Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Seb Duncan
Book Title: The Book of Thunder & Lightning
Released: 01/01/25
Genre: YA Historical/Supernatural Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “The Book of Thunder & Lightning”?
Duncan: I stumbled across an east London neighborhood on a walk during the last days of Covid lockdown. I subsequently did a lot of research about the area's history and all sorts of stories were unearthed. I also read A Child of the Jago by Arthur Morrison, about a fictionalised family who lived in the area (known as The Old Nichol).
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Duncan: That's a funny one. Arthur Snipe's name came from Arthur Morrison. Tom Baxter possibly came from two things: Baxter House on Mare Street and a small park, St Thomas' Square, also nearby. Having said that, I only realised this after the book was finished!
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Duncan: For this book, I did a great deal of historical research combined with a lot of walking. There is a practice called Psychogeography; at one end it is simply walking in unfamiliar urban spaces to get inspiration, on the other, it gets far weirder, involving pentagrams, witches and satanic leylines. I'm definitely of the former camp (like Will Self and Guy Debord).
If "The Book of Thunder & Lightning" were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Duncan: Oh that is a good one! For the villian, Arthur Snipe, without a doubt Steve Pemberton (from British Black comedy series, The League of Gentlemen). If he's too busy, Tom Hardy, although he might be too obvious. For Simon Beaver it has to be Ben Wishaw. Tom Baxter, Owen Cooper, from the brilliant Adolescence.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Duncan: I never write unless a good idea propels me. I never force it.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Duncan: Researching into areas you know nothing about can work wonders. If you are writing a romance; read about some science; if you're writing a thriller; read some history. Mix it up.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Duncan: I like all types of fiction but I think the sweet spot between horror and realism is very compelling for me. I don't like gore. I'm more interested in the atmosphere. Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes is a good example, as is Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin. Absolute classics.
What are you working on next?
Duncan: I'm working on a sort of re-working of Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle, but with awful tech bros. And yes everyone dies, but not in the way you might expect ..
Want to find out more about The Book of Thunder & Lightning or Seb Duncan? Find them here:
Instagram handle - sebduncanauthor
Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/206179425
An article about The Book of Thunder and Lightning can be read here https://theredink.co.uk/past-ghosts-and-future-heroes/
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Find it for purchase here
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