Clucked received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Troy Hollan.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Clucked, published by Black Rose Writing and released on Nov, 9, 2023
What’s the book’s first line?
“As his old sailboat, Lonesome Dove, rocked in the water, tugging restlessly against her anchor, Matt ran his fingers along the thick, salt-crusted line that ran from beneath the waves to the bow cleat, checking carefully for any signs of wear.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Clucked is a big-hearted novel that seamlessly melds adventure, history, gentle humor, and a touch of satire for an engaging, page-turning read. Opening with a man and his dog off on a solitary adventure, this deftly woven story follows our heroes as their story expands from rapidly changing scenery and new friendships, to an unexpected opportunity to bring down a corrupt corporation and find justice for its victims.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Clucked was inspired in-part by my own solo-sailing journey, which, like my protagonist’s, came about after experiencing some fairly traumatic events in my own life.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I believe it offers a lighthearted, hope-filled and inspirational take on dealing with loss, finding love again, and finding some justice in a world where wrongdoers so often seem to get away scot-free.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Matt is really sort of an “everyman,” an imperfect soul with a good, but broken heart in need of healing. In some ways, Matt reminds my of the beleaguered George Bailey, in the old Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. Like the protagonist in that movie, Matt finds his way back to life again, thanks to the help of friends, both old and new.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I’ve enjoyed writing short stories since childhood, and as an adult, have written a few articles for online and print sailing magazines over the years. I decided a few years ago to write a novel, and with the support of my wonderful partner Melissa, I was finally able to bring that dream to fruition.
Is this the first book you’ve written? Yes, and hopefully not the last!
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
When not writing I dabble at graphic design, content writing, website management and testing and reviewing outdoor gear on my blog at WoofTheBeatenPath.com
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
I think everyone wants mainstream recognition of their work, and sometimes it’s hard to get noticed, especially as a new author. The good part is, indie readers are far more appreciative of writing that pushes some of the traditional boundaries and takes on deeper societal issues, as does my novel Clucked.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Write about what you know and love, and you can’t go wrong.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?).
I’m definitely not into writing for fame. If anything motivates me, it’s the joy of breathing life into the characters of a story like Clucked, and hopefully spreading a bit of the message of hope and positivity that my novel hopefully coveys.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I really admire Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird is still one of my favorite books. The courage that it took to explore issues such as race and inequality in her novel, at that particular time in history, was no doubt extraordinary.