Just a fun little animation I put together as a nod to the J-RPGs I grew up with, especially Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger.
Those games were definitely on my mind when I illustrated this moment of Itzel meeting Chaac.
Of course, in true RPG fashion, preparation is everything. Such a pity she didn’t stock up on more tamales…
I finally got around to colouring that other map I drew of Xibalba, with north oriented at the top like most maps.
I went full steam ahead with the level of detail on this one, to the point that, while painting all those individual mountain shadows, my laptop was like, “Please stop, you’re hurting me.”
But the world of Xibalba in my books has never felt more alive (…well, for a Land of the Dead, anyway).
I’m excited to be part of this year’s Book Week book fair at the House of Culture in Belize City.
I’ll be giving an author talk on The Jade Necklace series at 2:00 pm on 22 April, where I’ll share a bit about the story, what inspired it, and the world behind the books.
I’ll also have signed illustration prints and bookmarks available, and if you pick up a copy of the book (or already have one) you’ll get a free bookmark.
It should be a fun couple of days celebrating books and storytelling, especially as it’s the first Book Week in Belize City that I’ll have been to. More info about the event can be found here.
I hope to see you there!
It happened years ago. One day, while loading my storage hard drive with artwork from my university days, I realised I could no longer access it. At the time, I just shrugged it off. I’ve always been pretty critical of my old work, so it didn’t feel like much of a loss.
But more recently, it’s hit me that it’s gone for good, and now I find myself looking back on that work with a kind of fondness. I might be a better artist now, but it was never just about craftsmanship. It was about the thought, the effort, and the mindset I had when creating those pieces.
Now all I have left are memories of the illustrations, posters, animations, and comics I made. I’m grateful, at least, that I still have Xander, a comic I was commissioned to illustrate shortly after graduating. It tells the story of a boy travelling through the world of dreams. It’s a project I’ve always held close, one that felt personal even though I didn’t write it. Some people have even said the main character looks like me, which might have been a semi-conscious decision after all. And there’s also, of course, a little book called Booby Trap, an illustrated children’s story about the booby birds of Half Moon Caye, which was later published in Belize and originally grew out of a university project.
But all the smaller projects are gone now, as if by some ruthless natural selection—or more accurately, self-selection. I could have done more to keep them, but whether consciously or not, I chose not to.
I suppose learning to cope with loss isn’t only about losing people. Sometimes, it’s about losing little pieces of yourself. It’s something I’ve only really started to understand as I’ve gotten older.
I shouldn’t have been so hard on my past self. A certain level of self-criticism is important for growth, but so is learning to appreciate what you’ve created, warts and all. Because those works were a part of me.
So I think I owe an apology to young Mr Gibson, the university student. You worked hard, and I owe you more than I realised for where I am today.
Thanks for creating what you did. I’ll always hold it close to my heart.
I’m happy to be back at FILEY 2026 in Mérida, Yucatán this year. A few of my books are on display at the fair, including The Land of the Night Sun, along with some illustrations from the book—and even a cutout of Itzel, Quashy, and snake-stick keeping watch over the table.
It’s always a great experience to return to this event and meet readers, authors, and publishers from across the region. Being here has also given me extra motivation to get my books translated into Spanish so they can reach more readers.
And of course, a big gracias to the Yucatecos, who are always so warm and welcoming. Belize couldn’t ask for better neighbours!
I put together a short video using different scenes from The Land of the Night Sun, and I may have had a little too much fun working on it.
It’s amazing what a bit of sound and a few visual effects can do to bring an illustration to life. Seeing those moments move and breathe in a new way has been such a joy.
Have a watch and step back into Itzel’s adventure!
I’ve just finished putting together a new trailer for the second book in The Jade Necklace series, The Lord of the Underworld, and I’m excited to finally share it!
Have a watch below and get ready to dive deeper into Xibalba.
This is the final instalment in my series of character spotlights in the lead-up to the release of my second book, The Lord of the Underworld.
Kinich Ahau
The Fatherly Sun God
Alongside Itzel and Quashy, I’d say Kinich Ahau has ended up being one of the most popular characters in The Jade Necklace series. Which is kind of funny, because compared to the others, he doesn’t actually get that much page time. But at the same time… I totally get it.
One of the biggest influences behind Kinich Ahau was Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia. I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a kid and was hooked on Aslan the moment he showed up. He has that strong, fatherly presence—calm, wise, steady—but also powerful in a way that doesn’t need to shout. And he’s a giant talking lion. I mean, that’s automatically cool.
