Surprise! "Animated Lives!" Available Now!

Originally I had intended for "Animated Lives!" to come out in May 2012. However, the proofing process moved far more rapidly than I had anticipated and it is now ready for purchase. This book is a bit of a paradox. It is part short story collection/part non-fiction and all fun, fun, fun.

The premise of "Animated Lives!" is that Alwyn Ross is a fictional animation historian who interviewed 20 different real-life animators working in short animated film. In actuality, I conducted the interviews starting in 2005 on the heels of the success of "The Hand Behind the Mouse: an intimate biography of Ub Iwerks" (Disney Editions, winner of the E.G.Lutz Award for best book about animation). It was thrilling to be able to talk with so many brilliant filmmakers working at such a high level of artistry.

If the name Alwyn Ross seems familiar to you, it is because he is the younger brother to Jadwin Ross, the Missionary from "The Missionary and the Brute". While the siblings are vastly different in temperament and personality, they together with their sister Dottie comprise the core of the Ross Family Saga - a sprawling fictional opus that shall eventually span at least eight novels.

I hope you enjoy this unique new book that offers an in-depth inside view of the wonderful art of animation and an interesting new character in Alwyn Ross.