Angel-faced Benjamin Logan with copies of his horror and thriller stories that he is selling to raise money for the poor through Project Compassion. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
He has the face of an angel but Benjamin Logan, 11, writes about horror, dead bodies and thriller plots.
And the twist? He’s selling copies of his two stories to raise money for Project Compassion, a Catholic Easter fundraiser for the poor.
“I wanted to do something for Project Compassion and I had written Contestant 12 for my best friend Emmett for his birthday, and I thought I’d sell copies for $10″, Benjamin said.
The aim is to raise the most money in his Year 6 class at Mater Dei Catholic Primary School, where his passion for writing began last year, thanks to his inspiring Year 5 teacher, Mr Glover.
Benjamin Logan, 11, from Wagga, writes about dead bodies, creepy creatures chasing victims, and scary concepts, and the reaction has been positive. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
“We had to do a passion project for class and Mr Glover asked us to write a story starting with, “You walk into a haunted mansion. What do you see?” That was it. That was where it started,” Benjamin said.
“Skeleton Chalet was born. A story about a boy, James, who goes into a mansion that no one ever goes into.”
“He’s supposed to go with his friends, but they sort of like, ditched him. So he just went in anyways, and he found a body in the kitchen, and when he went straight back to the door, it was locked, ” Benjamin said.
“And he sees a note written in thick blood that asks him if he wants to play a game,” he said.
If you’re not creeped out by now, the story gets worse, but Benjamin is hoping you’ll buy a copy to find out.
Get scared, for a good cause.
Another source of inspiration was Forest Hill’s favourite “Halloween House” in Allonby Avenue, that draws hundreds of people every Halloween.
Owner Nicole Wade has raised thousands by turning her home into a haunted lair, a Christmas wonderland and other calendar events, with donations going to various charities. Benjamin was drawn to the spectacle, and it allowed his imagination to soar.
When Benjamin gave Nicole a copy of his first short story, Skeleton Chalet, she posted a heartwarming letter of support on social media.
“Omg … I just read this short thriller that young Benjamin Logan wrote for a school project … wow wow wow … he is a very talented young writer,” Ms Wade wrote.
“I was thrilled to think that he thought of me … I was so glad he did … well done Benjamin I loved loved loved it … if you get a chance to read it do so.”
A glowing review of Benjamin Logan’s horror short story by Forest Hill’s “Halloween House” owner Nicole Wade.
Apart from his proud parents, Joanne and Daniel, Benjamin has a mighty supporter in international bestselling Australian writer, Matthew Reilly.
Writing more than 30 books in the action and thriller genre, Mr Reilly has sold more than eight million copies of his books, which include well-known titles Scarecrow and The Army of Thieves, The Tournament, and his recent release, The Detective. He directed a Netflix movie starring Elsa Pataky and Chris Hemsworth.
“He’s my favourite writer,” Benjamin said.
“My mum has an entire bookshelf and one section is just all Matthew Reilly, and I asked her what it was. She gave me one. I picked it up, read it, and asked for another, and another, and I’ve just kept going,” Benjamin said.
The highlight for Benjamin was when he met his hero.
“I met him twice and he’s read my work. He thought it was great and told me that I needed to keep writing and read a lot more, because it will help me, and he gave me suggestions of books to read like Jurassic Park,” Benjamin said.
Benjamin’s dad Daniel said the whole family was proud of him.
“We don’t let him watch scary shows yet so it’s his imagination,” Mr Logan said.
“Matthew Reilly gave Ben his own personal email address and they correspond. For an 11-year-old it’s [his writing] pretty amazing,” Daniel said.
