Clod Makes a Friend + Giveaway
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.
My Review
Clod Makes a Friend is a fun loving enjoyable read. I love Clod and his friend Ada. They were like two peas in a pod.
This book is broken out into ages. So as the story progresses, the reader sees Clod and Ana grow up. The more that Ada appeared and interacted with Clod and the other characters, it was easy to forget that she was made of clay. Clod is not a dummy even if his name might indicate so. He is a loveable guy that just wanted to be accepted.
This book is sure to be loved by all readers of all ages. Mr. Pedersen really brought to life this story as well as the characters in it. I was transported into the story as if I could feel the clay that Ada was brought to life from. This will not be the last book that I read from Mr. Pedersen.
My Review
Clod Makes a Friend is a fun loving enjoyable read. I love Clod and his friend Ada. They were like two peas in a pod.
This book is broken out into ages. So as the story progresses, the reader sees Clod and Ana grow up. The more that Ada appeared and interacted with Clod and the other characters, it was easy to forget that she was made of clay. Clod is not a dummy even if his name might indicate so. He is a loveable guy that just wanted to be accepted.
This book is sure to be loved by all readers of all ages. Mr. Pedersen really brought to life this story as well as the characters in it. I was transported into the story as if I could feel the clay that Ada was brought to life from. This will not be the last book that I read from Mr. Pedersen.
Buy the Book:
Google Play ~ iTunes ~ Kobo
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
How did you come up with the idea for Ada?
I find the origins of homunculus fascinating. The concept of tiny people, created by alchemy, has been around since the 16th century. They’ve been written as dangerous, mindless creatures, or servants. Stories like Frankenstein, and, in my opinion, Pinocchio, have origins that began with the homunculus. This helped me form the idea of Clod being able to make his own friend out of clay. It also provided me a medium that people in that world could, understandably, be wary about.
I find the origins of homunculus fascinating. The concept of tiny people, created by alchemy, has been around since the 16th century. They’ve been written as dangerous, mindless creatures, or servants. Stories like Frankenstein, and, in my opinion, Pinocchio, have origins that began with the homunculus. This helped me form the idea of Clod being able to make his own friend out of clay. It also provided me a medium that people in that world could, understandably, be wary about.
Do you write every day?
I should write every day. My writing is much better when I stick to a regimen. I spend a lot of time marketing my books, and it’s hard to do both writing and marketing. After I publish a new book, I spend all of my free time marketing. The only writing I do is make note of the occasional idea. After a month or so, I’ll dive back into my story and write non-stop until I’m done.
I should write every day. My writing is much better when I stick to a regimen. I spend a lot of time marketing my books, and it’s hard to do both writing and marketing. After I publish a new book, I spend all of my free time marketing. The only writing I do is make note of the occasional idea. After a month or so, I’ll dive back into my story and write non-stop until I’m done.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
During the day, I’m a technical consultant. I work for a software company and install, configure, and troubleshoot applications for their customers. I enjoy my job because it’s a challenge, I like my coworkers, and they are really supportive of my writing.
During the day, I’m a technical consultant. I work for a software company and install, configure, and troubleshoot applications for their customers. I enjoy my job because it’s a challenge, I like my coworkers, and they are really supportive of my writing.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you
overcome it?
I do get writer’s block on occasion. I typically know the beginning and end of my books when I begin writing. It’s always that middle part that seems to be the challenge. When I reach the halfway point, I’ll make a loose outline that often changes as I go but gives me direction. When the outline is done, I’ll take a scene for a walk and listen to movie scores while hashing it out. I work hard to find something to enjoy about each chapter I write, and finding it drives me forward.
I do get writer’s block on occasion. I typically know the beginning and end of my books when I begin writing. It’s always that middle part that seems to be the challenge. When I reach the halfway point, I’ll make a loose outline that often changes as I go but gives me direction. When the outline is done, I’ll take a scene for a walk and listen to movie scores while hashing it out. I work hard to find something to enjoy about each chapter I write, and finding it drives me forward.
What is your favorite travel spot?
I’m really fond of Colorado. Mountains to hike during the summer, and ski during the winter. I also have a special spot in my heart for Madison, WI - my Alma Mater.
I’m really fond of Colorado. Mountains to hike during the summer, and ski during the winter. I also have a special spot in my heart for Madison, WI - my Alma Mater.
What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever
done?
I’ve climbed up two 14,000 foot mountains, ran two marathons, and marched in Thee University of Wisconsin Marching Band (which was most challenging of the three.) Despite all of this, I think publishing my first book was the most courageous. When everyone in the world can easily access and read your writing, you are wide open to all sorts of criticism. Fortunately, most of my reviews are good. I’ve received a few bad ones, and they stung at first, but I’ve come to realize that it’s impossible to please everyone. I’m fortunate that enough people enjoy my stories, so I find it worthwhile to keep going.
I’ve climbed up two 14,000 foot mountains, ran two marathons, and marched in Thee University of Wisconsin Marching Band (which was most challenging of the three.) Despite all of this, I think publishing my first book was the most courageous. When everyone in the world can easily access and read your writing, you are wide open to all sorts of criticism. Fortunately, most of my reviews are good. I’ve received a few bad ones, and they stung at first, but I’ve come to realize that it’s impossible to please everyone. I’m fortunate that enough people enjoy my stories, so I find it worthwhile to keep going.
What other books do you write?
I write a series of books called Angst. I read a lot of fantasy books growing up. Most of them were about young people with great power and potential, but no direction. They meet a wise person who sends them on a path to becoming a hero. Angst is the guy who got passed up for all of that. He’s going through a midlife crisis and knows the only way he can be happy is to be a hero, like a knight in shining armor. It’s a “be careful what you wish for” sort of story. A lot of readers say it makes them laugh, which was my goal. While Clod is for all ages, I’d say the Angst stories are PG-13.
I write a series of books called Angst. I read a lot of fantasy books growing up. Most of them were about young people with great power and potential, but no direction. They meet a wise person who sends them on a path to becoming a hero. Angst is the guy who got passed up for all of that. He’s going through a midlife crisis and knows the only way he can be happy is to be a hero, like a knight in shining armor. It’s a “be careful what you wish for” sort of story. A lot of readers say it makes them laugh, which was my goal. While Clod is for all ages, I’d say the Angst stories are PG-13.
Enter the Giveaway!
Ends April 21, 2018
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