While many people aspire to do something they love, very few achieve their dream.
A.J. DeLong is one of those exceptional people who took the chance to achieve a lifelong dream.
From the time DeLong was a small toddler, barely old enough to hold a crayon, he started to show his love of art. According to his mother, his first sign of his artistic gift appeared when she found he had drawn glasses on the pigs in a magazine.
DeLong graduated from Laurel Concord High School in 2005. During his educational years of learning, he was very well known for being an artist in school.
In 2017, Ryan R. Chandler approached DeLong with the proposal of becoming the illustrator of a children’s book he was writing. Chandler’s wife, Lacey, is DeLong’s cousin.
DeLong took the challenge and with his amazing artistic abilities he brought Detective Marlene to life. The timing was perfect; DeLong was a stay-at-home dad caring for his twins. The process of illustrating was completed in the early part of 2018.
In DeLong’s own words, “It was a quick process of typesetting and editing that resulted in the book being published just over seven years later."
DeLong was able to assist in the publishing duties and building the book from the very beginnings.
The book is titled, “Detective Marlene and the Golden Egg.” Chandler wrote this book based from a true story experienced by his mother as a child.
DeLong said the second book in Detective Marlene series will be published within the next year.
DeLong is the grandson of Borge and Carol Kastrup and the son of Rolly and Cindy DeLong of Laurel. DeLong resides in Lincoln with his wife, Leslie, and children, Bennett and Natalie.
Detective Marlene and the Golden Egg are available on Amazon.com.
