Interview - Andrew Newbound

We recently reviewed Andrew's novel Demon Strike and loved it. Andrew made the mistake of dropping me a line when the review went live so it will be no surprise to any of you that within about five minutes he found he'd committed to an interview and writers reading.
Thanks for joining us on Un:Bound.

Ok first off a personal question, on your bio you make reference to growing up on the edge of the Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle. Since many of our readers are not british, could you just explain the triangle for us?

Yes, or course. It's an almost mythical area of West Yorkshire in Northern England, situated between Wakefield, Castleford and Morley. There's something magical about this patch of Yorkshire because although Rhubarb does grow in other places, it sprouts as thick as tree trunks only in the Rhubard Triangle. Local soothsayers suggest that a White Witch might have blessed the soil several centuries ago and that's why Rhubard grows so thick and tasty there. I'm not sure if that's true or not, but what I do know is that there's no finer filling for a crumble. Mmmmmm!!!

Mmm, Rhubarb. Ok and now we have cleared that one up. Demon Strike is the story of Alannah Malarrah and her friend Wortley, is there a story behind the names?

Well, Alannah is the middle name of my daughter Zara. And when she was a baby I gave her the nickname Zara Malarra. When it came to finding a name for my main character, I just put the two together. I also thought it sounded like a really cool name. Wortley is named after a suburb in my home town Leeds. I like to use unusual names because I think they're the ones people remember the most.
They are both great names and Alannah Malarra just sounds so wonderful to say. As you note in the book. I was interested that although Evan City and the angels along with the Dark Dimension can so clearly be compared to heaven and hell it's made clear in the book that they aren't. Was there any particular reason fo rmaking the distinction?

Oo, now we're on dangerous ground. I suppose I just didn't want to tread on any religious toes. The name Evan City was born out of the word Evanescent, which is of course, the species that Flhi and the other A.N.G.E.Ls belong to. It wasn't until I'd created that world that I realised how similar Evan and Heaven sounded. As it's a children's book I wanted to make it absolutely clear that these places were totally separate; I want my stories to entertain young readers, not confuse them.
Hmm, when you say your stories, how many books is the series due to run to?

I have a story arc that runs to another three books at least. Alannah, Wortley and Flhi have lots more challenges to face yet. Horrad hasn't gone away either. In fact, he's plotting his return as we speak. And of course, poor Rage has his own battle with the 'foulness' to overcome.
Oh yes poor Rage, the foulness is a great idea. So the gang are off to Scotland in books two? Can you tell us anything about what to expect without risking spoilers?

Well, without giving too much away, they encounter a new and extremely powerful enemy, Alannah acquires a mentor and Wortley begins to learn how to use his own psychic abilities. There's fun for Flhi too, who discovers that there are new career opportunities away from Evan City Precinct.

Wow I can't imagine Alannah being easy to mentor?

Yeah, it's a kind of reluctant process. But once she sees the benefits of listening and learning, she kind of embraces the whole thing. She loves the whole psychic power thing and her mentor can show her how to be even more powerful; so she goes for it!
So is there a release date for book two?

No, not yet. I still haven't finished it.

Well then we shall attempt to be patient. Your bio says you always wanted to write I wondered how you have found the experience so far?

I'd have to say it's nothing like I'd imagined. I love getting into a story and working with my characters, and seeing my work in print has been an enormous buzz. I also love getting out there and interacting with readers at school and library events; in fact, that has to be the best bit so far. The business side of publishing has been an eye opener for me. As a writer, that's something over which you have no control. You kind of surrender your work and all your hopes and dreams for it over to other people. I'm not really used to that.
And just for fun if you were a ghost who or what would you haunt and why?

Tough one. I don't think I'd haunt a particular person, but I might haunt a cinema. That way, I could watch all the good movies for free. Or I could haunt a bookshop and be first to read all the best books. Then again, haunting a bank might be a smart move. And I could spend all my time figuring out how to get the cash from inside the vault. Hmmmm, would a ghost need cash. And if so, why? Perhaps there's an interesting new story there...

hahaha. Excellent. I like the bookshop plan, being able to do nothing but read all the time, not having to stop to work or sleep. Thanks for your time and for joining us on Un:Bound and we are looking forward ot having you back soon for Writers Reading.

It's been great fun. Hope to be back soon.