Another influence was Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus has that same kind of presence—firm, principled, sometimes stern, but always loving. His relationship with Scout really stuck with me. Kinich Ahau’s stern love draws from that dynamic. He believes in Itzel and admires her courage and persistence, but his concern for her safety often takes priority.
Who’s a cute little kitty?
Now, Kinich Ahau doesn’t technically have the same official kingly status that Aslan does—but in practice, he carries it. With Kukulkan distant and out of touch, Kinich Ahau is the only god really trying to keep things from falling apart. He’s doing his best to hold the peace together, at least as much as he’s allowed to. But that kind of responsibility takes a toll. It’s too much for one person—or one god—to handle alone. And being separated from his twin sister, the Moon Goddess, leaves him carrying a quiet sadness and a bit of self-doubt that Aslan never really had.
Maybe that’s part of why readers connect with him. He’s powerful, yes—but he’s also burdened. He’s trying. He struggles. And that makes him feel more real.
Then there’s the fact that we meet him through Itzel’s eyes. And she is instantly in awe. He’s a jaguar sun god whose roar breathes fire and cuts through clouds like a beam of sunlight. In her words:
“He’s … so … cool!”
And honestly? She’s not wrong.
At the end of the day, I think readers like Kinich Ahau because he balances strength with vulnerability. He’s commanding but caring. Radiant but a little lonely. A god—but still relatable.
And yes, let’s be honest—being a fire-breathing jaguar sun god doesn’t hurt either.
I’m happy to announce that I’ll be attending the Feria Internacional de la Lectura Yucatán (FILEY) 2026 in Mérida, taking place from 14–22 March.
Itzel and the gang from The Jade Necklace series are very much looking forward to returning this year—Xibalba passports ready (I hope they’re prepared for the long wait at the Belize-Mexico border). This will be my second time attending FILEY, and I’m excited to be part of it again.
You’ll find me at the shared booth for Cubola Publishers and the Belize Book Sector Network (BBSN), featuring books from Belize.
If you’ll be at FILEY, feel free to stop by and say hola!
I put together a short video showing the world map of Xibalba and its regions, and had a lot of fun working on it. I’ve loved maps for as long as I can remember, so this kind of thing is always a treat.
I added a bit of movement and sound to the video to make the world feel alive.
Did you see the macaw?
And catch the drumming of a woodpecker?
Hope you enjoy taking a look around Xibalba as much as I enjoyed mapping it!
I’m happy to finally share that I’m starting work on translating my books into Spanish, beginning with The Land of the Night Sun (La tierra del sol nocturno). As a bit of a head start, I’ve already translated all the covers, which has made the whole project feel much more real and achievable.
This is something I’ve been hoping to do from the very beginning. The stories are inspired by Maya heritage, mythology, and the land itself, so it feels especially important to make them available to readers across Central America and Mexico, not just little Belize. My hope is that Spanish-speaking readers will be able to enjoy these books and connect with them just as much as those who read them in English.
It’s going to be challenging in parts, though—there are plenty of puns, songs, poems, and (most challenging of all) tongue-twisters! Still, it’s exciting to finally be taking this step and bringing these worlds to a whole new audience.
I recently painted a wooden cutout of Itzel and Quashy (snake-stick included, of course!) and gave it to the Benque Viejo Public Library as a little Christmas gift to thank them for all their support for my books.
They’ve been so enthusiastic about The Land of the Night Sun and have welcomed me so warmly this year that I wanted to create something special just for them. And they surprised me with this wonderful photo of the heroes proudly posing beside their Christmas tree!
I’d also like to thank Isaiah Gillett in Belize City for crafting these fantastic wooden cutouts of my characters. He’s really helped bring them to life.
Here’s to more stories, more creativity, and more wonderful moments with our libraries in the new year!
I recently had the pleasure of returning to the Benque Viejo Public Library to give an author’s talk for the members of their new book club, who are reading my book, The Land of the Night Sun, as well as other children from the community who were curious to join in.
During the session, I shared my inspirations for the story, discussed my writing process, explored the themes woven into the narrative, and talked about the influences I drew from other books, films, and even video games.
My illustrations from the book were also on display, and it was especially fun to watch the book club members excitedly pointing out the scenes they remembered best—and even identifying the places on the world map they’d explored in the story. I also gave them a little teaser by showing a copy of the upcoming second book in the series, The Lord of the Underworld. This was met with many gasps, and of course, everyone wanted to peek inside—but no spoilers, I’m afraid!
