One of our own has gotten his name out in the world through a children's book called ALL Summer's Fun.

Daniel Skalak, a senior here at UNC Charlotte, will have his book published after winning a contest by Red Cygnet Press, a new children's book publishing company. Of more than 120 entries, Skalak's was one of the 12 winning book proposals.

Skalak originally wrote and illustrated this book initially for his illustration class project. It took him about six months to draw and color the book, but the overall process of getting the book together took almost a year.

Skalak has always been interested in drawing and coloring, which is one of the reasons why he's an illustration major here at Charlotte. "My parents always told me to do what makes me happy, not what makes the most money," said Skalak.

He usually draws or doodles in his sketchbook whenever he can; it's where he gets his character ideas.

"I never thought I would get my book published," Skalak said. "I was just submitting it because I had it together, and all I had to do was send it."

Half of Skalak's class submitted their work as well; it took him six months to hear back from the Red Cygnet Press to find out they wanted to publish his book. "All my friends had gotten rejection letters, and I was just waiting for mine to come through the mail too; but instead, I got a letter saying the complete opposite."

ALL Summer's Fun is about how a few friends made the best of their summer vacation; it's for children between four and seven years of age or for kids at heart.

Asked why he wrote a children's book, Skalak replied, "I took a class on illustrating children's books, and I loved it."

The published author also talked about his upcoming plans. "Well, actually, I'm working on my second children's book called Luke and a Little Luck, which is for kids from about 10 to 12 years old," said Skalak. This book is about how a poor child travels around the world to try and make something of himself, only to realize that home is where he belongs.

"The artwork in this book will be more realistic than the first one," Skalak says. "I haven't drawn the characters yet, but hopefully, they'll come to me just like with the first book."

As an author, Skalak does have advice for future writers here at UNC Charlotte. "Just follow your passion with a passion, and enjoy what you do; don't do it for the money."

Skalak will be doing a book signing on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 12 to 3 p.m. in the Rowe Arts building; the book can be purchased for $18.