Welcome back to Middle Grade Monday! Today, I'll be discussing how to deal with adults in middle grade fiction because, and I hate to break this to you, kids just don't want to read about adults stealing all the fun. Consider your favourite books from when you were younger. Mine was The Moon of Gomrath by Alan Garner. It's a story about a brother and sisters - kids, of course - who have magical adventure in the English countryside. There's danger, magic and battles. What's not to love? And yes, there are adults. But they are kept on a very short lead by the author. The most powerful character in the book, debatably, is Cadellin. He's a wizard who has a startling knowledge of the secret world of magical beings. He would find it so much easier to win in the end, but it has to be Susan and Colin (the kids) who are the centre of the book. So, what can you do with adults in middle grade? How can you make sure they get out the way? Some authors take the orphan option...
Maybe outlaws have driven you from your home, or maybe the wyverns have destroyed everything you know.
Whatever the reason, you are alone in the wilderness and you need to eat. You need this recipe book before those hungry vultures seize their chance.
A tongue in cheek tale of fantasy cuisine.
This book was written as a Christmas present for my brother and 3 of my sisters. We used to have super fun times playing Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and I knew the old handbook back to front. My favourite section was the Bestiary and I'd include the weird and wonderful creatures in my story of the time.
I also loved creating characters. There's something quite thrilling about the role of a dice, and really, really hoping that you get a good enough WS (Weapon skill) to become a warrior. I wanted to be an elf when I was little (I think the phase came after wanting to be a mammoth) so it was a good opportunity for me to fulfil this life dream.
(The mammoth would be a bit harder...I'm still waiting for that one...)
So, last Christmas, I wrote a funny little book about fantasy cooking, using all my knowledge of fantasy books and roleplay to inspire me. This book is a tribute to all the amazing fantasy worlds out there.
And I can't believe it's been launched today. I've not plastered it about as much as I probably should. My next book is the one I will be really putting some umph behind. This is merely a bit of fun!
As such, it is available as FREE on Smashwords, and on the Crowvus website. If you like to buy your books from Amazon, then it is 99p.
So, please, go on and check it out. I'm not usually one to boast, but I'm very proud of this wee book. If you have a dry sense of humour, it will certainly appeal to you!
Oh, and don't forget to leave a review. I will love you forever!
Subscribe to the Crowvus Call-Out and get sneak peaks here.
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