DS BOOKS - Blog

Book Cover Design

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:18:00 +0000

Being a self-publishing writer means developing a wide range of skills. While this is definitely enjoyable, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Currently, Maria and I are focused on improving some aspects of the cover design for my first book, "The Nose Knows: Adventures of a Detective Dog", Book 1. I initially chose a cute display featuring the characters Rupert, Ferdi, and, of course, Dario, with Dario's house and the Lost and Found Agency in the background.

As I continue to work on multiple book covers and brainstorm ideas for other stories, I've started to be more adapt to genre-specific elements that I hadn’t considered before. This insight has inspired me to refine the cover for Dario's first book to better align with the world of detectives and mysteries.

So, keep an eye out for the new cover! I plan to unveil it once I have the German translation of "The Nose Knows" ready (das neue Spürnasen-Büro meldet sich bald zurück).

What helps us gain perspective?

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:14:00 +0000

Why do we do what we do?

Have you ever asked yourself what your greatest motivation is? Is it driven by intrinsic factors or external ones, or is it something entirely different?

For me, my stories have always represented a blend of both. My intrinsic creativity fuels my desire to share my work with a wide audience—children and adults alike. My goal is to make them smile, encourage them to think, and invite them into a world where anything is possible.

Additionally, there’s a part of me that is deeply curious about the world. My scientific mind constantly wonders about various topics (sometimes all at once) and helps me explore new ideas, incorporating scientific elements into my writing.

I can't wait to share more of my world with you.

Inspiration in the most unusual way

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:42:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered what the heart secretly conveys? It’s more than just words; it transcends feelings. I believe that when the mind and heart work together, they can create something beautiful.

A story comes to mind about a mushroom named Tilly that was inspired by a funny situation: my haircut reminded my sister of a mushroom. I had opted for a less experienced hairdresser because, during my university years, I didn’t have much money but loved a fancy haircut. This scenario eventually led to a new story after I flew across the world to live in another country for a while—one that continues to shape my thoughts and feelings to this day.

So, I often wonder if all my experiences hadn’t happened the way they did—the good and the bad—I wouldn’t be able to create my books as they are now. Or perhaps it’s the other way around; the stories shape themselves while I watch them grow. Maybe the author is the visionary catalyst, but the story takes its own turn.

If you're curious about the mushroom named Tilly, I'm excited to share more about her soon! Keep an eye out for some sneak peeks here or in my newsletter. Can't wait to tell you all about her!

My Neighbour the Slug

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 18:48:00 +0000

Another book of mine that has been brewing for longer than anticipated is titled "My Neighbour the Slug." I was inspired to write this book two years ago when I watched my son explore the garden. He was delighted to discover numerous snails hiding in the grass. He was particularly excited by the slimy trails they left behind, even getting some on his hands. Later on, he picked up a few slugs and was surprised by how their sticky secretions clung to his skin like a second layer. Yet, this didn’t deter him; he continued to collect more the following day.

This experience resonated with me, partly because I had a snail garden as a child. I had a large plastic terrarium that was originally a hamster transport box, which I repurposed into a home for snails. My friend and my sister helped me collect snails while we were playing outside, and we created a cosy habitat for them. To our amazement, a few days later, we discovered that the snails had multiplied! Instead of three, we suddenly had a real snail farm. At that age, we were completely oblivious to how this happened and thought the snails must possess some magical abilities. After about two weeks, we had to release them back into the wild because their enclosure had become quite cramped.

If you're ever considering getting an easy pet, I can recommend snails. They are simple to feed and care for. Our newest addition to the family, a woodlouse, has also proven to be an easy and resilient pet, eating everything from vegetable scraps to dried flowers.

Feel free to share your best first pet experience with me :)

A Publishing Journey

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 18:06:00 +0000

After years in the making, my first book, *The Nose Knows: Adventures of a Detective Dog*, is finally available on bookshelves. While it isn't the first book I've written (that honour goes to *My Neighbour the Slug*), *The Nose Knows* is the one to which my heart is truly attached.

The story follows a police dog in training named Dario. He aspires to become a police dog just like his famous mother. However, he unexpectedly fails his final exam, which is a heartbreaking experience for him, especially since he has always relied on his incredible nose—a super tracker capable of detecting everything from the faintest trace of poison to the nearest meatball restaurant, even if it's miles away.

Dario, the hero of this story, is inspired by my beloved pet dog, Darjo, a beagle with an incredible sense of smell, a strong will, and a loving heart. The inspiration to write this story came years ago when I created a fun music video featuring Dario as a superstar for my sister's birthday. Ever since then, I couldn't shake the idea of seeing Darjo in his own book that captures his adventurous spirit and loyalty.

In any good crime-solving mystery book, a sidekick and a villain are essential, and choosing these characters can be quite challenging. Being an animal lover, I naturally had small pets while growing up, mainly fish and then a hamster that eventually had baby hamsters (you can see where this is heading). From this, the idea emerged for a hamster sidekick who is fiercely loyal and as obsessed with food and snacking as dogs are. If they don't like something, they bite! Thus, Rupert was created with these attributes in mind. To balance out the duo, I introduced Ferdi, a clever fox who can step in to help whenever the other two animals face challenges. And voilà, the trio was born!

But what about the villain? Well, that's something for the young detectives in training to figure out!

Welcome post

Wed, 21 May 2025 16:24:00 +0000

Welcome to my blog!

In this space, I will be sharing insights into my journey as a writer, details about my publishing experiences, and a behind-the-scenes look at my upcoming books. I’ll also reveal some intriguing insights along the way.

I invite you to stay tuned for updates and hope you find the content enjoyable and informative. I would love to hear your thoughts and feedback!

Thanks!