The television news feature about Ben Heckmann, an eighth grader from Farmington, Minn, was breathless in its praise. "At 14, he has accomplished something many adults can't achieve," the reporter said, "Ben is a twice-published author." But Ben's two "Velvet Black" books, describing a fictional rock band, were not picked from a pile of manuscripts by an eagle eyed publisher. They were self-published, at the cost of $400 by Ben's parents. Over the past five years, print-on-demand technology and a growing number of self publishing companies whose books can be sold online have inspired writers of all ages to avoid the traditional gatekeeping system for determining who could call himself a "published author." The mothers and fathers who foot the bill say they are simply trying to encourage their children, in the same way that other parents buy equipment for a promising baseball player. But others see self-publishing as a lost opportunity to teach children about hardship and perseverance. Mr. Robbins, a critic, thinks it is wonderful to start writing at a young age, but worries self-publishing sends the wrong message. "There are no prodigies in literature," he said. "Literature requires experience, in a way that mathematics and music do not." Alan Rinzler, a publishing industry veteran, suggested parents hire a professional editor like him to work with their child to tear a manuscript apart and help make a better. Ben's father, Ken, said Ben's ambitions "weren't to knockHarry Potteroff the list," but "to get that good feeling inside that you've done something." Ajla Dizdarevic, 12, who has self-published two books of poetry, has been on television and in local newspapers. "Being a published author," she said, "was always a dream of mine." Her new dream: three books by age 15. QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What was the number of books published by Ben?
2. How many books did Ben come out with?
3. What was the number of volumes published by Ben?
Q2:
1. WHo published Ben's books?
2. Who came out with books by Ben Heckmann?
3. Who was Ben Heckmann's publisher?
Q3:
1. Who paid for Ben Heckmann's publishing?
2. Who paid to publish Ben Heckmann's book?
3. Who did Ben Heckmann receive funds from to publish his book?
Q4:
1. What benefit is there to self publishing?
2. What is a good point of self publishing?
3. What's a benefit that accompanies self publishing?
Q5:
1. Besides Ben Heckmann who is another child prodigy that has published books?
2. What is the name of another child prodigy who had published books like Ben Heckmann
3. What is a very talented child child that has published books in the same way that Ben Heckmann has?
Q6:
1. What was the television station's opinion of Ben publishing books?
2. What did Ben's publication of books make the television station think?
3. How did the TV station react to Ben publishing a book?
Q7:
1. Did everyone think that self publishing was a good idea?
2. Was everyone in favor of self publishing?
3. Was self publishing universally praised?
Q8:
1. Why wasn't everyone in favor of self publishing?
2. Why didn't everyone think that self publishing was a good idea?
3. What made some wary of self-publishing?
Q9:
1. Why wasn't everyone in favor of self publishing, other than lost opportunities?
2. Why didn't everyone think that self publishing was a good idea, besides opportunities lost?
3. What made some wary of self-publishing other than the possibility of lost opportunities?
Q10:
1. What did Ben Heckmann's father say to naysayers?
2. How did Ben Heckmann's father respond to those who doubted his son?
3. What was the response of Ben Heckmann's dad to people who didn't believe in his son?
Q11:
1. Who were some people that didn't believe in Ben Heckmann?
2. Who was a skeptic of Ben Heckmann's success?
3. Who didn't think that Ben Heckmann's success was so great?
Q12:
1. According to Ken, what was a top children's book?
2. What was one of the best children's books in Ken's opinion?
3. What did Ken believe to be an excellent children's book?
Q13:
1. What did Ajila dream of?
2. What did Ajila hope to accomplish?
3. What did Ajila wish to achieve?
