D.K. Brantley's Blog

During September, all proceeds from I’m 13 Years Old And I Changed The World will be donated to Team Cure, a nonprofit organization created by high schoolers that sends care packages to childhood cancer fighters.

To increase awareness of childhood cancer, September has been designed Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. As pediatric cancer is the number one cause of death by disease in the United States of America, it is vital that clinical trials and other research continue pushing ahead to help young boys and girls fight cancer. 

Thanks to advanced cancer therapy options, there are more pediatric cancer survivors than ever. But still, another child receives a cancer diagnosis every two minutes, and every one brings about fear and uncertainty.

What does this have to do with a children’s book writer? 

The Young Cancer Warrior Next Door

A few years ago, I was working on my second middle-grade fiction book, I’m 13 And I Changed The World. Whereas I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World handles the tough subjects of marital and money problems, this one has a different angle that is just as difficult to swallow.

In this book, Big Mike is facing something even bigger than himself. The goofy and beloved ogre of a middle school kid has cancer. 

Growing up, I didn’t have much firsthand experience with childhood cancer. I knew a couple kids who had cancer during childhood, but I wasn’t particularly close to them. As a result, I didn’t see the side effects of chemo up close and personal until years later when cancer cells attacked my grandmother, who was living with me and my family. 

Right around the time I finished writing and editing and editing and writing, a young man named Dylan, who attended my daughters’ school, was diagnosed with a bone cancer called osteosarcoma. 

It was heartbreaking news, and I felt helpless. I wanted to do something, but what? 

I couldn’t start a new research center or be part of the family’s health care team. 

I couldn’t boost his immune system to lessen the impact of whatever treatment options he was undergoing.

I couldn’t strong-arm the government into giving more funding for pediatric cancer research.

But I could sell books and donate the proceeds.

So I did what smart authors do (and I rarely do). I contacted my local paper to get some press. If I was going to make a donation, I needed as much support as possible.

They wrote a great piece, which helped raise more than $1,000 to help the Duncans with medical bills, utilities, food, or whatever else they needed. (Scan to the bottom for the story they wrote.)

Supporting Childhood Cancer Warriors beyond My Front Door

Since helping Dylan’s family, I’ve learned of a great organization with a heart for pediatric cancer and childhood cancer research. Founded by high school students, Team Cure spreads awareness about the need for cancer research and sends care packages across the world to children with cancer. 

For children forced to visit cancer centers and meet with oncology groups, these care packages offer a much-needed infusion of hope. These bits of hope instantly cheer up young cancer patients and lets them know people care and are supporting them in their cancer fight. Because no matter if a child is battling neuroblastoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, brain cancer, or another type of childhood cancer, finding joy and hope along the way is essential.

What will it take to end pediatric cancer and all cancer? More people who understand the need for research and are willing to put their money where their mouth is. What does it take to encourage a youngster battling childhood cancer? You can do it for $5.99. 

Because this September, I am donating all proceeds from I’m 13 Years Old And I Saved The World to Team Cure. So buy a book, enjoy a heartwarming read, and take comfort knowing your purchase will brighten a future cancer survivor’s day!

Buy Your Copy Here

Story below originally published in the Cleveland Daily Banner.

In D.K. Brantley’s first book, I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World (Sir Brody Books, $5.99), Adam Shannon Dakota Carr had to save his parents’ marriage by helping them fall in love again. In the follow-up book, I’m 13 Years Old And I Changed The World, Adam faces a deadly foe: cancer. And it’s attacking his best friend, Big Mike.

In the real world, rising seventh grade student Dylan Duncan is battling cancer. A student at Tennessee Christian Preparatory School in Cleveland, Tennessee, Dylan was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in May 2016. His mother, Becky Duncan, has since taken leave from work to care for Dylan, which has meant an immediate and drastic drop in family income.

“We’ve known the Duncan family for years,” Daniel said. “They’re very sweet people who are in a situation I can’t imagine. As soon as I heard about Dylan, I felt I had to do something to help.”

The way Daniel decided to help is by giving the Duncan family the first few months’ profit of his book sales. Until the end of 2016, all profit from every book Daniel sells—including his older works—will go to the Duncan family.

Vernon Duncan, Dylan’s father, told Daniel he hopes others will heed the lesson of the Duncans’ story. Initially, physicians diagnosed Dylan with severe growing pains. However, the Duncans felt something bigger was going on in Dylan’s body. So they sought additional testing, which led to Dylan’s diagnosis.

