Book News October 2025

Ready to roll!

All Editions Are In!

I'm happy to announce that all editions of Blue Bug have been submitted and are now available for printing (or have been printed). Here's what they look like:

Left: Deluxe edition hardcover 9.75" x 9.75" Right: Premium editions (hard and softcover) 8.5" x 8.5"

It's not totally apparent at first glance what the differences are, so let me break it down for you.

The Deluxe hardcover edition of Blue Bug is offset-printed with 100 lb paper and a 102 lb casebound cover in matte finish. The binding is Smyth sewn for durability. Book dimensions are 9.75" x 9.75" and the interior end sheets are deep blue. Beautiful work was done by Friesens of Canada for this first edition.

The Premium hardcover and softcover editions will use the print services of Amazon.com and IngramSpark.com. Both have laser-printed text with with book dimensions of 8.5" x 8.5" for Blue Bug. The softcover has a perfect-bound glued binding, while the Ingram hardcover is Smyth-sewn. Interior paper weight is 70 for both Amazon and Ingram.

An ePDF version will be available on BlueBugBook.com, and Amazon.com as well. I'm also considering an audiobook edition, but I have to explore that more; I'll keep you posted.

Purchase Options

I've provided different options for readers to select based on preferences and budget.

The Deluxe hardcover edition will only be available on BlueBugBook.com. Price: $24.97 + $5.00 shipping to U.S.A. only. Awesome quality!

The Premium editions will be available from Amazon.com and IngramSpark.com for worldwide distribution. They can be ordered from their respective websites or at BlueBugBook.com. Prices: hardcover—$17.97, softcover-$11.97; taxes & shipping per vendor. Very nice print quality!

The ebook will be available from BookFunnel.com for $5.97. A link will be on the BlueBugBook.com sales page for reader convenience.

Launch date is November 1, 2025, but if you would like to reserve a copy, you may pre-purchase at any of the above sites.

Which one to pick? I myself prefer hardcovers for durability and feel. They last much longer, especially if it's a special book. For instance, I still have hardcover children's books that my father received as gifts when he was a child in the 1920's, and I hope to read them to my grandchildren someday.

Spotlighting Alex Wakefield, Illustrator for Blue Bug

Alex wrote this mini-bio to introduce himself. More can be found on his website, www.MotorArt27.com. It was an honor to have him contribute to Blue Bug.

For as long as I can remember, racing has been in my blood. I grew up surrounded by the roar of engines and the smell of dirt tracks in Southeastern Iowa.

While I spent some time behind the wheel myself, I quickly realized my real passion was capturing those unforgettable racing moments on canvas.

My art is all about celebrating the energy, color, and nostalgia of motorsport. Whether it’s a legendary driver, a classic car, or just the blur of speed, I want my work to make you feel like you’re right there in the stands—or maybe even in the driver’s seat.

I use everything from acrylic markers to oils, always chasing that perfect mix of realism and excitement.

If you’re a fan, a collector, or just someone who loves the thrill of racing, I hope my art brings back memories and maybe even sparks a few new ones.

Below is recent work that Alex did for a client, showcasing Ray Harroun, who won the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in a Marmon, along with Dan Weldon, who won the 100th running of the Indy 500.

Spectacular print spanning 100 years of racing by Alex Wakefield

Why I Wrote This Book

It's always a joy for any parent to see their child enjoying a book and off the computer.

My 36-year career in public education as a teacher and school administrator taught me a lot about the worlds that children inhabit. A good teacher is sensitive to that while teaching important topics and principles. Teachers have to reach children first before they can teach them. Good books are a natural bridge.

After I witnessed my grandchildren playing in my classic cars, it dawned on me that books involving cars might be something that children would enjoy. After all, they are driven around in vehicles most every day, and children always want to do what their parents are doing. Driving a car is one of those things that parents do, and children are thus drawn to that activity.

Another thing I included in Blue Bug was something important that we learn as adults. This book tells the story of a girl's love for a car, but more importantly, it conveys the notion that if one believes in something strongly enough and follows that passion, sooner or later they will achieve that goal.

Wishes and dreams inform our childhoods, and passions and goals drive us to them as adults. Blue Bug is a book about wishing and achieving that wish.

The Holidays Will Soon be Upon Us

The official launch day of November 1st approaches. Any of the options mentioned above will make some little someone happy during our fast-approaching holiday, and the books are all conveniently available at BlueBugBook.com.

So don't delay if you'd like to grab yourself a copy of Blue Bug. You can pre-order your book now or wait until November (about the time that the holiday rush takes control of your head). Orders will be shipped promptly, and you won't have to wrestle with others in some overcrowded shopping mall for a present, since you've already ordered it at your kitchen table—a copy of Blue Bug. Fancy that!

See you on Launch Day, November 1st!

=rds

P.S. ...and don't forget to grab a copy of Classic Speedsters for someone you love at www.ClassicSpeedsters. com!