Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an award-winning writer, artist and photographer who moonlights as an award-winning brand marketing and entertainment PR exec. My creative story telling can be traced back to the day the perfect storm hit in kindergarten: I was teased once again about the birthmark on my neck (which sometimes looks like a pair of lips/a hickey) AND I had nothing to share during “Show and Tell.” Always one to make lemon meringue out of lemons, I stood up and explained the “birthmark” really was a scar I wore proudly — but humbly — after saving a little kitten from a burning building on my way to school one typical Tuesday.
I was sent home that day with a note from Mrs. Dodd, my canary-haired kindergarten teacher. The note said, ‘Ronnie has a very active imagination and (blah, blah, blah)’ …I don’t remember the rest. I just remember beaming with pride and thinking…”Yep, Mrs. Dodd totally gets it!”
As recently as last week, I was asked if I had a hickey on my neck…”Yes,” I said. “It’s a hickey from God…” and then I told the real story…
My love for writing (and evil boarding school-like attention to grammar) is thanks to my Mom, Joyce, and my love for every type of art form and creative expression was passed down from my Grandma “Evy” Mohney.
I’ve written five books and have published the first two this fall: “Why Ball Wouldn’t Bounce” and “Christmas is Cancelled: Santa Spells it Out.” “Ball” is the first book I ever published (illustrated It, too!) and the first in the series “Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other” for children of all ages based on commonly known idioms and adages. I am so thrilled and grateful to be able to share Ball’s story of self-acceptance and loving your uniqueness with the world. The second published book is the modern holiday story for the entire family, “Christmas is Cancelled: Santa Spells it Out.” It’s about how technology disconnects us as human beings and growing up disconnects us from believing in the magic of Christmas.
Every project I work on has a charitable component to it as I believes we all have a duty to help make the world a better place for all people and animals and things. A portion of proceeds from these books support the important work of Discovery Arts (www.discoveryarts.org), Geek Club Books (www.geekclubbooks.com) and other causes such as anti-bullying, music education and the environment.
Join the Bounce Your Bounce community on Facebook @bounceyourbounce.
Raised in the Midwest, I’ve lived in Los Angeles for the past 20 years. I thank my entire family for always allowing me (sometimes encouraging it and sometimes just tolerating it) to bounce my own way proudly!
“Give an Inch a Foot,” book II in the series, coming soon!
To follow Ron and get updates, visit www.facebook.com/myrontourage, online stores www.etsy.com/shop/rontourage and www.zazzle.com/rontourage. IG: rontouragela
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Why Ball Wouldn’t Bounce” was inspired by not feeling like I could be who I truly was growing up. I had a different bounce than everyone else and for a long time I tried to change my bounce to fit in and be accepted. It wasn’t until I started seeing the value of my uniqueness and how those differences actually became assets. I wanted every child to know he/she has a unique bounce for a reason and to bounce it…bounce it proudly!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to stop and walk around for 60 seconds or so every so often when I’m feeling really inspired. If I don’t, I will just go into this stream of consciousness that is great to work out my own issues but can really derail what was originally inspiring me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Joan Didion, Oscar Wilde, JK Rowling (I know I’m probably not supposed to mention JK because I should be much more refined than that…but I don’t care…she encouraged me to write creatively and write books that spoke to people of all ages).
What are you working on now?
“Give an Inch a Foot,” which is the 2nd book in the “Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other” Series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I get a group of individuals together and make them my “Bounce Ambassadors” or “Christmas Ambassadors” — I use them to bounce ideas off of, get feedback and then I use them to help promote the books when I launch. I give them sample social media copy, give them different graphics that are easy to post, etc. and then incentivize them with free books, framed artwork, etc.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You may have the best book in the history of literature but unless you are committed to promoting your own work 24/7 for a long time, don’t bother publishing. But if you are, it’s an amazing, amazing experience!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Life is too important to be taken seriously.” Oscar Wilde
What are you reading now?
Anything I can get my hands on about promoting and marketing independently published books!
What’s next for you as a writer?
The ultimate would be a major publishing house title.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Mrs. Frisbee and the Rats of Nihm, the final “Harry Potter” book and then two really thick journals of blank pages.
Author Websites and Profiles
Ron Roecker Amazon Profile
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