Amor Libris: Are there any new authors who have caught your attention?
Francis H. Powell: I read a book by Frank Scozzari I liked. It was about a man who goes to Russia to find a bride and he gets taken to the cleaners. I also liked a book by Carly Berg, who also writes short stories.
Amor Libris: Can you share the title and blurb of your latest book?
Francis H. Powell: My most recent published book is called Flight of Destiny. it is a book of twenty-two short stories. The stories are very dark, but at the same time, there is an element of satire. I would say they are very British in character. There is social satire about the upper classes, the hunting, shooting, fishing types. I think in this day and age, it is quite an unusual book. Many authors seem to be copying formulas—there are authors trying to be the new E. L. James (author of Grey and the Fifty Shades Trilogy) or trying to emulate other successful authors. Somebody compared my stories to those of Edgar Allan Poe. Recently a reviewer wrote, “They’re a little Ray Bradbury, a little Stephen King, but with Powell’s own unique twists. Very interesting read.”
Amor Libris: Who is your favorite character from your latest book, and why?
Francis H. Powell: Maybe Bugeyes (from the story Bugeyes). Poor old Bugeyes comes from a line of aristocrats with oversized extended eyes. He is the victim of many an insult concerning those aforementioned eyes. He is rejected at birth by his mother and sent to live on the far reaches of the family estate. His mother goes on to produce another two offspring, the first a male with acceptable-sized eyes and the other a sister, who like her oldest brother has large eyes and therefore suffers the same fate. Later curiosity drives Bugeyes to find out his true origin, and by chance, he encounters his younger brother. His younger brother is cruel and arrogant and is out to impress his friends, therefore sets the hunting dogs in hot pursuit of Bugeyes. Bugeyes does not speak much in this story … he may be silent, but he smart and resourceful.
Amor Libris: Are any of the characters and/or experiences in your books based upon yourself or someone you know?
Francis H. Powell: I like to create characters that fall into different categories, for example, despicable characters, as well as freaks, outsiders, and oddballs. I have always seen myself as a bit of an outsider; I never really fit into the schools I was sent to. Indirectly, my stories are autobiographical. There are elements of my fears, regrets, and angst in them.
Amor Libris: Can you share with us about what you are working on now or your next project?
Francis H. Powell: I hope there will be a follow up to Flight of Destiny.
Amor Libris: Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Francis H. Powell: Stick at it. Don’t fall by the wayside. Find a niche. Find a formula that works for you. I met a woman who is an aspiring writer, who told me of the heartbreaks of her rejections. Maybe some people aim too high or have high expectations. If you post stories on the Internet, there are sites I have come across like ReadWave and Scriggler. You can get useful feedback and people actually get to read your stories, rather than your stories languishing on a hard drive doing nothing. Even if fifty people read your story, it’s a start.
Amor Libris: How can we contact you and find out more about you and your books?
Francis H. Powell:
[…] Interview with Francis H. Powell, author of Flight of Destiny. Short stories with a theme of outsiders and people who don't fit in. Author links. Buy links. […]