Pumpkinlight Academy for Storytelling

The Curious Mr. Blend is the resident storyteller for Pumpkinlight Cove. His sole responsibility is, by way of publishing a series of books and broadsides and conducting live storytelling events, to tell tales not only from the recent past—in third-person perspective—but those that are unfolding at this very moment!

(All whimsically peculiar and playfully macabre, but nonetheless appropriate for K-7 families.)

All of them take place in our large but peculiar Maine community. Although real in the eyes of our citizens, the stories will undoubtedly seem fictitious to the common outsider.

Ye olde scuttlebutt

Rumors suggest Mr. Blend rides a penny-farthing or that his home office houses skull-and-raven decor alongside an eighty-three-year-old typewriter. Does he even own a penny-farthing? Sadly, the answers to those questions shall remain a most curious mystery. However ...

What can be said is that as a kid in elementary school, Mr. Blend was a voracious reader.

From regular fiction to choose-your-own-adventure books, he consumed stories with a hunger for adventure.

In fact, he always kept a watchful eye on the small reading nook in the corner of his fifth-grade classroom, making sure he quickly finished the project at hand so he could snatch the best seat in the house whilst continuing The Hobbit, or There and Back Again; The Chronicles of Narnia; A Wrinkle in Time; or some other journey.

And creative writing was part of it.

Mr. Blend attributes his love of writing to a number of creative writing workshops taught in his elementary school. Small periods of time in which he and his classmates would craft tales of their own.

He found one particular story, called Gory Story (written by a friend and read in class), particularly interesting. Sure, the playfully macabre elements were fun—what kid wouldn’t enjoy that in the early 80s? But it was the excitement of a story created from imagination, listening to it unfold, curious about would happen next—that is what truly captivated him.

Those were, in many ways, the best times of his childhood. And eventually, they served as a guide for his career.

Select Professional Experience

• The Curious Mr. Blend & Company LLC™ (2026–present)

• Chantilly Regional Library (2025–2026)

• Guidepost Montessori (2025)

• American Retirement Association (2020–2024)

• Laseriginals™ (2022)

• Ox Hill Baptist Church (2022)

• Herndon Elementary School (2021)

• The Werd Nerd (2020)

• CINQ Creative (2018-2019)

• Neil Adams Photography (2016–2019)

• Sweat City lifestyle blog (2018)

• North Star Science & Technology (2017–2018)

• Identity Guard® (2017)

• James Lambert Consulting, LLC (2017)

• The Ink Snack creative-writing blog (2016)

• Allianz Trade North America (2012-2016)

• DeVry University (2012)

• Partners For Community Solutions (2009–2010)

• American Red Cross (2002–2008)

• Capitol Eyes (2007)

• Whitaker Security, Inc. (1998)

Skills & Expertise

• Concept development

• Sketch studies

• Copywriting & fiction writing

• Editing

• Typography

• Character & world creation

• Illustration (hand-drawn, photography)

• Graphic design

• Art direction

• Archival giclée printing

• Digital-asset production

• Project management

• Vendor relations

“ ... HE GENEROUSLY DEDICATED his time each Monday to come and read two books to our students. The children have truly loved these moments and look forward to them every week. In addition, his effort in bringing in a small library and creating a cozy reading space has made a meaningful impact on our learning environment. Thank you for becoming such a valued part of our community. Your presence, kindness, and dedication have made a lasting impression on our students, and we are deeply grateful.” Carla Dominguez, head of school, Guidepost Montessori (Fairfax, VA)

“I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the redoubtable and Curious Mr. Blend for his ability to create engaging reading experiences of all kinds … ” Matt Scanlon, chief marketing officer, American Retirement Association

“HE IS EQUALLY a master of turning phrases and of raw creative exploration ... ” Vail Henry, former creative director, Identity Guard®

“I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the prints I purchased! Not only was the print itself great, but the quality of the paper was quite impressive ... ” Ashley Meredith, customer