Brian Hoff is an award-winning author, screenwriter, songwriter, and SAG-AFTRA actor whose creative work spans film, television, literature, and music. He began his career in 1994 on the HBO film White Mile and soon joined independent producer Paul Leder, where he developed a passion for storytelling across genres: from children’s comedy and adventure to drama, sci-fi, and coming-of-age narratives. Hoff went on to write and develop numerous independent projects, including his award-winning animated short Automaton, celebrated at the California International Animation Festival. He later co-produced a sci-fi film featuring one of the final voice roles of Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine.
Hoff’s personal story was featured in an Emmy-winning episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, a moment that deepened his commitment to community service, arts mentorship, and supporting young creators. As an author, he is best known for the comedic spy-dog series Secret Agent 00K9 and the award-winning children’s series Keeping Up with the Car Chasers, a humorous, heartfelt collection that blends family chaos with meaningful life lessons.
A versatile recording artist and ASCAP member, Hoff’s original music has appeared in film, including his holiday ballad “Angels on the Christmas Tree,” featured in the Christmas movie Hashtag Blessed. He continues to write and release new music across pop and contemporary genres, with recent tracks entered into national and international competitions.
Hoff is also the founder of the Palm Springs International Animation Festival, which brings groundbreaking animated films and Oscar-recognized talent from more than 100 countries to Southern California. Across every medium, he remains dedicated to creating stories and songs that inspire, entertain, and connect audiences of all ages.
This one-on-one interview shares Brian’s background and experience writing Keeping Up with the Car Chasers.
Tell us about Keeping Up with the Car Chasers.
Keeping Up with the Car Chasers grew out of my love for creating humorous, heart-filled stories that families can enjoy together.
The series follows the chaotic, lovable Barkingtons, a spirited dog family led by Margaret Barkington, a former Broadway poodle turned novelist who dreams of a little peace and quiet in a house where such a thing rarely exists!
Across five volumes, the Barkingtons navigate everyday adventures with big laughs and meaningful lessons: Billy tries to make amends after a mishap with his best friend, the family grapples with tolerance when new feline neighbors move in, and everyone hits the road for a summer trip that sparks a deeper appreciation for nature. Suzie even gets her moment in the spotlight on Animals Got Talent, discovering the true meaning of confidence.
The series has earned international recognition from the Mom’s Choice Awards, the Maincrest Media Book Awards, and the International Children’s Film Festival.
What inspired you to write Keeping Up with the Car Chasers?
Keeping Up with the Car Chasers grew out of a long creative journey that began when the BBC approached me about developing a series with a strong female lead. At the time, I had already been exploring a spin-off inspired by my earlier animated project The Fast & the Furriest and my original parody character “00K9,” an anthropomorphic spy dog I first introduced to Hollywood in 2007. As I continued working across film, animation, and education—building an indie filmmaking program at Western Iowa Tech, mentoring animation students, and visiting schools to share stories with kids—I saw how deeply young audiences connected with humorous, heart-driven characters.
Those experiences shaped the world of the Barkingtons. I wanted to create a series that combined the playful imagination of my animation work with meaningful lessons families could enjoy together, ultimately leading to the creation of Keeping Up with the Car Chasers.
How did your background and experience influence your writing?
My storytelling roots go back to my early days in the film industry, where I got my start working with HBO Entertainment on a project featuring the legendary actor, Alan Alda. But the spark that ultimately shaped my writing arrived years later in the simplest way: watching my dog Cosmo play in the backyard. His goofy habit of “spying” on the neighbors earned him the nickname “00K9,” and that moment of pure imagination inspired an entire universe of anthropomorphic characters.
Growing up, cartoons and comedy were my escape, especially during a challenging childhood; a story I later shared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Animation became not just a passion but a calling, and that led me to found the Palm Springs International Animation Festival and remain deeply involved in the global animation community. My longtime support of local animal shelters and police K-9 units also influences my work, grounding my stories in compassion, humor, and heart.
What is one message you would like readers to remember?
I want readers to remember that every family, no matter how quirky or chaotic, has the ability to grow, learn, and laugh together. Courage, empathy, and curiosity can turn even ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures.
Purchasing the Books
Keeping Up with the Car Chasers has received positive reviews from respected literary organizations, authors, and reviewers worldwide. Book Excellence writes, “Keeping Up with the Car Chasers is a bright, big-hearted series that blends humor, life lessons, and unforgettable characters into adventures kids will want to revisit again and again.”
Brian’s creative storytelling has also been spotlighted by the animation industry. The Animation World Network profiled his earlier project in the an article titled, “Bringing ‘SECRET AGENT 00K9’ from Script to Screen,” highlighting his long-standing commitment to crafting imaginative, character-driven worlds: https://www.awn.com/animationworld/bringing-secret-agent-00k9-script-screen
Readers can also experience the Keeping Up with the Car Chasers series firsthand by watching the official book trailer on Brian’s YouTube Channel, which brings the Barkingtons’ hilarious and heartfelt world to life: https://www.youtube.com/@briannhoff
The books are available for sale on Amazon. Readers are encouraged to purchase their copy today: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brian-Neil-Hoff/author/B01N345G3R
To connect with Brian and learn more about his work, visit: https://brianhoffbooks.com/ and http://www.00k9.com. You can also find him on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contact
Company Name: Author News Network
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: authornewsnetwork.com
