It's Petty Revenge.
Written in the perspective of OBNOXIOUS BRAVADO, mixed with light self-deprecation.... This Book is a ROCKET SHIP! is a darkly funny little tale about talent, ego, ambition, procrastination... and the uncomfortable difference between going somewhere and getting somewhere.
Sometimes all it takes to change your trajectory is realizing you've been staring at the wrong way to fly.
A few months back, I invested a considerable amount of time, value, and creative energy into a startup.
Things didn't exactly go as planned.
I'll spare you the details, but let's just say the experience left me with some strong feelings, a few valuable lessons, and a rather spectacular amount of creative frustration.
So, naturally, I wrote a children's book.
For adults.
And yes, it's petty.
This Book is a ROCKET SHIP! is told with an absurd amount of bravado, a healthy dose of sarcasm, and just enough truth to make things uncomfortable, and embarrassing for people who throw temper tantrums.
Writing it was cathartic. Publishing it is even better.
And here's where things get interesting.
For every copy purchased during the next couple of months, I plan to purchase another copy myself. Eventually, I intend to send the collection to someone who helped inspire the story. That guy really deserves a monument to his magnificent feats!
Because apparently, my preferred method of processing frustration is publishing literature.
And if this little rocket really takes off? I'd love to commission a professional illustrator to create a second edition. The current artwork was developed using AI, but one of my goals is to turn the project's success into an opportunity to support a working artist.
So, whether you appreciate dark humor, enjoy a little harmless pettiness, believe in turning setbacks into something creative, or simply want to see where this ridiculous experiment goes...
Buy a copy. Give one to a friend. Help this rocket take off.
What started as a frustrating chapter of my life has become something I'm genuinely proud to share.
And that, I think, is a pretty good ending.
Or maybe it's just the beginning.
Thank you for being part of it.
— R.Z. Holloman