Meet Casey Rislov

Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey Rislov.

Hi Casey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was a teacher for 7 years before I decided to become an author. Reading every day for myself and my children opened up my mind to create my own stories. I started working with Book Bridge Press in Minnesota (2010) to publish and edit my books. They also find my illustrator and printer.

My books that have been most popular are in unique niches. One niche has been writing about the Rocky Mountain West animals (Rowdy Randy and The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show) and the other is my tender-hearted book about love and loss (Love is Forever). These books have won many prestigious awards and have been reprinted several times due to their popularity.

For the past 5 years, I have collaborated with local artists to create more of a well-rounded project. I think collaborating with many different types of artists- art directors, illustrators, actors, puppeteers, and musicians- has made my books stand out by hitting the many different senses and types of art.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Whenever someone changes careers, a lot of doubt and fear can happen for that person specifically and for the people around them. I never planned on being an author, but the ideas kept coming on a regular basis. So, I thought I better give it a try and when my Mother passed from breast cancer, it gave me that extra push to do it now. Losing someone you love shows you how fragile and short life can be.

I had a chance to tell her my new goal before she left this world. This didn’t mean my tough story was supported all the time. I still had to pass many hurdles of showing I was ready for a change and that I could do a good job of doing it. Most of it is believing in yourself, putting the work in every day, and having a good team.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the author of 8 children’s picture books. I have a publishing team (Book Bridge Press) to help create my beautiful books. The teamwork doesn’t stop there. My book projects become meaningful when I collaborate with other artists. It makes the project go the extra mile and when I collaborate, the audience will benefit too. This is where I am different from other authors, including other artists to create an experience for reading.

Three picture books I have collaborated with other artists on in order of when it happened are Rowdy Randy. LOVE, and The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show. All have won many awards and I have been to many school visits.

Rowdy Randy is about a horsefly that causes trouble at the ranch with different animals including the dog, fish in the stream, horned toads, bison, and cattle. It is a book that represents the critters that live in the West. I collaborated with a local actress, who dressed up as the main character, the horsefly Rowdy Randy (2019). This horsefly is boisterous, tough, and ready for a hard day’s work. So, the actress portrays all of these characteristics, plus shows up in her western gear (chaps, boots, rope, and cowgirl hat). The children and parents love the live entertainment to go with the book.

LOVE (2020) is a sweet board book about what love looks like. The beautiful illustrations show that love is patient, gentle, kind, believes the best for all, and protects those we love. I worked with a local musician to create 3 songs to go along with the board book. The first song is instrumental, creating a sense of calm and you can hear many instruments including the rain stick. The second song created uses the words from the book and makes a happy upbeat song that will make you move to the rhythm or look over the book again. The third song is a song that will make little ones dance to a young owl who still needs to learn to fly. He is perched upon a tree limb awake at night, watching many other animals fly. When he finally tries, he falls into pumpkin pie. This is a little humor to add to the idea that things can be tough when we are learning. The owl finally learns how at the end with encouragement from the hummingbird.

The last book I collaborated with is The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show (Oct. 2022). I collaborated with a professional puppeteer to make a face mascot of Rowdy Randy. The book character now has more of a Disney-type look. The actress joins me on my many school visits, where students and teachers have to get a picture and a high five from Rowdy Randy after the book is read.

I think collaborating with many different types of artists- art directors, illustrators, actors, puppeteers, and musicians – has made my books stand out by hitting the many different senses and types of art. Teamwork brings out the best in the final project and the collaboration benefits everyone.

I am most proud of the work we produce, the excitement the children get from our performances, and the award recognition.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Awards won: Western Heritage Award (from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Awards), National Wyoming “Great Read” for National Book Festival, SPUR Award Winner, Ben Franklin Award Finalist, Colorado Independent EVVY Book Award Winner, Reading the West nominee, Wyoming Buckaroo nominee and more.

Pricing:

• $18.95 for Rowdy Randy’s book
• $18.95 for The Rowdy Randy Wild West Show book
• $7.95 for a LOVE board book
• $15.95 for the Love is Forever book
• $19.95 for the Let Me Tell You About My Mom wildlife picture book

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caseyrislovbooks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crislovbooks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caseyrislovbooks/
• Linkedin: Casey Rislov
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/caseyrislov
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuxQHJR_6QnGLY_98SRl2lA