Deal Sharing Aunt: Sceadu by Prashant Pinge Giveaway & Interview

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Sceadu by Prashant Pinge Giveaway & Interview

Sceadu

Prashant Pinge

Genre: YA fantasy fiction

Date of Publication: Nov 10, 2014
ASIN: B00NVCV0I0
Number of pages: 246
Word Count: About 70,000
Cover Artist: Reptile FX

Book Description:

All this while, Matilda’s shadow had been growing larger and larger. Suddenly, it lunged out of the ground and swallowed her, like a python does its unsuspecting prey.

Nine year old Matilda ends up with a century old book through a series of strange coincidences. And disappears. Her brother and cousins are forced to suspend their hostilities and pursue her to Sceadu, a land inside the human shadow. Once there, the reluctant visitors find themselves chased by the vicious Hefigans, creatures of Sceadu. However, everything changes with the revelation of an ancient prophecy that foretells the doom of the world they left behind.

With the stakes suddenly raised, the children must now navigate the dangerous terrain, overcome grave challenges, and unlock the secrets of the shadow. But can they do it in time to thwart the plans of the treacherous Hefigans? Or will they succumb to the guile of a ruthless enemy who is equally determined to destroy mankind?

Sceadu is a fast-paced adventure which blurs the boundary between the physical and the psychological, the real and the mythical.

Available at Amazon

Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/BIQHTbekS8Y

Excerpt:

Matilda sat at her old wooden desk, staring into the thick yellowed pages of a book under a dull moth ridden beam cast by the night lamp. But every time she blinked, it seemed as if the words had played a round of musical chairs. And the moths, fluttering through the words at times and hovering over them at others, did not make things any easier.

Matilda was about to turn the page when there was a tug at her feet. It was a very gentle one, almost imperceptible. Surprised, she glanced down, but there was nothing. Perhaps it’s just my imagination, she thought. She was about to shake her thick dark brown curls out of her face when she felt it again.

Matilda pushed her head down and looked into the dark void with furrowed brow. Her skinny legs stared back. But before she could decide on whether she had actually felt anything, there was another tug, an unmistakable one this time. And another one. The truth suddenly dawned upon Matilda. It was her shadow, trying to drag her into itself.

Matilda jerked back the chair, kicking hard at her shadow. But it snapped back, pulling at her even more viciously. She stomped upon it repeatedly. But the dark grey shape began jabbing at her feet and ankles. Matilda pushed herself up and made a frantic attempt to run. But her legs refused to move, and she almost toppled forward.

All this while, Matilda’s shadow had been growing larger and larger. Suddenly, it lunged out of the ground and swallowed her, like a python does its unsuspecting prey.

About the Author:

Prashant Pinge was born and brought up in the picturesque neighbourhood of Shivaji Park in the bustling city of Mumbai in India.

A quiet and diligent student throughout his schooling and college years, Prashant proceeded to pursue electrical engineering at Purdue University in the United States. Over the next decade, he accumulated three more degrees, a master of science in management from Lancaster University, a post graduate program in management from Indian School of Business, and a post MBA master in international management from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Apart from enjoying the company of books, Prashant had always had an imaginative bent of mind. But writing only happened in the fall of 2003, when a remarkably intriguing dream interrupted an uncharacteristically deep spell of slumber, compelling him to stagger to his desk and pen down the idea. That book is still a few years away from being written. Prashant, however, continues to work from his cauldron of creativity and churn out critically acclaimed works of fiction.

In addition to his literary pursuits, Prashant is Managing Partner in his marketing and branding firm, Media Panther. In his spare time, Prashant enjoys collecting old coins, reading fiction, travelling to exotic destinations, watching movies, and listening to music. He recently wrote and produced a short film titled Freedom of Expression. Prashant is also keenly interested in the subjects of psychology, mythology and ancient history.

Prashant lives with his wife and son in Mumbai.

Interview:

· Where are you from?

I’m from Mumbai, India.

· Tell us your latest news.

My next book, a work of children’s fiction, has recently been picked up by one of India’s top publishers.

· When and why did you begin writing?

I started writing more than a decade ago after a dream compelled me to put pen to paper.

· When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I considered myself to be a writer the moment I made a commitment to channel my imagination into words for the rest of my life.

· What inspired you to write your first book?

My first book was inspired by events from my childhood.

· Do you have a specific writing style?

I do have my own voice although my styles differ by genre.

· How did you come up with the title?

Sceadu (pronounced shay-du) gives centre stage to the human shadow, the inspiration for this book. It is the old English term for shadow.

· Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I would say this book emphasizes the important of self-belief at an individual level and that of balance at a universal level.

· How much of the book is realistic?

The book is set in a land inside the human shadow. However, the existence of this land has been provided a rational basis which makes this a thrilling yet believable adventure.

· Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

There are always elements I draw from both people I know and events from my life.

· What books have most influenced your life?

I read a lot of Enid Blyton as a child. Her books really helped give wings to my imagination.

· If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I would say Phil Pullman.

· What book are you reading now?

The Magician’s Guild by Trudi Canavan

· Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Although he is certainly not a new author, I have recently discovered the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. And I am hooked.

· What are your current projects?

I am currently working on a romantic comedy and also doing research for a historical fiction novel.