I spent most of 2017 bearing the pseudonym Roy L. Hinuss, writing the Prince Not-So Charming book series for Macmillan. The schedule was tight (four books in seven months) and the work, coupled with my full-time job in Jersey City, exhausted me to my very core. Once I submitted the fourth and final book to the publisher, I breathed a great and weary sigh or relief. I had done it! Somehow or other I had pulled it all off!
And, almost immediately, I wanted to do it all over again because I couldn’t remember a time in my life when I felt more creatively giddy.
I yearned to write more stories about a jester prince and a knitting dragon. I wanted to write more about a retired witch and a revenge-minded horse. More about a king with stress headaches and a queen who hugs too much. More about an overprotected princess who can’t walk around the block by herself without her photo ending up on a carton of milk. I needed to more fully explore the Somewhat-Enchanted Forest. I needed to unearth the tragic backstory of a murderous jouster named Sir Lance A. Lott.
And I needed more fart jokes. Oh, how I missed the fart jokes.
Wrapping up Prince Not-So Charming was like saying goodbye to an old friend.
Until good news arrived in my email’s inbox.
My editor wants two more Prince Not-So Charming books!
Before I could even process this, more good news arrived in my snail mailbox. There it was in all of its glory! An advanced reading copy for book 1!
So I am giddy once again. And, based on my new deadlines, I guess I won’t be sleeping until February. I couldn’t be more cool with this.
ONWARD!
Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow! 
Congrats Mike. I can only imagine it would be exciting to be paid to write fun, creative books. Kudos!
Oh, this series has allowed my brain to go in many happy, silly, creative directions. It’s been a joy. An exhausting joy, but a joy nonetheless.
Sounds fun and a worthy effort. Kudos Mike.
Thanks, buddy!
Congratulations! That’s exciting on all counts. I love the cover.
That had to be a stressful deadline, but how accomplished you must feel now. I look forward to ordering the book for my nieces and nephews! (Well, actually they’re great nieces and nephews, but that makes me sound so old, so let’s just leave out that adjective.)
Thanks, Carrie!
And let’s both assume that the “great” that precedes “nieces” and “nephews” refers to the children’s personalities. Your avatar photo proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are much too young to be a great aunt.
Haha, a true diplomat you are. 😁
I’m no diplomat, I just calls ’em as I sees ’em.
😊
Yay!!! I didn’t realize you were using a pseudonym for those. Fart side note… my copy of the classic Farty Fred has gastric onomatopoeia all around the cover, including the sound effect “Trump.”
Yep. The publisher was looking for a silly name that was appropriate for a story about a prince.
And Farty Fred is a wise, if flatulent, fellow. Trump is about as useful as a toxic whiff of butt stink.
I’m giddy for you!! I’m so proud of your accomplishment and happy to know it paid off by you being asked to write two more books! Your Canadian vacation is going to be very well-deserved. 😀
Oh Lordy, yes!
So looking forward to seeing these books! You are one of the lucky few who get to work at something they love, Wishing you a lifetime of success and smiles.
Aw. Thanks Aunt Elaine. This series has been a hoot. More than a hoot, actually; a hoot-and-a-half.
How neat! They sound hilarious.
Out of curiosity, why did you write under a pseudonym?
Good question, Chelsea. This series is a work-for-hire assignment though Macmillan. The editors wanted a silly, royal-related name on the cover to allude to the silliness therein. So I came up with good ol’ Roy L. Hinuss.
Very proud to know such a giddy personage. Be careful of Sir Lance A. Lot….he’s a sneaky snarky one….
Yeah. Lance likes to get stabby.
With a lance.
Clever, eh?
:::blink blink:::
Are those blinks of confusion, Boo? Must I draw you a picture?
Yes, please do…..
I’d love to, but I gotta book to write.
*throws hands in the air*
Awesome! Ready to take over the book world? You should get ready, you never know what happens next. :o)
Oh, I’ll do my best to take over anything that is take-overable.
Well, I’m sure the cheerleader group is ready as well. So, ready, go…!
Congratulations! How wonderful!
Thanks, Leslie!
And I miss chatting with you! Here’s hoping I’ll be able to make the SCBWI event next summer.
Super news! When do these masterpieces hit the bookstore shelves?
The first two Not-So Charmings will be out next August. And the PB, Everybody’s Favorite Book, should be out that December.
Awesomeness! Can’t wait to read!
Groovy smoothie!
Congratulations, the series looks like so much fun.
Thanks, Jean. I had a lot of fun writing this.
Yay! Great News, Mike. Congratulations! I just pre-ordered both books (the two on Amazon). Tornado Boy and I are going to love reading them 😀
Woo! Pre-sales. You are, indeed, a peach, D. Wallace.
Tornado Boy and I will read them and review when they come in. 🙂
Yer awesome.
How exciting and congratulations! Love the concept of these books and I’m sure they will be hilarious and my two grandsons will love them.
Yay! How old are the little buggers?
They are 6 and almost 4. Do you think a good age for your books?
Perfect!
I am beyond excited! I just pre-ordered the first book in your series – and we have to wait until August 18 it says. Sigh. How do we wait that long?? Ages 5-8. I happen to know five adorably pranky little boys between those ages. None of them have birthdays in August, but they’ll be receiving a book gift anyway… Truly, Mike, major CONGRATS to a guy who deserves a huge success.
Thanks so much, Pam. Yer little guys are gonna love these books. I promise!
And I am giddy for you! Huge, huge congrats!!! Now, get back to work….
Thanks, my friend!
And yes’m.
Congratulations Mike! That is really great!
However, it does prove my theory that men never get past 5th grade humor. Which is what I call bathroom humor. Hence the fart jokes.
Now, get back to work!
p.s. The best thing I’ve gotten in the mail lately was a free Jolly Time shopping bag that I sent proofs of purchase in to get. It’s pretty cool. Don’t be jealous.
Oh, now, Jude. I know plenty of women who appreciate the subtle, witty, nuance of a ripping fart.
We clearly do not mingle in the same social circles.
LOL Clearly, not.
Truly awesome news. I’m so excited for you. And I can’t wait to read these books, over abundance of fart jokes or no.
I am pleased to report that there are also poop jokes.
I am a Renaissance Man.
Haha. Just joking about poop jokes is funny. These may be my son’s first and favorite books.
YAY!!! And at least you don’t have the Jersey City job to get in the way! 🙂
Very true, but I do have housework and other homebody chores. So it kind of breaks even, workwise.
Congratulations, Mike! Can’t wait to read the books! What’s the age group?
Congratulations Mike! You are so creative, with or without your fart jokes. Women don’t fart — they quietly pass air. Deadlines are great because they push you to be your best. Your adrenaline runs and takes you to creative places. This looks like a really fun series for all kids. One of my favorite stories you wrote for a contest was about Goldilocks and the three bears — Lock-up? Hope you expand that story some day, since you love fairy tales.
Great news! Congratulations! Any news on release dates for your series. They sound like wonderful Christmas presents for the kiddies. (Yes, I’m the Aunt who buys books for Christmas presents.)
LOVE it! Congrats.
I have a friend who writes children stories for her grandkids and self-published. She calls it a love/hate relationship! Glad you got this done! WOOHOO! ❤
Thanks, my friend!