Kevin Grant
Author of Popular Anti-Bullying Series “Nelish Daring Quests.”
Featuring Nelish the Peacock
Kevin is also CEO of Gifted Grant Productions that provides quality entertainment to the world through books, accessories and relatable media to inspire children and adults alike.
Featuring Nelish the Peacock
Kevin is also CEO of Gifted Grant Productions that provides quality entertainment to the world through books, accessories and relatable media to inspire children and adults alike.
Nelish the Peacock
Jules Lavallee
Copa Style Magazine West Coast Correspondent
Copa: Kevin, Where are you from?
Kevin: I'm from Savannah, GA. After graduating from High School in May 2000, I joined the U.S. Navy a month after graduation and served a total of 13-years in the service.
Kevin: I'm from Savannah, GA. After graduating from High School in May 2000, I joined the U.S. Navy a month after graduation and served a total of 13-years in the service.
Copa: You were bullied when you were younger. When did you realize that you wanted to prevent others from experiencing bullying?
Kevin: I realized that I wanted to prevent others from being bullied roughly around my Junior High and High School years. Basically, these were the times when your peers start defining themselves and also the time bullying and peer pressure definitely grows at this level as well. I was born and blessed with this gift of drawing. I spent many hours during my youth trying to draw and develop characters that provided an escape of what I experienced past or present at that time.
Copa: Tell us about your military experience.
Kevin: My military experience was more like a decision made based upon the fact that I wanted to go to an art school, preferably Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), but since I didn't have funding or scholarships that could fully pay for my tuition, avoiding student loans and the lack of having a true trade/skill set at the time. After careful guidance and thought, I decided it was best to join the military. A cousin (Anthony McIver) persuaded me to join the Navy, and it was the best decision ever made.
Kevin: My military experience was more like a decision made based upon the fact that I wanted to go to an art school, preferably Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), but since I didn't have funding or scholarships that could fully pay for my tuition, avoiding student loans and the lack of having a true trade/skill set at the time. After careful guidance and thought, I decided it was best to join the military. A cousin (Anthony McIver) persuaded me to join the Navy, and it was the best decision ever made.
Copa: When did you discover your passion for writing?
Kevin: I discovered my passion for writing during my senior year in High School. My English teacher Mrs. Barbara Delac had an uncanny sense of teaching. She was a first-year teacher there but left soon after I graduated. Although she taught English, I felt like her class was more of a creative writing class. She thought of things “outside of the box” and that's the way she taught. It was her creative writing assignments. Most of these assignments pretty much involved anything that we wanted to turn into her, and I believe I wrote things involving romance. It was this moment that I realized I had this great gift; she told me that I was a hopeless romantic and that I had full potential with writing and that I should never give it up! She continued to tell me this, and I received off the chart grades in her class. To be honest, I never thought about writing. My art was drawing. So as a teen, I kind of just put this thought to rest, or more like in my back pocket.
Kevin: I discovered my passion for writing during my senior year in High School. My English teacher Mrs. Barbara Delac had an uncanny sense of teaching. She was a first-year teacher there but left soon after I graduated. Although she taught English, I felt like her class was more of a creative writing class. She thought of things “outside of the box” and that's the way she taught. It was her creative writing assignments. Most of these assignments pretty much involved anything that we wanted to turn into her, and I believe I wrote things involving romance. It was this moment that I realized I had this great gift; she told me that I was a hopeless romantic and that I had full potential with writing and that I should never give it up! She continued to tell me this, and I received off the chart grades in her class. To be honest, I never thought about writing. My art was drawing. So as a teen, I kind of just put this thought to rest, or more like in my back pocket.
|
Copa: Your new children’s book series, “Nelish Daring Quests” is getting a lot of attention in the Hollywood press. Please share some information about your first book.
Kevin: My first book, “Nelish Daring Quests” is about Nelish the Peacock, the protagonist of the story, whose life revolves around predators and prey. He is considered prey by most predators. Instead of being considered prey, instead of just being considered prey by birth, Nelish tries to defy these insults, bullying, and attacks by trying to stand up for himself and other prey. While trying to determine his true purpose, naturally, being born as prey, surviving predators is a daunting task alone, so Nelish is encountered with quests along with trying to defend himself in spite of being considered weak and defenseless by most predator bullies. The story centers around Nelish, but he also encounters friends and foes that either aid or oppose him along his quests. Copa: Tell us about Book 2,” Nelish Daring Quests: Predator Uprising.”
Kevin: Kids should expect that the plot thickens. Characters developed from Book 1 encounters more obstacles affecting their decisions. More potential threats may occur, along with surprising insightful details along the way. I don't want to provide any spoilers, but “Nelish Daring Quests” Book 2 does open up Nelish's environment further which involves predator hierarchy based on vulnerabilities. 
|
Copa: What do you want people to learn from your anti-bulling books?
Kevin: I want people to learn that just because you are born a certain way, that doesn't define you. Instead, stand up for what you truly believe in and you can make anything possible! My goal was to develop an iconic character that could symbolize just that. Nelish the Peacock is basically the face of Anti-Bullying because he personally knows what it's like to experience bullying and what it takes to prevail. 
|
|
Copa: What would you like to see mainstream media and Hollywood due better in regards to anti-bullying?
Kevin: In regards to mainstream media, I would like for them to provide platforms in which programs can relate to kids, teens, and even adults. More often than not, reality shows and other news channels are taking center stage and I believe more informational shows could replace current reality shows. To be honest, bullying is a real relatable show that should be presented. Hollywood can definitely use their platform by helping change the way people view bullying. For generations, people gravitated toward Hollywood to provide a sense of excitement and escape from other social norms, so absolutely they should use their platform as a responsibility to effectively prevent bullying. Copa: Are there any plans for “Nelish Daring Quests” the movie?
Kevin: Absolutely there must be one! It is my wish, hope, and true desire that the right network company collaborate with me so that we can effectively inspire the world! |
Copa: How did you come up with a Peacock for the character?
Kevin: How did you come up with a Peacock for the character? I came up with a Peacock because I wanted to create an iconic character that no one hasn't seen or heard about yet. Out of all species, a Peacock is definitely not known for defending themselves, so I wanted to portray a relatable character that bullied kids of all ages, and adults could completely relate to. When you see a Peacock, they are so vulnerable, just like bullied victims, so through Nelish the Peacock, I wanted to demonstrate hope, courage, and positive morale for standing up against bullies and any opposition. Copa: Are you currently writing another book?
Kevin: Yes, I am working on “Nelish Daring Quests Book 3: Mascot Rivals.” There is so much information that's including into Book 3, so any information that I add here will definitely spoil information from the other two previous books. I will say that you cannot skip any of the other two books because you would be missing out on the foundation of “Nelish Daring Quests” hit series! |
You can find Nelish Daring Quests at the website:
http://www.nelishquest.com
The books are also availble through Amazon and Kindle Direct Publishing.
~Copa