“Parents need to follow their God-given instincts and not rely solely on medical professionals, because sometimes they get it wrong,” Vernon said. “The surgeon at Vanderbilt said she had never seen this type of cancer caught this early before, and the oncologist told us that if we’d relied on the first specialist, Dylan’s cancer would have spread within six months and we may have gotten a much different outcome!”

You can now pre-order D.K. Brantley’s new book, I’m 13 Years Old And I Saved The World (Sir Brody Books, $6.99), at Amazon.com. Prefer to help the Duncans without purchasing a book? Visit https://www.gofundme.com/23m4tf8 to make a gift of any amount.

And don’t forget to leave a review once you read it. That will help more folks find the book and buy it, leading to more money for the Duncans!

The post Support Childhood Cancer Patients This September appeared first on D.K. Brantley.

Middle school years should be a time of fun and exploration. During this time, adolescents are moving from the carefree days of their youth to ever-increasing responsibility. Well, most kids are.

Some kids don’t get that typical experience. Some live with learning disabilities and physical disabilities, and others are thrown the horrible curve ball of a cancer diagnosis.

No matter the type of cancer, it is always a serious, scary, and potentially life-threatening illness. Thanks to ongoing research by the American Cancer Society and others, children who battle cancer have a survival rate of 85 percent, and it’s improving every year.

But what about the other 15 percent? After struggling through cancer therapy, their parents are left without a child, their siblings without a little brother or big sister, their friends without a confidante. They may attend support groups, but no practical advice can bring their child, sibling, or friend back.

It’s heartbreaking, and while we often want to ignore such things, they happen every day.

So why write a book about childhood cancer? 

If childhood cancer is so scary, why write about it? Wouldn’t it be better to leave the hospital visits, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy for when kids become adults? 

No.

Because it’s real. Real children really suffer with cancer. They don’t get to wait until they grow up to come face to face with cancer. They’re forced to consider it now, and the kind thing is for other children to be by their side as they do.

More than likely, your child knows someone who has faced cancer. Because of this, it’s important for your children to realize that just because someone loses their hair or grows tired easily due to treatment, they’re still kids. 

They still have hopes and dreams. 

They still like fart jokes and pranks. 

They still think they can take on the world and don’t see themselves as helpless, pitiful victims. 

They see themselves as cancer survivors. Because despite the fear that a cancer diagnosis gives and the side effects of cancer treatment, young cancer patients have something all of us need more of: hope.

How Kids Can Help Friends Who Have Cancer

If your son or daughter has a friend with cancer, you may be wondering how to respond. How can your child best care for that friend?

Having empathy and sympathy for little cancer patients is essential. Equally as important is remembering that a little person with cancer is more than his cancer experience. 

Hence why one of the most important things children can do to help kids facing cancer is to visit them. Go see them in the hospital. Hang out with them at their homes. Play video games. Watch movies together. Laugh. Cry.

In other words, treat children with cancer like normal kids. 

That’s what goes on in my middle-grade book, I’m 13 Years Old And I Changed The World. When Adam’s friend, Big Mike, gets sick with cancer, Adam feels a need to save the day. Through the course of the book, Adam realizes that he can’t get rid of Mike’s cancer. He can, however, be a friend. So he does it with gusto!

As Big Mike sleeps off chemo treatment or codes on his way to wellness, Adam sits by Mike’s bed, makes jokes, reads to his pal. Because that’s what friends do.

Straight Talk about Loving Kids with Cancer

It’s not always easy or comfortable to hang out with suffering friends, but friendship isn’t a one-way street. When a child experiences hair loss from chemotherapy, she only wants one thing: normal life. 

Even with supporting families, Mom and Dad aren’t enough. Kids with cancer need friends. They need higher doses of friendship than chemotherapy. They need it to remember they’re normal and to maintain good mental health. Kids can do this by loving their friends. 

Throughout the entire book, Adam is that friend. As Mike battles cancer, Adam is by his side every step of the way. It’s a heartwarming story, but it’s more than that. It’s honest. Because while not a true story, it contains truth. This truth is that people need people, the same idea that runs through I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World.

Can a book help kids navigate childhood cancer?

While I’m 13 Years Old And I Changed The World may not find a cure for cancer (cancer research will hopefully do that soon), it reminds kids that every cancer—from a brain tumor to blood cancer, childhood to adult cancer—is a serious illness. And when kids are going through a cancer journey—which includes hospital stays, palliative care, recovery, and potential relapse—they’re still kids and want to be treated as such.

