Graphic novel gets picked up by Penguin, expanded

A FLIPPANT decision to send his manuscript to the biggest publisher first was an inspired choice for a former Alexandra man.

Sam, known as Book, Ruffell, who now lives in Mosgiel, said he created the first 20 pages of his graphic novel Para Pukeko and the Stupid Time Thingy while livestreaming on the platform Twitch.

He streamed most days, usually working on art commissions, but when there was nothing pressing he developed his book idea.

“I knew I wanted to do a story about pukeko. I love them at the [Dunedin] dump, they’re the best thing about going there,’’ Mr Ruffell said.

‘‘I had a story about them living at the dump and saving it but then had this other idea about a time machine . . .”

Twitch is a live videostreaming platform primarily aimed at gamers, but now includes everything from artists such as Mr Ruffell to musicians and cooking shows.

When he completed the first 20 pages he decided to pitch the book to Penguin, New Zealand’s biggest children’s book publisher, first.

“I decided to start with the top and work my way down through the rejection letters.’’

Penguin’s automatic response acknowledged his submission and advised a wait of four months before he could expect to hear back from them.

To his astonishment, the following morning, just hours after he sent the manuscript, he had an email saying they were interested in it and wanted to see the rest.

Once over his shock, he realised there was no more — yet — and he worked quickly to finish it.

However, there was more to come. Not only did Penguin want that book but two more as well.

Each of the books in the trilogy tells of New Zealand’s history and would have 96 pages.

He had now completed all three and said he had tried to make them funny.

“I already had the ending. I just moved that and filled in the gaps with more history and character development,’’ he said.

The books were ones he wished he had had as a child.

He had to research the New Zealand history in the books as he had not learned a lot of it at school, Mr Ruffell said.

The book will be launched in Central Otago on June 9, at Paper Plus in Alexandra.

There will be two prizes on offer — one chosen by public vote and the other by Mr Ruffell when he is in the store on June 9.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED Birdbrained . . . Former Alexandra man Book (Sam) Ruffell with his graphic novel, which is being released next week. The Dunedin rubbish dump and the pukeko which live there were his inspiration.