Today I welcome Audrey Mackaman to Best Dog Books, a blog that features interviews with authors who’ve written a canine story for kids or young adults. Audrey is here to talk about Cavall in Camelot which is a middle grade fantasy series published by HarperCollins for kids aged 8-12.
Best Dog Books: Who is your key dog character(s) and what kind of dog is he/she?
The series focuses on the adventures of Cavall, King Arthur’s favorite dog, and his friends, the “Knights of the Hound Table.” Cavall is a deerhound, based on a friend’s real life dog who was already 108 pounds by the time he was 6 months old! Cavall’s friends include Anwen, a basset hound; Edelm, an Irish setter; and Luwella, a borzoi.
Best Dog Books: Tell us about your story.
The first book in the series, A Dog in King Arthur’s Court, follows Cavall as he tries to navigate his new home in Camelot and live up to the expectations of being a king’s dog. He soon finds himself working with the other dogs in the castle (and magical creatures called the fay) to foil an evil plot to overthrow Arthur. Expect appearances from Arthurian figures such as Merlin, the Lady of the Lake, and the witch Morgana.
Book 2, The Quest for the Grail, is available now and continues Cavall’s journey.
Best Dog Books: What inspired you to write this story?
While reading a book about the Knights of the Round Table, I found a passage about Arthur’s favorite dog, who is, in fact, named Cavall. I thought for sure somebody had written Cavall’s story, but when I went looking for it, I couldn’t find it. So I wrote it myself.
Best Dog Books: What was the biggest challenge you had writing your story? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was also the most fun: Combing through all the conflicting versions of Arthurian mythology and choosing which one(s) to go with. I drew a lot on books and movies I loved as a kid, such as The Once and Future King, The Last Crusade, and even Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Best Dog Books: What kind of story can we expect next from you? Is it about a dog? If so, what can you tell us about it?
I’ve got several stories in the works right now. None that specifically feature dogs, though I always like to work animals into my books some way.
Best Dog Books: What else would you like us to know about you or your story?
I actually started writing dog stories when I was 8 years old, working on an old typewriter my grandfather gave me to tell stories out my own dog and her friends. When I was a kid, I always felt like I understood dogs better than I did grown-ups, and vice versa, because I had a lot of trouble communicating through speaking. Writing helped me get my words out. In Cavall, because the dogs cannot speak with humans (except Merlin, of course), I wanted to get across the frustration that comes with being unable to make yourself understood. I think that’s something kids, and probably plenty of adults, can relate to.
Best Dog Books: Can you remember the first book that made an impact on you? Why?
Dr. Seuss and Beatrix Potter books because I remember my parents reading them to me before I could read for myself. I probably wouldn’t love reading half as much as I do now if it weren’t for those early experiences.
My biggest inspirations for Cavall were Redwall and Hank the Cowdog, both series I consumed voraciously as a young reader.
Best Dog Books: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Good writers are really just good observers. They watch and learn, whether it’s people or other stories in books and movies. And successful writers write a lot. You’ll learn more from putting your own pen on paper than any writing course can offer. There is no dichotomy between thinkers and doers; writers have to be both.
If you’d like to learn more about Audrey, you can check out the author’s website or follow the author on facebook or instagram. You can also find book reviews from Publishers Weekly, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Thank you Audrey for joining us at Best Dog Books. We look forward to reading your book!
For other great books about dogs, check out 101 Best Dog Books for Kids.
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