Author Paige W. Pendleton talks about writing and 'The Keeper and the Rune Stone'

What was the inspiration behind The Black Ledge series?

Short answer: Ancient secrets on the coast of New England. Dark secrets.

Long answer:  The Red Paint People, a tribe of indigenous people who lived on the coasts of New England and Atlantic Canada regions of North America thousands of years ago. 

The name The Red Paint People arose from their use of Red Ochre to decorate their belongings, and themselves. They decorated tools, clothing, and the bodies of their dead in burial preparation.

They were bold seafarers. Swordfish bones discovered in archaeological sites tell us they were navigating deep and treacherous waters in the Atlantic. Thousands of years ago, in canoes.

And here's where the plot thickens. Archaeological excavations in Norway have unearthed tools and belongings with similar red marks/patterns to those discovered on the coast of Maine. Eerily similar red markings. Other clues point to trans-Atlantic travel. Rune Stones in North America that date long before the defined Viking Age.  A breed of domestic cat (the Maine Coon) shares DNA with the Norwegian Forest Cat. Strong similarities between some Native American and Ancient Norse myths suggest they gathered around the same campfire more than once. 

Did Elves and Dwarves stow away on one of the return trips to Maine?  It appears they did. 

Our story then takes a darker turn, as things tend to do on the coast of Maine, but our Once upon a time began in a land far, far away.

Which character spoke to you the most during the writing process?

Gunnr. At the end of the book he stepped on stage and wouldn’t behave. He wanted to take over. I really had to cool his jets. I promised to let him have his way in Book II, The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the scene with Ralph, the cellar-dweller. Ralph is a Hafling who lives at Black Ledge, and he isn’t inclined to be cooperative.

'The Keeper of the Rune Stone' and 'The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice' are currently available. How many more books do you anticipate in this series?

I have 4 more books planned for The Black Ledge Series.

When can we expect the next installment?

I am hoping to release Book III, The Keeper and the Scimitar of Salaman in January 2014.

Please tell us about your other published works.

The Black Ledge series is my first project. I have the first book of a juvenile Mystery series due out this fall. Unattended. No magic, just murder.

Do you have any other projects currently in the works?

Besides the juvenile murder mystery series, I am plotting two adult fiction projects.

What is it about the fantasy genre that is so appealing to children and adults?

I think it’s believing in magic! Being Aware of the magic around us is a very big aspect of The Black Ledge Series.

How do you make yourself stand out in this competitive genre?

I’m not sure I have, yet. So far the reviews are good, but the pond is very big. I think it will just take time, but I have that. Word of mouth from fans never hurts!

You are a part of an authors group in Maine and like to support them. What other authors should we be reading?

Oh, gosh! So many fabulous books out there. When I read for pleasure, Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen always hit the silly spot.

What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?

When I was Eleanor’s age I moved into the house in The Black Ledge Series, and it really is magic. Sidney Sheldon even stayed there and was inspired to write a scene for Master of the Game.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes, a reminder for people to check out The Magnificent Map Thomas Block created for The Keeper and the Rune Stone, and the five illustrations for The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice! Each piece of art is amazing! I catch myself writing scenes considering what Thomas will do with them.

And thank you for having me today! I’m really enjoying this tour, and I hope everyone enjoys reading The Black Ledge Series as much as I enjoy writing them.

Thank you so much for your time!

The Keeper of the Rune Stone by Paige W. Pendleton

The Black Ledge Series

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. From the vast fjords of Norway to the shores of New England, ancient standing stones mark a trail of betrayal, greed, and murder... 

The Keeper and the Rune Stone, Book One

An unholy ritual, a ticking clock. Four children discover there are things that go bump in the night ...

Centuries ago a group of Elves committed an unholy ritual. But the ritual was a spectacular failure. It transformed the Elves into the Noctivagi - the beings we know as vampires.

Striving to maintain a fragile peace, the ancient Elves and Dwarves negotiated an Accord, which they've renewed every year on the Summer Solstice. The ceremony depends on the magical Rune Stone, but it's missing. If it is not found—and quickly—the consequences could be dire, and not just for Elves and Dwarves.

Four children, Rob, Jack, Eleanor, and Flora, stumble into a world of magic and mayhem when they move into Black Ledge, the old estate on the Maine coast, and discover they aren’t the only ones who live there.

Buy The Keeper and the Rune Stone on Kindle

By The Keeper and the Alabaster Chalice, Book 2 on Kindle

About the Author

The secrets of the Red Paint People have haunted Maine for 7000 years. Paige W. Pendleton is busy writing those tales.

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