Juvenile Author Michael Morgan Fulfills Writing Dream through Xlibris

Published at only 16, Xlibris author Jim Compton is headed for something big. The prolific writer, also known by his pen name Michael Morgan, has self-published four books to date under his children’s book collection known as the Cat-Boy series.  

Xlibris author Michael Morgan
20-year-old Xlibris author Michael Morgan has already self-published four books through Xlibris.

After being home-schooled by his mother, he passed his GED and went to college at 16. He has acted in live stage plays, was an extra in the movie Paranoia, and first published an article in 2009. Michael’s achievements keep on piling up as he is soon to finish his degree at only 20 years old with flying colors from the Glendale Community College, Glendale, Arizona, US.

The Xlibris Blog needs not take him to the center stage – his accomplishments are enough to steal the spotlight.   

Feline inspiration

Like the legendary writer Edgar Allan Poe, Michael drew his literary inspiration from a cat. He also realized early on that he was born to write.

I got my first cat when I was 7, so Cat-Boy kind of grew up from that love I’ve always had for cats.

His books were intended for readers ages 8 to 14, but his reader base is expanding.

Little by little, sales are picking up. Sales have been made all around the United States.

Sheriff Joe
Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio with Michael Morgan’s mother Elizabeth Compton, and Michael Morgan

The good sales may be attributed to one of his characters, General Joe. The character is based on Maricopa County, Arizona, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, considered to be the most popular Sheriff in the US. Sheriff Joe has also expressed his full support for the Cat-Boy series through social media and a testimonial on the book’s back cover.

Sheriff Joe is thankful for being an inspiration to Michael.

It is my delight that Michael Morgan based the character “General Joe” on me, and I am very impressed by his writing talent and publishing ambitions. Keep up the good work!

The Cat-Boy series

An article from Phoenix, Arizona’s official newsletter Phoenix.org says this about the Cat-Boy series:

Cat-Boy’s adventures are definitely a different twist from the usual children’s novels. The hero ends up battling diverse villains such as an escaped video game avatar, a “Mafia King,” a nerdy, former superhero-turned-super-villain, and even a “rogue” superhero Tiger-Man, whose heroic reputation is up for debate! Each character is dysfunctional in their own way, which only adds to the confusion – and the fun!

Other literary inspirations

Most of my characters, heroes and villains, are based on someone I either currently know, or have known in the past. Leopard Girl is based on my Mom.

Pizza Old Roma, a restaurant in downtown Glendale, also appears in several of his books. The pizza parlor is the favorite meeting place of the reclusive Arizona mafia.

I like the owner, Kolby, and he gave me permission. I love their pizza, so I decided to immortalize it through Cat-Boy.

More books in the works

I’ve got storylines for at least seven more books – so far!

Dreaming high

I hope someday that Cat-Boy will be so popular, that Matt Groening will make fun of him on The Simpsons! When that happens, then I’ll know that Cat-Boy has arrived!

Bibliography:

Cat Boy vs. The Fatal Game Glitch

 

Cat Boy vs. The Mafia Knights

 

Cat Boy vs. The Sword of Jimbo Colompton

 

Cat Boy vs. Tiger-Man’s Mutiny

 

Contributing author for The Santa Claus Project, edited by Marsha and Matt Schmidt, Contribution titled “My Real Santa Claus”

Many thanks, author Michael Morgan for choosing Xlibris Publishing to share your stories and all the best on the succeeding sequels in the the Cat-Boy series!

More author success stories are featured here on the Xlibris Blog and the Xlibris Indie Authors Roundup.

Succeed in publishing your first book with free writing, editing, and book marketing tips from the Xlibris Writer’s Workshop.