Before we get started with a proper interview, let's take a look at the pitch for The Mystic Accountants...
Just when they thought that life had returned to normal after defeating a dark wizard in the Lake District, Chris and Linda get a letter, followed by a knock on the door. Their friends are back, and they're in trouble - again.
In the mist-haunted Dwarf Mansion, the Banned Underground has played another gig. But this time the feedback has blown the Throne of the Mountain King apart, and the Banned must find a replacement on pain of, well, pain. The junior dark lord is out for revenge, if his satnav doesn't keep him from following the band. Grizelda, the off-white witch and occasional aunt to the teenagers, is busy with some mad monks who want to conquer the world starting with Wales. Maybe Dai, the drunken dragon can help? Will the Tuatha stay out of the pub long enough to render assistance? If not, Jailhouse Rocklooms for the Banned Underground…
In the mist-haunted Dwarf Mansion, the Banned Underground has played another gig. But this time the feedback has blown the Throne of the Mountain King apart, and the Banned must find a replacement on pain of, well, pain. The junior dark lord is out for revenge, if his satnav doesn't keep him from following the band. Grizelda, the off-white witch and occasional aunt to the teenagers, is busy with some mad monks who want to conquer the world starting with Wales. Maybe Dai, the drunken dragon can help? Will the Tuatha stay out of the pub long enough to render assistance? If not, Jailhouse Rocklooms for the Banned Underground…
Will: Hi Tricia, Thanks for talking to me again. Funny, lots of girls seem to think that once is enough (sigh). Maybe I need a new aftershave, although quite how that works through the internet I’m not too sure. Perhaps through the USB port?
Tricia: Aftershave in the USB port? Do not try this at home! I'm happy to have you back, Will, but for the benefit of those who might not be familiar with your first book, can you summarize the premise for the series? Who is the Banned Underground?
Will: Ah, The Banned Underground. My first creation, really. A dwarf rhythm and blues band, led by Fungus The Boogieman. He’s a jazz-loving BogTroll, who is a sort of luminous green colour. The dwarfs get that way too sometimes, until their roadie insists on washing whatever it is that they keep under the chainmail. It’s no good asking me what that is, I’ve never enquired too closely. The series is based around their adventures and their attempts to make a living as a working blues/rock band in a fantasy land that’s rather close to our own. After all, I’ve never seriously believed in Stockport, even though I used to live there.
Tricia: Let’s talk about the title of your newest release, The Mystic Accountants. Accountants? In a fantasy novel?
Will: Well, why not? Most accountants have an instinctive feel for the Dark Side, you know. Probably Darth Vader was an accountant for a while, too. Can’t build a Death Star without knowing some maths, you know. Here, I’ve a choice of two types, as well! Either you can have the members of The Dark Coven, or the mad orange-robed megalomaniacs determined to take over Wales. (That’s one clue to their madness, of course. They would have had a better chance if they had dressed in red rugby kit instead. They would have blended right in then.)
Tricia: I work in accounting, so I encounter the dark side on a daily basis, but I think you're the first to put a comedic spin on it. You have such a unique sense of humor and it definitely comes across in your work. What made you decide to mix comedy and fantasy?
Will: Really, I think I’m just following in some seriously great footsteps. Piers Anthony, Robert Rankin, Robert Asprin, Tom Holt, Sir Terry Pratchett. These are the giants of comic fantasy, and I’m just the dwarf peering between their knees and making rude gestures at passing readers, and picking the crumbs off their table. They never leave the cake either. Funny, that.
Tricia: In The Mystic Accountants, which character is your favorite? Why?
Will: This is awkward, because the gits all listen in to what I say, you know. I do have some favourite characters, who always make me smile when I’m writing their lines down, but I’m not going to tell anyone who they are. In case the others take reprisals. It’s bad enough what they did to me, their author, in the epilogue of Mystic Accountants.
Tricia: What on earth did they do to you in the epilogue...never mind. I'll have to read the book to find out. If you could make a soundtrack for this novel, which artists would it feature?
Will: Wow, now that would be a list. Everyone who’s who in classic rock of course, plus some Rock n Roll, and plenty of jazz. In the UK we have a radio station that plays nothing but jazz and blues, and I often have that on in the background when I’m writing.
Tricia: What’s next for The Banned Underground?
Will: I’ve just finished the manuscript of The Vampire Mechanic, the third book for the series. That’s due out in November 2012, and the fourth book – Bass’d Out – is due this time next year. Provided that I finish writing it, of course. Not that I’ve much choice. The characters are already yelling at me to carry on with that one. They seem to be having fun with it whilst I just get the dull jobs, like wearing out my fingers typing. I need a lot of readers to rush out and buy Mystic so that I can afford some voice recognition software. Mind you, knowing my lot, they’d probably do a deal with the publishers direct and cut me out. They’ve already taken over the dedications.
Tricia: Where can my readers go to purchase a copy of the book, or to find out more about your work?
Will: Obviously the publishers’ website, www.safkhetpublishing.com, but also on amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, and waterstones.com.
You can find my blog at willmacmillanjones.wordpress.com
And I’m on facebook, too, somewhere..
Tricia: Thanks for speaking with us, Will. It's been a pleasure. And, now I must hop over to Amazon so I can get my own copy of The Mystic Accountants! Happy reading, everyone.