Want your child to see a picture of helping a friend through a cancer journey? Know a young girl with personal experiences with cancer who needs to know she’s not alone? Want to celebrate older children who are cancer survivors? I’m 13 Years Old And I Saved The World can meet all these goals. 

Have a child who is still reading picture books? Here is a great list of cancer-related picture books, including Is Cancer Contagious? by Vern Kousky. 

Curious about clinical trials, cancer survivorship, or health care for children with cancer? Visit the American Cancer Society.

The post A Middle Grade Book about Childhood Cancer? appeared first on D.K. Brantley.

From the dawn of time, mothers  have had special relationships with their children. And for many young readers, that relationship is captured perfectly in a picture book.

So I decided to write one myself.

Why? Aren’t there enough great books about moms and kids? Do little boys and little girls really need another sweet story that causes them to lunge at their mothers for hugs and kisses? Even if it’s a colorful book, a tender book for the littlest readers?

Whoa, there! You don’t have to tell me about how crazy I am. I realize Are You My Mother?, Llama Llama Misses Mama, and a million other books talk about this special relationship. I also realize you can grab a copy with nothing more than a library card. (A quick peek at “88+ Meaningful Children’s Books About Moms” makes that clear.)

But does that mean I shouldn’t have written Every Mummy Has a Mommy? I sure hope not. Because while there are plenty of sweet stories out there, from board books to full-blown novels, none of them has the flare of classic movie monsters.

Human Mamas Need Not Fear

So yes, this is a book about young children and their affection for their mothers. But it’s more than that. It’s the perfect book for fans of monsters. More specifically, parents who want vibrant illustrations of child-friendly monsters!

Don’t worry though. Every Mummy Has a Mommy won’t scare your little ones. It will, however, make your little boy and little girl want to give you countless hugs and kisses. So if you’re not interested in such things, keep your distance from this picture book.

Want all the snuggles your little one will give? Then grab this book!

Gift Book for Halloween & Beyond

Different and fun, Every Mummy Has a Mommy is the perfect gift for the mom who has everything. Especially for those mommies who love Halloween and dressing up their little people, but don’t want their tiny teeth to rot out from candy.

Actually, you could do all the parents in your neighborhood a favor by grabbing two dozen copies and handing this book out to trick-or-treaters. They’ll love that you gave them a sweet book that fits the season, and they’ll appreciate that it puts important things first: MOMMY!

Have adopted children? Adopted children are such a gift! This picture book is meant to celebrate all loving families and make story time extra fun for everyone. 

Still need another reason to put Every Mummy Has a Mommy on your book list? Readers’ Favorite gave the book a five-star rating. In case you’re wondering, that’s as good as it gets. To see what they had to say, you can read their complete review below. True story! So look below to see why a small picture book about the classic tale of the special bond between mother and child is becoming a favorite book among mothers and little ones alike.

5-Star Review from Readers’ Favorite 

This unique, appealing children’s book describes how important mothers are to all children—from mummy children to vampire, sea creature, and werewolf children. There are times when every child needs a comforting word or kiss, or a hug when frightened. While fathers are also acknowledged, the book’s focus is on the special relationship with everyone’s mommy. Author D. K. Brantley has written delightful rhyming verse in Every Mummy Has a Mommy. This modern-day version also includes a free mp3 where the author sings the words in the book. What fun this will be for children to hear!

The story’s illustrations by Rodrigo Paulo are beautifully drawn and will further stimulate a child’s imagination. A child can spend long periods of time studying each page, full of detailed and intriguing pictures. Among the mummies and other fanciful creatures, there is a little boy [child of Frankenstein’s monster & the Bride of Frankenstein] who receives his mother’s kisses every morning. This reiterates the fact that all species, including humans, benefit from a mother’s love. The rhyming verses will also appeal to young children, and parents will enjoy reading this book to them. Parents can use this book to discuss the gifts of family relationships and how people, animals, and other creatures show love to each other.  Every Mummy Has a Mommy , crafted by D. K. Brantley, is a story that children will want to hear over and over again—either being read by a parent or listening to the recording. A wonderful addition to a child’s library!

P.S. I realize it may sound like this book neglects another important family member (a.k.a. Dad), but take heart! This adorable book gives Dad his due, making sure the littlest readers don’t neglect Daddy-o.

