It is with the greatest of pleasure that I
welcome fantasy author, J.G. McKenney, onto the blog today. J.G (John) is going
to share with us his inspirations behind his fabulous new book…
The Book Knights
From the award winning author of EON'S DOOR comes an Arthurian tale like no other.
When her parents are condemned to death by Morgan Fay for the crime of reading, Arti Penderhagen becomes a fugitive. Hunted by Mordred, the sadistic police captain who recites poetry to enhance his physical strength, Arti escapes to the Isle of Avalon, a sanctuary for outlaws. There she meets an old librarian named Merl who tells her about the Grail Tome, an ancient book in Morgan Fay's possession that can alter the course of history. Can Arti steal the book in time to save her family?
THE BOOK KNIGHTS is a fantasy adventure in which knights wield words as weapons, librarians are wizards, and books can change the future.
When her parents are condemned to death by Morgan Fay for the crime of reading, Arti Penderhagen becomes a fugitive. Hunted by Mordred, the sadistic police captain who recites poetry to enhance his physical strength, Arti escapes to the Isle of Avalon, a sanctuary for outlaws. There she meets an old librarian named Merl who tells her about the Grail Tome, an ancient book in Morgan Fay's possession that can alter the course of history. Can Arti steal the book in time to save her family?
THE BOOK KNIGHTS is a fantasy adventure in which knights wield words as weapons, librarians are wizards, and books can change the future.
Author’s
Inspiration
Most people believe magic doesn’t exist, but we
experience it every day in the books we read. The alchemy of a skilled author crafting
words in the cauldron of a manuscript is magic in its truest form; it makes the
impossible real. Characters who never existed before spring to life, strange and
wonderful creatures walk and breathe, and the worlds they inhabit become as
tangible as our own.
That magic inspired me to write THE BOOK
KNIGHTS. I believe the power of words is humanity’s greatest gift, our Holy
Grail, and my story asks the question: What if that gift was stolen?
I decided to use the legend of King Arthur as my
story’s template, starting with the discovery of a hero worthy of leading such
a perilous quest to take back the power of words. But instead of Arthur
Pendragon pulling the sword from the stone, I have Arti Penderhagen pull the
words from the tome, and the “grail” she seeks is a book. Like Arthur, Arti
will depend on the fealty of her knights—Gal, Gwen, and Lance—to complete her
mission. That and the guidance of Merl, an old librarian who understands better
than any the magic that words possess. With their help, Arti will try to discover
the underlying truth that can save them. And that leads me to the second
element that inspires my writing.
Facing fear and danger and death, the book
knights reveal the transformative power of love and friendship. They rely on
each other for the strength and courage to succeed, even when the odds are
stacked against them. The bonds between characters hold a magic all their own,
and a good story cannot exist without them.
Finally, as an author I am driven by the desire
to share the power of words with others. The “magic” doesn’t happen unless
there are readers to experience it. In my work, I try my best to give readers
what they deserve: a story that is worthy of their valuable time and money. I
want them to lose themselves in the book, to become part of the world I’ve
created, to really care about it. One early reviewer of THE BOOK KNIGHTS said
it made her “laugh, cry, and cheer.” I could ask for no more.
As I search for the appropriate closing remarks
about what inspired me to write THE BOOK KNIGHTS, something strange is
happening. Arti and the others are telling me that their story isn’t over, that
there are still more adventures ahead. In all honesty, a series was not in my
plans. In fact, I’ve already started work on another project. But who am I to
deny the book knights their desire to live on? I must embrace the magic.
Links for Purchase
About the author
J.G. (John) McKenney is a Canadian writer and teacher. For his first novel, EON’S DOOR, he received the 2012 Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award, and was also a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Award. John's fascination with fantasy and adventure began at a young age when he discovered works like THE HOBBIT and THE CALL OF THE WILD. That early love of reading has matured into a need to tell stories that transport readers into worlds full of wonder and enchantment.
Useful Links
Thank you for sharing your inspiration with us today!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, and thanks for your support. I hope your readers will check out THE BOOK KNIGHTS.
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