Purchase your own copy at Amazon.uk or Amazon.com
Will Macmillan Jones lives in Wales, a
lovely green verdant land with a rich cultural heritage. He does his best to support this heritage by
yelling loud encouragement at the TV when Wales are playing International Rugby
and drinking local beers, although (of course) never to excess.
Tricia: Aftershave in the USB port? Do not try this at home! I'm happy to have you back, Will, but for the benefit of those who might not be familiar with your first book, can you summarize the premise for the series? Who is the Banned Underground?
Will: Ah, The Banned Underground. My first creation, really. A dwarf rhythm and blues band, led by Fungus The Boogieman. He’s a jazz-loving BogTroll, who is a sort of luminous green colour. The dwarfs get that way too sometimes, until their roadie insists on washing whatever it is that they keep under the chainmail. It’s no good asking me what that is, I’ve never enquired too closely. The series is based around their adventures and their attempts to make a living as a working blues/rock band in a fantasy land that’s rather close to our own. After all, I’ve never seriously believed in Stockport, even though I used to live there.
Tricia: Let’s talk about the title of your newest release, The Mystic Accountants. Accountants? In a fantasy novel?
Will: Well, why not? Most accountants have an instinctive feel for the Dark Side, you know. Probably Darth Vader was an accountant for a while, too. Can’t build a Death Star without knowing some maths, you know. Here, I’ve a choice of two types, as well! Either you can have the members of The Dark Coven, or the mad orange-robed megalomaniacs determined to take over Wales. (That’s one clue to their madness, of course. They would have had a better chance if they had dressed in red rugby kit instead. They would have blended right in then.)
Tricia: I work in accounting, so I encounter the dark side on a daily basis, but I think you're the first to put a comedic spin on it. You have such a unique sense of humor and it definitely comes across in your work. What made you decide to mix comedy and fantasy?
Will: Really, I think I’m just following in some seriously great footsteps. Piers Anthony, Robert Rankin, Robert Asprin, Tom Holt, Sir Terry Pratchett. These are the giants of comic fantasy, and I’m just the dwarf peering between their knees and making rude gestures at passing readers, and picking the crumbs off their table. They never leave the cake either. Funny, that.
Tricia: In The Mystic Accountants, which character is your favorite? Why?
Will: This is awkward, because the gits all listen in to what I say, you know. I do have some favourite characters, who always make me smile when I’m writing their lines down, but I’m not going to tell anyone who they are. In case the others take reprisals. It’s bad enough what they did to me, their author, in the epilogue of Mystic Accountants.
Tricia: What on earth did they do to you in the epilogue...never mind. I'll have to read the book to find out. If you could make a soundtrack for this novel, which artists would it feature?
Will: Wow, now that would be a list. Everyone who’s who in classic rock of course, plus some Rock n Roll, and plenty of jazz. In the UK we have a radio station that plays nothing but jazz and blues, and I often have that on in the background when I’m writing.
Tricia: What’s next for The Banned Underground?
Will: I’ve just finished the manuscript of The Vampire Mechanic, the third book for the series. That’s due out in November 2012, and the fourth book – Bass’d Out – is due this time next year. Provided that I finish writing it, of course. Not that I’ve much choice. The characters are already yelling at me to carry on with that one. They seem to be having fun with it whilst I just get the dull jobs, like wearing out my fingers typing. I need a lot of readers to rush out and buy Mystic so that I can afford some voice recognition software. Mind you, knowing my lot, they’d probably do a deal with the publishers direct and cut me out. They’ve already taken over the dedications.
Tricia: Where can my readers go to purchase a copy of the book, or to find out more about your work?
Will: Obviously the publishers’ website, www.safkhetpublishing.com, but also on amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, and waterstones.com.
You can find my blog at willmacmillanjones.wordpress.com
And I’m on facebook, too, somewhere..
Tricia: Thanks for speaking with us, Will. It's been a pleasure. And, now I must hop over to Amazon so I can get my own copy of The Mystic Accountants! Happy reading, everyone.
Purchase your own copy at Amazon.uk or Amazon.com
Will Macmillan Jones lives in Wales, a
lovely green verdant land with a rich cultural heritage. He does his best to support this heritage by
yelling loud encouragement at the TV when Wales are playing International Rugby
and drinking local beers, although (of course) never to excess.
Having been an accountant for much of his
working life, he now writes in a desperate attempt to avoid terminal atrophy of
his brain. A fifty something lover of
blues, rock and jazz he has now achieved a lifetime ambition by extending his
bookcases to fill an entire wall of his home office.
An amazing interview, Tricia, with a very talented and frustratingly witty author!
ReplyDeleteErudite, hugely funny and entertaining, a masterlass! Well done, Will and Tricia! :D
Fab interview, Tricia, Will. Kate.
ReplyDeleteOMGod! Will, do not us the voice recognition software! Do you dare even imagine what your characters will do with that? The mind boggles! Great interview, guys. Love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Will, for another great interview. And, thank you Sophie, Kate, and Sheryl for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Tricia -at least you got to speak to Will for a while, before the characters shut him down...
ReplyDeleteI somehow don't think voice recognition software would work on some of the dialects that Will features - or is just my brain that reads them like that?
Great stories, can't wait for the physical version to arrive - the kindle version is already installed.
I agree, Rose. Gotta talk to Will while the characters are distracted. I'll keep the Banned Underground occupied so you can talk to Will.
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