Farmers’ Market Spotlight: Blanding author blends fantasy, historical fiction in young adult novel
by Jeff Richards
contributing writer
Jul 26, 2012 | 1372 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.
Share This Article |

Copyright 2013 The Times-Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.