1. What inspired you to write this book?
I was employed at a local public school district that celebrated
an annual Book Week at their elementary building. Each day of that week
featured a different speaker or presenter of children’s literature throughout
the entirety of the day. During one particular Book Week the person
responsible for scheduling events contacted me in a panic, disclosing that her
scheduled speaker for Wednesday had an unexpected emergency and would need to
cancel. She explained that she had heard I spent time writing and asked
if it was possible I could create something on the topic of reading and
substitute for the absent speaker. That was nearly midday Monday.
Bekunn’s Treasure was the result of that endeavor, the concept and text
completed over a 36-hour period. The year was 1987.
2. What exactly is it about and who is
it written for?
Bekunn (pronounced as “beacon”) is a little ogre that
lives in an ancient forest. One day Bekunn literally stumbles over an
unknown object during his daily walk. He and his forest friends attempt
to determine exactly what this mysterious thing could be. Wise Old Owl
comes forward and finally identifies it as a book, explaining what books are
and their purpose for being. Bekunn is originally designed to be read by
an adult with a child on their lap, however feedback from many relate that
beginning readers enjoy it as well. The book has become a great
supplemental tool for daycare centers and early learning facilities.
Along with the story is a section that presents an introduction to the
alphabet, providing an educational experience along with the entertainment of
the story. The teaching aspect is taken from the reading techniques in
hundred year old textbooks, a time when the basics of education were stressed
over those subjects considered less so.
3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your
book?
One, an expanded imagination. Imagination is the source of
innovation. Two, enjoyment and pleasure. Three, a connection or
bonding between the one reading, the one being read to, and a good story.
I recall the closeness and fondness I associate with my great-aunts
during the story times they shared with me a lifetime ago. I wish to
duplicate the warmth and wonder of my childhood experiences in some small way.
I did have a person contact me to let me know she had to read Bekunn to
her granddaughter 15 straight times the first night of acquiring the book!
She finally told her they better put Bekunn on the shelf and let him
rest. At least on this one occasion I felt I had accomplished what I
intended. The teaching section is an additional benefit that can be used
in tandem with the story, or stand alone as an educational exercise.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?
Both are a combined image of the main character along with the
“treasure” that was discovered. Treasure is generally defined
in monetary measures, however there are treasures we obtain in life that simply
can not be measured by financial parameters. Those types of treasures
become a precious and valuable part of our existence. Reading is one of
those treasures, in my humble opinion.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow
writers – other than run!?
Evaluate what your writing means to and FOR you. I have
written for as long as I can remember. (Someone once told me compulsive
writing is a form of epilepsy, although I have no clue or idea if that is true
or not! At least I APPEAR normal. *chuckle*) Writing has always
been an emotional outlet for me. It is in that release that I find its
value. I am forever being told “you need to publish this!” so
on occasion I invest time and effort and resources in exactly that, only to
repeatedly discover that my energy used to “peddle” my writing is
actually taking away from the very purpose I write and thus diminishes its
value to me. The writing is so much more important to myself than the
publication. Not sure I can articulate this situation to many that would
understand but, regardless, KEEP WRITING!
6. What trends in the book world do you see — and where do you
think the book publishing industry is heading?
I am dismayed by the extent politics has seemed to infiltrate
all forms of literature. While researching possible publishers for Bekunn
I was struck by the number that was only receiving new submissions promoting
diversity and/or social issues – even for children’s books. My hope is
for a return to simple entertainment and storytelling, especially for the
younger readership demographic, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
If ever.
7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career
that came in handy when writing this book?
Many. Permit me to relate only one. As a child I often sat
on the lap of Melvina Luttrell Witt. Aunt Mel would draw stick figures in
the dirt at our feet and give each one a name. There was me. There
was my mother, Dorsie. There was my maternal grandparents, Fred and
Parthena. There was my maternal g-grandparents, Bluford and Mary and Tom
and Safronia. The figures all looked the same, but each name whispered to
me across dark ages. Aunt Mel’s voice brought each name to life, fleeting
glimpses of unknown faces, barely discernible amidst the blackness of the past.
A common practice among the oral traditions of my heritage is this
“telling of the names”. This practice took many forms but
always aimed to accomplish one goal – passing on from one generation to the
next a personal interaction between the two. Let my writings be that
bridge between my generation and those after me. Let this be my version
of the “telling of the names”.
8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or
books is your writing similar to?
I would say my writing and preferred tools to do so are
classified as old-fashioned. I have managed to successfully transition
from Big Chief tablets to yellow legal pads. Pencils have remained
relatively unchanged over the years, however I would caution those who still
use them to refrain from keeping them in the back pocket of your trousers,
especially when you thoughtlessly sit down before removing them. (Now I
know why they call them #2 pencils.) I suppose you could describe my
writing style as John Boyish. I fear comparing myself to any author or
writer would greatly tarnish their works and diminish their legacy. Let’s
just describe it as a merger of Dr. Suess and Tolkien.
9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?
Technology, technology, technology. Hillbillies and technology
is a dangerous mix. It is quite embarrassing to have to call your niece
in third-grade to come and see what you’ve done to your computer. Also, I
can’t draw a straight line with a ruler so it took 30 years to find, by
happenstance, a very talented illustrator. Heather asked what I exactly
wished for each page, and I replied that I wanted her to read each verse of
text and then transfer on paper the image my words placed in her mind and
imagination. If her illustrations reflected what I envisioned then I did
my job as a writer. It was almost miraculous how closely her vision was
to mine. Heather Mote brought Bekunn’s Treasure to life in a manner in
which I could have never done, or even hoped for.
10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why
should it be yours?
Reading, the most basic fundamental aspect of learning, is the
foundation of society. Each educational subject is dependent upon it.
Without reading skills how are we to understand the others?
Science, mathematics, medicine, language arts, fine arts, history,
geography, etc. and etc.; all are foreign and useless without the ability to
comprehensively read. Bekunn’s Treasure imaginatively emphasizes the
importance of books and reading while assisting your young reader in preparation
for the educational process awaiting for them in those first school years. It
all begins at home!
About The Author: Storytelling and family are a part of my
Ozarks heritage. I still reside in an area of central Missouri which was
settled by my ancestors in 1830. With educational opportunities
practically nonexistent at the time nearly all forms of communication were done
orally. Food recipes, family history, medical treatments, entertainment;
all these were passed from generation to generation by the spoken word rather
than the written word. While very young I sat on the laps of great-aunts,
listening spellbound to the most wondrous tales as their soft voices carried me
to mystic places and exotic lands. Sadly now, the oral traditions that
inspired my writings are nearly gone. From my own experience I encourage
everyone to read books to children. When a child spends time with a
television they are watching someone else’s imagination. When a child
spends time with a book a door is opened to their own.
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About Brian
Feinblum
Brian Feinblum should be
followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is
copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now
resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue
dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The
Writer and IBPA’s The Independent. This
award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts
over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by
BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018
as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by
www.WinningWriters.com as a “best resource.” For the past three decades,
including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book
publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses,
Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres,
right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark
Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay,
Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan
RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He
hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and
has spoken at ASJA, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence
College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association,
Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and
Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have
been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY
Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington
Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, &
Co-Op Association Handbook. It was featured
in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.
