If you are wondering what draws reviewers to a book or an author it is likely whatever floats their boat. For me, it is normally the description and then I usually do some digging, check out their website, look over their blog or bio and do some reading there before I decide to accept their query or interview them.
It was a little different for me where Neil Perry Gordon is concerned. I appreciate history and I've been receiving and studying Neil's newsletters for a while now and I happened to see an image of him with a quote from Jack London. I'm a Jack London fan and well that's what drew me to Neil. And he was kind enough to agree to the following interview.
Q - What were you striving to convey with your first book?
A - A Cobbler’s Tale is an adventure/survival story about a Jewish cobbler— Pincus Potasznik (my great-grandfather) from a small shtetl in Poland, who's seeking a better life for his family as he ventures to New York's Lower East Side against tremendous odds. Meanwhile, while waiting for Pincus' return is his pregnant wife Clara who does her best to protect the family, as the bloodiest battles of World War I explode within a few miles of their home.
Q - How important is the description of nature in your novels?
A - The natural world is a constant in all my storytelling. In my soon-to-be-published book—Thunder Falls, it was particularly exciting to describe the caverns beneath the Black Hill Mountains in South Dakota, which included fabulous places such as: The Jewel Cave and Thunder Falls.
Q - How do you know when your book is complete?
A - When I reach 80,000 words. Not a joke. I find that's what it takes for me to tell a story. Though there have been several books that I could turn into a series.
Q - To date, which has been the most difficult book to gather research for and why?
A - I wouldn't say any of my books challenged me in gathering research as that's one of the best parts of writing historical fiction.
Q - What can you tell us about Thunder Falls due out in October that is not written in the book? UPDATE: The release date is now November
A - Thunder Falls chronicles the transformation of Leopold Wolf from a naïve young man into a well-traveled and outspoken advocate for Native American rights. Leo and his father work for the Carlisle Indian School, a notoriously harsh institution governed by the mantra—Kill the Indian, Save the Man.
At the school, Leo witnesses the abuse, neglect, and victimization of the children in his care and subsequently develops a deep sense of empathy and resolves to help them gain equality.
After Leo’s first year as a school counselor, he travels to the Pine Ridge reservation in southern Dakota Territory, where he is told by the native elder and holy man—Black Elk, that he is to journey into the Black Hills and find the Sacred Pipe, which had been stolen by bandits.
On the journey, Leo learns more about the history and beliefs of the Lakota people and witnesses extraordinary phenomena that help him piece together the trauma of losing his mother with the questions he has about his own identity. It is within the caverns of the Black Hills where he encounters the Red Wolf, Thunder Falls and the Soul Tree. This self-discovery gives him the strength to pursue his love—Sarah Cameron, daughter of Senator Cameron, the novel's antagonist, across the country while experiencing Buffalo Bill's Wild West show and risking his own safety to advocate for the well-being of the people he has come to care for.
Q - Do you have particular practices that help you write?
A - Writing in certain happy places suits my productivity. There are several spots depending upon my mood or need, where I like to sit with my laptop and write.
Q - You have an image of yourself with a quote by Jack London - why did you select Jack London?
A - Jack London is known for his great adventure stories chock full of fantastic quotes. He was also a character in Hope City, where my protagonist —Percy Hope was inspired by the novelist/explorer to go into the wilds of Alaska.
Q - Is there anything else you'd like readers to know?
A - If you would like to receive my newsletter, please subscribe at: https://neilperrygordon.