Xlibris Publishing returns with Francis Pendlebury, author of Arkenfall.
Do you have any particular literary influences that have helped you develop in your genre, subject and style?
Tolkien is undeniably an influence on my work, as are HP Lovecraft, CS Lewis and William Shakespeare, although to what extent this is actually apparent to the professional eye is an enigma to my perceptions. We live in hope and faith that some quality and natural prose shines through.
What inspired you to write your book?
The original idea was of the scene described in the chapter “Clash of Heroes”. Of a strange, powerful warrior, with a rampant musk unsettling the city ahead of his arrival at the gatehouse of a great walled city. His effect upon, and confrontation with a powerful guardian of the city. This original inspiration was whilst making sand-castles with my son Joseph, who was fourteen at the time. The book took two years to complete.
What is the one message you would like to convey to your readers?
Live well and naturally together, and remain vigilant of evil intentions.
Are you working on a sequel to your book?
Yes and a sequel to that…They will all have Arken as the first part of the title, just between us. Then I plan to write a subsequent trilogy set a generation after the first. Then perhaps another set a thousand years in their past. Somewhere in-between I shall finish that history book and perhaps write a book about the things I have seen and experienced as a bin-man..!
Are there any events, marketing ideas or promotions planned for your book?
Yes my book will be featured at five international events over the next twelve months. I will also promote my book personally and online at every opportunity. I shall approach my local area press, as well as those of my hometown, and the town where I work, as I work for the local council and I was a long term resident of the borough, all during this summer. I am open to all ways of introducing the public to Arkenfall.
What was your favorite part of your publishing experience, overall and with Xlibris?
Well, to be frank some of it was great fun to write, it was brilliant, a great thrill to come home to after a gruelling wet day running behind a bin-wagon…it still is. I really enjoyed finding unopened doors deep within my imagination, born almost of a desperation to be different enough to be noticed, to perhaps attract a cult following to my works. We have had many great nights at home after various milestones along the way, finishing it, really finishing it, seeing it as a PDF book form, seeing the cover, myself, book description etc.
However, holding my copy of the book last night and reading it was absolutely amazing – reading it most of all. I did not want to put it down! I have read and re-read it roughly seventy seven thousand times on my pc screen, but those words on paper held my eyes like a magnet. I flick it open and just read from anywhere on any page and it makes sense! It is a legible story and will undoubtedly provide hours of entertainment to many people. That was the best part. My book, my story, my world, is as good as it could be under the circumstances of when I wrote it. For that I am profoundly grateful that I was granted the patience, fortitude and imagination to produce a work I can truly build upon, gain recognition from, and most of all be proud of.
Xlibris Publishing trusts this helps
Please make sure to check out the Xlibris Publishing site for more advice and blogs, and be sure to follow us on Xlibris Publishing Facebook and Xlibris Publishing Twitter. Get your free publishing guide here.
Hello Francis,
I have not read your book, but I appreciate your blog. When I self published my novel TWO WORLDS with Xlibris, I had been rejected many times from traditional publishers. It was my grandson who found the Xlibris web site and signed me up. I cannot tell you what a thrill (after have read, re-wrote, edited, and re-wrote) it was to see the manuscript of TWO WORLDS (followed by two collections of short stories ALIENS and ANGELS and X’LENT TALES) in book form. To see my stories in book form, published for the general public and each with its own web site were moments of pride and satisfaction.
Good luck with Arkenfall….and may you have many sales. I too am a fan of Tolkien.
Noeline Slowgrove.