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Benque Viejo Public Library for hosting this talk. I look forward to future collaborations, including workshops and other events for readers of my books, and to sharing the joy of storytelling with even more young readers in the community.
Last Friday, we had the pleasure of welcoming students from Yo Creek Compassion School in Orange Walk to the Cubola office as part of their wider educational tour. Their energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm made the morning one to remember.
I had the opportunity to share the inspirations behind my novel, The Land of the Night Sun, and did a live reading from one of the chapters. The selection featured Itzel’s first encounter with the howler monkeys—so of course, it required a full performance. There was shouting. There was howling. There may have been a few annoyed neighbours. The students, thankfully, were amused.
We also had a small exhibition of illustrations from the book on display. This turned into a lively Q&A session filled with the kind of wonderfully unfiltered questions only children can produce:
“I have no idea what’s going on.”
“Who’s the woman with the tattoos?”
”What monster is that? She looks like my sister when she gets up in the morning.”
And a recurring favourite:
“Why does he have no legs?” (Poor Quashy…)
Before heading back to Orange Walk, some of the students picked up signed copies of the book to take home as souvenirs of the day.
A heartfelt thank you to the teachers, parents, and especially the students of Yo Creek Compassion School for visiting. I hope they returned home with a spark of inspiration and a renewed appreciation for the joy of reading.
In a slight departure from usual blog posts, I wrote an ode to the small town of Benque Viejo in western Belize, my home for the past two years. Hopefully it will give you an idea of la vida benqueña!
Benquecito
A little republic tucked inside Belize,
Benquecito, at the foot of Guatemalan hills,
where two lands meet in the mist
and the river moves slow and jade green.
Born of Maya farmers, Mestizo chicleros, German nuns,
you grew from calloused hands and prayer,
from machete-cleared earth and incense.
Your leafcutter ants still walk old trade routes
as if nothing has changed.
Benqueños speak and laugh in Spanglish,
cooling off with chocobanana,
marimba music drifting from verandas.
Every other car is a taxi beeping for a fare,
and your dogs rule the streets,
refusing to move even for headlights.
Butterflies are big, hummingbirds small,
and patchwork houses lean together
like Lego from different sets,
shoulder to shoulder, swapping gossip.
Children kick footballs through haunted cemeteries,
swing beside ancient ruins,
grow up beneath the ghosts of temples,
old stones holding older stories.
At night, fireworks and explosions
beat through the dark,
blending with laughter and radios,
echoing off the hills.
But on Sundays you fall silent,
a ghost town because everyone is at church.
Benquecito, little treasure hidden in the bush,
small, stubborn, full of heart.
Those who pass through you
carry a piece of you with them
long after they’ve gone.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Benque Viejo Public Library, where they’ve started a new book club for kids and selected my book, The Land of the Night Sun, as the very first title on their literary itinerary!
I stopped by briefly to introduce myself and share a few laughs with the group as they read a chapter aloud featuring the notoriously loud howler monkeys of Xibalba. I took great delight in being able to watch firsthand as readers follow Itzel’s adventure, discuss the characters she encounters, and react to all the twists and jokes that come her way.
I’m looking forward to returning soon to give a full presentation about the making of the book, and to share a sneak peek of the second book in the series, The Lord of the Underworld, which will be launching soon.
Even more exciting is the news that the San Antonio Library has recently followed suit and started its own book club. I hope to pay them a visit as well. And who knows? Maybe this will catch on and inspire a new generation of readers across Belize.
This is the next instalment in my series of character spotlights in the lead-up to the release of my second book, The Lord of the Underworld.
Quashy
The Cheeky Coati
Itzel may be the protagonist of The Jade Necklace, but it’s fair to say her coati companion steals quite a bit of the spotlight. Quashy has been part of the story since the very beginning. One of the first encounters I imagined in the Underworld was a mischievous coati snatching Itzel’s magical necklace. From the start, he had that ridiculously long tail he could stretch at will—somewhere between Mr Fantastic of Fantastic Four and Luffy from One Piece. The twist of giving him only his tail to rely on, with no legs at all, came later, and it quickly became one of his defining traits.
Quashy also became something of a surrogate character for me. Through him, I could slip in my own brand of wisecrack humour, playing his quips against Itzel’s earnestness. He’s laid-back, quick with a joke, and has that breezy, go-with-the-flow attitude I admire—though of course he has his flaws (cough kleptomania cough).
Itzel: What are you up to, Quashy?
