With Randy Knowlton author, Publisher.
Footprints on stone, tend to last longer than footprints on sand, but the one that lasts longest are the inscriptions on the soul for it adds to the quality of life. The writer works for the Muse to bring inot gross material consciousness that, which Creation has permitted to be known. Man lives in the higher spheres when he has lifted his gaze from his basic hunger. I have the distinct pleasure to invite on center Stage today, someone who is simple, clear sighted and infinitely a joy to know. Randy Knowlton is uncluttered by our pretences and focused on what he sees deep within. From the stars he plucked a story and wove a tale that is enchanting. For it deals with the essence of the mind of the human being in its frailties. He is the author of the wonderful book:
Knorassky..The deception
Randy can be sure that at least one reader..me will be looking forward to part 2 of this great book of his. Deception as a theme was what has explored so intensely. The effectiveness of this can only be repaid by a second and several visits. Randy explored how Innocence can be lost and strength undermined when avarice is let loose on an idyll kingdom like Knorassky. Being a Yoruba woman of African descent his near moral and religious explanation of the fabric of the Knorr as against the evil Kree Kingdom had my total attention. King Noman showed a humanity and frailty that can only be admired. Loyalty, trust and faith displayed by First Knight Symonious made me long that pretenders to governance should read Knorrasky. A human leader like him will be hard to find these days. I guess Randy took pity on the sweat soaked tension of his readers and ended it soon enough and like in all fairy love affairs the Raven returned to the roost. Good job Randy.
1.There is the tendency to see fantasy writers as science inclined writers. Knorrasky is a very beautiful story that explores a theme that is universal as well as being as old as time..Deception and its effect on the human mind. Please tell us why you wrote it?
KnorraSky is primarily a character driven story. For those who have read it, it may surprise them to know that I did not know what the story was going to be until the characters led me to it. When the characters led me to a point in the story where something needed to happen to direct the story, I looked into my own past; to a deception that changed my life more than 15 years ago. Though I did not write about my own life, the feelings of loss, anger, and betrayal were from my own real-life experiences.
2. There is the feeling that Queen Raven could have done a bit more, you showed King Noman as a very human king with the dignity and nobility of real person worthy of emulation, are you relegating women to passive heroines?
Far from it. Queen Raven has a place in my heart. Queen Raven is so important to the KnorraSky story that I have a novel titled 'The Chronicles of Raven' half written. This book, young adult-fantasy in genre, follows her life starting a few month before her birth and leading up to the events that occur in KnorraSky: the Deception; specifically the deception that occurs at Keyhole Pass.
3. What motivates you in writing?
Too many things to mention. Writing for me is therapy. When I encounter problems in life I write about them. When I encounter good people I write about them. When I encounter irritating people they become Queen Sheral of the Kree. For me writing is like exercise to some people, but instead of running or weightlifting, I lift my pen and exercise my imagination.
4. There is an anticipation that the next sequel is going to be close to a form of odyssey, is that true?
KnorraSky: The Earth Blade takes over from when KnorraSky: The Deception leaves off. There are some differences though. I wanted to explore the characters a bit more, so for this part of the KnorraSky story, I allow the characters to tell the story through their own eyes. I use minimal third person. The story opens with King Noman revealing much about his thoughts and emotions. Each of the main characters will like wise do the same, including a chapter where we see the motivations, feelings, and regrets of Queen Ravens. An odyssey? Yes.
5. What type of reader do you have in mind when you write?
Hard question. I only write with readers in mind. However, generally I do not limit myself to an age group or a gender. I try to reach all types and ages of people. I find that adding a little bit for everyone makes a story real to everyone. I write so that the story comes to life a different way for every one. The reviews for KnorraSky seem to imply that I have succeeded. Most womean will say the KnorraSky is a love story. Most men will say it is an action adventure. Some say it is a mystery and others say it is story of dealing with depression. They are all right to an extent. The only way for a person to know what it is about is to read it for themselves.
6. You have explored the themes of loyalty through Symonius, Loyalty,Integrity and strength through King Noman, but apart from Queen Raven, the real Villain of the piece is the Kree Queen but we never really learned her motivation for that much evil, please tell us why
The KnorraSky Trilogy will explain each aspect of these charters in detail. As for the Queen of the Kree; greed for power was her motivation. The Kree are a single minded people; they only have one collective though, power. It is that kind of good verses very evil that I explored through these two very different kingdoms in KnorraSky: The Deception. KnorraSky: The Earth Blade will take you into the mind of the Kree people and expose you to more of evil motivations of these cruel people.
