Ask the Author: Eric Price

Lately, I’ve been doing this thing where, as I read a book, I jot down a few questions and comments that wander through my mind. Then, if I’m feeling brave, I send my thoughts to the author. Fortunately, I’ve had great responses so far. This might actually be turning into a blog post series. To check out the first such post, with Romance author Helena Fairfax, click here. Today, I ask Eric Price about his excellent YA Fantasy Unveiling the Wizards’ Shroud. Here we go!

Heather Brainerd: Wittatun is a cool name. How did you come up with it?

Eric Price: I like for all my names to have a significant meaning. I have a character name book that I keep at easy access. I took Wittatun from it. It’s an old English name meaning “From the Wise Man’s Estate.” I just came across it by chance, but it seemed like a good name for a noble kingdom.

HB: That’s so cool. I just make stuff up. Your book had some Narnia-esque moments. Is that series among your influences?

EP: My third grade teacher read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe to my class. It’s the first time I can remember discovering how magical a book can be. I love The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, but I have a confession to make, it’s the only book in the series I’ve read. I do have the whole series, and it’s on my to read in 2014 list, but it was also on my 2013, 2012, 2011, … I’m really going to try this year.

HB: You can do it, Eric! I just love a good quest. What’s your favorite quest book or series?

EP: Of course I love the classics: The Lord of the Rings, The Wizard of Oz, but my amazing content editor for Unveiling the Wizards’ Shroud has a fantastic quest book herself: Elixir Bound. I’m anxiously awaiting the sequel. I’m also a recovering video game addict, and I used to love playing The Legend of Zelda and the early Final Fantasy games. I would probably like the newer games as well, but I can’t find out, not even once. You’d likely never see another book written by me if I did.

HB: I’m glad your recovery is going well. Those video games can be quite addicting, or so I’m told. My taste in games is more old school. I think you’d make a totally awesome D&D Dungeon Master. If you’re ever in Rochester, will you run a game for us?

EP: Okay, time for another confession, I’ve never played D&D, but after doing a quick online search to see what a Dungeon Master does, I’d give it a try. Especially if I could bend some rules, ignore others, and make up a few house rules. After all, I’ve never even played a game of Monopoly sticking strictly to the rules sent in the box.

HB: That’s exactly how my boys and I play Dungeons & Dragons, so you’ll fit right in!

EP: Thanks, Heather, for reading Unveiling the Wizards’ Shroud, and for caring about it enough to ask me some questions.

HB: You’re very welcome, Eric. Thanks for being such a good sport!

As the only son to King Kendrick, Owen despises the idea of being king one day. Magician may be the only career he’d like less. He has dreaded the days leading up to his fifteenth birthday, when his father will certainly declare Owen heir to the throne. But at the birthday celebration, his father falls ill. The only person in the kingdom that may be able to save him is a magician–the very same magician Owen holds responsible for the death of his mother.

Owen and his companions will have to travel the continent of Wittatun in search of the cure for King Kendrick. On the journey, they will battle strange beasts and harsh climates, befriend extraordinary magicians, and meet a dragon before returning to Innes Castle–where much has happened in the days since they departed.

Unveiling The Wizards’ Shroud is available from MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon, Barnes &  Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords.

You can find Eric on his website, Facebook, and on Twitter.