New/Upcoming Publication News & New Cover Designs

With the publication of Joe Benjamin's Silly Billy and Ducky Dee through my press, my self-publishing workshop over, and the Indie Author & Book Fair done and gone it's time to turn my attention back to my own work. That is the work of writing, editing and designing stuff that is my own.

Some of you may know that I've been casually working on new cover designs for some of my older books. Actually, I've been working on a new cover for Rocketman: From the Trailer Park to Insomnia and Beyond and now have the concept design finalized. I just have to complete the final art. That should take about a day.

I'm also doing up an omnibus of my three Bayou Boys books (Voodoo Virus, Marsh Monster and Playhouse Phantom). That means I'm compiling all three books into one volume, titled simply The Bayou Boys. I'm working on the cover for that. I came up with four designs and sought opinions and comments. My readers and fellow authors supplied and they definitely ruled out one of the four, but, as yet, I have no clear consensus on the remaining three. LOL I do have one I'm leaning toward, though (see the concept art below).

When I do finally and firmly know which cover I'll go with I'll have to complete the final art, compile the texts and format the interior. That's a good solid week's work. (BTW: I have no plans at this time to complete the fourth Bayou Boys Adventure, Alien Ambush.) I have begun work on the interior layout as of this writing.

Finally, I'm working toward completion of Chicken Poop on My Sole. I still need a couple stories and I have a cover design that needs fleshed out and completed. I have begun formatting the interior, but that, too, needs work. Should I get those stories in (Might you have one you'd like to submit?) I could be done inside two weeks.

All in all, I'm looking to complete these projects before the end of May. Chicken Poop is slated to be released on Memorial Day weekend.

I'm not sure what the summer will bring yet. I do have a humorous short story that I'm looking into possibly making into a graphic novel or something, but haven't really decided what to do with it. I might just put it into another anthology.

You can read it here.

I do plan to write more short works: articles, personal essays, short fiction, and poetry. Sure, I have ideas for novels, but I'm not sure that's what I want to pursue right now.

An Interview with Joe Benjamin, Author of the Book "Silly Billy & Ducky Dee"

Author Joe Benjamin

You have a new book (your first) out; what’s it about? 

It's Silly Billy & Ducky Dee, a book about friendship...with a twist. It's 2016 and it's about time someone came up with a children's book that had a rapping duck in it, and since no one else had thought about it I decided to write it myself!

Why write about that? 

It's something new and hip. Hip Hop is everywhere from radio, newspapers, tabloids, word of mouth and TV. Might as well put a friendly spin on it!

Why did you chose a rap format?

To be different. I don't want to be the average Joe [lol]. I want to be Joe Benjamin, the author who revolutionized children's books!

What inspired you to write a book?

My dad [that would be this blog's author] always told me do what you love to do. I never really thought about it until last year. I like to write raps/poems and I never did anything with my talents. 

My mom and dad both have degrees in writing and they both do it for a living, I figured it must be in my blood, so I just let fate take over and determine whether or not I'm going to be a success. We shall see.

How did you find the process? Was it more or less than what you expected?

I tend to think things over. So, I thought it would be way harder than it was. But my dad "held my hand" the whole way and made it simple.

Do you think you might write another? Any ideas floating around in your head? If so, what are they? 

Yes, I plan to at least write two more. The next one may be titled Silly Billy and Ducky Dee Visit the Big City. Keep your eyes peeled and your wallets open!

What are some of your favorite books?

My favorite types of books are adventure stores (but non fiction, too). I like to feel as though this could happen to me. As far as children's books Dr. Seuss, Berenstain Bears, and joke books were my favorite growing up!

Tell us about yourself. 

I come from a family of ten; two sisters, five brothers, my mom and dad. I was raised on a twenty acre farm in Clark County, Washington with just about every farm animal you can think of, for most of my life. I was home-schooled and learned how to farm, garden and work hard.

I also lived in Florida and Colorado and now reside in central California. I like camping, mud races, flipping houses and not having to do farm chores. 

What advice would you give to other would-be authors? 

Don't second-guess yourself.. Like Nike said, "Just do it!"

Silly Billy & Ducky Dee has numerous five star reviews on Amazon. You can buy it there or ask for it wherever books are sold. You can find and follow Joe Benjamin on Facebook.

New Author Joe Benjamin Releases First Book

Illustrated by Matthew Boffemmyer

It is my honor to announce the release of the first book by new author Joe Benjamin of Fresno, California. It is my honor because he is my son.

The new children's book, Silly Billy & Ducky Dee, is the story of Silly Billy, a lonely boy, who discovers a new friend in Ducky Dee, a rapping MC. Pretty simple stuff about friendship, but told using urban rhyme.

CLICK AN IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The book is nicely illustrated by his pal, Matthew Boffemmyer, using pen and colored pencil. Some of the artwork has been left uncolored in this "color me more" edition, so that readers can add their own touches.

The official book launch will take place 12:30 to 3 p.m., April 10, at the Cannon Beach Indie Author & Book Fair. Both the author and illustrator will be signing at the event that will showcase about two dozen indie authors from around the northwest.