San Angelo Lake View students create book available on Amazon

SAN ANGELO — In it's second year, the Lake View Writers Club set out to meet a new challenge.

The small group of students from all grade levels took part in creating a children's book for publication. The students did everything from idea conception to illustration for their book, "Bumble: The Busy Bees," which is being sold on Amazon.

English teacher Holly Stovall, who is the club's sponsor, said it was a unique experience for students. 

"This book is a neat collective that allows for some of that 'heart' work to be noticed and published," she said, explaining writers pour so much of themselves into their work.  

Seven students split the responsibilities of writing and editing the book. Senior Alayna Gregg was tasked with illustration. 

The book tackles the issue of children dealing with parents who are too busy. The story follows the main character, Bumble, his babysitter and his parents as they learn to cope with their busy life and are reminded of their love for one another. 

Stovall said a student last year pushed for a club so interested students could engage with each other. Students are at different stages of writing and their interests range from fantasy novels and poetry to anime and playwriting.

Students meet from 3:30-5 p.m. the first Thursday each month. 

"We all visit and share our stories and ask questions and make suggestions," she said. "With the writers club, they can express themselves and grow their craft where they know they will have support because we are all doing the same thing." 

More:Working is a way of life for many San Angelo Lake View athletes

Last year, the club brought in several guest speakers, such as local authors and members of the San Angelo Writers Club to speak with the students. This year, Stovall said, they wanted to try something new and decided to write a book collectively. 

It took between three to four months to put the book together, said high school senior Chad Eisenbraun, who Stovall credits with coming up with the storyline. 

Eisenbraun writes poetry and is working to get his work published by the end of the school year. 

"I think (this) was a pretty good idea," he said. "Not many authors come together to write a book and when they do, it's really cool to read. (The printed book) is a perfect representation of the idea." 

Junior Jack Bradley, who enjoys character development in his writing, said it helped to break apart the writing responsibilities because it catered to the writing strengths of individual members.     

Bradley helped establish the voice of Bumble and wrote the catch phrases in the story. 

"The thing about this is it's definitely something that comes from the heart," he said. "If you know everybody who wrote a part in it you would be able to tell 'This is this guy's stuff.'" 

More:20 years after Lake View High fire, students recall what burned into their memories

Stovall said it was a "big learning process" for her and the club's members. 

The book, which also includes an activities section, is selling for $8.78 on Amazon. All proceeds will support the club with publishing student works. More than 30 books were sold as of Tuesday. 

"We're hoping to start a student published section in the library so other students, if they want to, can come see what their peers or students before them have written," Stovall said. "The children's book is the start of that." 

BUY THE BOOK

Title: "Bumble: The Busy Bees"

Cost: $8.78 

Where: Amazon.com

Have a community story idea you'd like to share? Email us at News@GoSanAngelo.com.