Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny Jordan.
Hi Danny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
The Capables is an award-winning children’s series with a focus on the inclusion of disability. I created the series in 2018 when my wife and I learned that our first daughter, Emerson, would be born with an upper limb difference. I felt compelled at that moment to do whatever I could to contribute to a world that is more inclusive, empowering, and educated when it comes to disability.
The initial promise that I made to Emmy: to write, illustrate, and print one book where she could see herself represented as the hero in the story, has grown into a commitment to the disability community as a whole.
To date, we have shipped thousands of books around the world. We won the Benjamin Franklin Award for our debut book, Rae’s First Day. Rae’s First Day was also named one of the Best Books of 2021 by Kirkus Reviews magazine.
Our second book, Lex Leads the Way, was released in October of 2022, in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
As with anything new, there are definitely challenges that we have encountered along the way. You are constantly learning, growing, and evolving. I had never written a book prior to Rae’s First Day, and being a self-published author, I had to learn to do pretty much everything on my own. From copyrighting and acquiring trademarks, to securing a printer and shipping out the books; I do it all. Inevitably, you make mistakes. For example, I didn’t know what a standard book size was (or that it was even a thing I should be aware of).
So, when my illustrator asked me what size I wanted the pages to be for our first book, I went into my daughter’s room and measured our favorite book to read together. Well, as it turns out, that book was not a standard size, so each page of my first book cost more to print because they had to use a larger sheet of paper. That also meant that I had to hire my illustrator to resize every page (plus the cover), so I could offer a print-on-demand paperback version of our book since Amazon only prints standard sizes (I.e. 8.5×11″). It was an expensive mistake, but one that I did not make with our second book.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Prior to writing my first book, I have pretty much exclusively been known for my work as a TV producer (and occasionally host). Specifically, I have produced: Extreme Makeover Home Edition, MasterChef, Biggest Loser, Deal or No Deal, Storage Wars, and Rock the Block. I have worked extensively as a sponsor producer, securing and overseeing brand partnerships in some of the biggest major network and cable shows. I have also worked on the creative side, executive producing digital series’ for Food Network and Hyatt Hotels.
Additionally, my company has become a leader in podcast production, producing industry-leading shows like The Broadway Cast (iHeartRadio), and Christmas Countdown (sponsored by Hallmark Channel).
I think what sets me apart is my desire to tell compelling and authentic stories and to tell them with integrity and care for the people who we are featuring in our shows.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think integrity, honesty, empathy, and a commitment to delivering dynamic content are paramount. In a time where there is so much content, and everyone can be (and often are) a creator, I firmly believe in always putting your best, most authentic self into everything you do, and every piece of content you create.
I know that it’s easy to compare your career or life to others, but that’s their story. Those gifts are theirs. Own who you are, and embrace what makes you YOU. There is only one you, and that’s your superpower in life. Jump headfirst into everything that makes your heart sing and do it with your whole self. When that little voice inside of you says “this is for me” or, “this isn’t for me” listen to it, no matter what the world around you is saying. Only you know your truest self, and that’s the version of you that the world needs.
Pricing:
- $19.99 – Rae’s First Day (Hardcover)
- $20.99 – Lex Leads the Way (Hardcover)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thecapables.com
- Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/dannyjordan - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/TheDannyJordan - Twitter: https://twitter.com/_
dannyjordan
Image Credits
Stretch Run Media
