Ladies & Gentlemen – Drum roll Please!

Some of you may have noticed a link on my sidebar to a book called ‘An Ungodly Child’ written by Rachel Green.  I first met Rachel – when I stumbled across one of her blogs. Since then – not only have I had the delight of reading her book but I also get to follow the tales of Harold and Jasfoup in her two blogs – Laverstone Tales and Diary of a Demon. To give you an idea of what the story is about – here is a little teaser found on the back cover of the little blue book -

An Ungodly Child follows Harold Waterman, an unlikely hero,  and his summoned demonic familiar Jasfoup.

When Harold is infected by an incurable disease after meeting Jedith, otherwise known as the Angel of Pestilence, he turns to the black arts to find a cure. Jasfoup is only too happy to help, as long as Harold can pay for his services.

Meanwhile, the three angels of destruction are out to prove that there could be an antichrist, if only Harold would believe it. Gillian, Harold’s vampire girlfriend, is not so sure.

 

 

Aims and her friend Rachel

 

The following is an interview I did with Rachel about her book. I am more than happy to have got a small insight into Rachel’s writing world and to include this interview in The Little Blue Book Tour.

1. What is your least favourite word in the English language?

What? No, seriously. That’s my least favourite word. That and its friend, ‘ever’.  There are many others I dislike, but this is the worst. 

2. When I was reading An Ungodly Child, I couldn't help but think that some of your characters might be based on your wyves or family. I know you relate to some characters - is there a chance that your wyves or family also play a part?

I try not to base characters on real people, though it’s hard not to add a character trait or two from people you know well. There’s a bit of me in both Harold and Jasfoup, and possibly bits of family members here and there. I did base a minor character in another book on a friend. Of course, I’ve had to edit him completely out in the re-write in case of litigation.

3. If you ever got the chance to live in Laverstone - who would you be?

I’d be me – the eccentric English old lady who talked to demons in her garden.

4. Where would you live in Laverstone?

Somewhere near the cemetery, for preference. Within the sound of the bells of St. Just’s.

5. I know there was some mix-up in getting AUC published, but thankfully it did materialise. I am going to ask you what all writers want to know - how did you become a 'published author'?

I got a short cut. I won a competition to get a book published. It was also a one-shot, so my agent is currently trying to find a home for book two.

6. What did the process of getting your book published entail?

Lots of edits. I had three people reading the manuscript but I still didn’t catch them all. Add in the errors the publisher added accidentally and there are still a dozen or so in the first edition.

7. Do you have an agent and do you recommend one?

Yes and yes. I signed with the Spectrum Literary Agency after Denyse King read AUC. I would always recommend one – they’re worth their weight in diet leaflets. I no longer worry about getting rejections because Denyse gets them for me. 

8. Now that you are published - what is expected of you on the marketing end?

Everything. My publisher had no marketing budget, so all copies have been sold through me pushing it and friends reading and recommending it. 

9. Is a book/signing tour in sight?

I very much doubt it. Very few bookshops took the risk to stock it and without publicity there are very few sales.

10. I remember you did a symbolic burning of the draft. I found that particularly interesting as some authors keep every draft. Can you explain why you did this and would you recommend it now that the draft has gone up in flames?

I still have it on disk! It was only the hard copy I burned. Yes, de-clutter your life. I’d have kept it if it was the only copy I had but I wouldn’t have wanted anyone to read those early drafts. They were rubbish..

11. If Jasfoup ascended to heaven - how long do you think he'd last before getting the boot?

Alas, he’d burn as soon as he set foot there. Not that he’d want to go. Heaven is a tedious place for a demon, and they don’t serve curry there. Or have gay sex. Or eat shellfish. I could go on. At least Valhalla has beer.

This book made me laugh out loud and almost spill my tea. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs a break from the real world.

An Ungodly Child is available from Amazon.co.uk.