Quashy:
His name came naturally from Belize’s own word for a coati, “quash.” But it also carries personal history. Long before I was born, my parents spent some time living in the Belizean jungle, where they cared for several injured or abandoned animals. One of them was a coati named Quashy. She was eventually released back into the wild, but a few months later she reappeared—this time with a trail of kits following behind her, as if she wanted to introduce her new family to her old one.
So the name Quashy holds a lot of sentimental value for me. In a way, it’s a tribute—not only to that mischievous little animal my parents once cared for, but also to the wildness and wonder of the Belizean landscape that shaped my imagination. And like his real-world namesake, my Quashy may be a thief, but he’s also full of heart.
(Still, best to keep an eye on your jewellery—just in case.)
A little animation I’ve put together to promote The Lord of the Underworld, the second book of The Jade Necklace, which is due to be released in Belize in December!
I’ve been working on a little pixel-art animation of Chaac Kab, the “Realm of Rain”, from my book The Tree of Life.
Chaac Kab is the domain of the Rain God Chaac, a realm built upon drifting clouds and the first of the thirteen levels of heaven. At its heart rises Chaac’s palace, with his vast labyrinth gardens stretching behind it. In the far background lies the House of the Moon, glowing just beyond reach.
The Old Jabiru is an occasional visitor. Can you spot him?
In the lead-up to the release of The Lord of the Underworld, the second book in my fantasy-adventure series The Jade Necklace, I thought it would be fun to run a short series on this blog highlighting some of the characters introduced in the first book.
Itzel
The Heart of the Story
And who better to begin with than the protagonist herself? Little Itzel, who has been with me since the very earliest sketches of the story. Her name came later, but from the start I knew I wanted to write about a Maya girl travelling through the Underworld in search of her grandmother.
From the beginning, my goal with Itzel was to create a protagonist who was simply nice and likeable—something I felt was missing in many modern stories, where young heroes are often curt, angsty, or rebellious just for the sake of being edgy. Itzel does push back against authority when she feels she must, but only when her moral compass points her that way. Her defiance isn’t a pretence; it comes from a deep conviction in what she believes is right.
Itzel wielding the magical snake-stick.
In many ways, I think of her as the control, borrowing the term from science experiments—she is the “normal” one, the measure against which the other eccentric and outlandish characters of Xibalba can be compared. Writing her reactions to the bizarre and often absurd denizens of the Underworld was a constant joy—she takes it in stride, but never loses sight of her quest.
Although I never anchor the story to a precise year, I always imagined Itzel as a child on the cusp of the millennium. The internet was around, but only in its early days, and had not yet seeped into everyday life in much of the world—and certainly not in her little corner of Central America. I pictured her as having the kind of childhood I idealise: always outdoors, curious, immersed in the natural world. That sense of wonder and innocence is something she carries with her into Xibalba. Surrounded by talking animals, she listens attentively to each one she meets, eager to hear their story—at least as much as her limited time there allows.
But a little girl can only get so far in a place like the Underworld—she also had to grow. One of the moments that defines her, in my mind, comes in the second book: she’s sprinting along the massive buttress root of the Mother Tree, hissing for her snake-stick as it flies into her hand. In that instant, I realised she had fully stepped into her own. She may not be as grand and bombastic as the gods, nor as quirky and sharp-witted as a certain coati, but she had found her place. She belonged in this strange world she had stumbled into by chance—and she was, without question, one of the most enjoyable characters I’ve ever written.
Itzel’s original design, from 2014.
Of course, being a “goody-two-shoes” doesn’t make her perfect—nor should it. She has deep wells of patience, but she can lose it from time to time. She makes mistakes, gets emotional, even gives up and breaks down in tears. She knows her own vulnerability, and she isn’t too proud to seek help when she needs it—a trait I’ve noticed is surprisingly rare among heroes in today’s stories.
As for her design, Itzel has changed very little since my first drawing of her back in 2014. The square patterns in her hair have always been there, and though the trim of her dress and accessories shifted from red to blue, she remains very much the same girl I sketched a decade ago.
Itzel will always hold a special place in my heart. The Jade Necklace is, at its core, her story. The saga of the gods is really just a backdrop—a tale that began before her and will continue after her. Writing her journey often felt paternal in a way, though I’m not a parent myself. I put her through plenty, but I always felt a rush of relief when she overcame each trial. In some small way, she gave me a glimpse of what it might feel like to raise a child, and for that, I’ll always be deeply grateful to her.
That’s all for Itzel—for now. Next week, this series will continue with another character spotlight. And if you’d like to join Itzel on her adventure through Xibalba, you can find the first book, The Land of the Night Sun, at Cubola’s bookstore here.
