Blog Tour / Interview - Clod Makes A Friend by David J Pedersen

Book Details:

Book Title: Clod Makes a Friend by David J. Pedersen
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction, 174 pages
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Odysia Press
Release date: March 2018
Tour dates: March 26 to April 13, 2018
Content Rating: PG (There is no bad language, but there is one "boss fight" scene.)

Book Description:

Best Friend Ever?

Bullies love to hate Clod. Not just because he’s bigger, clumsier, and uglier than his classmates - he’s also the only student in his school without magic. In a world where all magic is possible and everyone else is born with great gifts to do amazing things, Clod is alone.

Living with his mum in a broken-down cottage on barely enough, the only thing Clod has to play with is the clay she occasionally brings him. Bleak is an understatement. More than anything, Clod wants a friend. The only way that’s going to happen, is to make one himself.

After an angry visit from the worst of the bullies, his teacher Learned Yugen, Clod’s clay sculpture of a little girl comes to life and introduces herself as Ada. For a clay girl barely the size of his hand, she has more confidence and courage than he knows what to do with. Every adventure she leads him on gets Clod into trouble. She may be the friend he wants, but is she the friend he needs?

After many years, and too many pranks, Yugen becomes convinced that Clod is tainted by the evil slowly infiltrating the Kingdom of Pag. Especially when Ada isn’t the only one Clod can bring to life.

Clod Makes A Friend is a bittersweet fairy tale for all ages from David J. Pedersen, author of the Angst series of fantasy novels.

To read reviews, please visit David J. Pedersen's page on iRead Book Tours.
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Interview :

What made you write a book about bullying?I was short, fat, and nerdy (long before being nerdy was cool) throughout grade school and middle school. I had a few friends, but I was I was picked on in ways I didn’t appreciate. Even growing up in a nice neighborhood, there were a few kids who used to threaten me, and chase me down. I eventually had to face one of my bullies, and that changed my outlook on who I was. In some ways, it was character building. Today, many bullies hide behind computers and cell phones. With that in mind, I created a bully that Clod can’t easily face, so he has to deal with it in other ways.

If you could put yourself as a character in Clod Makes A Friend, who would you be?This is a tough question. Ada has more fun in the book than anyone, and Millow is the most powerful, but I think my choice would be Baker Haim. He’s good, stern, makes wise choices, and is willing to help. Haim has been bullied for being different, and rose above the bullying by doing what he does best – making beautiful, delicious cakes. I like him because there is an important point with his character. Despite many challenges, you can follow your passions and do what you love to become the person you want to be. In my opinion, that’s heroic.

What is your next project?I’m about halfway finished writing the fifth book in my Angst series of fantasy novels. It’s bittersweet since this will be the last book in the series. My first book was Angst, so I’m really going to miss the characters. At the same time, I look forward to writing new stories! I actually know the next 10 books I’m going to write, and I’m excited to write all of them!

Where do you write?I split my writing time between my home office and coffee shops. I’ve written quite a bit at the coffee shop of a local bookstore. I listen to movie scores so I’m not distracted by talking, but I like being around people. There’s a certain energy to writing in a public place that’s not too busy, especially when they also enjoy books.
When I write late at night, it’s at home. I’ve got a gaming computer that NASA wouldn’t mind borrowing on weekends. After gaming, I’ll stay up too late surrounded by photos, fantasy figures, posters, and comic books – all there to inspire.

How do you balance your time?I work full time, and sometimes more than full time. I’m married with two grown kids. I’ve also got a relatively busy social life. So, in order to write, I basically don’t sleep much. I write in the evenings after the rest of the world has passed out, then drink lots of caffeine to pretend being awake the next day. Not the healthiest of habits.

What is the last book you’ve read?I really enjoyed Ready Player One, and look forward to the movie. It was a lot of great nostalgia packed into a fun story. I'm looking forward to the movie!

If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you?I’m sure there’s a survival book on how to survive on a deserted island, that’d be first. My second book would be the Superman Comic “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow” . And finally, the third book would be blank so I could write something. Hopefully I have lots of working pens.

About the Author:

David J. Pedersen is a native of Racine, WI who resides in his hometown Kansas City, MO. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He has worked in sales, management, retail, video and film production, and IT. David has run 2 marathons, climbed several 14,000-foot mountains and marched in The University of Wisconsin Marching Band and written 4 fantasy novels. He is a geek and a fanboy that enjoys carousing, picking on his wife and kids, playing video games, and slowly muddling through his next novel.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

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