Memo

To: Creative Writing Instructors
From: Derek Gurr
Date: Monday, March 24, 2025
Subject: New Platform for Creative Writing Instructors: Flyland Chronicles

Dear Creative Writing Educator,

You know better than anyone that stories do more than entertain—they captivate, they motivate, they challenge, they inspire, and they connect. That is the premise upon which I designed my capstone project. I intend to revolutionize how we create and engage with stories.

The Flyland Chronicles began as a middle-grade fantasy series, but my hope is that it can become more than that. I want it to be a template for how stories can be told in a way that is more accessible and that challenges readers, students, and families to become co-creators in the worlds they love.

The Flyland Chronicles website provides free online access to my first novel in the series (both in text and audio format), as well as an ever-expanding repository of character bios, media, writing resources, and activities. Future stories will also be available for free on the website.

Current Features

Free text and audio for Santiago the Seer: The Pearls of Prescott. (Print is also available for purchase at $6.50 for B&W and $13 for color),

4 related activities, which correspond to each chapter of the book. These are largely designed to encourage readers to separate from their screens,

13 character bios,

5 location descriptions,

Community Content Creation Guidelines.

Future features

Creative and collaborative tools.

Screen use limitations.

A mobile application.

Spoiler-hiding tools.

A Better World

I believe connection through creation can help us build better worlds—both fictional and real. My hope is that this project will help you, your students, and others make this happen.

All features of the platform are free to use, although donations are accepted. The bookstore allows you to purchase print copies at what I hope is an affordable rate.

This is an ongoing project and feedback is welcome. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at info@flylandchronicles.org.

Thank you!
Derek