“Defenders of Zzzodd” is Ty Evan Smith’s first book. The cover was illustrated by Local artist Danielle Keerps. (Photo provided)

A local writer has taken his experiences from real life and the make-believe world in role-playing games to write his first book intended for teens and young adults.

“Defenders of Zzzodd” by Ty Evan Smith, a 2000 graduate of Parkersburg South High School, is the story about 15-year-old Leah who is taken by the monster under her bed to a fantasy world where sentient toys and creatures live along with the Fragmented Master.

“The book takes place in a dream world,” Smith said.

“Defenders of Zzzodd” came about after Smith, 43, and his family went to Kentucky for school, however, COVID-19 hit and the school eventually closed. Smith became a stay-at-home dad taking care of the kids while his wife went to work.

“Everything changed for me,” Smith, a restaurant manager, said. “It was a learning experience all around.”

While at home, Smith played many games like Dungeons and Dragons, a role-playing game, at great length. The games became the model for “Defenders of Zzzodd,” he said.

Smith has enjoyed reading fantasy books his entire life and for many years has played role-playing games much like Dungeons & Dragons. The interaction between the games and his kids was a basis in writing the book, which is planned to become a series.

The book’s development was through trial and error, he said. Early drafts were used to help his home-schooled children overcome boredom during COVID-19. With their toys, Smith and his children played potential scenes for the book, including a stuffed toy that used a gummy bear in a battle against the nightmare beast.

Games like Dungeons and Dragons are difficult for a young child to understand or comprehend, including his young daughter, he said.

“It’s a little advanced for someone at the age of 6,” Smith said.

Thus began the work on “Defenders of Zzzodd,” he said.

“Our adventures morphed into a story,” Smith said.

“Defenders of Zzzodd” is Smith’s first book. A game based on “Defenders of Zzzodd” is in development, he said.

“I haven’t polished it yet,” Smith said. “I’m still working on the game so it makes sense for others to play it.”

Smith and his wife, Stefanie, have four kids, son Demetre who is the oldest, daughter Arianna and girl and boy twins Olivia and Elias, who were born when COVID started when they lived in Kentucky.

“Defenders of Zzzodd” is available from local vendors J&M Book Store and First Chapter Book Store in Parkersburg, from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and from his website, influencedchoaspublications.com.

The hardcover is $26.99, paperback is $19.99 and the Kindle version is $8.99. An audio book is in development along with a Spanish edition.

Released in March, it is 371 pages and was published by Spines.

Local artist Danielle Keerps illustrated the cover.

Smith will be at the Parkersburg Art Center for a signing during the Market Street Book Fair from 1-6 p.m. July 26.