Congratulations to Bryan Cranston for his 3rd Emmy! Amazing actor, amazing narrator, amazing guy.
I’m continually grateful that he lent his talents to my project. Can I pick ‘em, or what?
Bryan Cranston - And that makes 3!
My focus is to share my story Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel with as many people as possible. Like a million other people, I thought it would be really fun to get on Oprah’s book list. I even have Kazmir available as a Kindle eBook and thought this would be appealing to her people. But that woman is hard to reach. In my desperation amid unreturned queries, I made a bet with myself; “I bet it’s easier to reach the President of the United States than it is to reach Oprah.”
About a week later, I was invited to a birthday party at a friend’s house for his daughter. I’m being sociable amongst the kiddies and the parents when I overhear someone say they used to work for the White House. I sauntered over to participate in the conversation. I felt nonchalant, but in reality, I may have knocked down a kid or two in my excitement.
So my new friend and I are talking and I share the audiobook. She calls me from her car one day as she finished the story and said, “You’ve gotta send this to my friend. She works at the White House and will get it to the Obama girls!”
And that friend walked Kazmir into the White House one day at work and handed it to the First Family. From my initial bet to the White House took 4 weeks. I still haven’t heard back from Oprah’s people!
I’m tickled pink! Mrs. Chandler’s 4th grade class read (and listened to) Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel as part of their class assignment. All 31 students wrote me thank you letters. Truly the best part of this journey so far!
They had favorite scenes (grammer and spelling left unaltered)
“My favorite part of the story is when they meet the optionators because they were the ones that gave us options,” Melanie.
“My favorite part is the first sky because the Hammer Shnail sounds funny,” Argin
“My favorite part of the book was at the end of the book when Michael-Ann’s father called her his special angel because I think it is so sweet,” Carlee
“It felt like you were in a movie theater,” Eran
They had favorite characters
“My favorite character is Michael-Ann because she was kind to go on a big journey and help people and face her fears,” Miriam
“She was just like many of us in 4th grade,” Mariah
“My favorite character is Farouk because he is evil and awesome and want to become ruler,” Brian
“The opling sounded so cute but helpless and when Michael-Ann helped him it opened my heart,” Olivia
They asked questions
“How do you make such good names?” Jaclyn
“What gave you such good ideas?” Adam
“Who gave you the idea of writing? Did it take a long time to get all the people for it?” Andrea
They gave plugs
“Adventures with Kazmir The Flying Camel The Five Skies is a great story for any one all ages,” Alexa
“I really really enjoyed it, it was interesting it is now my favorite book. I have to tell my friends about your book is too good to not be read,” Valerie
“It is great you got inspired to write this amazing book. I will tell people to read it,” Sienna
They even gave critiques
“I really hope you make a sequel because the book was like a adventure in your mind,” Sarahi
“It was a very adventurous book and shows much detail,” Sal
“The voices matched perfectly and the story matched everything was perfect,” Adam
The best part? On the back of every letter is a drawing. The students drew Kazmir and their favorite characters or their favorite scene. So, so cute.
Parthenon Huxley is a long time friend and all-around amazing person. Put a guitar in his hands and he’ll move the earth from under your feet.
When Michael and I decided to create Kazmir as an audiobook, we thought it was only fitting that the project have a theme song. I mustered up some courage and asked Parthenon if he would consider it. Not that I was afraid he’d say no, but I’ve been a fan of P’s voice and style for years and the thought of having a theme song created by him for lil’ ol’ me was overwhelming.
Parthenon agreed to the project. The only parameter I gave him was that the song had to be titled My Special Angel because of the reference in the story. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ll just have to download the book for yourself!) Anyway, my mom used to sing me a song with the same title when I was just a girl, so it sort of fit.
In April of 2009, Parthenon shows up at our house to record the song. He’s sitting at our kitchen table working out a few last notes, or whatever genius’ do on their little yellow pads. We go out to the studio to meet the other musicians. He runs down the song, the guys start playing along, Bill Brendle on keys, Tom Witt on bass, and Paul Allen drumming it out on the table, and pow! they got it. I mean, these guys are such pros! They only just heard the song for the very first time. It came together so smoothly. It was truly magical to witness.
Watch the music in the making: Creating the Theme Song
Hear the finished song here: My Special Angel
Parthenon Huxley
Well, Kazmir didn’t make it on the Grammy ballot. I was looking forward to writing my acceptance speech, but guess it will have to wait for the Oscar’s.
