Ben St. James - November 2026 Featured Author

Ben St. James is a Sugar Creek-based author and illustrator who has worked with hundreds of authors on books ranging from children’s picture books to memoirs and nonfiction. He has written and illustrated children’s books, designed animated characters and mascots. 

Congrats on being announced as a Moonbeam Children's Book Awards finalist for your picture book, Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town. Tell us a little about it.

Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town is about Cooper, a young boy obsessed with the Wild West. When it’s his turn for show and tell, he decides to journey to a nearby ghost town to find treasures to share with his class. But when he gets there, he finds more than just an abandoned town and learns a valuable lesson about preserving historical sites and the legacy of those who came before us.

How did you get started? Did you always want to be a children's author?

My creative journey started in grade school, when I would sit at the back of the class and draw comics. That eventually led to an official position drawing for my high school paper. For many years, I worked in graphic design for myself and others, but in 2017, I started drawing characters again and created a video game and webtoon. My friends and family eventually encouraged me to try children’s books, which grew into my main area of focus as an author and artist. 

We'd love to hear more about your writing journey. What's the process been like?

I was very fortunate to connect with a small press in Spokane in 2021, where the owner saw my work and enlisted me to illustrate six early reader and activity books. That experience gave me the opportunity to learn more about the children’s publishing world. Since then, I’ve branched out into creating my own narrative picture books, where I get to combine my illustrations with my own stories and characters. It’s been a really fun process of figuring out how to bring an idea from a simple character or concept into a complete book. 

How have you stayed connected to the writing community?

One way I stay connected is through the SCBWI. I’ve gotten to meet other SCBWI authors at book festivals, who are often extremely encouraging and knowledgeable. It’s great to have that instant connection and a natural talking point. I’m also a member of the Kansas Authors Club, and I’ve attended multiple events there. I was recently a finalist in their annual book contest in the Picture Book category for Cowboy Cooper and the Ghost Town, in addition to being named a Moonbeam Awards finalist for the same book. I especially enjoy connecting with authors in other genres to get insights I might miss out on from my own point of view.

Also, as part of my weekly work in PR, I meet with 3 to 6 authors to talk about books and branding. Getting to share experiences and do some coaching is a lot of fun, and I’ve met many wonderful people internationally, this week, as far away as Switzerland and Italy! That was a surprise.

Do you have a critique group? And if so, how has that group been beneficial to your career?

I do, actually. I think if people knew how critical they can be at times, especially with my screenwriting, they might wince. But the feedback has definitely helped me, and over the years I’ve developed a thicker skin. It can be difficult not to take criticism personally, especially because most creatives tend to be sensitive about their work. But when it comes to writing, particularly the mechanics of it, I think it’s important to get feedback, use your own discernment, and not take everything personally.

I think, like a lot of writers, I’ve found that formatting can sometimes be a bigger challenge than developing the concept itself. Most of the friends and family members I rely on for immediate feedback are filmmakers and screenwriters, so they naturally tend to focus on story beats, pacing, and character development. That influence has definitely shaped my work and has helped me look at my writing from a different perspective.

Who would you say influences you and your writing?

Watty Piper, for the timeless messages that influenced me throughout my childhood and helped me develop habits and values that I carried into adulthood. A.A. Milne, for his world-building and ability to create characters and a world that feel timeless. And Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird (TMNT), for creating an ecosystem where their stories and illustrations grew into a home for so many writers, artists, and other creators. 

What do you do when you are not writing?

Video games, especially the classics. I actually prefer playing them to watching streaming shows, and I like to think that, particularly with older games, there are some benefits when it comes to hand-eye coordination and problem-solving. Although, to be fair, I might just be rationalizing!

Is there anything else you'd like to mention or highlight?

I’d like to once again mention how valuable the connections, encouragement, and resources I’ve found through SCBWI have been. I’m grateful to be part of this community.