Questions with W.D. Kilpack III 

1) What is Crown Prince all about? 

Natharr is Guardian of Maarihk, one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr’s is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be. He adheres to his sacred duties even in the centuries since the Firstborn were forced to the brink of extinction by the Aa.  

Natharr still stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. He spends decades planning how to save the life of the newborn Crown Prince Vikari so he may one day reclaim the throne of the land where Mankind was created, back in the time when the Olde Gods still walked. 

2) What inspired you to write Crown Prince? 

For months, I was having a recurring dream that would have me in tears when I woke. It persisted for months, and I finally realized that I needed to write it. Pretty quickly, I realized that I wouldn’t be able to achieve the same level of emotional impact in one book, so I thought I would write a trilogy. However, even then, in building to the point in the dream, creating the gravitas that would really give it some punch, I hadn’t even gotten to the dream in those three books, so I thought it would be six. As I continued writing, it became an eight-book saga.  

The kernel of the idea for Natharr came to me years ago. When I was an undergrad studying philosophy, I was fascinated by Socrates, who would go into a trance-like state, then emerge with new answers to questions. He called it being seized by the Demon of Philosophy. Natharr has something similar in his makeup, when he is seized by the Daemon of Sight. One professional reviewer came up with something interesting to describe Natharr: a blend of Aragorn, Alanon, and Teddy Roosevelt. 

3) What is your target audience for Crown Prince? 

I would describe my style as “realistic epic fantasy.” Magic is more subtle. It’s not like fireworks and does not eclipse the characters. Case in point, in the New Blood Saga, not once does a character or the narrative voice say the word “magic.” The characters have doubts and everyday concerns, on top of the more traditional plot elements. I love heroes who are imperfect, and villains that you love to hate (then you get conflicted and wonder if “hate” is too strong a word). I do a lot of research: history, mythology, magic. The New Blood Saga is an eight-book series, with three published and the fourth coming any day. The most common comment I’ve had from readers about the New Blood Saga is that it’s like a blend of Tolkien and George R.R. Martin. I take that as a huge compliment.  

4) What do you hope readers could get out from Crown Prince? 

First, to enjoy the world, the characters, and the story. All of that helps teach lessons like endurance and being able to overcome obstacles. Natharr is faced with crushing responsibilities, faces incredible challenges, endures pain and emotional anguish, then grits his teeth and keeps going. Feedback has really been outstanding, including being selected to appear in Author’s Lounge.

5) What are your future goals/plans for Crown Prince? 

Rilari: Book Four of New Blood is coming out any day now! For Crown Prince, I plan on an audio book and I am involved with Safe Harbor Films, which has tossed around ideas of turning the New Blood Saga into a television series on one of the streaming services. 

6) And something more about yourself. 

I am an award-winning and critically acclaimed internationally published writer, with works appearing in print, online, radio and television, starting with his first publication credit at the age of nine. My first three novels, Crown Prince, Order of Light, and Demon Seed received the International Firebird Book Award, while Crown Prince received The BookFest Award. Order of Light was a Top Pick and Demon Seed was Editor’s Choice on BooksShelf. I also received special recognition from L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest for my novella, Pale Face. I have been editor and/or publisher of 19 news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000.  

I received both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Westminster College of Salt Lake City. As an undergrad, I double-majored in Communication and Philosophy, while completing the Honors Program. As a graduate student, I earned a Master of Professional Communication. I was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling. 

I love to cook. I have cooked nearly every type of food on the grill, although I also love non-grill cooking Cajun, Greek, and Italian food, and have been getting better with Asian cuisine. 

I taught college communication classes for 25 years and I coached wrestling for more than 20 years, earning national recognition. I am happily married to my high-school sweetheart, I have five children, and helped raise five step-children. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. 

Author of the New Blood Saga

Crown Prince: ISBN 9781074784522, NOOK: 2940162602507, Kobo: 1230004790655

Order of Light: ISBN: 9798584578855, NOOK: 2940162314073, Kobo: 1230004870579

Demon Seed: ISBN: 9798772550151 | NOOK: 2940160707358 | Kobo: 1230005335787

Pale Face: ISBN: 9798779152822 | NOOK: 2940160707433

Website and Social Media Pages:
Official Web Site: http://www.kilpack.net
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/W.D.-Kilpack-III/e/B07TT3RQYT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19339956.W__Kilpack_III
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/w-d-kilpack-iii
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdkilpackiii/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WDKilpackIII
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077173903372

Pinterist: https://www.pinterest.com/WDKilpackIII/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/WDKilpackIII

• Official Web Site: www.Kilpack.net 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wdkilpackiii/ 

• Crown Prince on Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/Crown-Prince-Book-One-Blood/dp/1074784529/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?ta g=utahorgthevoi-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=7eb65205547d73efea02a0da8593416e&creativeAS IN=1074784529