[ad_1]
MASSILLON – Landon Hose thinks he’s a writer.
Over the years he tried to write some short stories but never managed to finish them.
After encouragement from a local author, the 11-year-old gained momentum and put the finishing touches on one of his stories. He now has a book published.
“The Ruins of Sunnyville†is available on Amazon.
Following:From Massillon Tiger to author: Zion Clark’s first book on sale
Even under a mask, you can see the smile when he talks about the finished product.
“I’ve always wanted to write my own book,†said the sixth-grade student at Massillon Middle School. “I want to be an author.”
Landon Hose’s Love of Reading
Landon loves a good book.
His mother, Lindsay Hose, said her son can be found reading just about anytime. He has books he reads in the car, some he reads after school and some he reads before bed.
He always finishes a book – even if it wasn’t his favorite – and he often reads multiple titles at once, she said.
“I’m embarrassed to say he’s probably read more books than I have in my entire life,” Lindsay Hose joked. “He never started a book and didn’t finish it.”
Landon’s love for action / adventure and mysteries guided his first published effort.
“It’s action and adventure with just a little bit of mystery involved,†he said.
The book is set in the abandoned town of Sunnyville, which has been hit by a tsunami and earthquake.
When Drew and his friends make their way to the old town tourist park, they disappear. Drew’s father, Isaiah, sets out to find his son and the disaster, testing his survival skills.
Author / mentor IE Michaels
The idea for the book had been germinating since the summer of 2020. Landon took up writing at the start of the 2020-21 school year when he was entering fifth grade.
He finished this summer and entrusted his work to IE Michaels, a local romance writer who encouraged the youngster to pursue his dreams.
Lindsay Hose approached Michaels during a soccer game. Their daughters play on the same team. She asked if Michaels was ready to answer some questions her son had about the writing process. She was more than happy to help.
“Having kids (of Landon’s age) it’s nice to read what kids write,†Michaels said. “He’s a great boy with a big imagination. There aren’t many 11-year-olds who can write a 65-page book.”
Michaels worked with a young author to polish the manuscript, speaking through intrigue and plot holes.
After reading the book Michaels knew Landon was talented and she wanted to see her book published.
“I see talent in him not only as a fellow writer, but as a parent. He writes things that my kids love to read,†Michaels said.
As a freelance author she is able to self-publish books under more than one identity and has had Landon’s book published. Michaels and Lindsay Hose ordered a few copies to surprise him.
While waiting for the books to arrive, the couple couldn’t contain their excitement. They chose to surprise Landon at his younger sister’s soccer game.
“They showed me something on Amazon,†Landon Hose said. “It took me a few minutes to figure out that this was my book on Amazon. I was just in shock.”
Since the book’s announcement on Sunday, more than 100 copies have been sold.
“I am in awe of him,†Lindsay Hose said of her son. “I’d like to say he got it from me.”
She believes Landon’s first-year teacher in Whittier, Joyce Spanakis, sparked her son’s love for writing.
Landon is not your typical sixth grade, added his mother, a guidance counselor at Massillon Middle School.
“He fits in but is proud to love reading,” she said. “He’s not embarrassed and his friends know that and love that about him. Every weekend he gets up and writes. I’m so proud of him.”
When not reading or writing, Landon enjoys playing basketball, football and soccer, and playing a few rounds of golf with his father, Josh, a Washington High School basketball coach.
The oldest of four children, Landon also works at the school newspaper and is a member of the Abundant Life Christian Fellowship youth group.
Author in the making
Ideas are already noted in Landon’s notebook for the sequel and the prequel.
He hopes to one day join the ranks of his favorite authors – EL Stine and Alexander Freed – by producing bestsellers and capturing the imaginations of readers.
Landon isn’t sure what he will do in the future, but he knows it will include writing and maybe even directing.
He jokes with his family that maybe his books will become so popular that they will be turned into movies he can direct.
“He’s talented and he’s going to do something with his life,” Michaels added.
Contact Amy at 330-775-1135 or [email protected].
On Twitter: @aknappINDE
[ad_2]
