About BassNotes
Stories with a sound of their own.
Creating classics for this generation.
BassNotes creates original intellectual property at the intersection of literature, music, and media — one roof for every form a story can take.
Black-Owned IP · Houston-based · Creator-owned · Independent · For All Ages
One vision
Original literature.
Original music.
Original characters.
One vision.
What BassNotes does
One story, many forms.
Everything originates from the stories and intellectual property. BassNotes combines three major areas — publishing, music, and media — without becoming three unrelated businesses. Each property is designed to expand beyond the book.
Publishing
Original books and story worlds for readers across age groups.
Music
Original scores, soundtracks, character themes, singles and other music created in connection with BassNotes story worlds.
Media & IP
Original characters and story worlds designed with the potential to extend into classrooms, digital media, animation, film, television, licensing and other formats.
Our mission
To create timeless stories that advance literacy, celebrate African American voices, and inspire generations through original literature, music, and media.
Our vision
To create the next generation of literary classics while building one of the world's leading entertainment and education media companies — where original stories, unforgettable characters, and culturally authentic voices shape imagination, education, and culture for generations to come.
How we work
Original by default.
01
Original & Human-Created
Original stories. Original music. Original characters. BassNotes is a creator and owner of original intellectual property — written, drawn, and produced by people, never generated or borrowed.
02
In-House Studio
Writing, illustration, music production, and creative direction all live under one roof — so every property keeps a single, consistent voice.
03
Owned Outright
BassNotes retains long-term ownership of every intellectual property, preserving creative control and the future of each story world.
04
Lean by Design
A lean production model supports quality control and stronger long-term margins — one story can generate multiple products and revenue streams.
All stories, songs & characters original — no AI generation used.
Every BassNotes property is written, illustrated, composed, and produced by people — owned outright, built to last.
Meet the creator
Torin Varlack
Author · Educator · Musician · Storyteller
BassNotes is the creative home of Torin Varlack — a native Houstonian creating immersive story worlds. Original literature. Original music. Original characters. One vision.
As the founder of BassNotes, he leads an in-house creative studio — writing, illustrating, composing, and producing original story worlds that advance literacy and celebrate African American voices. BassNotes remains the central brand behind every property he builds.
The Author
As both an author and illustrator, Torin creates God-breathed stories across age groups and genres that examine and challenge the human condition. Through compelling characters, imaginative worlds, and original illustrations, each work invites readers into stories that linger long after the final page.
The Educator
With expertise in English, Honors African American Studies, Sociology, and Psychology, Torin teaches grades 9–12 and has a proven record of improving standardized test scores, increasing reading comprehension, strengthening writing, and developing analytical thinkers. That same educational foundation shapes every BassNotes work — each intentionally built with educators and students in mind as both compelling literature and meaningful real-world experiences.
The Musician
A lifelong musician and passionate bassist, Torin's deep appreciation for the bass guitar shapes his musical identity. His musicianship extends to guitar, keys, composition, and music production. He personally writes, composes, arranges, and produces every original BassNotes soundtrack, ensuring each note serves the story with purpose, emotion, and intention.
BassNotes Publishing House
Mission, values & creative vision
BassNotes Publishing House exists to create classics for this generation — original literature, original music, and original characters under one coherent vision. We serve readers, parents, educators, librarians, and fans of illustrated stories who want depth on the page and sound in the world.
Our values are simple and non-negotiable: human-made art, owned intellectual property, literacy as culture, and immersive presentation — high-quality covers, transparent character illustration, and story worlds designed to travel into classrooms, libraries, and living rooms.
Creative vision means every title can grow: book, song, video, education kit, and licensed media — without losing the voice that started it.