We Need Your Help

​Hello readers and welcome to our newsletter!

I hope you are all well and safe wherever you are during the pandemic. I feel very lucky and blessed to be in New Zealand where new cases are all in managed isolation, and there's no active case in the community at the moment. I never take it for granted though, and often check the news to be aware of what it's happening around the world. And of course, I talk with my family often who are still in isolation in Brazil! I can truly empathize with all those who have had their lives affected by COVID. Stay strong, stay safe and keep going.

Keep reading below to be in the know with what's happening at the Spies headquarters, the new promotions for this month and how YOU can help Ben's books get noticed!

Talk again soon.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Ben's book are available from Amazon and we would love for them to be discovered by more readers! Have you enjoyed reading any of Ben's books? Can you help? If you have 5 minutes, you would make this young writer really happy if you could write an honest review on his Amazon page.
Link here. Choose your book and start reviewing! Thank you!!
Meet the Team:
Hello there! Welcome to all our new subscribers!
We think it's time to introduce ourselves again.
Spies Publishing is a small, independent publisher founded in 2016 by husband and wife, Renata and Robert Spies, inspired by their son's imagination and passion for writing. Ben wrote his first book - Weirdo - when he was nine years old, and since then he hasn't stopped writing! His younger brother Daniel loves writing too and reads all of Ben's manuscripts before we send them to the editors.
We invite you to discover Ben's books in our website: www.spiespublishing.co.nz
Thanks for stopping by!


To our Brazilian readers 

We have our first Portuguese book!
Esquito, eu? is the translated version of Ben's first book - Weirdo. The book is available now from Amazon.com and it will be available soon from the Brazilian Amazon store too. We will let you know as soon as this happens.
We are also working on the e-book at the moment.
Watch this space!

Eugênio é um menino de 10 anos que tem vários motivos para estar triste...
Ele perdeu os pais recentemente, não tem amigos na escola e todo mundo acha que ele é meio esquisito. Será que Eugênio vai conseguir ser feliz de novo? Embarque nessa divertida e emocionante aventura e descubra o lado doce e companheiro de Eugênio. Esquisito, eu? é o primeiro livro de Ben Spies e foi escrito quando ele tinha apenas 9 anos. Ben gosta de ler livros de aventura desde pequeno, tem um senso de humor peculiar e prefere os personagens com nomes engraçados. Mas, acima de tudo, Ben adora fazer as crianças rirem com suas histórias.
Ben Spies vive na Nova Zelandia com sua familia.
Our Colouring Books are Coming Soon!
We are creating two coloring books with the illustrations from
Weirdo and The Magic Pencil. 
A super fun activity for kids ages 6+. The illustrations for Ben's books were created by his father, Robert, so it is a very special project for us! 
Your children will love bringing these drawings to life! 
Publishing dates to be confirmed soon.

              
         
