The Book of Nodd received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author B.S. Thompson.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The book is called The Book of Nodd, and it was published (to the best of my knowledge) on April 20th, 2021.
What’s the book’s first line?
“The Jack Decker Foster Home stood on the outskirts of Poplar Springs.”
What is the Book about? Give us “the pitch.”
The story revolves around a peculiar boy named Edward Nodd, who is fairly unremarkable in almost every way, except to say that he feels as though he is missing something. One day, he and his friend Brianna stumble into I’draea, the plane of mortal dreams, in search of their lost friend Cassius, thrusting them into a world where horror and beauty collide. There, Edward uncovers many of its secrets, as well as a few of his own, all the while being hunted by the vicious and terrible Sandman, who resides deep in the city of nightmares.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I was inspired to write “The Book of Nodd” as a lover of Fantasy. There was no great catalyst, or spark that brought it into being. The theme of The Dreamwalker series came about like a slow burn. I knew I wanted to create a world, from scratch, that would allow my imagination to run rampant. The fewer limitations the better. The land of Dreams was not a setting I had seen a great deal of in popular culture and thought there was no better place to set the scene for near limitless possibilities, and boy did I run with it! Three books are planned for the series, as well as a prequel, if I get my way.
What is the main reason someone should really read this book?
Although it may appear so on the surface, this is not a standard zero-to-hero tale. It is a delicately constructed world full of original ideas, bizarre creatures and fascinating characters who do not fit the traditional fantasy archetypes. It is a place of endless imagination and deep lore, accompanied by a beautifully told story full of new surprises and mysteries to unlock. It does not borrow from traditional fantasy, and should come as a breath of fresh air to anyone looking for something out of the ordinary.
What’s the most distinctive thing about your main character? Who – real or fictional- does the character remind you of?
My main protagonist, Edward Nodd, was pulled completely from the ether. I wanted to paint the picture of an unremarkable boy who accidentally stumbles into his own destiny. I didn’t want him to be gifted but lazy, or have some useful talent that would later present itself in some surprising way. I wanted a somewhat strange looking, troubled kid with behavioural problems and a poor memory. Basically, a regular person. Someone I could relate to, although not someone who reminds me of myself. I didn’t want to tell my story here. Edward stands out in the way that he is not a very likely candidate for a lead character. He’s awkward, average or below average on most counts, and sickly looking. However, he’s exactly the person I needed for this story.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main characters?
This was a tough one considering that most of the child actors I know of have already grown up. So, I’m going to pretend I have a time machine and go back to about 2010-2015 and grab a few people. For Edward Nodd, I would cast Finn Wolfhard, Sophia Lillis as Brianna, and Jacob Tremblay for Cassius. For the part of the Sandman, I would definitely cast Sam Rockwell. He would be perfect to play such a deranged character.
When did you first decide to become an author?
It’s hard to say exactly when I wanted to become an author. As far back as I can remember, I was creating fantasy worlds where crazy, bizarre and wonderful creatures lived. I had always wanted to breathe life into them somehow, and I guess I always assumed it would be through writing. So, I guess it’s fair to say that I always expected I’d be a writer, but from what age I can’t be sure.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
This is my first book. It comes as part one of three. The second book, entitled “The Book of I’dra,” has already been written, but not yet published. It tells the tale of what happened to Cassius while he’s missing during the events of “The Book of Nodd.”
How much time do you generally spend on writing?
I like to write in big, mind numbing chunks. 5-10 hours a sitting, so if when I say I plan on writing today, what I mean is that I will see you tomorrow. It takes a little while for me to get into the correct headspace so, once I build momentum, I don’t like to stop.
What’s the best and hardest part of being an indie?
The best thing about going the indie route was the amount of control I had over the production of the book. I was able to choose almost every aspect of its development, from the size of the paperback to the words on the jacket. Even the drawing on the front is mine. There was no need to compromise my vision for the book. However, it is quite difficult to get noticed amongst the sea of novelists out there. Unless you’ve got some cash for promotion and reviews, you will likely have a hard time reaching your audience. It’s a lot of work getting yourself out there.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with indie authors?
Start early, and chronical your journey towards publication on social media as much as you are able. Post rejections and successes alike, and let the people get to know you before you publish your book. Make sure you have some cash in hand and pay for some promotions and, once your book becomes available, some reviews on social media and Amazon. Professional reviews, although more costly, can really add to your book’s credibility as well.
Is there something particular that motivates you? (Fame? Fortune?)
While it would be great to make a fortune doing this, what really motivates me is my desire to yank all these ideas out of my head and share them with as many people as possible. Nothing thrills me more than discussing a world I created with another intelligent mind. It has been a great joy in my life.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I would say that I most admire Stephen King, if not simply for the sheer volume of his work. What really blows me away is the amount of it that has made it into popular culture, and not just as the flavour of the week. Stories like “It,” and “The Shawshank Redemption” have been referenced, and parodied since they first hit theatres. It’s not just quality and quantity either. He writes them in record time! I find it quite amazing.