The Adventures of Danny the Discus follows a spirited discus fish named Danny, who seeks to understand his new world while navigating the challenges of acceptance and survival in a diverse aquatic community. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

My inspiration came from my childhood experiences of being bullied and learning to stand up for what I believe in. At a young age, I went from being bullied at school to growing taller than most children at a young age and protecting those children around me from being bullied themselves. In addition, I am a Discus Fish hobbyist, and I thought it would be great to put my knowledge of the hobby into a children’s book that would also teach kids about the discus fish but also incorporate my country’s culture and moral values.

The artwork in the book was charming. What was the collaboration process like with illustrator Wazim Mohammed?

Well, the collaboration with Johnny Hossain, who was the illustrator was fantastic; he was able to capture what I had in my mind in terms of the storyboards to tell this wonderful story. The communication was excellent with little rework, so it was a joy to work with him.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

The main themes in my book look at the spirit of adventure, explore courage and bravery, and have a moral lesson at the end, which I believe is important for children to learn.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

My next book is The Adventures of Danny the Discus Volume 2 – Love of a Mother. It’s available now on Amazon and was published in October 2023. This book was meant as a tribute to all mothers and was inspired by my mother, who I lost in April 2023. Currently working on my third book in the series, which will be available in 2024.

Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon