Straight from the Mouth of Judy Carlson, author of The White Knight, the Lost Kingdom, and the Sea Princess

Thanks for letting us interrogate you! Can you give us a go-for-the-gut answer as to why you wanted to be an author? 

I have stories, stories, and more stories and poetry and just have to keep telling them. I told them out loud to my children and to my grandchildren and still do. 


Tell us (we won’t tell promise!) is it all it’s cracked up to be? I mean what are the perks and what are the demands? 

It is very heady stuff to have a book on Amazon and so many responses and to know people are reading my story is sweet indeed. I confess I am a bit overwhelmed by the logistics of the publicity demands. But one thing at a time. 


Which route did you take – traditional or self-published – and can you give us the nitty gritty low down on what’s that like? 

Traditional publisher. Very arduous 6 year journey to publication. 


What’s the snarkiest thing you can say about the publishing industry (e.g. rejections, the long wait, etc.) 

I had no rejections on this manuscript but many roadblocks came after acceptance. The C S Lewis company tried to prevent publication and that was the biggest hurdle spanning some years. 


Tell us for real what your family feels about you spending so much time getting your book written, polished, edited, formatted, published, what have you? 

Very excited and very involved but also very worn down at times. 


What was the craziest or insane thing that happened to you in the book publishing process? 

I wrote myself to the C S Lewis Company and defended my right to have my story published denying that it was a spinoff of the Chronicles of Narnia! Very big thing to tackle something so worldwide in their reach in the book world. 


How about the social networks? Which ones do you believe help and which ones do you wish you could avoid? 

All of them seem helpful. I Only had my book released July 1 on Amazon. But all my kids and older grandkids family and friends worldwide put me on their social media and it has been exponential. I have 12 children including spouses and 20 grandchildren plus 28 years as an Army wife. 


Book sales. Don’t you just love them (or lack of?)? How are you making the sales happen for you? 

Praying a lot ( and having a marketing agent.) 


What is one thing you’d like to jump on the rooftop and scream about? 

People are reading my story and it may be translated into Norwegian and I am a Norsks! 


Can you tell us what you love about being a published author and how all those things above doesn’t matter because it’s all part of the whole scheme of things and you wouldn’t have it any other way? 

The story is being read and its messages (and they are 'mingi' as we say in Lingala!) is the greatest thrill God, my ghost writer, could ever give me.




About The Book

The White Knight

TitleThe White Knight, the Lost Kingdom, and the Sea Princess
Author: Judy Carlson
Publisher: Nordskog Publishing, Inc.
Publication Date: July 1, 2015
Format: eBook / PDF / Paperback
Pages: 476
ISBN: 978-0983195757
Genre: Mythical Fantasy


Buy The Book:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/White-Knight-Lost-Kingdom-Princess/dp/0983195757/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436384287&sr=1-1&keywords=The+White+Knight%2C+The+Lost+Kingdom+and+The+Sea+Princess%2C+Judy+Carlson


Book Description:

Just as the creator of the Chronicles of Narnia decided to try his writer’s hand and imagination, I decided to try something too.  And so, I have written a story of my own having been prompted by that same idea of creating a God presence in another place.  No, it is not Narnia but it is a new world similar yet different from our own.  Surely, as I write this, I was inspired by the man who has invited tens of thousands of readers and not a few writers to write, think and look beyond this ‘shadow land’ called earth.  I have named it The White Knight, the Lost Kingdom, and the Sea Princess’

It is a story of intrigue and ever present danger in a world populated by creatures and mortals, whose destiny hangs by the threads of an Emperor’s vision,  a prince’s lost love,  mysterious foes, enchanting  forest maidens, unlikely heroes, and a mermaid-heroine. All of this is wrapped up in a champion so invincible, yet mysterious, that he challenges the Dark Sorcerer with supernatural forces of a fascinating nature, using even the humblest of defenders.  This profound love story will leave you with a taste for a country and a universe beyond your dreams and even imaginings.  A world that is A fairy tale come true, and one “you will never want to end”.

IT MAY BECOME YOUR TRUEST 'HAPPILY EVER AFTER' STORY, AND perhaps YOUR OWN FAIRY TALE WILL NEVER END AS WELL.


Book Excerpt:

Chapter 1:

The Vanquished Kingdom

Under the Laws of Providence We have duties which are perilous. –Austin Phelps

Affliction is a treasure, and scarce any man hath enough of it. –John Donne

A deathly pall hung over the palace and the city of Ajar as the threatening presence of the insidious Black Guard escalated. 

“Hurry!” called the Queen to her maidservant, “Come quickly, Dianna!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” 

“The trunk is in my wardrobe closet. Count Amas has ordered two of his trusted men to secure it for me. They will take it to the cottage of the nursemaid Elnora and secret it there. We only hope they can avoid discovery.” 

“Yes, madam,” the girl answered in a trembling voice. 

“Disguise it with this linen cloth, Dianna, and lay flowers upon it. If noticed at all, a covered table will arouse less suspicion than a royal trunk.” The Queen of the Eastern Islands paused and lowered her head for a moment. Then glancing up at the servant girl, she said, “If evil befalls both Lady Elnora and me, reveal the trunk’s whereabouts only to a trusted friend. Perhaps my son Loren still has breath somewhere in this dim world and will come thither to claim it one day.”

“But, Your Majesty, surely the Lord Regent would not dare to hurt you!” The girl began weeping. Queen Maybella took her by the shoulders, fighting back her own tears. 

“Forgive us, maiden, for we allowed evil to enter our beloved kingdom. Weep not for us. If we perish, we shall go to the White City. Weep for those who remain here in this place.” The lady’s voice became intense. “You must flee the palace if we are . . .removed. This wicked Usurper will come to his undoing some day. Yet as for you, without my protection, you will be. . . . Please, you must flee. Trust no strangers, Dianna. Aryel the White Knight will return. Be strong until then.” 

(The increased power and control of the Lord Regent and his Black Guard had rendered the king and his advisors only figureheads. The royal family were little more than prisoners in their own palace. Fear of the attacks of a horrible dragon had spread like an epidemic over the citizens of the Eastern Island Kingdom of Ajar. In as much as it seemed only the Lord Regent had power over the fearsome beast, they had capitulated. Kneel or perish was his mantra. They were a free people no more. The few citizens who rebelled were killed, and so the underground resistance was born.) 

The handmaiden of the queen did as her mistress bid her. When the soldiers came to take the trunk, it appeared to be a bench or table adorned for a summer tea. Several hours later, there came shouts and then screams from the royal family’s quarters. King Elmern’s voice was commanding, but to no avail. “Do not harm my sons! Take me only!” 

A thunderous voice roared back, “Silence, you fool! If I would destroy you, why then would I leave an heir!” Following a tortuous silence, the Black Guards’ boots stomped through the halls. Then they paused behind the chapel door. The door shook from their pounding blows. The maidservant yet stayed by her mistress.



 About The Author

Judy Carlson

Judy Carlson is from St. Paul, MN. She and husband Tim have six children and 20 grandchildren and reside in Missouri. Judy has a BA in English from Trinity International University. Her lifetime passion for literature and writing and the works of C.S. Lewis and Tolkien has permeated this novel with their characteristic sense of wonder. She  wrote her first story at age nine, and has been the grand storyteller to her children and grandchildren.
Connect with Judy:


Publisher Website: www.NordskogPublishing.com



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