Blake Hoena's Blog
September 1, 2023
Two New Ghostly Graphic Novels
Is it too early to talk about Halloween?
Because I just received comp copies of my latest graphic novels, and they fit perfectly into that scariest time of year.
The Deadly Bell Witch Ghost is a classic ghost story that dips back into the early 1800s. John Bell moved his family to the Red River area of Tennessee. Not long after, a strange apparition began to haunt them. At first the specter’s antics, from appearing as phantom shapes to making strange noises, seemed harmless. But over time, the ghost’s actions grew more and more sinister.
The Voyage of the Flying Dutchman is a spooky tale that dives even further back in history—to the 1600s. According to legend, Captain Hendrick van der Decken attempted to sail around the Cape of Good Hope during a storm. His ship, the Flying Dutchman did not survive the squall—or did it? There have since been reports of a ghost ship sailing the Seven Seas. Many who have crossed paths with the ghoulish Flying Dutchman have suffered horrible fates.
The post Two New Ghostly Graphic Novels first appeared on Blake Hoena.
February 22, 2023
Miracle On Ice
Back on this date in 1980, one of the greatest moments in American sports occurred—the miracle on ice! The U.S. Olympic hockey team beat the Russians to move onto the gold medal game. The Russian team had won gold in the last four Olympics, so were heavily favored, but U.S. team captain Mike Eruzione scored on a power play with minutes left in the game to put the Americans up 4-3.
In my graphic novel Lake Placid Miracle, I capture the story leading up to the U.S. Olympic team winning gold.
The post Miracle On Ice first appeared on Blake Hoena.
January 31, 2023
The Amazing Journey from Comets to Ocean
My latest graphic novel, The Shocking Journey from Comets to Oceans, was a hoot write. It gave me an opportunity to flex my funny bone, poking fun at Pluto and making Uranus jokes, while also presenting a scientific theory about how water ended up on our big blue home—it was comets!
Summary: Discover the origins of water on Earth . . . with a talking comet! In this full-color graphic novel, an enthusiastic comet speeds through the universe, from the far reaches of space to planet Earth. Along the way, this rocketing rock reveals how our precious blue planet became, well, blue!
The post The Amazing Journey from Comets to Ocean first appeared on Blake Hoena.
January 18, 2023
Cumberland Middle School
Yesterday I was invited to Cumberland Middle School in my home state of Wisconsin. Must admit, it was heartwarming walking into the cafeteria to see Fuel to Play 60 posters featuring one of my favorite Green Bay Packers— Kicker Mason Crosby.
I was there to talk to students about creating graphic novels. It was fun introducing them to Eek & Ack, characters from my first graphic novel series. I used these space aliens brothers to show my writing process and some of the steps artists go through to illustrate graphic novels. Then we created our own one-page comics.
Quite an enjoyable day!
The post Cumberland Middle School first appeared on Blake Hoena.
January 2, 2023
Bucket List Guides to Summer and Food
The start of a new year is a time of resolutions and making exciting plans for the year ahead—perfect timing for the release of my latest books.
—The Bucket List Guide to Summer
—The Bucket List Guide to Food
These titles are for both thrill seekers and foodies. They aim to help young readers come up with ideas for fun activities, whether they are looking to fill their summer with thrills or tickle their taste buds with something yummy.
These guides are easy-reading and encourage young readers to create a bucket list of activities they would like to try. Then, each new experience can be checked off when complete. They will have a record of their achievements—something they can look back on fondly.
The post Bucket List Guides to Summer and Food first appeared on Blake Hoena.
December 24, 2022
Jólabókaflóð
What is that?
Jólabókaflóð is an Icelandic tradition of gifting books on Christmas Eve and then spending the night reading. Hot chocolate is often thrown into the mix as it’s cold outside.
What I’m reading? The Ogress and the Orphan by MN author Kelly Barnhill. Her book was a finalist for the National Book Awards in young’s people literature. It’s a wonderful tale very analogous to our world today.
My dog Ty also is fond of this new tradition we’ve discovered.
The post Jólabókaflóð first appeared on Blake Hoena.
November 8, 2022
Hello from Iceland
We’re getting to see many incredible sights on our Icelandic vacation, but one of the things I love most about being here is learning how folklore is such a big part of the culture. Almost every natural landmark has a story, like the Brimketill lava rock pool on the Reykjanes peninsula.
Brimketill means “white-water cauldron,” which is understandable from the picture. Well, the troll Oddny and her family lived near this pool. One night, she took a dip in the water, but she stayed too long. The sun rose and turned her to stone. The crashing waves of the ocean eventually washed her away. Brimketill is called Oddynyjarlaug, or Oddyny pool.
Suddenly, I am inspired to write stories about trolls!
The post Hello from Iceland first appeared on Blake Hoena.
October 30, 2022
Books 2 & 1 to Halloween
These interactive books I wrote were released just this summer. And both focus on American cryptids.
The legend of the Jersey Devil was born back in the 1700s when Mother Leeds cursed her 13th child, saying, “Let this one be the devil.” To this day it lurks about the Pine Barrens in NJ.
The Mothman was first rumored to have been seen in the fall of 1966, near Point Pleasant, WV. Since then, people have claimed to have seen the winged monster around the world, most often just before a tragic event.
October 29, 2022
Book 3 to Halloween
The discovery of King Tut’s Tomb was an amazing find. It held priceless, historical treasures, but was it protected by the curse of the pharaohs?
Bad luck and death followed those who first entered the fabled tomb.
October 28, 2022
Book 4 to Halloween
The haunting of John Bell and his family is a classic American ghost story. Set in Tennessee’s Red River Valley, it began back in the early 1800s with the sightings of some strange creatures and led to the mysterious death of John Bell.
People can still visit the cave where the Bell Witch was (is) believed to dwell … if they are brave enough.