The post A Monsterish Picture Book Celebrating the Special Relationship between Mother and Child appeared first on D.K. Brantley.

When you think of children’s books, you probably think about happy stuff. Carnivals, bicycles, pizza. And you should. Those topics deserve to be in books of all kinds—especially for kids! But sometimes, a hard topic like divorce belongs in a kids’ book.

Why?

Because divorce is part of many kids’ worlds. It is their everyday reality. And they need to realize they’re not alone.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. When I was writing my first middle-grade book I’m 12 Years Old And I Saved The World, I didn’t make the whole story up. Adam’s dad losing his job and Adam’s fear that his parents would get divorce is true. It’s my story.

If you’ve not read the book, I won’t tell you whether Adam’s parents got divorced. But mine did. And even though I was an adult when it happened, I was scared and sad. My world was changed forever.

As adults, we try to protect our children from the harsh realities of life. Instead of tackling hard topics head on, we sugarcoat them or avoid them altogether.

Unfortunately, doing this only makes life harder for kids. It confuses them. Because while they may be young and inexperienced, children are not dumb. They know when things are not as they should be.

This book admits that. It confirms that kids are smarter than adults often want to acknowledge. And I suspect this is why the book has found a special place in so many hearts.

To any kids with families that are struggling to stay together, stay strong. Remember that if your parents separate or get divorced, it is not your fault, and your parents don’t love you any less.

Struggling to believe this? Don’t keep these scary feelings inside! Tell someone about your pain. Find a close friend or relative, a counselor or neighbor to talk with.

The post Divorce in a Children’s Book? appeared first on D.K. Brantley.

I’ve been a bit busy lately, but wanted to celebrate the fact that The Only Magic Book You’ll Never Need has hit a number of milestones. One of the most exciting is that it’s the #1 New Release on Amazon.com in multiple categories!

At this moment, it’s the top release in Magic Games and the top release in Teen & Young Adult Theater.

What’s this mean?

It means people are loving the book! And it means it’s hard to pick an appropriate category for wacky books. Don’t believe me? Since it’s release, The Only Magic Book You’ll Never Need has been one of the top 10 books in Teen & Young Adult Extreme Sports. Yup. Extreme sports. That’s how dangerous this book is!

If you’ve not had a chance to pick up your copy, what are you waiting for? I’ve got kids to feed around here! And if you have the book, thank you, thank you, thank you! If you have a moment, please leave a review on Amazon to encourage other folks to pick it up. Otherwise, they won’t have the opportunity to laugh at the words and pictures that were created for that very purpose.

Again, thank you for making such an insignificant person feel like a rock star. I am eternally grateful.

It’s been years in the making, but my newest book, The Only Magic Book You’ll Never Need, is set to be released on April 1, 2019—a fitting day for a book that my publisher labels a giant April Fools’ trick. Do note that I highly disagree.

Inside the book, you’ll learn new techniques to many old tricks, and these new techniques will blow your mind. They’ll blow your mom’s mind. They’ll blow your dad’s mind. And unless your best friend is Houdini, it’ll blow your best friend’s mind. Unfortunately, if you aren’t competent, you’ll either cause severe injury to someone or ruin any relationships you have. That said, you should get a laugh out of it, so that counts for something, doesn’t it?

I’ve always been a fan of magic, whether in front of my face or on television. There’s something great about the mystery of it all that captures my imagination. After all, how often are we amazed in today’s day and age? With the Internet, a world of information is at our fingertips and resting inside our pockets, right beside three pennies and a ball of lint. But magic, at least for those who don’t use Google to uncover the secret to every illusion, is different. It’s an opportunity to be amazed. Sure, we know (for the most part) that magic relies less on dark forces and more on sleight of hand and misdirection, but for me, that’s what makes it magical. That someone works so  hard at the craft that normal people can’t figure out how a trick was done, regardless of how many times it’s performed.

That said, if anyone can do the tricks in this book, I’ll be impressed. Because they’re built for only the most magical of individuals. And they’re highly dangerous.

Did I really test out the methods in this book? Will doing these tricks in these ways honestly push you into the magical spotlight, never to be surpassed by anyone who comes after you? You’ll have to read the book to find out. Just know that if the book makes you scratch your head, feel free to laugh. In fact, that may be the most magical response possible.

The Only Magic Book You’ll Never Need is now available for pre-order! So get off this website and go order it at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or Books-A-Million.

