Instagram: @james.sfmbook

In 2018, James Robertson became known for having his story featured in the first episode (Season 1) of the documentary series I Am A Killer, which was shown on Netflix. In 2008, as a means of escaping solitary confinement, where he had been held for nearly 20 years, James killed another inmate to be transferred to death row.

James was arrested in 1980, a few days before he turned 17, while attempting to steal a speaker to buy drugs. Initially, his sentence was ten years in prison. However, a series of turbulent events inside the correctional facility dramatically increased his time served, and James remains incarcerated to this day, more than 40 years later.

In his book, The Smiley Face Man, a novel written from death row, James chronicles in the third person his own childhood and pre-teen years before he went to prison and never left. To protect the identities of those involved, James has changed the names of the characters, although all the facts are true. In the story, James Robertson is referred to as Donny—the second child of a young couple with three boys, full of dreams, who are starting life in Florida. However, what was supposed to be the start of a dream, as Donny's father manages his own business, turns into a nightmare after he loses everything due to involvement with alcohol and drugs.

The Part 1, Chapters 1 to 12, is available for purchase on Amazon in all territories in English language (if you are unable to order the book using the link on your cell phone, you will be able to order using your computer's browser).

The book presents a legitimate narrative of human life as it is. Its value lies in the courage James Robertson has to tell the truth about his story, transcending the judgments of good and evil that people may have. A quick, but moving read. The peculiarities of his life story may lead us to reflect on important issues.

James began writing The Smiley Face Man in 2020 and didn't complete it. We can hope that he will finalize telling us his story if the Part 1 is well received by the public.

The artworks on this blog are watercolor studies, handmade by the artist João Alves, inspired by the opening chapters of James's book. Although the illustrations are not used in the publication of the book on Amazon, the studies have been left below. After all, these artworks also tell a story.

Artistic version of the book cover, for study purposes only

Book cover available on Amazon

The "The Smiley Face Man" by James Robertson is available for purchase on Amazon.com

Please, place your order.

 

If you are unable to order the book using the link ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFX2HF7N ) on your cell phone, 

you will be able to order using your computer's browser.

NOTE: You don't need a Kindle device to read eBooks purchased from Amazon. You can use the free Kindle app instead. To get started, install the 'Amazon Kindle' app on your preferred device (Android phone, Android tablet, Windows PC, or Mac). Then, open the app and sign in with your Amazon account—the same one you used to buy your Kindle books. Once signed in, your Kindle library will appear in the app, and you can start reading.

Keep up with book news:

https://www.instagram.com/james.sfmbook/

James aged 18, with bloodstains on his face, after a prison incident that dramatically extended his sentence.

Arts by João Alves:

https://www.instagram.com/joao_alves_ilustrador/

https://www.facebook.com/joaoalvesilustracoes/ 

Check out the documentary about James Robertson on Netflix, "I Am A Killer" Season 1, Episode 1:

https://www.netflix.com/br/title/80202283?s=a&trkid=13747225&trg=cp&vlang=pt&clip=81647167

James when he was a child, the Donny boy in the story

Write to him:

Robertson, James, DC 322534

PO Box 23608

Tampa, FL 33623 - USA 

or go  through the website: 

https://securustech.online

DC 322534

Contacting an Inmate Details:

http://www.dc.state.fl.us/ci/ContactInmate.html

During the last decade they were alive, James' parents resumed their marriage and became active figures in his life. Writing a book was a request that James' mother made to him before her passing.