Small Beginnings

The world needs a hero but they're busy.

When your very existence is treason, employment opportunities are thin on the ground. But when one of the biggest crime lords in the city makes The Pan of Hamgee a job offer he can't refuse, it's hard to tell what the dumbest move is: accepting the offer or saying no to Big Merv. Neither will do much for The Pan's life expectancy.

Small Beginnings is written in British English and is the first in a series, although it can be read as a stand alone story.

Estimated UK film rating of this book is: U (universal) or G (general)

This is a humorous science fiction fantasy story set in a parallel reality.

INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR

Q – So, tell us about K'Barthan Extras. What made you write them? What makes this book special?

A – If you want the honest answer I wrote them for me. As a reader, I love British satire and humor (or humour). I love wit; funny epic fantasy series like the Discworld novels and comedic sci fi like Douglas Adams, humorous science fiction reads, or fantasy stories. I like sff and speculative fiction but the best science fiction and fantasy stories, for me, are funny, I like adventure and action and a gripping tale that zips along quickly. And of course, I like genre fiction mashups; Douglas Adams meets StarTrek and James Bond - with a smidgeon of Dr Who and a dash of romance (but no squelchy bits). Think Father Ted meets Red Dwarf or then again ... maybe don't. I wanted a fast paced story, a gripping tale but at the same time a funny one. Comedy in the tradition of all the great humorous British authors, something light and witty and clever. I like to aim high. I wanted protagonists people could love and empathise with, mavericks, misfit characters, real people ... except they're not all people obviously, some of them are other alien (ish) species. The K'Barthan series about misfit heroes and heroines winning the day, it's about good versus evil even when the good guys are on different sides. It's a science fiction fantasy action adventure - it's planet based, so it's a bit of a blend. It's comedic portal fantasy, except it's comedy sci fi too. You'll find all sorts of quirky characters and interesting alien species: from 6ft Swamp Things with antennae to cute furry creatures like the Blurpons, with their fluffy ears, big button eyes and penchant for extreme violence.

Oh ... and did I mention the flying car chases?

Q – Do our readers have to read the K'Barthan Extras in order?

A – Nope, you can read these in any order you like

Q – What is your favourite kind of Book? Would this one fit on the list?

A – Oh yes. I love humorous novels but comedic sci fi especially. I enjoy science fiction fantasy and I love the idea of stories set in parallel universes or realities - I enjoyed the Narnia books and J R Tolkein, too. I also love a good supervillain, a bad guy you love to hate. That said, a lot of my influences come from TV; original StarTrek, Get Smart, Hogan's Heroes, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The persuaders, the Avengers, the Saint, Randal and Hopkirk Deceased, The Prisoner, Space 1999. Then there's Star Wars, Blake's Seven and Dr Who, and Red Dwarf, of course. I loved all that.

Q – Do you have a target reader?

A – Officially it's young adults and teenagers, but the readers who've contacted me range in age from ten to ninety four. I wrote it for me.