Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author John Claude Bemis (Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem)!
Meet the Author: John Claude Bemis
John Claude Bemis is the award-winning author of six middle-grade novels, a picture book, and the forthcoming Rodeo Hawkins graphic novel series. A former elementary school teacher, John earned his Masters of Education in Literacy from UNC Chapel Hill and taught fourth and fifth grades for thirteen years. He received the Excellence in Teaching Award from UNC-Chapel Hill for his work as an author-presenter in schools and served as North Carolina’s Piedmont Laureate for Children’s Literature, promoting literacy and the literary arts. A popular instructor and inspiring guide to writers of all ages—kids, teens, and adults—he teaches creative writing workshops and leads retreats around the world. Beyond the creative expression of writing, John is also a sculptural mask-maker, a songwriter, and musician. He lives with his wife and daughter in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
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About the Book: Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem
When Sidney Poblocki runs away from his troubled home life, he winds up in a whole new world of trouble. Why are interdimensional assassins after him along with every other kid named Sidney Poblocki throughout the multiverse? Will he ever see his best bud Walt again now that Walt’s memory of Sidney has been erased? And what the heck is the deal with Rodeo Hawkins and her ragtag gang of mischief-making girls the Daughters of Mayhem?
They claim they’re trying to keep him safe, but Sidney isn’t so certain “safe” is even in their vocabulary. As Sidney is swept into a series of misadventures that will change the multiverse forever, one thing is for certain: with Rodeo Hawkins around, his life is about to be filled with a lot more mayhem.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
JCB: When my daughter was in first grade, she had to dress up like a vocabulary word and picked the word “catastrophe.” She dressed in bandages, had a sling on her arm, crutches, the whole works. She looked adorable, so naturally, I posted her picture on Facebook. A friend commented that she looked like “a daughter of mayhem.” I had no idea what that meant, but something about the expression instantly ignited my imagination! It was so evocative. I had to figure out what it meant to be a Daughter of Mayhem. And very quickly, I was dreaming up this crew of outlaw girls causing all sorts of mischief and mayhem and having madcap misadventures across fantastical worlds. Usually for me, the story spark begins as an interesting setting or plot idea. This is the first book I’ve ever written where the title came before everything else.
YABC: Is your main character like you?
JCB: I’ve often found myself surrounded by strong, interesting, hilarious women—as an elementary school teacher, in my immediate family, in the publishing world, and growing up. My main character Sidney Poblocki also finds himself surrounded by these extraordinary girls, the Daughters of Mayhem. So, in that sense, Sidney and I are alike. Of course, Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem are trying to save Sidney from interdimensional assassins who think he’s destined to destroy the multiverse. As of this interview, I haven’t yet been drawn into any cosmic conflicts. But if I was, I’d definitely want the Daughters of Mayhem as my crew.
YABC: When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
JCB: I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a writer one day. I liked making up and writing stories, but I had a myriad of creative pursuits. Writing was just another fun thing to do. It was only when I started teaching 4th and 5th grades that writing became a passion. Being surrounded by kids and reading together reminded me how important books were to me at that age. I started to think about what I always wanted to read but hadn’t seen in print before. Despite being exhausted after teaching all day, I’d come home with my head full of ideas and jump into writing. What started as a fun hobby soon grew into an obsession—and eventually a whole new career.
YABC: What type of scene do you love to write the most?
JCB: That’s hard to say. There are so many fun types of scenes to write! I love crafting first introductions of characters. The reader is still figuring out who they are and what their motivations are. I enjoy playing with their expectations. Making a character seem gruff, only to be revealed as sweet. Making a character seem kind, only to turn out to be deceptive. Having those dramatic reversals makes for fun storytelling and scene-craft and keeps me amused as well. I also really love writing scenes that blend exciting action with humor. Part of building the tension and suspense for a moment can be all the more fun by just the right placement of jokes and levity.
YABC: Which character gave you the most trouble when writing your latest book?
JCB: Rodeo Hawkins was a challenging character to get right. As the leader of the Daughters of Mayhem, she operates a bit like Peter Pan does for the Lost Boys. She seems like a kid—and she is a kid, I suppose—but she’s also an extraordinarily powerful being. All that power has made her vain and reckless and often quite inconsiderate of the feelings of others. Her reputation as a “cosmic menace” and outlaw come naturally. I wanted all that arrogance to come through, but in a humorous way. I had to make sure readers didn’t dislike her. I wanted readers to adore and admire her, even as a flawed hero. That was a tricky needle to thread.
YABC: What is your favorite reading space?
JCB: I have this great, old beat-up couch in my writing studio. It’s super comfy. And it catches the afternoon light just right. Kicking back on that couch with a good book after a long day of writing is a treat. My cats love it too and often join me, despite having zero interest in whatever book I’m reading.
YABC: What hobbies do you enjoy?
JCB: My mom is a big musician, so she made my sister and I start on musical instruments early. I play fiddle, guitar, accordion, and some banjo. I’ve been in a band every year of my life since I was in middle school. Back in the day, they were these awesomely awful punk bands. Now I play in a rootsy Americana band called Hooverville. Besides music, I also love visual art. I considered going to art school but decided to pursue education instead. I make sculptural masks of fantastical animals and woodland spirits. I’ve been fortunate to start showing them in galleries. Writing requires such a focus on turning ideas into words. It’s fun to have these other creative pursuits that work different parts of my imagination—and don’t require staring at a computer screen! I also love being back in nature and hiking in the woods with my family.
YABC: What is your favorite holiday or tradition and why?
JCB: I love the sense of magic and wonder around the Christmas season. My hometown—Hillsborough, North Carolina—has a tradition on the winter solstice where everyone makes paper lanterns and illuminated puppets and headdresses. Once the sun sets for the darkest night of the year, we walk through the woods along our town’s River Walk. It’s so beautiful to see all those thousands upon thousands of lights filling the dark.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
JCB: After the book launch, I’ll be heading to France to lead a writing retreat for writers of all genres. Then it’s back to more mayhem! Next summer, I have Rodeo Hawkins and the Sons of Disaster coming out. The sequel continues the misadventures of Sidney, Rodeo, and the Daughters of Mayhem as a vengeful enemy sets a trap using Sidney’s best bud from his old life. It’s been so much fun dreaming up new dangers and new hilarity for this wacky cast of characters.
Title: Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem
Author: John Claude Bemis
Illustrator: Nicole Miles
Release Date: September 9, 2025
Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books / Holiday House
Genre: Fantasy Graphic Novel
Age Range: 9-12
