Giveaway and Interview: Fairydust by Simon R. Taylor

As the elves face extinction due to a natural crisis, their belligerent king is bent on self-preservation. It falls to reluctant hero Daniel to go in search of the White Fairy – his last hope for answers and his people’s last chance for a future.
An unforgettable cast of fairy tale creatures come together in this ground-breaking epic fantasy. With never-before-seen storytelling techniques, Fairydust is packed full of ingenious, inventive layouts and concepts which reflect the twists in the rich, fast-moving plot.
Fresh from his acclaimed thriller debut End from the Beginning, Taylor once again blends heart-stopping action, gut-wrenching passion and side-splitting humour – this time held together with a sprinkling of fairy dust. Join him for a journey the like of which the world has never seen before.

--The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.

Epic fairytale adventure, apparently very funny. It will make you cry. Loads of exciting new storytelling layouts and concepts that reflect the plot twists. #Amaze.

--How did you get the idea for the story?

Terrified and at gunpoint when my publishers said I had to do something productive. Only kidding. I wanted to write a fantasy for my daughter to enjoy, and at the same time I started to realise that books don’t just need to tell a story, but they can actually make you experience it. So I blue-sky-thought (if that’s what it’s called these days) about all the different ways the text could engage with the reader, and not the inverse. So, for example, when it rains the words fall down the page to mimic the weather. It’s a whole new way of reading, and I hope a very fun way.

--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?

I was going to cheat and say two, but then I realised I hate people that do that when I fall out with myself it gets a bit lonely. So I’m going to say Janice del Ray, the royal tutor of old elvish. She’s a harsh soul and I’d never call her if my dog died, but she’s make me guffaw through my roast beef.

--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?

My spy series celebrates its tenth anniversary next year so my focus will be on that for a while, and I can tell you there will be more than one blast from the past showing up. Later, the novelisation of the Charlie Bob & Victoria Helvectica plays is (very) tentatively slated for Christmas 2014, subject to us finding enough onions and getting our fingers out.

--What book(s) is your book’s “cousin”? (Similar kind of read, set-up or style)

A very different genre altogether, but Mark Z. Danielewski’s phenomenal House of Leaves is a great showcase of what you can do with text on a page.

--What are some of your favorite books? Do you still have much time to read?

I’m still a big reader but it’s hard to squeeze it in around a baby. Collapsing in a heap tends to take priority after bed! My all time favourite book is Thr3e by Ted Dekker, because it’s just so clever, only just pipping The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly which I thought was fascinating. I’m a big fan of Agatha Christie too.

--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?

I’d choose the Coronation Street novelisation by Katherine Hardy because I would love to live there for a while. I’d have a drink in the Rovers, wind up Norris in the Kabin and meet the neighbours. Hopefully 24 hours is a short enough time not to be murdered by a serial killer or wrongly arrested for murder, as tends to happen in Weatherfield.

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?

I am irrevocably compelled to listen to music every time I write. It helps me get in the mood and block everything else out (and shuts me up). For Fairydust I listened to scores by Murray Gold and Howard Shore while I was writing. And a cup of tea. There is nothing in life that can’t be done better with the drinking of a good brew.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Invisibility. I’d use it to listen in on what people really say about me when I leave the room. Then I’d probably also use it to sneak into some other bloke’s therapy session and try to recover from what everyone said.

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?

I spend most of it with my baby daughter, particularly as she is kind enough to synchronise her poos for when I’m working. I’m also planning my wedding just now too. Outside of that I’m a bit of a telly buff. I don’t watch a very wide selection but what I like, I watch obsessively and generally re-watch the box sets. X Factor has just come back so all social engagements are cancelled between now and Christmas.

--What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?

In two years’ time, you’ll want to dye your hair black. Don’t. You’ll look like Hitler gone wrong.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?

I had great fun writing Fairydust and I’ve never read a book like it. I really hope you enjoy it. Or at least pretend you do to my face.

Lightning round: this or that?

Vanilla or chocolate?Chocolate

Video or Board Games?Board games

Summer or Winter?Winter. Fireplaces, Christmas, hot chocolate and safety from exposed manboobs all in one happy season.

Edward or Jacob?I’m a Twi-phobe. Whichever one R-Patz is, he’s had a hard year.

Hockey or soccer? Soccer. If I get whollopped, the ball is softer than a stick or puck.

Ebook or paper?Definitely paper. No contest.

Salty or sweet?Sweet.

Beach or mountains?Beach because I love waves more than anything. That, and I tried to climb Heartbreak Hill in Scotland and took all my kit in a plastic bag. The guide almost sent me home.

Phone call or email?Email.

Early bird or night owl?Night owl. I can work until the tiny hours of the morning with enough tea to keep me going but if I sit down at 10am I’ll procrastinate until I’m blue in the face.

Dog or cat?Dog.

Messy or neat?Neat. I couldn’t sleep without straightening the cushions in the lounge. Now we don’t have cushions.

Ninjas or pirates?Ninjas.




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