Clayton began his writing career by self-publishing small run short story zines which he distributed in art galleries, music venues, and on street corners throughout the U.S.[1][2]
Work
After the birth of his son in 2003,[citation needed] Clayton wrote, illustrated, and published An Awesome Book!, a 64-page children's picture book about "dreaming big".[3] After being turned down by several major publishing houses Clayton opted to self-publish An Awesome Book! by posting the book for free online and using mostly non-traditional means of distribution, after which the book sold over 50,000 copies to date.[citation needed][when?]
Clayton released his next book, An Awesome Book of Thanks! (2010) through online bookseller Amazon.com's new publishing imprint, AmazonEncore.[5][6]An Awesome Book of Thanks! followed the pattern of An Awesome Book!, this time delivering a message about the importance of being thankful.
In 2011, The Hollywood Reporter announced[7] that Clayton had signed a three-book deal with HarperCollins as well a two-book deal with Candlewick Press. An Awesome Book! received a full scale re-release from Harpercollins in March 2012.[8] 2012 also saw the release of Awesome Book of Love! (Harper).[9]
Clayton released a collection of children's poetry entitled Make Magic! Do Good! (Candlewick Press) in 2012.[10]
He released a "children's book for adults" entitled It's Never Too Late through P. Putnam's Sons in 2013.[11]
Clayton's 2014 releases included A is for Awesome and Lily the Unicorn.[citation needed]
Clayton founded the non-profit Awesome World Foundation in 2009 with the intention of traveling the world, reading to kids, and promoting childhood literacy.[14] The foundation has donated books worldwide and supported various other children's causes.[15]