DRAGON'S FOOL by ALRED CHASE

Okay everyone, this one is close to my heart.  

No, I haven't read the book, or the series…yet. 

However, I did have the honor of interviewing 

Mr. Chase, and found him and his book both 

extremely charming.  His way with words, 

the language he uses to write, is incredibly poetic 

and seasoned.  I read some of the book 

and it feels like your Uncle Aldred is reading 

to you, English accent and all.

Mr. Chase brings in the flavor of the history

 from the world he grew up in, in the UK.  

I'm excited to present this work today.  

Just the artwork on the covers alone should grab your 

childlike attention urging you to carry on 

further in this lovely adventure.

So sit back with your cup of tea and enjoy the
interview from the tour brought to us by 

Goddess Fish Promotions.

The author is offering the first book in the series

free to help you begin your adventure with Keth.

As always, we appreciate some comments, enjoy

the rest of the tour, thx from PLP.
ps. the author is giving a $25 gift card
to a random commenter!!

BLURB:

Keth has become the most powerful person in the city of Russett. He is both Prince Dawyn's fool and his most trusted adviser. The secret of Keth's success is listening to the tart, sour comments that the turnip on the end of his fool's stick pours into his mind, which no one else can hear. 

When an earthquake strikes Russett, it is only the first in a series of disasters to devastate the city. Superstitious folk say that these are signs that a dragon is coming and only the golden prince of legend can save them. Keth's turnip tells him that these are only natural events and dragons don't exist, but he can use peoples' fears to his own advantage. 

In the ruined city, Keth has to decide who he will trust and what he will believe. The fate of his friends and the survival of the land depend on the choices he makes. 

Dragon's Fool is book four in the Nobody's Fool Quartet, the gripping climax to a tale of comedy and adventure.

Excerpt 

We stumbled down a long thin room, weaving our way around the ornate wooden chairs tossed about the floor, avoiding the red hot smoking coals from a shattered stove. From behind us we heard a crash, and a gust of air stung my neck with sharp dust. I didn’t look back. Ahead of us, a tapestry peeled from the wall and behind it a great chunk of plaster bigger than a serving platter tumbled from the wall, leaving a gaping hole. It was as if a ghost was ripping up the room.

“Look at the ceiling,” Ma gasped. 

A crack was racing ahead of us. We chased after it. It was like a living thing, zigzagging, pausing then darting forwards, making for the same door as us. Dawyn began to work with us and we kept pace with the crack. Behind us plaster pattered down like rain.

The crack won. It reached the end of the room, three paces ahead of us. It split and a web of cracks shot down to the door frame.

We lunged. Ma and I shoved Dawyn through the opening. I bundled Ma through. A huge splintering crack sounded above my head. Ma grabbed my arm and yanked me through the doorway as it collapsed. A great choking plume of debris enveloped us. I opened my eyes and was blinded by bruised yellow clouds of dust.

“Head towards me,” Master Braddle called out. “We’re at the top of the stairs.”

Dragon’s Fool, Interview with June

1. First of all What a terrific illustration!  Really, it’s one of the better ones I’ve seen.  I see that it was produced by ‘ebook Launch’, an internet company.  Did you have an idea of what you were looking for or did you just hand over the reigns and let them pull something together for you?    I see that the other covers to the series are the same design illustrator, it’s nice, they have a great continuity, a really nice flow...looks good on a book shelf.  Do you believe these covers gave you an advantage in marketing and making your ebook stand out?

I think Dane at ‘ebook Launch’ did a fantastic job with the covers. With ‘Apprentice Fool’, book one in the Nobody’s Fool Quartet, I gave Dane a description of my hero Keth’s appearance and personality, and I said I wanted the cover to reflect that he was a traveling player. What Dane came back with was amazing. The picture captured Keth. With the covers for subsequent books, I’ve outlined an exciting incident in the book then handed the reins over to Dane. The covers are so good I do think they give the books an advantage and make them stand out.

2. I always find it interesting when a man writes fairy tale fantasy stories (especially with talking turnips and court jesters), for children...what brought you to this genre’?

I’ve been a fan of the fantasy genre ever since I read Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ at school, so it felt like a natural genre for me to write in. I’m also fascinated by the history of theatre, and I thought it would be interesting to base a story around a troupe of strolling players in a medieval, fantasy setting. I wanted a young hero who needed to learn about this world and I pictured a boy who was an energetic, impulsive risk-taker with a sharp wit and a flair for getting into trouble. These basic ingredients were baked together for a number of years until they finally emerged as the Nobody’s Fool Quartet.