Yes, I know. The site is miserable. Well, it all started with somebody hacking into it and…well, it’s back up now, but I lost everything on it and can’t figure out how to get pictures to get on the site. Fingers crossed it gets resolved soon. Until then…

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Write a book? You’re not done yet. You’ll need to edit it. But don’t go about it haphazardly. If you have a process, it will ensure the best possible editing and keep you moving to the finish line.

Here’s my process.

Step 1: Write the first draft. This is the fun part, so enjoy!

Step 2: Give it breathing room. I ignore a book at least two or three weeks before starting the editing process. This gives a little distance and makes it possible to come at it with fresh eyes.

Step 3: Read through the book cutting words, fixing tense issues, correcting grammar and spelling, and remedying story problems.

Step 4: Break time! That’s right—get away from the book for a while…again. Do some reading or work on another writing project. Just distance yourself from the book.

Step 5: Grab that book and read through it again, fixing whatever other problems linger. For me, this is typically when I do the heavier lifting.

Step 6: You ought to have it pretty smooth by now, so read through it quickly, looking for more places that need fixing.

Step 7: Get your writing and editing friends to read it. If they’re willing, have them suggest edits and point out holes in the story or character development.

Step 8: Take their suggestions for what they’re worth. The book is yours, so you have the final say. But if you’re going to totally ignore what other people say about the book, there is no reason to get them involved.

Step 9: Read your book again. Yes, it seems excessive, but I guarantee there are still problems with it.

Step 10: Find an editor who you’ve got to pay to edit your book. Send over your manuscript and get ready to wait. Your book is certainly your top priority, but your editor is likely busy on other projects. Besides, you don’t want your book returned in a day, as that means it took a single day to be edited.

Step 11: Review the edits, incorporate the ones you find useful, then give it a final read on your own. This one should be a fun reading, just letting the story carry you along. Of course, if you see problems, fix them. Otherwise,  keep moving!

Step 12: Take it away! Plan to pitch to an agent? This is the time. Want to go about the publishing process on your own? It’s ready to go. Now you just need to find a cover artist and someone else who can lay the book out for you.

Step 13: Celebrate! Then go tell folks about your book!

Once you hit this final step, things get difficult. At least for me. Because the fun part in my perspective is everything leading to publication. The rest is marketing. While I don’t mind spreading the word about someone else’s great stuff, tooting my own tiny horn makes me uncomfortable. Not that I don’t do a little tooting, but I typically avoid a hard sell, because—well, there are too many books out there to insist someone NEEDS to read my books. No one necessarily needs to read my books. Would they enjoy them? Benefit from them? Hopefully. And when that happens, I chalk it up as mission: accomplished.

At church, an older fellow named Jim has a pat answer to the question of how he’s doing.

“Better than I deserve,” he says with a smile.

When I think about my writing career, the same is true. It got started when I was in college, trying to figure out how I could use words to say something that needed to be said. Something I felt inside that wanted so desperately to get out.

The big start came when my creative writing teacher invited me to her writing group. No, I wasn’t made an official member. But she asked me to attend one of their eye-opening meetings.

Before the meeting, I was pretty sure I was the best writer ever. There were some as good, but none better. Then I read a poem by Rufus. He wore overalls, spoke slowly, wrote beautifully. There were no frills. No pretension. Just one word after another that was just in place.

When it was time for my piece to be reviewed, I wanted to run and hide. I was a lightweight in the ring with a group of heavyweight champions. And my boxing gloves didn’t fit.

Scared as I was, it was a transformative meeting. Not only did I get put in my place, but I also learned how to graciously give and receive feedback. All the others, while many years  my senior and light years beyond my writing infancy, were thoughtful and kind as they commented on one another’s work and then mine. Their advice was concrete and useful, holding the power to actually improve my writing.

I didn’t realize how fortunate I was until I looked them up. They’ve all continued writing and doing whatever else life requires of them. As I look at their commitment to writing and supporting other writers, I, too, like Jim can say with sincerity that I’m doing better than I deserve.

So the next time you’re asked how you’re doing, admit you’re doing better than you deserve. Because if you’re alive and you’re relatively self-aware, it’s true. Find success in writing or something else in life? Don’t forget—that success isn’t because you’re a great person. It’s because someone (or more likely, someones) gave you a hand and taught you how to do things well. In other words, you’re doing better than you deserve.