Rice publishes children’s book

Twenty years in the making, Custer singer, songwriter and now author Rod Rice has published his first Christmas book for children and it’s out just in time for the big day. The 16-page illustrated book entitled “He Rode Shotgun for Santa” tells the story of Dakota Territory cowboy Zak Bryant who comes to St. Nick’s rescue one Christmas Eve in the late 1800s when the forces of Scrooge were threatening to hijack Santa’s sleigh and spoil Christmas.
The hero must ride with Santa and fire special magical bullets of joy and love at the outlaws to save Christmas.
Rice says he came up with the inspiration for the book about 20 years ago when he was in Branson, Mo., during the Christmas season where he was surrounded by lots of holiday spirit.
“I have the cowboy spirit in me,” said Rice regarding the themes and inspiration of the book. “Sometimes these ideas come to me out of  nowhere. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with something going on in my head.”
After composing a song by the same name, Rice thought the concept could be turned into a book which he wrote and then put on a shelf for the next 15 years or so.
At the time he wrote the story, Rice said he didn’t even have children of his own, but when he read it to his three children about 11 years ago, they “really liked it.”
Then, about five years ago Rice decided to take the manuscript off the shelf and, collaborating with then local artist and family friend Cheryl Smith, he self-published about 50 copies of the story which were distributed locally.
This year, however, Rice decided to take the plunge and submit the book to Page Publishing, Inc. of Conneaut, Penn. The company accepted the manuscript and, after improving the original artwork and making some editorial changes, published the book which is being distributed both nationwide and locally.
This Christmas season “He Rode Shotgun for Santa” can be purchased online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble for $12.95 and can also be found at Lynn’s Dakotamart, Carson Drug and Custer County Candy Co. in Custer.
Rice said those interested in purchasing the book can also call him at 517-0509 or 673-2547.
A book-signing is scheduled for this Friday at the Custer County Library from 2 to 5:30 p.m.