3.  I’ve read a bit of your story, Dragon’s Fool, and I must say that you are really quite the wordsmith.  You’re tone is very captivating...it made me want to read more, and I’m not usually attracted to talking vegetables..ha...did you have formal training, or are you simply a passionate writer with a well rounded use of language?

I do love words and I’ve always been passionate about reading. I hope some of that soaks into my writing style by osmosis. I don’t have any formal training, but I’ve done many evening and weekend writing classes. I’ve also read many books on writing craft; my favorite one is ‘On Writing’ by Stephen King.

4. Can we expect more from this series?  Would you like to continue in this genre’ and build another series or are you ready to try your hand at something else?

Keth’s story does reach a definite conclusion at the end of Dragon’s Fool, but he might have some further adventures to chronicle in the future. I’d like to continue writing in the fantasy genre for children and young adults. I’m currently working on a series of scary books set in the contemporary world.

5.  I was looking through your media and links attempting to find some reviews and opinions and I really didn’t see any...I’m only bringing this up because I thought you MUST have a tremendous following...your writing is captivating and cleaver...people should be reading your work...are you finding as a self-published author the tricks of mastering marketing a bit daunting?  Do you work to promote your ..work?  Because as far as I can see, you should be selling books every day.

I’m delighted you enjoy my writing. I try to be patient but, like many other authors, I would like to have more reviews, especially five star ones, and more sales. I’ve not had any previous marketing experience so I do find it a little daunting, but also exciting to be learning something new. I do have a website and facebook page, and now that Dragon’s Fool is published, completing the Nobody’s Fool Quartet, I’m trying to be more active with my promotion. I think marketing children’s books is tricky because while the children are doing the reading it’s generally their parents who do the buying.

6. So from what part of the planet to you reside, I saw something about South Wales?  Do you find that your surroundings are influential in adding to your work?

I grew up in the UK but I now live in Sydney, Australia. I do picture places I’ve visited when I’m imagining different lands in my stories and having grown up in history-laden England does help me with medieval settings. The series I’m currently working on is based in an imaginary suburb of Sydney. This is great because I can tell myself I’m working hard when I go on long rambles through interesting parts of the city.

7. This question is reserved in all my interviews for the dedication.  Yours was simple and to the point...

   “To my wife, Barbara, for her love and support from beginning to end,”

Could you elaborate a little for us....how does your wife, your home life, support your work?

Writing one novel is a huge undertaking, and writing a series of them multiplies that effort. From the very beginning, Barbara has been a great fan of my work. She is supportive of my desire to be a writer, and has never questioned the road I’ve taken even when it has been strewn with bumps and potholes. She has been with me every step of the way and I’m very fortunate to have her in my life.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Aldred Chase’s first experience of fantasy fiction was reading ‘The Hobbit’ at school, and he has been hooked on the genre ever since. His favorite places for writing are cafes and park benches, but he does most of his work sitting at his desk. His best ideas come to him when he is travelling by train or walking by the sea.

Aldred has just released Dragon’s Fool, the final installment of the Nobody’s Fool Quartet, a tale of adventure and comedy with some scary bits, aimed at children age 9 to 12. He vacated his desk to give his brain and keyboard a rest, but during a recent train ride the idea for his next novel arrived, and the desk is calling him back.

Links

Aldred’s website: http://www.aldredchase.com

Aldred on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aldred.chase

Dragon’s Fool can be purchased at:

http://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Fool-Nobodys-Quartet-ebook/dp/B00HF8TL7I

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/389892

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dragons-fool-aldred-chase/1117786145?ean=2940045531856

For readers who would like to begin the series from the beginning, Apprentice Fool, book one of the Nobody’s Fool Quartet, is available free at Amazon in the USA, Canada, and UK, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo and Barnes and Noble. I’ve included the links below:

http://www.amazon.com/Apprentice-Fool-Nobodys-Quartet-ebook/dp/B00DMCVSSG

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329184

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dragons-fool-book-four-nobodys/id787425279?mt=11

http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Apprentice-Fool-Book-One-Nobodys/book-L0qCnAbcJUSM8V1rl4iqdA/page1.html?s=USz482FdSUuqnd8Wxuafzg&r=1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/apprentice-fool-aldred-chase/1116057771?ean=2940044609877