ONLINE CHAT WITH THE SHACK AUTHOR

Abunga.com, the family- friendly bookstore, is hosting a free online chat with William Paul Young, author of the No. 1 New York Times best-selling book, "The Shack," on Oct. 22 as a part of the weekly "Authors at Abunga" chat series.

"This novel has created a big buzz among readers," said Abunga.com Chairman Lee Martin. "Our online chat will give people the chance to ask their questions directly to Mr. Young and learn his thoughts and inspiration behind the story."

Young, a Canadian-born son of missionaries, wrote the novel as a personal story for his six children, and never intended it to be for public consumption. Since its debut on the market, "The Shack" has sky-rocketed to success, landing in the No. 1 spot on several trade paperback fiction best-seller lists.

The fictional redemptive story revolves around Mackenzie Allen Phillips, whose daughter is tragically abducted during a family vacation. Shortly after, evidence of her murder is found in an abandoned shack.

Four years later Phillips receives a note, supposedly from "God," inviting him back to the shack. Accepting the offer, even against his better judgment, Phillips experiences an unexpected encounter that will forever change his life. For more information, visit http://Abunga.com/FeaturedAuthorYoung.

The Abunga.com online chat will take place from 2- 3 p.m. EDT on Oct. 22 at http://Abunga.com/AuthorsAtAbunga. Questions are currently being accepted at the "Authors at Abunga" Web page and will also be taken during the chat. An archive of the chat will be available at Abunga.com on the following day for those unable to attend.

"Many people may not have the opportunity to attend an event with Mr. Young and hear him speak about his book," Martin said. "But the Abunga.com online chat format allows anyone with Internet access the opportunity to join in, and we hope people will take advantage of this."

Abunga.com is an online bookstore founded to provide families a protected shopping environment. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Abunga.com offers safety with more than 2 million family-friendly titles; savings through distributor-direct prices; and support to nonprofit organizations by donating 5 percent of each transaction to a customer- selected charity. For more information, visit www.Abunga.com.