Interview with Peter Quince, Professor of Ancient Celtic Religions at Georgetown University and the narrator and hero of the fantasy thriller The Never King.

The Never KingINTERVIEWER: Where did you get the inspiration for writing your book?

MR. QUINCE: It wasn’t really a matter of inspiration. As I explain in the Preface, the book is a true story that’s taken from my life.


INTERVIEWER: But I’ve been told that the book describes the unraveling of British society as well as a murderous conspiracy at the highest level of that government. Surely, that’s all fiction.

MR. QUINCE: The story takes place within the future. If you were there now, you’d see that those events are part of the historical record.


INTERVIEWER: Well, I’ll take your word for it. Now getting back to more normal things, do you have a pet peeve?

MR. QUINCE: Off the top of my head, I’d say bossy pixies.


INTERVIEWER: That’s not what I meant by normal.

MR. QUINCE: I apologize. It’s just that I’ve led a strange life.


MR. QUINCE: No apology needed. So, do you have any talents – I mean other than writing?

MR. QUINCE: I have The Gift.


INTERVIEWER: What gift are you talking about?

MR. QUINCE: The ability to see beyond the familiar dimensions of space and time.


INTERVIEWER: Do you mean like foreseeing the future?

MR. QUINCE: Well, that’s the most common example. The Scots call it “Second Sight.” In my case, however, it’s not the future that I see.


INTERVIEWER: No?

MR. QUINCE: I see the so-called “Otherworld” although that’s a misnomer. Actually, it’s all one world – the one that’s seen by everyone and the one that’s seen by only a few.


INTERVIEWER: Do you have any more usual talents like being good at crossword puzzles or playing the harmonica?

MR. QUINCE: Neither of those, I’m afraid. But I’m a very good shot with a rifle. I learned that in the Marines. I’m also a good dancer or at least better than I was when I started out. I was taught by the Good People.


INTERVIEWER: Um, let’s not pursue that. Do you have a favorite color?

MR. QUINCE: I really like purple. It reminds me of Thistle.


INTERVIEWER: Do you mean “thistle” the flower?

MR. QUINCE: I mean Thistle the person although she’s not exactly that.


INTERVIEWER: Then what is she?

MR. QUINCE: You’ll have to read the book.


INTERVIEWER: I see. Is there any color that you hate?

MR. QUINCE: Well, hate might be too strong, but I have a problem with green.


INTERVIEWER: Green? Why is that?

MR. QUINCE: It’s one of the Celtic colors of death.


INTERVIEWER: Getting back to your book. Fundamentally speaking, what’s it about?

MR. QUINCE: Well, if you look beneath the plot, including the love story, it’s about the end of our race – at least as we know it.


INTERVIEWER: The human race?

MR. QUINCE: Yes, I’m afraid so. But The Never King is only the beginning of that story. However, it does introduce the so-called “Fairy Faith” which is the oldest religion and – as you’ll eventually see – the one that controls the destiny of mankind.


INTERVIEWER: One final question. I’m told that your comrade-in-arms in this book is named Arthur and that some people think that he’s the Arthur – that is, Britain’s mythic savior and its Once and Future King. That can’t possibly be true, can it?

MR. QUINCE: Again, read the book and then decide for yourself. But now I have a question for you.


INTERVIEWER: Yes?

MR. QUINCE: Do you believe in fairies?