Photo: B.J. Starink, master of horror and heartwarming tales, channels his passion into stories that both thrill and inspire young and adult readers alike.
From Bone-Chilling Horror To Heartwarming Kids’ Stories
Dutch author B.J. Starink shares his journey of balancing life as a road builder with creating terrifying horror novels and imaginative, custom children’s books that inspire creativity and courage.
At Reader’s House, we are dedicated to showcasing unique literary talents across the globe, both in our online and print editions. This issue features an extraordinary author from the Netherlands, B.J. Starink, whose work spans two vastly different genres. Best known for his award-winning horror novels such as Asmodil and Homicidal Tendencies, Starink’s books are blood-drenched creations designed for the bravest of adult readers.
Yet, what sets Starink apart is his ability to shift from gore-filled nightmares to imaginative and uplifting tales for children. As the founder of the Boogeyman Beater Club and Stinkybinkybooks, Starink crafts free-to-download children’s books that turn nightmarish fears into empowering adventures. He also offers completely customised books for young readers—one-of-a-kind creations where every detail, from the storyline to the names, is tailored for the individual child.
In this exclusive interview, Starink takes us behind the scenes of his unconventional creative journey: from writing in solitary confinement to balancing his passion for storytelling with a demanding job as a road builder. Join us as we explore the world of this remarkable Dutch author, whose stories inspire bravery, imagination, and a sense of wonder for readers of all ages.
Highlights From the Interview
- B.J. Starink balances a full-time career as a road builder with his passion for writing.
- His horror novels Asmodil and Homicidal Tendencies push boundaries, creating vivid and terrifying worlds for adult readers.
- Founder of the Boogeyman Beater Club, Starink helps children use storytelling as a tool to overcome their fears.
- Through Stinkybinkybooks, he creates affordable, personalised storybooks to empower kids and make them feel special.
- Shares how a challenging upbringing inspired him to write relatable books for children and passionate tales for adults.
- His creative process involves meticulous single-handed work, from writing to marketing to publishing.
What types of custom books do you offer?
I offer totally personalized children books, for a cheap price and written without AI. Like every little thing is customizable! The cover, the story, the name, birthday, subject, favorite pet, literally everything is customizable for every child! And it’s not just about beating the Boogeyman is about creating a bond with that scary boogeyman who turns into a friend!
How does the customization process work? Can customers choose themes, names, or designs?
When people are placing an order on the boogeyman beater club custom book page they get a checklist and in that checklist, they can choose whatever they want me the supreme boogeyman to write about! I even got a special wishes option for customizable things not listed! So let’s say hmmm I don’t really got favorite pet in the checklist, but parents or neighbors can say I want to include his or her favorite pet in the story! Well that’s where special wishes comes in!
“Stories help us find courage in the dark—they do for me, and I want them to do the same for others.” – B.J. Starink
What is the typical turnaround time for a custom book order?
The typical turnaround time is hard to predict. I’m working 40+ hours as a road builder working on pavements so that means that I’m very tired when I get home….
And seeing that I don’t use any sort of AI sometimes it takes me a few hours but it can take up to a week before I’m finished with an ebook, video, or audiobook….
Don’t forget I’m all alone on this, I don’t get any help and with my primary job that’s just a lot!!
Do you offer bulk or wholesale options for custom books? e.g., for events, schools, or businesses
No, every single book is tailored to one special child! The book is written for that special child, so I just can’t spread it into bulk!
My bulk books are the free boogeybooks and the free Stinkybinkybooks, they are free to download for any child, and off course of people like seeing one of those books with the name of their children they can contact me, so for example Bennie and the Stinkers can be Cody and the Stinkers…..
Can you accommodate specific requests, such as unique formats (hardcover/softcover)or special materials?
This is a let down for me too because I can only do this for Holland, the Netherlands, I tried to do this worldwide, but there’s no fully worldwide printing service that allows 1 single book to print…
And seeing that the books are for 1 child alone I cannot print 10 books, because we only need 1 book!
And of course very high shipping costs! Now I don’t spread my free children’s books for free without a reason because I grew up very scary and unsafe myself and without any money, so I want to make a difference doing it free or affordable!
What is the pricing structure for custom books? (Are there base rates + add-ons?)
10euros for a ebook 28 euros for a paperback that only ships to the Netherlands and 25 euros for a book flip video/audiobook and there are no base rates and add ons are all the personalisation options!
Do you work with authors or illustrators to create entirely original content, or do you personalize existing templates?
No, I’m all by myself and I can’t draw so there’s no illustrations in my books..
I hired a lot of people in the past but they were only thinking about money, but if I don’t get any orders how can I pay them!?
I have to do the marketing, I have to do the videos, I have the audio, I have the writing, the cover image. I’m doing it all alone on top of my primary job! So you can understand while it can take up to a week before I’m totally finished!
How do you ensure quality and uniqueness in each custom book?
This is an easy question because these books are as unique as they can possibly get!
Because it’s the guidelines of every order on which I write a book, let’s say Cody, 12/03/2015, afraid of aliens, fantasy riding a horse with his cat boegedie, and his biggest dream is to save the world as superman….
That are my guidelines on which I have to write a book!
Hopefully this answered your questions and until next time!
