The Secret of One-Eyed Cogburn: The Dreaded Pirate Captain follows three friends on summer vacation who mysteriously find themselves on a pirate ship in the ocean. What was the inspiration for your story?

I have written six novels so far, but I have never written a children’s book, and since I have grandchildren I wanted to do something for them. I wanted it to be a fun, entertaining children’s story that would also send a good message to them and other children who would hear the story that using your imagination is a good thing and also being kind is important.
Then, of course, I had to find just the right artist to bring it all to life and I think that Nestor Taylor was just the right man for the job. He drew every picture by hand and then meticulously colored them, and Sergio put it all together.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Fostering good friendships. The use of imagination. Being kind to one another and others, and always being honest are wonderful attributes we want to encourage in our children and youth. I feel that it was important to teach these principles to my children, and maybe it is even more important to mirror these fundamental principles now.

The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Nestor Taylor?

Nestor was AMAZING. I gave him my suggestions in the beginning and all along the way. We discussed everything from hair and eye color. We talked about the ethnicity of the children. I wanted flamboyant and colorful, and he caught my vision and delivered. I searched for the right artist for a long time. And when I say a long time, I mean seven or eight years.

I was actually given the name of a friend of Nestor’s, a famous Disney artist, who will go unnamed, who was going to do the work. But when I described what I had in mind for this book, let’s just say he didn’t do that kind of artwork. But he was kind enough to introduce me to his friend, Nestor. Nestor and Sergio are both from Spain. We emailed back and forth, and the entire process took more than a year to complete, but I think the outcome was well worth the wait.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?

I really haven’t thought that far ahead. I am just hoping that the book sales will be successful, and I can work with these talented artists again. The book is also being released in a Spanish version, “El secreto de Cogburn, el tuerto El temible capitán pirata.”
Perhaps our adventurous trio could go on Safari to Africa or visit the pyramids and run into a mummy. Wouldn’t that be fun?

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