Dave Dellecese is an author and writer of children’s books, graphic novels, comics, and sometimes even stories for grown-ups.
Studying the craft of storytelling and screenwriting under the legendary writer-producer Rena Down, he got his feet wet in turning stories to reality on a series of low-budget projects in the burgeoning field and rising technology of digital filmmaking, taking home several awards at both domestic and international film festivals.
Turning his sights and talents toward a different type of storytelling – journalism – he spent several years working as a newspaper reporter, broadcast journalist, and news anchor, garnering awards from the New York State Broadcasters Association, the Associated Press, and the Mohawk Valley’s 30 Under 30, as well as appearances on NBC’s The Today Show and The Weather Channel.
With his background in theater, film, broadcasting, and the performing arts, he was well prepared for lending his voice to the video game MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries as well as the recurring character and reporter-turned-private eye Wam Dixon in the old time radio adventure podcast series The Brass Lantern from New York Times best-selling author Andrew Devitt.
As a new father, he began blogging about the lessons learned and misadventures encountered during parenthood at The Dorky Daddy, a title in which he appeared in a series of segments for New England audiences in the daytime lifestyle television program Mass Appeal, and contributed to What to Expect, the online companion to the popular book series What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
A lifelong fan of comic books, it wasn’t long before worlds collided and he teamed with illustrator Andrew Cieslinski for the irreverent adult comedy series Holidaze, about the after-work lives of mythical icons such as Santa, the Tooth Fairy, Cupid, and their friends at their favorite watering hole. The duo followed up their work with a series of critically-acclaimed graphic novels for an audience of both adults and children alike – Lacey & Lily from Darby Pop Publishing. Lacey & Lily tells the story of a middle schooler (Lacey) and her dog (Lily) who discover a pair of super-powered costumes in the home of Lacey’s great-grandmother and the worlds of adventure and mystery they uncover after putting them on.
It was during this time that he earned his masters degree with a thesis on the use of comic books as American propaganda during World War II, giving several well-attended public talks on the subject.
With prose works that range from full-length tales such as the historical fiction Christmas story Frank the Barber, to short satire for AHOY Comics Magazines, his work may continue to take on various forms but across the board strives to entertain audiences both young and old.
As his family grew, so did his desire and focus on all-ages audiences and stories that could both entertain and inspire, publishing a growing number of picture books such as popular titles The Little Lamp and Lucy and the Ghost Take the Stage.
He currently lives in Central New York State with his wife, kids, and cats.
Dave Dellecese 