by Ben Zackheim | Nov 21, 2014 | The Camelot Kids |
Part One of the book introduces 28 characters. Not easy to do with 120 pages. Nathan’s cover and Ian’s illustrations were that much more important because of this challenge.
Nathan’s version of Maille Rose has a lot of heart in it. And action. And mystery. Typical Nathan.
Part Two is where magic peeks over the horizon of reality and goes BOO! Simon Sharp may have a hard time accepting it, but he can’t deny trolls and 7 ft elderly wizards and floating chairs.
This cover creeped me out when I first saw it. My eyes were drawn to the eyes after wandering through the haze for a split second. Nathan is constantly thinking about the way his audience experiences his work.
Part Three is the first part of the story where Simon is swimming (sinking?) in a world of magic and danger. We get to see him fight with the knights of New Camelot. We get to see what Uncle Victor is up to. And we get to see the opening sequence of the finale!
This cover is just so flagrantly powerful. Just like its subject, Uncle Victor.
The Camelot Kids: Part Four reveals the plot, the players and the victims. Nothing will be the same again in New Camelot.
by Ben Zackheim | Nov 4, 2014 | The Camelot Kids |
I’m delighted with The Camelot Kids. I’m even more delighted with the response to it so far. It’s consistently on a number of genre bestseller lists on Amazon, including the Arthurian category! The reviews have been glowing, which generate enough heat in my bones to keep me warm in a New England Fall.
But I always feel like I should be working harder to get the word out. So when opportunities to shine emerge, I’m game!
The 2014 Goodreads Choice Awards are a free and easy way to earn some recognition for my new Fantasy series.
If you’ve enjoyed The Camelot Kids so far I’d appreciate it (endlessly) if you’d head to Goodreads and write in The Camelot Kids: Part One. If I can get a few dozen votes for Part One I think we can get the word out to more Fantasy fans.
Thanks for ANY help you provide. I appreciate every kind email, honest review and sale.
Oh, and get ready for The Camelot Kids: Part Four! Armor up!
by Ben Zackheim | Oct 30, 2014 | The Camelot Kids |
If you’ve read The Camelot Kids: Part One you’ll remember the fight between the gargoyle and the troll. Simon will certainly remember it for the rest of his life! Ian Greenlee did a fantastic job of drawing that scene for the book, but I wanted to get another point of view from an artist with a different style.
I met Harshad Marathe at my parent’s place in New York. They introduced him as an artist. He was helping them settle into their new apartment and we got to talking about Camelot, myth and art. I was so impressed with the beautiful way he sees the world that I assumed his artwork was as expressive.
It is!
Harshad Marathe is a fantastic talent who drew this scene from The Camelot Kids.
I love Harshad’s whimsical style. It captures the child-like wonder that Simon must be feeling as he watches two monsters fight!
You can see more of Harshad’s work here.
by Ben Zackheim | Oct 23, 2014 | The Camelot Kids |
Are you ready to see the next Nathan Fox cover? The Camelot Kids: Part Three is almost here, and I have the cover to prove it. You may have seen the teaser at the top of my Facebook page. Well, here’s the full deal. What do you think?
Pick up The Camelot Kids: Part One to see Merlin and the teen descendants of the Knights of the Round Table try to get along. It’s a hoot!
The Camelot Kids: Part One
by Ben Zackheim | Oct 21, 2014 | Writing |
I’ve talked a lot about the softcover collection of The Camelot Kids coming out in December, 2014. Why am I so excited? Well, besides seeing the story all together in one volume, there’s the spectacular artwork of Ian Greenlee. Ian has been body slamming every single piece for The Camelot Kids eBooks (yes, in a good, loving way). His art is getting a lot of buzz in the illustration world. And readers LOVE what they’ve seen so far.
Here’s one review:
“I love love love this series!!
The illustrations are really really wonderful. I wish I had some to frame for my office.”
And another:
“This is the first in an exciting new middle grade series, by Ben Zackheim, with stunning illustrations peppered throughout, this one is sure to be a hit.”
I want to give you a peek at how we’ll be using the artwork in the softcover edition. From the start, Nathan Fox (Art Director and cover artist) has wanted the illustrations to emerge from the story. His meticulous sense of theme and intent are woven into every visual decision he makes. For instance the theme of The Camelot Kids: Part One was “Emergence” which translated into wonderful illustrations of our characters stepping into a new world. But the softcover will give us a whole new way to play with the theme.
Example?
Well, when Simon Sharp finds the vambrace in the grass in Part One, it’s his first step into Merlin’s domain. Simon doesn’t know it at the time, but Ian did a fantastic job of showing the confusing, dramatic moment. In the book, you’ll be able to see the drawing in all of its detail, and you’ll notice how some art appears to embrace the text of the story. In the two-page spread below, notice how the leaves flow from one page to the next, like ivy growing through the prose.
This is just one example of the beauty and attention to detail that you’ll find in The Camelot Kids: Book One, coming in December. Yes, THIS December ;-)
