver III-