Farmers’ Market Spotlight: Blanding author blends fantasy, historical fiction in young adult novel
by Jeff Richards
contributing writer
Jul 26, 2012 | 1572 views | 0 0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend | print
J.D. Raisor, an author and librarian from Blanding, will sell and sign copies of his young adult novel at the Moab Farmers’ Market at Swanny City Park on Saturday, July 28 from 8 a.m. until noon.

Raisor said the fantasy novel, “Castles and Caverns: Zeld and the Invaders,” has already sold more than 500 copies, or more than half of its initial press run, and has received favorable reviews.

“It took 10 years to write and rewrite the novel,” Raisor said. “At one point, a large New York City publisher suggested that I go into the backyard with a shovel, bury the manuscript and never try writing again! Fortunately, I didn’t listen.”

The 367-page work is set in the 1200s and details the adventures of Zeldain de Saxon, better known as Zeld, who loses his father and the family castle on the same night. At age 12, Zeld returns to his homeland from exile to attend the Castles and Caverns School of Knighthood. Goeffrey of Hesse, son of his sworn enemy, also attends the school. 

Raisor said his work is a deliberate blend of fantasy and historical fiction.

“I tried to present the 1200s the way the people saw things at the time, including, for example, that the world is flat and dragons are real.”

Raisor said he’s already begun working on subsequent titles in a planned series of books featuring Zeld. The second novel, “Castles and Caverns: Zeld and the Pirate Prince,” is currently in the editing stages and should be ready before Christmas, he said.

Electronic copies of the book are available at amazon.com and hardbound copies are available at www.castlesandcaverns.com.

At the Moab Farmers’ Market, Raisor will sell hardbound copies of the book for the special price of $21.50, including tax, he said.
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