Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sunday Interview Week 16 on Aleza Freeman/Howard Freeman




What kind of book?

“Candy Store at the Edge of the Galaxy” is an edgy 36-page, full-color paperback for young readers, featuring 12 quirky poems and drawings encouraging imagination, friendship, tolerance and general silliness. There’s a fish with a feline-sized appetite … A strip poker swindling bear … A land where all the letters of the alphabet spell well together… A man with an uncanny photographic ability … And (of course) a candy store in space.
This is the first book from Las Vegas-based Big Doodle Head™, LLC, which I own along with my husband, Howard Freeman, a prolific mural artist and illustrator. As new parents, we I set out to create a book that our son will love, not only now, but even as he grows older.
The book can be purchased online at:

How long have you been writing?

I wrote my first poem about the many practical uses for a unicorn's horn in 2nd grade. I went on to study English in college and became a professional writer, working as a journalist for more than 10 years, and now as a copywriter.

Do you have previous publishing experiences?

This is my first book publishing experience, but I've had thousands of articles published in newspapers, magazines and online. And, of course, I have my poetry blog.

What is the cost of getting everything done?

Since we come conveniently equipped with a writer and an artist, and we chose to go the Print on Demand route, the costs have been very minimal.

Which part of the book you believe most charming to readers?

I think people are charmed that a married couple could pull off collaborating on a book without driving each other nuts. We both put a lot of our heart and soul into this book, and I think it's made our relationship stronger.
Also, the poems and the drawings really do seem to make people of all ages laugh, and I think we can all use a laugh these days!   
The following poems are printed with permission of Big Doodle Head™, Aleza Freeman and Howard Freeman:

The Relativity of Gardening

My precious flower garden
 
was invaded by hungry ants
That always seems to happen
 
when my uncle waters my plants

Alphabetland

For every letter from A to Z
there's always a match for U and ME.
Uppercase B and lowercase e
as one single unit are all they can Be.
It's A-OK if X loves X.
They walk hand in hand in alphabet land.
There once was a day when W met E.
They joined together and formed a WE.
Their love grew stronger as time passed by
and they became F-A-M-I-L-Y.
X's and O's. Tics, tacs, and toes.
Y some letters spell well, nobody knows.

Do you have a favorite author?

Like many people, I am inspired by the works of Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. I also love Dorothy Parker and Jane Austen. 

What’s your writing plan for the future?

This was only the first publication from Big Doodle Head™. We have several more books for young readers as well as a musical soundtrack currently in development. On our website, we offer free printable activity pages for kids (with many more to come). We look forward to reading our books to children, and inspiring their creativity.
  

Contact:
Aleza Freeman/Howard Freeman

PS: Aleza is a stellar poet and talented author for children, her husband is a supportive and brilliant illustrator/artist, please feel free to visit their book publishing company or her blog to have a taste of superb talent....Thanks for reading...

4 comments:

Unknown said...

awesome book for kids,

Mrs. and Mr. Freeman.
Thanks for gracing Bluebell Books.

Hyde Park Poetry Palace said...

glad to see how you create your book,
Aleza!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the kind words!

Anonymous said...

You'r precisely right on this writing...