Joe Camp, film writer, producer, director, author, passionate speaker, and the man behind the canine superstar Benji believes that anything is possible if you work hard enough and have faith in yourself. He was told by industry "experts" not to bother with the original Benji film; that it wouldn't work. He proved the experts wrong and now he's at it again with his new book The Soul of a Horse to be published by the Harmony imprint of Random House on April 29, 2008. A book that will likely set traditional thinking about horses on its ear.

Joe has written, produced, and directed seven theatrical motion pictures (including all of the Benji movies), which cumulatively grossed well over the equivalent of $600 million in today's dollars, making him one of the most successful independent filmmakers of all time. He has written three novels from his own screenplays, the inspirational nonfiction book Benji & Me , and several children's books. He has also written, directed, and produced four network television specials and a network series.

To produce the original Benji movie, Joe raised the money from private sources. When the film was completed, it was turned down by every major film distributor in Hollywood. Joe and his partner, Ed Vanston, then formed their own distribution company and released the picture worldwide from their offices in Dallas. In spite of the many obstacles, Variety reported that the picture was the third highest grossing movie of the year. The fifth Benji movie, Benji Off the Leash, was released in 2004.

THE SOUL OF A HORSE: Life Lessons from the Herd (Harmony Books; April 29, 2008; $24.95) is the compelling and heartfelt story of Joe and his wife Kathleen's initiation into horse ownership. The parallel journeys of a fabled herd in the wild and a wide-eyed couple thrust into this enigmatic new world are charmingly blended into a riveting expedition of discovery about relationships, choices, trust, and love. One that could change traditional thinking about horses forever.

Monty Roberts, author of the New York Times Bestseller The Man Who Listens to Horses , and world renowned clinician, said, "Imagine how inadequate it makes me feel to realize how recently Joe came into horses. The man is a natural when it comes to understanding how animals tick and a genius at telling us their story. The Soul of a Horse is a must read for those who love animals of any species."

Joe has been a passionate advocate for animals most of his life and he brings three decades of working closely with dogs into this new venture with horses. He also brings a storytelling ability that lured us into the heart and soul of a dog and catapulted the original Benji to international stardom. Now he deftly lures us into the heart and soul of a horse.

One of Joe's favorite pastimes is working with the Piney Woods School in Mississippi. This historically black boarding school educates mostly high-risk kids from families below the poverty level, yet usually sends 100% of its graduates to college, many to some of the best colleges and universities in the country. "Of all we've done," says Camp, "we're most proud of the things we've accomplished for these kids. And the rewards are the greatest."

Even with all the accomplishments and media exposure, Camp is still in awe of his own success. "Inside, I'm still a kid sitting in a dark theater in Little Rock, Arkansas, watching Disney's 'Song of the South' or reading books like the Black Stallion with happy tears rolling down my cheeks," he says. "To be able to bring that that kind of happiness to others is very special."

Joe lives with his wife, Kathleen, their three kids, and their five horses , four dogs, and two cats on a five-acre hilltop in Valley Center, California, north of San Diego.

See Q&A with Joe about The Soul of a Horse

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