Name: Francis H Powell
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
I was born in the UK, I spent some time living in Austria, and since 1999 I have lived in France. I live with my wife, my ten-year-old son, and our rescue dog, Bertie. I have spent a lot of time teaching at schools and universities. I went to art school, and I still do lots of creative things, like painting and sculpture. I also do music. We have a really nice house near Fontainebleau. We have a wonderful garden, but I know next to nothing about gardening. I have limited success planting things.
Sometimes we travel to Paris. Before, we lived in Brittany, near the sea, but I missed the life I used to have when I lived in Paris, lots of culture and things happening. I also have friends who live in Paris. As well as fiction, I write poetry. I put together a book called “Together Behind Four Walls” which was an anthology to raise money for Marie Curie Nurses.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc (short)
The book I am promoting at the moment is called “The Fish King and the Two Wise Ghosts”. It is my first children’s book. I also did all the illustrations and front and back covers. There are around thirty illustrations. The book was inspired by a drawing my son did, that looked like a king holding the hands of two ghosts. At first I wrote a long poem then changed it to prose, but kept a lot of the poetry.
When did you start your writing adventure? What was the inspiration for it?
My adventure really began when I saw an advert in a magazine looking for short stories. I was living in Paris at the time and the magazine was called “Rat Mort”. I began writing short stories and sent them off to magazines and to web sites. I really enjoyed writing short stories, but later adapted to writing novels. I was inspired to write my latest book, because of my son. It is great to be able to read him, one of my stories, with him in mind.
What writing plans do you have for the future?
I write a lot and in different genres. I would like to have more children’s books published, but to have some of my other stories published. My other stories are often dark and surreal. It would be great to have a book of my poems published.
What do you like to read?
At the moment I am reading Barcelona Dreaming by Rupert Thompson. I am also part of a book club, so I am obliged to read a different book, each month. I like to read a lot of different styles of books including biographies.
What piece of advice do you wish you’d had when you’d started your writing adventure?
It’s going to be a long and hard journey.
Author bio and book synopsis
BIO
Born in 1961, in Reading, England Francis H Powell attended Art Schools, receiving a degree in painting and an MA in printmaking. In 1995, Francis H Powell moved to Austria, teaching English as a foreign language while pursuing his varied artistic interests adding music and writing. He currently lives in Moret sur Loing, France writing both prose and poetry. Francis H Powell has published short stories in the magazine, “Rat Mort” and other works on the internet site “Multi-dimensions.” He has had three books published and has also compiled a book of short stories, poems and illustrations, featuring other writers and poets. The book is called “Together Behind Four Walls” and is a book of lockdown stories and poems. The books has raised money for Marie Curie nurses. He has had poems published in anthologies, for both adults and children. He has done poetry reading for Paris Lit up as well as other events.
SYNOPSIS
A fishy tale that begins with a king who has two wise ghost friends and his tricky search for a queen. The first to try to win the king’s hand, the fishy Princess Chipolata, is discovered by the two ghosts, trying to steal the crown jewels. At first, the king refuses to believe them. Finally, Princess Chipolata is sent to prison.
The King continues his search by placing an advertisement on social media, “Fish Hook.” He gets a lot of responses; however, all the hopeful queens are most unsuitable. When he sets his eyes on one of his sister’s friends, his search comes to a happy end. Only one problem remains: he has to introduce two ghosts, who like to play jokes on people, to his future bride.
In the second part of the book, the king and queen produce royal heirs. Prince Erik likes ghosts in the same way as his father. A party takes place, and the ghosts spook some of the guests. When Prince Erik grows up, he tells his parents he wants to go on a long adventure. He sees and does some incredible things. After he returns, the kingdom is once again a happy place.
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Library of Erana 