Turning Disability Advocacy Into Art: The Rise of The Gypsy King, with Caleb Banks & Amy Betzold

I’m struck by how much of Caleb Banks and Amy Betzold’s journey began with one radical choice: taking Caleb’s ideas seriously. A single painted horse sparked The Gypsy King, and together they built an entire world from it. Why do we treat kids’ creative instincts as optional instead of worthy of real investment? What moves me most is how committed they are to doing this right. Historical fiction demands honesty, even when the truth is uncomfortable. They refuse to sanitize the 1840s or gloss over culture, race, or power. Instead, they’re seeking peer reviewers, consulting community voices, and holding themselves accountable. Isn’t that what we should expect from storytellers—people willing to ask the hard questions? Their process is just as powerful: setting goals, learning craft, surviving a complete rewrite of their opening chapters, and turning a social worker’s suggestion into a real deadline. Add the confidence that comes from speaking publicly and preparing for a book launch, and you see how momentum builds when someone believes in your story. Imagine what we could unlock if more of us created those environments—where kids, adults, and disabled storytellers are supported simply because their ideas matter. How many worlds go unwritten because we never give them the chance? More info on Caleb and Amy here: Facebook: Caleb Banks and Amy Betzold - Authors Email: [email protected] Buy your copy of The Gypsy King via: Amazon AuthorHouse To learn more about the places Caleb & Amy visited, click below: Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Gypsy King 03:03 The Origin Story of the Book 05:51 Researching Historical Accuracy 09:02 Scouting Trips and Inspiration 12:05 The Writing Process/Overcoming Challenges 14:49 Feedback and Editing Journey 18:09 Cultural Sensitivity in Storytelling 21:01 The Levi Coffin House and Historical Context 24:04 Character Development and Imaginary Friends 27:00 Encouragement for Aspiring Writers 33:40 Choosing the Right Publishing Path 35:34 Costumes and Creative Processes 38:46 Traveling for Inspiration 42:48 The Artistic Process/Idea Generation 48:34 Inspiring Stories of Success 52:36 The Journey of Becoming an Author 55:57 Advocacy and Encouragement for Others 57:34 The Importance of Reading/Sharing Stories 01:02:38 The Joy of Books and Community 01:04:09 Exploring Historical Literature for Young Readers 01:06:00 The Importance of Museums/Historical Education 01:07:55 Influential Authors and Their Impact on Writing 01:12:02 Community Engagement/Character Development 01:15:05 Cultural Heritage and Local History 01:20:09 Planning a Thematic Book Launch Party 01:24:02 Marketing Strategies for Self-Published Authors Contact Tabitha: [email protected]