Featured Interview With Author Tony Roebuck
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised in Arkansas and currently live in Florida, but for the last few years I have been a digital nomad and lived on both coasts of the US and in the middle as well as in Central America. I tell people I'm not really retired; I'm rewired. I'm exploring different areas, visiting family and friends, and writing, and I still do some counseling and coaching online as well.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have loved books and reading since I was a small child, One of my favorite places to hang out as a kid was in the county library. We lived out in the country for many years, and my mother was an avid reader and always encouraged us to go read a book, especially when we were bored or she thought we were getting into mischief, which was not uncommon. She later owned a bookstore, so I helped out. Writing was a struggle for me early on, but I later discovered the joy of writing to my grandmother and different pen pals. In some ways, I think letter writing is a lost art. I have begun many book projects over the years, but only when I "rewired" did I begin publishing this year.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I go back and forth between fiction and nonfiction reading. In fiction I enjoy sci-fantasy and mysteries as well as adventure. Some of my favorite authors in fiction are J.K. Rowling, John Grisham, Tony Hillerman, Robert Johnson, and Clive Cussler. In nonfiction I lean toward the spiritual/metaphysical. Some of my favorite authors in this category are Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle, and Eric Butterworth.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
When I was about 14 or 15, I came home one day from school very depressed and crying because I felt I had no friends. My father gave me the book How to Win Friends and Influence People. He said it had really helped him, and he hoped that I would read it and use it. Not a book I would have picked up myself, but I was hurting, so I began reading it and began using some of the ideas, and it completely changed my life. That year I was elected to student council, I was also elected to the state and then the regional youth council of my church, and I made a lot of new friends. Recently I was playing with my granddaughters, and it occurred to me that there ought to be a book like this for kids. So I reread the book and began to write the basic ideas in a way that I thought kids could understand and use, and it just began to develop from there.
Making friends can sometimes feel awkward or intimidating, but this comic-style children’s book transforms those tricky moments into fun, teachable ones. With humor, colorful anime-style illustrations, and hands-on activities, kids learn how to build confidence, listen with empathy, celebrate others, and resolve disagreements with kindness.
Inside, readers will find 10 engaging chapters, 21 vibrant illustrations, and creative exercises that make learning social-emotional skills feel like play. From starting conversations and cheering on friends to handling conflict gracefully, every page empowers children to grow into compassionate, confident, and connected individuals.
Perfect for families, classrooms, counseling sessions, or homeschooling, The Magic of Making Friends for Kids offers more than just advice—it unlocks the superpower of kindness and connection.
Turn awkward into awesome—and help kids shine as the friends they’re meant to be.
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
To discover a new awesome author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and you want to find new readers come submit your book to our Awesome Book Promotion service.