ABOUT
DEANS FAMILY PRODUCTIONS began in 2014 with a cow. Specifically, the publication of MOO THOUSAND AND PUN, Robert Deans’ picture book featuring Shakes the Cow. In thte following months, Robert’s wife Elinda published a cookbook, CON GRUB, and their Kidlet created a comic book with Robert, THE MIGHTY HIPPOFARTAMUS. DFP was born, and since then, we have published over 20 books for a variety of ages and reading levels.
By the time he was laid off in 2014, which triggered the idea for his book, Robert had accumulated years of experience in commercial and non-profit management, sales, computers, and art/graphic design. These skills have served him well in not only writing and drawing his books, but also working with others to produce their books.
Elinda has spent decades within the Library of Congress after a stint in the Parks Service. Her skill set is as eclectic as her husband’s, and includes writing, editing, contracts, event planning, and even participating in exclusive private tours of the Library for such guests as Jane Russell and Angela Lansbury. In her free time, Elinda wrote her family cookbook, and then wrote a cookbook or portable and shelf-stable recipes for convention-goers (CON GRUB).
Tapping into their combined decades of experience, and their success in developing DFP, Robert and Elinda now offer their experience in writing, editing, and design services, as well as consulting for other creatives or entrepreneurs wanting to start up their own business, or businesses needing a refresh.
DFP was founded out of our passion for creating characters and stories that delight readers of all ages. We understand the value of our money – and yours as well. Every product and service offered by DFP is produced with an eye towards quality as if we were only creating for ourselves. We care about our characters and our products, and always choose quality over speed. When you buy a DFP product, or hire us for your project, you can rest assured you’re getting the best quality and the best value for your hard-earned dollar.
MEET THE TEAM FAMILY
J. Robert Deans
J. Robert Deans is an artist and writer who started “professionally” with his CRASS FED web comic in 2012. He is the creator of the SHAKES THE COW, BEAR FROM AUNT, and STEER YOUR OWN STORY series of children’s books, and is the co-creator of the MOOSELAMB and MIGHTY HIPPOFARTAMUS series.
Robert started young in non-profit and legal work when his tech-deficient mother hired him to develop databases for her office in the early 1980s. While this occupied the logical side of his mind, he fed his creative side with comics and film. After high school, Robert continued working, eventually attending college intending to study film. History grabbed his attention, and he graduated with a degree in Asian History and a large pile of debt. He bounced between retail and non-profit work until he got a job at his local comic shop. Selling and reading comics reinvigorated his love of art, and soon he realized publishers were all but ignoring their most important reader base: new, young readers. When he was laid off and the idea for a book struck him, it made perfect sense that it would be a children’s book.
Since then, Robert has been a regular exhibitor at Baltimore Comic Con, Heroes Con, and All Star Comic Con, among other east coast conventions, and is a member of Kids Love Comics, a collective working to improve the comics community for young readers and creators of all ages content.
Learn more about Robert, his works, and availability for your projects at jrobertdeans.com
Elinda Deans
Elinda Deans grew up at the Library of Congress surrounded by books. However, her primary hobbies were always cooking and crochet. After attending comic conventions with Robert (and having planned events for the Library), and seeing him write MOO THOUSAND AND PUN, Elinda was inspired to write her own cookbook. That book, a collection of recipes perfect for making ahead and taking along to conventions to keep yourself fed healthier than overpriced platters of chicken fingers, was released in 2015 as CON GRUB.
Since then, Elinda has used her creativity with fiber to become the “Toy Lady,” creating a wide variety of plush toys of DFP characters both in and out of “cowsplay” that are a hit at conventions. She is also working on a plush toy commission list that includes Shakes the Cow versions of Doctor Who and Star Trek characters.
Elinda has also created her own book characters, the MOOSELAMBS, featuring a number of stories that address blended families, bullying, anxiety, racism, and adoption by same-sex parents.
When toy creation allows (read: almost never), Elinda is planning the return of her former recipe blog, FLYING PORK PRODUCTIONS which featured recipe remakes and family heirloom recipes. For the blog, Elinda had created a mascot, Chrys the Flying Pig, who has now joined the DFP stable of characters.
In addition to writing, editing, and consulting, Elinda is also available for all manner of toy work, from prototype development, to manufacturing, to basic design.