In this episode of In the Writer's Chair, host Lana McAra sits down with Joseph Muller, a historical novelist who has recently expanded his repertoire into children's literature with his new book, Pirates of Adventure Island. Joseph holds a BA in history and the classics, as well as a master's in architecture, backgrounds that inform both his historical fiction and the technical layout of his children's books. He lives in a household full of inspiration, including his wife and his six-year-old son, who serves as both his muse and chief critic.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The "Obvious" Mashup: How a simple conversation with his son led Joseph to create a book combining pirates and dinosaurs—a pairing he found surprisingly missing from the market.
• The Art of Collaboration: Joseph details his 50-50 partnership with watercolor artist Carla Bess, emphasizing a non-dictatorial process where words and images iterate together to tighten the narrative.
• Architecture Meets Children's Literature: How Joseph applied architectural layout principles and digital skills in programs like Illustrator to format the book for high-resolution printing.
• Lessons from Reading Aloud: The specific pitfalls to avoid in children's books, such as distracting text bubbles or "extra words" that break the engagement between parent and child.
• Bravery in Small Moments: Joseph's intentionality in showing characters taking brave actions to drive the plot, aiming to teach his son about courage in a "silly and stupid" but meaningful way.
• Marketing for a Niche vs. a Mass Market: Why Joseph found marketing a children's book significantly easier than historical fiction due to its clearly defined and universal target audience.