This week we have picture book author, Alan Rubin, on the blog to discuss his humorous debut, Mr. Stomach Gets Upset. Welcome, Alan!
Author Name: Alan Rubin
Book Title: Mr. Stomach Gets Upset
Book Genre: Humor/Picture book
Release Date: Out now
Please share with us what your book is about.
I would describe Mr. Stomach Gets Upset as “the most brilliant and lucrative book ever written.” That’s totally inaccurate, but that’s how I would describe it.
What sparked the idea for Mr. Stomach Gets Upset?
The title actually sparked the idea for the book, but I can’t say for certain what sparked the idea for the title. All I can remember is that the title came to me in a dream, just after I had eaten a late-night snack of Hunan beef and castor oil.
How long did it take for you to write the book? Did you do have to do any research?
Many years elapsed between the time I began working on the book and the time I completed it. When I wrote the text I had no training or experience as an illustrator, so I spent years asking random artists if, in return for 15% of future profits, they would illustrate a book called “Mr. Stomach Gets Upset”. They all said “no”. And they did so without hesitation, as if to make a point. So I decided to illustrate the book on my own, and I feel vindicated now that the book has been published. After all, an artist who had agreed to my offer would already have earned $1.50 in royalties, and, based on sales projections, would be likely to have earned at least twice that much next year. I don’t want to gloat, but I’ll bet they’re kicking themselves.
The research process was painstaking, largely because the book is written in rhyming verse. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to find words that rhyme with “stomach”?
If you were speaking to someone who hasn’t read your writing before, why should they want to read Mr. Stomach Gets Upset?
I would tell everyone to read the title because it would take far less time than reading the rest of the book.
What’s next? Are you involved in/writing any new projects?
I have a plan to write a series of seven books, all set in Corpus Hollow, Mr. Stomach’s town. The second book is already written though not yet illustrated—but progress on the books has been slow because I’ve been writing a full-length theatrical musical, also called Mr. Stomach Gets Upset, based on the characters from Corpus Hollow. It’s very different from the book, and I think this is a good thing, because if you like the book you’ll probably like the musical, and if you don’t like the book, you’ll probably love the musical.
What’s one piece of advice you would offer your younger writer self?
I wouldn’t waste my time, because my younger writer self wouldn’t listen.
Where can readers find you (website, blog, social media, etc.)?
Website: https://corpushollow.com
Buy the book (from Amazon) here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1492257842/
Watch Ol’ Sir Paine sing and dance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXeBKYBHZ_0
The folks from Corpus Hollow have a “corpushollow” Facebook page, but they believe that Facebook is for old people, so they are currently learning to use Instagram. Stay tuned…
Thank you, Alan! Mr. Stomach Gets Upset is out now.
Mr. Stomach Gets Upset
Mr. Stomach Gets Upset takes you inside the mysterious yet familiar town of Corpus Hollow:
Inside the town it’s very icky
Some places slick, some places sticky.
The roads are red and blue and green–
The strangest roads you’ve ever seen!
If you enter be courageous–
Things in town may be contagious.
Come on in, but be advised:
Prepare yourself to be surprised!
Author bio:
Alan Rubin is an activist and hard-working advocate for the rights of internal organs.