Ask the Author: Kevin Purdy
Answered Questions (5)
Kevin Purdy
Great questions, Judy. Yes, I am very pleased at the reviews of "The Legend of Decimus Croome." I appreciate when readers rate my books, and I'm even more appreciative when they take the time to write a review. As far as the more critical reviews, I don't mind constructive criticism, but I'm a bit disappointed with a couple specific types of reviews, not only of my books but those of other authors.
First, I hope that reviewers keep in mind the intended audience. For example Decimus Croome is a Halloween book for families. A couple critical reviews on Amazon and Goodreads had a problem that there wasn't more horror in the story. But it is not a horror story. It is a little spooky, a lot funny and mostly playful. It is a book for the entire family, so it was never intended to be gory or gruesome.
The second most frequent critical comment (which means a couple) was about my use of alliteration in the book. Please note that I purposefully used a lot of alliteration as my literary element du jour. I like to sprinkle in an abundance of one particular literary element in each book almost as if I'm designing a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt. As a former teacher, I appreciated when authors did this so that I could teach that element to students before reading the book. Then I challenged them to find the metaphors, similes, onomatopoeias, alliterations, etc as they read the book.
The final critique of my critiques (-: is the comparisons to whatever famous author I was trying to emulate. In the case of A Halloween Carol, that was Charles Dickens. I enjoy reading classic pieces of literature then adapting them for a modern (and potentially younger) audience. But I'm not trying to be that author. I'm flattered that some people would compare me to a master like Dickens, but please don't expect me to be Dickens... believe me... I'm not that author or any other famous writer. My books are for fun, not for immortality. You will find some similarities to Dickens writing style, and even some humorous references to Charles Dickens speckled throughout the book. But please judge the book based upon whether or not it was entertaining, not on whether it was exactly like a certain famous literary master.
Overall though, thanks to all the readers who take time to write reviews. I appreciate them, and other Goodreads users also depend on reviews to make informed decisions about their future favorite books.
First, I hope that reviewers keep in mind the intended audience. For example Decimus Croome is a Halloween book for families. A couple critical reviews on Amazon and Goodreads had a problem that there wasn't more horror in the story. But it is not a horror story. It is a little spooky, a lot funny and mostly playful. It is a book for the entire family, so it was never intended to be gory or gruesome.
The second most frequent critical comment (which means a couple) was about my use of alliteration in the book. Please note that I purposefully used a lot of alliteration as my literary element du jour. I like to sprinkle in an abundance of one particular literary element in each book almost as if I'm designing a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt. As a former teacher, I appreciated when authors did this so that I could teach that element to students before reading the book. Then I challenged them to find the metaphors, similes, onomatopoeias, alliterations, etc as they read the book.
The final critique of my critiques (-: is the comparisons to whatever famous author I was trying to emulate. In the case of A Halloween Carol, that was Charles Dickens. I enjoy reading classic pieces of literature then adapting them for a modern (and potentially younger) audience. But I'm not trying to be that author. I'm flattered that some people would compare me to a master like Dickens, but please don't expect me to be Dickens... believe me... I'm not that author or any other famous writer. My books are for fun, not for immortality. You will find some similarities to Dickens writing style, and even some humorous references to Charles Dickens speckled throughout the book. But please judge the book based upon whether or not it was entertaining, not on whether it was exactly like a certain famous literary master.
Overall though, thanks to all the readers who take time to write reviews. I appreciate them, and other Goodreads users also depend on reviews to make informed decisions about their future favorite books.
Kevin Purdy
I just finished the third draft of the second book in my Revised Classics (Adapted Classics, Updated Classics...). This one is based upon The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving. Middle grade students will LOVE it!!!
Kevin Purdy
Yes I am. In addition to the PurdyBooks.com website, you can also find me on Twitter, Facebook & Pinterest using PurdyBooks as the account name. @PurdyBooks
Kevin Purdy
Thanks for the question "Best Holiday Books." My Halloween novel "The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol" is definitely a Halloween book through and through. It mentions Christmas at the very end of the last chapter, but that's about the only Christmas reference throughout.
However, any young reader, Dickens fan or Halloween story fan would love to receive a copy of "The Legend of Decimus Croome" for Christmas, so it would indeed make an excellent Christmas gift for readers of all ages.
But since we are rapidly approaching the Halloween season, I would recommend picking up a copy of "A Halloween Carol" now rather than waiting until Christmas. It is available on Amazon.com.
Thanks again for the question!!
However, any young reader, Dickens fan or Halloween story fan would love to receive a copy of "The Legend of Decimus Croome" for Christmas, so it would indeed make an excellent Christmas gift for readers of all ages.
But since we are rapidly approaching the Halloween season, I would recommend picking up a copy of "A Halloween Carol" now rather than waiting until Christmas. It is available on Amazon.com.
Thanks again for the question!!
Kevin Purdy
I love holidays, and I love British literature. So I've long been a fan of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol." But, as a big fan of Halloween, I've often wondered what it would be like to utilize Dickens' Christmas ghosts as Halloween ghosts. Thus was born "The Legend of Decimus Croome: A Halloween Carol."
Just as Scrooge was a Christmas humbug, Decimus Croome is a Halloween humbug. Unfortunately I know all too many real life Decimus Croomes. These are people who think Halloween is only for kids or people who want to limit the fun kids have on Halloween. It's one day per year people. Don't worry about the age of trick-or-treaters or the nutritional value of their treats. It's one time that transcends rules, boundaries and decorum.
As Croome discovers, "Our Halloween costumes reveal who we really are."
Just as Scrooge was a Christmas humbug, Decimus Croome is a Halloween humbug. Unfortunately I know all too many real life Decimus Croomes. These are people who think Halloween is only for kids or people who want to limit the fun kids have on Halloween. It's one day per year people. Don't worry about the age of trick-or-treaters or the nutritional value of their treats. It's one time that transcends rules, boundaries and decorum.
As Croome discovers, "Our Halloween costumes reveal who we really are."
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