DISCOVER BEN'S BOOKS HERE:
WEIRDO
Meet Ugine. He is a right, proper weirdo. But with great weirdness comes great responsibility...
Ugine recently lost his parents. He now lives by himself. He has no friends at school, and everyone thinks he is weird... but when a school trip to Brazil ends in disaster, Ugine's weirdness might just come in handy. Will Ugine save his classmates? Or will they all be lost in the jungle forever...
'Weirdo' was written when Ben was just nine years old. Ben started writing his own stories to entertain his peers with the authentic, peculiar and hilarious voice only a child can have.
If your children love the funny stories by Dav Pilkey and the Tom Gates series they will enjoy this book.
Buy Ben's first book 'Weirdo' here!
Ages: 7+
THE MAGIC PENCIL
A school boy. A magic pencil. One chance to save the world.
When Bob finds an innocent-looking pencil on his way to school, little does he realize his life will never be the same again. Anything it draws magically comes to life.
Unknown to Bob, a dangerous gang of villains are not far behind. Desperately searching for the Magic Pencil, the Fakeys want to use the power of the pencil to take over the world, and they will let nothing stand in their way.
In a race against time, can Bob and his friends stay one step ahead of the Fakeys to save the world?
'The Magic Pencil' is an extraordinary adventure full of action, unexpected time-travel and imaginative scenarios.
If you like Roald Dahl and David Walliams' books, then you'll love this novel by Kiwi young author Ben Spies.
'The Magic Pencil' is written by 10 year old author Ben Spies. The true point of difference in Ben's books is that they are written by a child, for children. Through a child's eyes and with a child's voice.
Order your copy of 'The Magic Pencil' here and embark on Ben's latest adventure.
Ages: 8+
THE WORLD OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Ever wondered what the Greek myths look like through the eyes of a child?
Eleven-year-old author, Ben Spies, writes his version of some of the most thrilling tales from Greek mythology.
From Titans to Olympians, 'The World of Greek Mythology' delivers an action-packed retelling of the myths, from how the world was created to a personal take on some of the greatest and mightiest gods and goddesses.
Ben adds his quirky humour to each chapter as we follow the drama of the legendary Trojan War and the epic voyage of Odysseus.
But be warned: the gruesome world of Greek mythology is not for the faint of heart… get ready for bloody battles and horrible deaths.
If you love Greek mythology, or you’re keen to learn more, this book is sure to delight and captivate your imagination.
The World of Greek Mythology was the bronze medal winner for the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards in 2019.
If your children enjoyed the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan they will love this book!
Get your copy of 'The World of Greek Mythology' here.
Ages: 10+
2020
Earth's orbit is moving closer to the Sun and our planet is heating up at an alarming rate.
The spacecraft sent by NASA to find a new home for the human race has been destroyed by an alien force.
Twelve-year-old Jacob and his mother Susan are fighting for survival while witnessing the horrors of an apocalyptic world. With so many threats to our planet, the enemy may not come from outer-space, but from right here among us.
Susan and Jacob are quickly running out of time. However, hope might be on its way after all... just not from where they expected.
Will Susan and Jacob survive? Or will they fall prey to this dreadful, chaotic world?
'2020' is the fourth novel from teenage author, Ben Spies.
If you like heart-pounding action, high-stakes drama, and all things alien and sci-fi, you’ll love Ben’s new book.
Get your copy today here!
Ages: 11+
If you would like to support New Zealand authors and independent publishers, check out The Underground Bookstore. The Underground Bookstore is a collective of independently published authors, based in and around the Wellington region - the capital of New Zealand. We have a great range of genres to choose from, such as: children's books, YA novels, murder mystery, non-fiction, travel, fantasy, romance and thriller.
You can find us at pop-up stores, markets and events across the Wellington region.

Click on the logo below to visit our site, check our books and see where we will be at next.


GREAT READS BELOW!
Click on the images below to be redirected to our promos this month.
A selection of some fantastic children's books and middle grade chapter books for kids and teenagers. Plus lots of awesome reads for all sci-fi fans!
Check it out!

Great sci-fi books below:


AND... COMING SOON:



Love reviewing? Choose a book below and request your copy to review!

Picks of the month:

. Check out best-Selling Children's Book author - Lisa Strattin - 
This educational book presents facts along with full color photographs and carefully chosen words to teach children about the Primates. Click on image below for more info:



. Check out James Murdo's new sci-fi novel - Siouca.
Siouca is a member of the advanced Wanderer civilisation. The quest to unlock the secrets of interstellar travel leads a Roranian crew on an epic journey across space. Saved by a dying machine-lect, stranded in a failing ship, faced with an ultimate choice. Were they too eager in their attempts to reach the stars? Click on image below for more info:


We value your support and Ben would like to gift you his very first book!
You can now choose your favourite e-book format. PDF, E-PUB or MOBI. 
Weirdo is a great read for children aged 7 and older.
If you like his book, feel free to recommend it to your family and friends
and leave a review for Ben!!
You can join us on Facebook and Instagram to follow our news and events!
Click on the button below to get your FREE copy!
Your FREE Weirdo
Join our ARC team and receive Ben's books first!
If you love reviewing and would like to receive free early copies of Ben's books, let us know! Reviews help our books get noticed and seen when people are searching on Amazon! We would love for you to review Ben's books!
Contact us at info@spiespublishing.co.nz to join Ben's ARC team.

Thanks for reading and following our journey,