Interview: Joe Scott, Author of ‘The Friend Ship Friendesha’

Joe Scott is a contractor and real estate developer who built a thriving enterprise from a truck and a toolbox.  He has negotiated thousands of business deals involving corporate executives, homeowners, bankers, laborers, and union officials.  In addition, he has hired, and been hired by individuals from every walk of life.  Through these dealings, Joe has learned that all people fall into three types — givers, takers, and those who both give and take.  Knowing how to recognize and cope with all three types is the key to his success.  In this children’s series, he hopes to instill in kids a good foundation for a happy and positive life.  His first book, The Joe Dial, released in 2011, is age appropriate for those who are 12 to 95 years old.  The Friend Ship Friendesha series is based on the adult book, The Joe Dial.

Congratulations on the release of your latest book, The Friend Ship Friendesha. When did you start writing and what got you into children’s books?

I have been writing for seven years.  I wanted to leave a part of me behind for my children, grandchildren, and those to follow.

Did you have any struggles or difficulties when you started writing?

I need total concentration to write; I have to be alone.  I found you need to put the time in, after all the family time is over, probably a couple of hours at the end of the day. 

What was your inspiration for The Friend Ship Friendesha?

I took my inspiration from helping my children and grandchildren to build a good foundation for a happy and positive life.  I wanted to promote anti-bullying, and to have them think positively, and see how you can effect others around you with the same. 

What do you hope readers will get from your book?

I hope the children will discover their positive power to effect the world, their friends and family.  It delivers a clear, non-bullying message. 

How was your experience working with an illustrator?

I tried several different illustrator’s until I found the right one.  She made the Friendeshans and Oily Spoilies come to life.  Her artwork is so detailed;  I love the personalities she brings out in each of the characters.  Her landscapes and outer space illustrations are particularly beautiful. 

Do you have a writing schedule? Are you disciplined?

I try be to disciplined, going into my office at the end of the day, and writing for some time before bed.

What was your publishing process like?

With the help of my co-writer, and website designer, I found the right illustrator, and printer, and they walked me through the process from writing through distribution.  There are many more steps than I ever realized! 

Did you go the traditional way or did you self published? Are you happy with your decision?

I did self-publish, and it was a bit of a learning curve, getting the illustrators, editors, printers, etc. all together.  But I am happy with my decision. 

How do you celebrate the completion of a book?

To see it in print, hardcover, color, from start to finish is very exciting. 

Do you have a website or blog where readers can find out more about your work?

www.friendesha.com 

Anything else you’d like to tell my readers?

I think a children’s book should be simple, short and to the point.  It has to make sense with an easy to understand message.

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