Mission Log
About Off Planet Books
A veteran-founded Iowa bookshop for readers and puzzlers who like things a little strange.
Who runs this rocket?
Off Planet Books & Puzzles was founded in 2021 by Bill Claman, a US Air Force Desert Storm veteran. Bill is also an author: his book Hungry For Mars? Here's Your Menu! How And What You Will Eat On Mars takes a practical, curious look at feeding people on another planet.
Why the shop exists
Bill built the store for readers who drift toward the odd shelves: witchcraft and magic, mythology, horror, fantasy and sci-fi. Many of our books are remainders, new unread copies from publisher overstock, which lets us sell good books at friendly prices. Then we added jigsaw puzzles, board games and activity books, because a good evening in deserves options.
Where we are headed
In September 2026 we open our first retail store in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. The online shop keeps running, and our Featured Author program keeps giving independent writers of the weird and wonderful a place on the shelf.
We give you space to read and play.