7.Concepts of faith and religion are universal concepts, how do you think your book will be received in Africa particularly in your description of the religion of Seven of Knorrasky?
As for Africa, I don't know. My own religion was the backbone for my thoughts on the religion of The Seven. I would not think that anyone would really have any problem with the premise of The Seven as they are simple guidelines that people universally could live under peacefully. But we know that in our world, religion is a divisive force. So too in KnorraSky. The Kree worship the Core Image and the people of KnorraSky try to worship The One True God, as best they can.
8. There is epublishing, and all types of new ways to publish so why did you publish your book in the traditional way as well?
For me, reading a real book in hand is best. I like the smell of the pages and to be able to fold down the top corner of the page to mark it. Also, I have eye problems that make reading on the computer difficult; so I prefer the printed page. But in the end it was simply practical; I wanted to reach the widest audience possible with this exciting story. So I published traditionally and through ebook platforms and soon in audio book form.
Many people think that the printed page is dead. I do not agree. While many are embracing the e-reading platforms many still prefer the printed page. The problem is not the competition between e-platforms and the printed page; it is the decline of reading. People today would rather watch the movie than read the book. What they fail to realize is that they are missing so much. Like my answer to question 4, each reader gets a different experience from a book. However when they watch the movie they get the view of one person, usually the director. Also readers tend to be more creative because they are accustomed to visualizing things. It was this creativity that fueled countless inventions in the latter 18th and early 19th centuries. We are lacking that creativity toady and that is sad.
9. As a publisher, what is the future of traditional publishing for upcoming writers?
Many people think that the printed page is dead. I do not agree. While many are embracing the e-reading platforms many still prefer the printed page. The problem is not the competition between e-platforms and the printed page; it is the decline of reading. People today would rather watch the movie than read the book. What they fail to realize is that they are missing so much. Like my answer to question 4, each reader gets a different experience from a book. However when they watch the movie they get the view of one person, usually the director. Also readers tend to be more creative because they are accustomed to visualizing things. It was this creativity that fueled countless inventions in the latter 18th and early 19th centuries. We are lacking that creativity toady and that is sad.
10. Please advice upcoming writers what specifics publishers look for to get published?
Today traditional publishers are tightening their belts and choosing to sign fewer new authors for publication. Many authors are going with self-publishing and still others are simply giving their work away online. I can tell you from experience that self publishing is not the way to go. And giving your work away with the idea that you will get a following who will one day buy you work, unrealistic. These are some of the things that are currently killing the publishing industry.
Since it is getting more difficult to find a traditional publisher, one that is accepting manuscripts for review, each chance you get must be taken seriously. First and foremost is your story. No one in the industry is looking for a rewritten Star Wars or Harry Potter. Do not write about things that have been done and done again. Write about something new, fresh. Next, rewrite it several times and make sure you connected all the dots. Nothing puts a manuscript reviewer off like a disconnected story line. Then have it edited by a qualified editor. Most traditional publishers will not read past the second or third blatant spelling or grammatical error. Lastly, be professional. Research the publisher and learn what they expect and their proses for sending in a manuscript.
A side note on this is another way to get a publisher to publish your book. Find one who is willing to help you bring your book up to publication standards. I have done this on occasion and the cooperative effort with the author makes for a top quality, highly publishable title.
11. Every author has a dream to see his book become a bestseller, as author and publisher how does it happen? Is it a matter of luck or there are specifics that determine a bestseller?
The elusive bestseller. Every author dreams of it and ever publisher is banking on it. How does it happen. Hard work, luck, knowing the right people...? All of the above or none of the above? There is no secrete to this question. It is often word of mouth that makes the start. I tell our authors that, "if you can get a fire going in your home area, we can fan the flames to a larger area". This is done primarily by the author to start because it is their book, they know it, they love it and they are passionate about it. It is their enthusiasm that will stir the fire. Having a few... tens of thousands of dollars for advertising does not hurt either.
IFWG Publishing has some quality author's that we are proud of. We have some marketing plans that we hope, in the near future bring our authors to the public eyes and perhaps one of them can become a bestselling author. But we can't give away all of our plans.
Thank you very much for coming on Center Stage
Thank you for letting me be on Center Stage.