In the meantime, my good friend, Jay Vigon, has been working on the character drawings to be added to the book. Everything he touches is amazing and I’m truly grateful that he’s taken on this endeavor. Here’s just a sneak peak at the evil Farouk in the making.
Wondering who to vote for in the 52nd Grammy Awards? Kazmir and Bryan Cranston are on the ballot. If you’re a member, please consider Adventures with Kazmir. If you’re not a member, please spread the word to anyone who can vote.
Kazmir is one of 39 on the ballot in Children’s Spoken Word. Only 5 will be selected as Nominees. How great would that be? Kazmir nominated for a Grammy, maybe even winning his very own Grammy. Then maybe a star on the Walk of Fame, and his hoof prints in front of the Chinese Theatre. His name in lights on the marquee at the opening of his movie. Hey, a girl can dream can’t she?
I’m so excited about being on the ballot that I’d like to share the download with you. Please use and share the code “NARAS” at checkout to get your free download. Then share the love and tell everyone you know to vote for Kazmir. With full score, theme song, and complete voice characterizations, the production is truly spectacular.
Bryan Cranston did it again at last night’s 61st Annual Emmy Awards. This is his 2nd consecutive win for Best Drama Actor. Bryan is an extraordinary talent in any role he plays. He has starred in the TV shows Malcolm in The Middle, Seinfeld, How I Met Your Mother, and Breaking Bad. On the big screen he has starred in Saving Private Ryan, Little Miss Sunshine, Seeing Other People, That Thing You Do, and most recently in Love Ranch. He has done voiceover work for the Family Guy, American Dad and loved my story enough to add my audiobook to his credits.
I’m honored that this busy man thought it worth his time to be a part of the Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel. Congratulations Valley Boy!
It’s true, by day I fly as an award-winning graphic designer. But designing Kazmir’s site is a huge challenge. I feel too close to it. I’ve put it off far too long and realize that the people I need to reach, the educators, publishers, filmmakers, agents, and other’s in a position to help me get this movie made, could be on my site at any hour of the day. It has to be informative. It has to be easy to use. It has to be interesting to all ages. It has to be created by someone other than me.
I recently worked with another web design team for a rather large project. They were so easy to work with, if only I could wrangle them in on Kazmir’s site. And then they call me. They’re in the same position with their company identity. We both understand that fresh eyes are important in our business, so we swap projects. Together we designed Kazmir’s new site. Now I’m ready and open for business.
In my spare time, I’m the President of the Board for the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles. My Executive Director, Gail Williamson, invites me to attend a seminar for writers with disabilities at the Writer’s Guild. This intrigues me and I go with her, you know, to represent. It’s all very interesting and the people are amazing. Then the speaker acknowledges a few noteworthy people in attendance, one who is a producer on Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston‘s show. Hey! I know Bryan. So I use this as my introduction to meet her and invite her to coffee. She’s really nice and I soak up all her advice on getting a movie made.
“I don’t know,” I tell her, “I could see Kazmir directed by Rob Reiner in a Princess Bride style. I could see Kazmir done by Tim Burton in his darker style. The story has elements for both. I also don’t want to rule out Pixar.” She suggests that I write a letter and just ask if there’s interest to direct my movie. That sounds simple enough. Sure, Rob Reiner and TIm Burton are just people like us, right?
I contact all the people I know, trying to find at least 6 degrees of separation to Mr. Tim Burton. Sure, I’ll write a letter, but it always seems better to say that so-and-so suggested I contact you. I just can’t believe that no one knows the man. I mean, he works. He’s gotta eat.
Well, maybe our paths will cross, but in the meantime, I might as well try just sending a letter and audiobook to his company. It’s a long-shot, but so was writing this book, and getting Bryan Cranston to narrate it, and getting it talked about on national TV on the Bonnie Hunt Show. Let’s face it, long-shots aren’t what they once were.
I get a call from Bryan Cranston and he tells me he’s going to be on the Bonnie Hunt Show and that he’d like to give away free copies to the audience. Awesome! So I print a couple hundred copies to give away and go to the taping. Bryan is an amazing guest. Always funny and interesting. Then comes the moment I’ve been waiting for; “I did a narration for a really wonderful adventure book on tape called the Adventures with Kazmir the Flying Camel and everyone in the audience is going to get one. It’s a wonderful story!” Seventeen seconds of pure national glory.
Click here to view Bryan and Kazmir on Bonnie Hunt