It’s International Talk Like A Pirate Day

It’s International Talk Like A Pirate Day. In honor of the day, why not pick up a copy of Captain Jack’s Treasure for readers 8 – 13.  

Video for Captain Jack's Treasure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khOJMw-faws&feature

And if you’d like more information about the day, go to http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html

A teacher says...

Captain Jack’s Treasure by Max Elliot Anderson is a fun read!

I smiled, I chuckled, I frowned, I worried — and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Yes, it’s a kid’s book, but I am ever and always a kid at heart. I’m also a teacher so I spend a lot of time reviewing kid’s books. [...] Charlene L. Amsden

Don't miss Book #1 in the series,

Lost Island Smugglers.

And coming soon,
Book #3,

River Rampage.














For still more information about other books available see Books for Boys Blog http://booksandboys.blogspot.com 
and My Youtube Videos http://www.youtube.com/user/Maxbooks100#p/u

Captain Jack's Treasure video on Trailer Tuesday TODAY

Captain Jack's Treasure video on Trailer Tuesday TODAY! http://sandraardoin.wordpress.com

Captain Jack's Treasure NEWS

NEWSRelease

                                                                                                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Max Elliot Anderson

PHONE: (815) 877-1514

DATE:  8/15/2011

Email: mander8813@aol.com

Captain Jack’s Treasure blog http://treasurecaptainjack.blogspot.com/ 

Video for Captain Jack's Treasure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khOJMw-faws&feature

Author Web Site: http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/

Books for Boys blog: http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/

Author Publishes Second Book in Adventure Series

Author Max Elliot Anderson published his next children’s adventure, Captain Jack’s Treasure, on August 15. This is book #2 in the new Sam Cooper Adventure Series from Port Yonder Press.

            “A traditional series is a departure for my writing,” Anderson said, “because all of my previous books have had completely different characters and settings.” Other titles in this series include Lost Island Smugglers and River Rampage.

Sam Cooper lives right near the ocean, close to the Treasure Coast of Florida. All he’s ever heard about, since he moved here, were the fabulous treasures that have been found, and those still waiting to be discovered.

            As a special surprise, he received the gift of his dreams. It’s the latest, top-of-the-line, metal detector. Along with his friends, Tony, and Tyler, all are convinced that they will be the ones to dig up the next great find.

            They meet a crusty sea captain named Jack. He’s fixing up an impossible looking old tub. The boys believe it’s going to be used to search for treasure at sea. They get permission from their parents to help with the restoration job in the hopes that Captain Jack will share his wealth.

            When Sam’s father nearly dies, from a heart attack, the true values of life take on new importance and meaning.

            What is Captain Jack’s mysterious secret? And what is he really planning to do with that boat?

            Readers will gain a new appreciation for family, they will learn about the dangers of greed, and oh the stories Captain Jack can tell.

Author Bill Myers reports, "Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!"  

And author Jerry B. Jenkins adds, "Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries."

“The Sam Cooper Adventure Series is available to bookstores through Ingram, and online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, and others,” Mr. Anderson said.

Young readers report that reading one of Anderson’s action-adventures or mysteries is like being in an exciting or scary movie. His Books for Boys blog http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/ often ranks in the top ten in Google searches. A short video about Captain Jack’s Treasure can be seen on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khOJMw-faws&feature

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Meet the artist behind Captain Jack's Treasure

It's my pleasure to introduce Anna M. O'Brien, the artist who produced the cover for my new book, Captain Jack's Treasure. This is book #2 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series. This new book will be released on Monday, August 15.

A writer sees images and words in his head. When you approach an art project for the first time, what are some of the elements that you see, or consider before you begin painting or drawing?

I might see a vague idea in my mind but the type of artist I am does not allow me to create unless I know what that image may really be like in reality. I had an art teacher who would set up still life's with old bones, chairs, material, flowers anything she could get her hands on.  I always drew or painted what I saw,  I believed what God created could not be made better by my hand. So I study what is out there. You might get an idea for a background from the image of a drop of blood in a slide, or an enlarged blade of grass.

Explain the different steps you took in producing the cover art for Captain Jack's Treasure.

1) Communication, talk to the author, and the publisher

2) Research, Library, Movies, web all inspire

3) Fonts that work with the art style and content

4) My desktop (desk) can be littered with hundreds of images 

I use acrylics, pen & ink,  photos (some my own, some from http://www.dreamstime.com or scan separate images into photoshop to manipulate.

5) Above all Ask for God's help to see what the author and publisher have in mind

You've also done cover artwork for Lost Island Smugglers and River Rampage. Can you tell us more about those projects?

