THE KUYKENDALL REVIEW [WILLIAM BRADSHAW, KING OF THE GOBLINS]

THE REVIEW: “From the crisp visuals of the dynamic cover through to the sidesplitting tale within; Daigle’s read was indeed a tour de force.” —A.K. Kuykendall

AUTHOR BIO – ARTHUR DAIGLE

Arthur Daigle was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He received a degree in biology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which sounded like a good idea at the time. This led to work as a zoo intern at Brookfield Zoo, an assistant fisheries biologist at the Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, and a research assistant at Morton Arboretum. Most recently he's been employed grading high school essay tests (yeah, the job market is that bad). In addition to writing, Arthur is an avid artist and gardener.

THE INTERVIEW:

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, where I received a BS degree in biology (what can I say, it seemed like a good idea at the time).  I've worked as an intern fisheries biologist at the max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, research assistant at the Morton Arboretum and worked in the Brookfield Zoo Butterfly House. Currently I write and grade state mandated achievement tests.  My books are a blend of fantasy and comedy intended to be read by young adult and older audiences.

2. At what point in your life, did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I didn't decide to be a writer so much as I stumbled into it. Writing was one of my hobbies for many years. I joined a writers' group at my local library, where I enjoyed the company and assistance of fellow amateur writers. Friends and family members encouraged me to try publishing my work, but for the longest time I didn't try.  The publishing industry isn't easy to get into, and success is hard to reach even if your book gets to market.  But regular work was also hard to come by (curse this weak economy!), and I had a lot of free time.  Then one day a friend recommended a publisher who liked my work. Things didn't work out too well for us in the end, but at least it got my book in print. Currently I am self-published.

3. What are your most memorable or proudest moments in your writing career?

The proudest moment was when my first publisher accepted my work. I dropped to my knees and thanked God then and there. Since then things have not worked out between us, but it was still the best experience I'd had in years. Another time that stood out in my memory was once when I read to my writers' group. There was an older woman in attendance, and she told me that while she normally avoided my genre, she found what I'd written compelling.

4. Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time?

I currently have one book out and am preparing a second to publish in time for Christmas. In five years I hope to have an entire series of books available at Amazon, hopefully with a strong following.

5. What advice do you wish you’d been given before starting your career in writing?

I had a lot of training in how to write in school, both at the high school and college level.  That helped, but I've found that selling books is half writing and half marketing. My original publisher didn't offer much in the way of marketing advice except to go online. It's been hard letting people know I have a book out and that they'd enjoy it. I wish I'd had lessons in how to successfully market a book.

6. Tell us about the books you’ve written so far, and your plans for any future books?

All of my current writing is a blend of fantasy and comedy. I try to avoid stereotypes common in fantasy, such as noble elves and brutish goblins. There are good people and bad among all the races, with no one having a monopoly on virtue or vice. When reading my book, expect rampant stupidity and poor judgment, just like Congress. While my goblins have a reputation for being dumb, many of my characters also have an IQ in the double digits.

7. Is there any part of your career, you find particularly challenging?

Marketing.  I must admit to being something of a recluse.  I like peace and quiet, which makes getting the word out on my book that much harder. That plus my lack of experience in marketing makes sales difficult.

8. Who do you feel, has supported you most, in your writing?

My family has been there for me since day one.  They offer useful suggestions and spot many mistakes in my writing that need to be fixed. After that I would say my old writers' group was a big help. They folded a few years ago due to declining membership, but when times were good I could count on them for help and encouragement.

9. Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers?

If you like a book, write a review for it on Amazon. Let people know when you've found a keeper.

10. Where can we find out more about you and your books?

@ Facebook

@ Goodreads

@ Linkedin

11. Tell us a little about your book.

William Bradshaw, King of the Goblins is my first novel. Will Bradshaw is tricked by lawyers into becoming the King of the Goblins on the world of Other Place.  His goblin followers are short, stupid and slightly crazy. Most people on Other Place view goblins as vermin, and they have chased them to the worst parts of their world.  Will accidentally starts a war with a neighboring human king, and now he has to lead his followers to victory. But no one thinks the goblins can win, especially the goblins! It's going to be an uphill fight, and Will is going to need stealth, secrecy and a seemingly infinite supply of exploding outhouses.

12. What inspired you to write your book?

The works of the filmmaker and puppeteer Jim Henson and the artist Brian Froud inspired me. Both men created works of beauty and good humor that greatly impressed me.

13. Are the character profiles based on people you know or are they completely drawn from your imagination?

My characters are wildly dysfunctional on many levels. I decided long ago to never base a character on a real person to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. That could result in losing friends and possible lawsuits.

14. Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Only roughly! My goblins were made to be the people on the bottom, looked down on and mistreated by everyone around them. I had times in my life where that was the case for me, too, but we've all been there.

15. Which part of the book, in your opinion, was the most difficult to write?

You know, I didn't have a hard time writing any of it. I did delete a few paragraphs at one point, but that didn't bother me. I quite like writing and can't think of a time it was unpleasant.

16. What parts of the book do you love, in particular?

Will's interview with the lawyer, Twain, was one of my favorite parts in the book.  In real life job interviews I had to answer dozens of dumb questions that had nothing to do with the work I'd be doing.  This was my chance to make fun of that stupidity. I've been trying to top that scene ever since and I haven't come close.

17. Tell us about the cover design of your book. 

The artist Aaron Williams, who also created the comic book Nodwick, designed the book cover. My old publisher and I discussed scenes from the book that would make for a good cover, and we chose the part when Barbecue the dragon makes her first appearance. Vial, the head of the lab rat goblins, wasn't there in the book, but my publisher wanted him present so I said yes. There was some back and forth with Aaron at that point where we discussed the pros and cons of his character sketches.  In less than a month we had a cover we were all happy with. I couldn't be more pleased with the results, and I hope to work with Aaron for the cover on book two.

18. Which ways have you chosen to market your book?

I advertised at a number of local bookstores and gaming stores in the area. I also advertised at Caribou Coffee, a chain that has sadly closed all its stores in the area.  I posted my book on many free websites such as AuthorCorner, and I joined author groups on Facebook.  I have also done a number of interviews like this one for blogs. I maintain an account on LinkedIn, which has been fairly useful. Friends have suggested I try Twitter, so I may go there next.

19. If you had to do it all over again, is there anything you’d change?

I would have self-published sooner.

20. Where can we find out more or buy the book?

@ Amazon

21. Who are you?

A writer, a gardener, an artist, a biologist, a friend, a Catholic, an American and an optimist. You have to be an optimist if you're an author, since the odds of being successful are a thousand to one.

22. What are the titles of your books?

William Bradshaw, King of the Goblins. And coming soon… William Bradshaw and a Faint Hope

23. Who is your favourite author?

Terry Pratchett.  He does great work with fantasy and comedy, and he's had a very long career in the field. I would recommend Going Postal and Making money as his best books.

24. Worst book you have ever read?

Blood Music. I love books and give away the few that disappoint me. That one was so bad it went into the recycling bin so it couldn't hurt anyone else.

25. What book are you reading now?

I just finished The Enemies of Rome, From Hannibal to Attila the Hun by Philip Matyszak. It's a fascinating read about who Rome fought and why.

26. Your favourite quote about writing/authors:

None come to mind.  I don't really collect quotes.

27. Your biggest inspiration:

Jim Henson is my biggest inspiration. His work spanned decades and reached hundreds of millions of people. His message was kind and just, seeking to build hope and inspire others.

28. Something you can’t live without:

I need green plants and healthy, growing woods. Going to the forest preserves around me helps when I am stressed.  Put me in a city or desert and I'd wither away inside.

29. Your pet-hate:

I hate destruction in all its forms. Arson, vandalism, deforestation, mountaintop leveling, all these things take something of beauty and ruin them. The wondrous places in our world needed decades or even centuries to reach the peak of their beauty, and then some jerk comes along and wrecks it for profit, or worse, for no reason at all.

30. Your favourite place to be:

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve.  It's a local place built around a research laboratory.  I go there often to enjoy the beautiful trees and animals.  After that, I'd say my local church, Our Lady of Peace. I've attended there for decades, and going there helps when I am low.

31. Something you like/love about yourself?

I love being able to create. There are many authors more successful than me, and my artwork isn't good enough to make a living off of. But making something makes me feel better, and sharing it better still.

32. Something you’d change about yourself?

I'm not good with people and never have been.  So much of what people do doesn't make sense to me. I wish I were better at dealing with my peers.

33. Your ideal life would be:

Long.  Seriously, I would like to make it big as a writer.  I don't really need a lot of money, but I would like it if I was able to reach a lot of people. I want to make people laugh loud enough and long enough that they feel a little better when they're done. If I can do that and inspire someone else to write his or her own book, then I think that would be a life well spent.


Pragmatic author A.K. Kuykendall has a passion for writing conspiracy, espionage, horror, and suspense literature that blend the concepts of fact and fiction. For more information on his projects, visit http://www.thewriterofbooks.com/list-of-works/ or, to email the author directly for Q&A on this post, write to info@thewriterofbooks.com.