My name is David M. Brown and I am from a former mining town called Barnsley in the north of England. I have always loved books and even tried writing a few in my early teens but with no real conviction. I simply wasn’t ready.
In 1998 I was studying at college, spending my free time on the Playstation, when I discovered the RPG series – Final Fantasy. Playing through Final Fantasy VII & VIII changed my life. Through those games I discovered Norse mythology which I read extensively and within a few months I had drawn the map for the fictitious world of Elenchera. I spent more than ten years world building, which led to 500+ maps and 47,000 years of history. It was quite an undertaking but a worthwhile one. The Elencheran Chronicles are fantasy novels designed to appeal to a wider audience, putting the emphasis on the characters rather than the world they inhabit. They’re on the periphery of the fantasy genre, reaching out to readers who wouldn’t usually favour this genre.
In late 2008 I met my wife, Donna, who gave me the belief to write novels again. I had tried previously and been rejected so my confidence was low. What a difference Donna made. Since May 2011, I have published four books – two instalments of the Elencheran Chronicles, a short story collection and my latest book is non-fiction/humour about the six cats I share a house with.
Away from writing I am a book worm (most fiction, history, biography), film buff (anything, especially world cinema) and music lover (The Decemberists, Pixies, The Beatles, mostly music that doesn’t grace the charts these days). I am a fan of my local football team – Barnsley FC – who specialise in high ticket prices and losing matches but I love them anyway. They have taught me a lot about pain. I also love travelling and in the summer of 2008 I travelled alone to Singapore, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand for a month. It was amazing.
I live with my wife and muse, Donna, and our six cats – Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo. It’s quite a full household but we somehow manage.
I’m not the assertive type, more shy and retiring, but with writing I can be all the things I am not in person. I find the written word so liberating and I often surprise myself with what I can do. My dream is to write for a living, not to be rich, but have just enough to pay the bills. I’ve been pursuing this dream for fourteen years and I’m not ready to quit just yet.
Fezariu’s Epiphany – May 2011
12-year-old Fezariu thought his mother died when he was little, but when his beloved stepfather dies the boy discovers she is alive and well - and working at the most famous brothel in all of Elenchera. When she cruelly rejects him it's more than he can bear, and he runs away to join a band of ruthless soldiers for hire. The Merelax Mercenaries will fight for anyone who can pay them, no matter the justice of the cause.
Fezariu grows up among the soldiers and becomes one of them. He thinks his time with the mercenaries has hardened him. But a campaign in his old home town pushes him too far, and he discovers what really happened to his mother. Maybe there are some things money shouldn't buy... and maybe it's time Fezariu took his revenge.
Dark is the Day, Dead is the Night – June 2011
Four short stories where the tables are turned:
In "456," foxes confront an arrogant hunter.
In "Human Nature," animal experimentation takes a brutal turn.
In "Susan," an abusive boyfriend is left wondering where his girlfriend really is.
In "The Jarls of the Ocean," Vikings face an implacable foe--and their own gods.
A World Apart – June 2012
Demetrius makes his first mistake when he lets his best friend Halcyon marry Eleyna, the love of his life, without saying a word. On the day of the wedding, he walks away from the Elencheran town of Dove's Meadow and joins the army. He makes his second mistake when the pirate Black Iris tricks him into letting dozens of men, women and children die in a fire. Demetrius is imprisoned in grief and disgrace. But he can atone. The Black Iris is dead. The Ivory Rose has risen to the top of the pirates and is leading brutal raids on the coast. If Demetrius can capture and kill her, he'll win his pardon. And then Demetrius discovers the Ivory Rose is Eleyna. He must decide which will be his third mistake: losing his last chance at a pardon or destroying the one woman he's ever loved.
Man vs Cat – Dec 2012
History has known many famous cats - Garfield, Mr Bigglesworth, Simon's Cat, the Aristocats, the Cheshire cat and the Keyboard Cat on YouTube.
In recent years these feline things have replaced man's best friend as the most popular pet in the U.S. while the Ancient Egyptians once worshipped them as gods. This was a mistake and I'm here to tell you why.
Man vs Cat is the story of one man, one woman and the six cats that changed their lives forever. To the woman they brought love and affection, to the man they brought sleepless nights, fear, paranoia and even ruined his jigsaw. Need I say more?
About the author
David Brown could be considered a fantasy fanatic, especially since he has spent the last 10 years developing a 47,000-year history for his fictional world of Elenchera. When converting his obsession into literary form, David commits himself to a rigorous writing and editing process before his work can meet his approval. Combined with the critical eye of his wife and a BA Hons in History and English, David's dedication leads him to his goal of inspiring readers through heartfelt stories and characters.
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Kate.
ReplyDeleteI hope your readers enjoy the spotlight and if anyone has any questions I'd be more than happy to answer.
Thanks again for your support with the tour. You've been fab :)