Lost Island Smugglers was fun to do. I learned a lot about island coves, boats and boys appearances at different ages (God gifted me with girls)

River Rampage was difficult. Water, especially fast  moving water, is difficult to capture, along with fire, another difficult image to capture. Photoshop is great to create effects. This is one of my favorite learning sites:http://psd.tutsplus.com/articles/web/dark-futuristic-photoshop-effects/

My pictures from the Rocky Mountains and Gatlinburg also helped. 

Authors talk about facing writer’s block, where it seems impossible to go forward with a writing project at times. Does an artist ever experience this sort of creative block? And if so, how do you get past it?

Absolutely. I have done 25 different covers for one author unable to strike the perfect image. You clear them out of your mind throw everything away, get on your knees and start over. Mainly I find when I am trying to create what I think is good, I miss what the author, publisher and especially God would say is the BEST. Try never to argue with any of the afore mentioned-- they are always right.

What would you say was your biggest challenge in creating the artwork for the Captain Jack's Treasure book cover?

Creating an image that appeals to all - a treasure that you just have to get into no matter what the cost

How do you know when you've found the best solution for an art project or assignment?

Usually I have certain peace and the author and publisher love it. 

You also did some pen & ink illustrations for the interior of Captain Jack's Treasure. Could you talk about those, how you approached each subject, and any other details that readers might find interesting?

Again research. I tend to have an idea in my head of what I think a captain might look like (for example, I thought he was a thin crusty old man with a pipe) but the author's image is quite different. Study the people around you. My daughter is a member of a pirate group, renissance group and a steampunk group. They love to dress in period costumes and are a great source for inspiration. Another example ie: my daughter and her exboyfriend were my source for sketches found in The Curse of Captain LaFoote. They were the right age group and I could get them in certain poses, take pictures and then sketch on the period dress. 

Could you tell us about your art training, background, experience, and some of your other work / projects?

I have a fine art and Commercial art degree from Phillips High Technical School, and Art Instruction School Minn, MN. I actually granted with a full scholarship to Birmingham Southern but my dad was old school --girls did not need to go to college. So I learned from the school of hard knocks. It was quite different years ago - pictures and type were separate, rubber cement and exacto knives, my first job was Stockham Value and fitting catalog... do you have any idea how many values and fitting they are? I thought if this is what it means to be an artist FORGET IT. But my first art director was a very wise man, he knew-- you take the good with the bad and make it something wonderful.  

What are your hopes and dreams for your art in the future? 

I love doing book covers, they reach people I may never meet and I pray over every cover. 

My personal goal is to illustrate a book about the bible for my grand kids.

Many people want to know how they can break into the writing and publishing field. How would you advise young people who are interested in a career in art or illustration?

It really was a gift from God. Today connections, networking are so important althought I am not good at it.

Please list the links where people can learn more about you and your work.

behindthegift.com 

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

People are important, go the extra mile for everyone you meet. 

Be thankful to those who are around you! 

Thank you my beloved husband Bill .. he helps me and challenges me in all areas of my life. 

Thank you kids for putting up with my crazy ideas.

And Thank You Max  & Chila for this opportunity!

Video trailer for Captain Jack's Treasure

Captain Jack's Treasure

Captain Jack's Treasure is Book # 2 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series. Coming Monday, August 15.

(From Book # 1, Lost Island Smugglers) - Catching the drug smugglers out on Lost Island was all people around Harper’s Inlet could talk about for weeks. Everyone wanted to know which three brave boys had been involved. Unfortunately, Sam, Tony, and Tyler weren’t allowed to tell anyone about the mystery. It was for their safety. The boys had become heroes and yet, no one knew their identities.

After going scuba diving, getting caught up in a gigantic storm, and being stranded on Lost Island, it might seem that Sam Cooper, and his friends Tony and Tyler, would have had all the adventure any three boys could want for a summer, a year, or an entire lifetime. Only that’s not how it worked out. But then, that’s the way it is with boys. Boys are made for danger, adventure, excitement, and conquering things. These three friends were no exception.

Down by the docks, Sam and his friends found Captain Jack. Right away, Sam wasn't sure he could trust him.

Not only was the man mysterious, but he had a secret.

"Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!" Bill Myers - Author

"Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries." Jerry B. Jenkins, Author

The captain was in the middle of fixing up an impossible-looking boat. But why? What was he planning to use it for...deep sea treasure hunting?

Sam, Tony, and Tyler knew a little bit about treasure hunting on their own, but they were determined to find out what the old captain was up to.

To find out, you'll have to get a copy of Captain Jack's Treasure and read it for yourself.

Watch the video book trailer now!

And if you missed Book # 1, Lost Island Smugglers, here's a video for that one, too. And you can read more about this book at http://lostislandsmugglers.blogspot.com/

Coming Soon! Book # 3 in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series, River Rampage. Watch for it!