Q&A with Thomas Locke: Why are You Using a Pen Name?
Why are you using the Thomas Locke pseudonym for your upcoming fantasy novel, Emissary?
Emissary is book 1 in a three-book series called Legends of the Realm. This series and an upcoming techno-thriller series for the mainstream market will carry the Thomas Locke pen name.
When you pick up a Thomas Locke book, do not expect an evangelical story. Instead, these stories harken back to what J.R.R. Tolkien did with The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien was a survivor of the trenches in World War I. When war returned with World War II, the darkness he saw was difficult for him, personally. He felt as if the world had not healed.
In The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, he offered a new concept of lore that acknowledged the grip of war, the darkness people faced that had to be combatted, and the courage that was required.
That is precisely what I am trying to do in the Legends of the Realm series. I’m not putting forth a Christian message for believers. I’m creating a new kind of story that includes the positive aspects that come from our life walk: courage in the face of hardship. Growth. Change. The story is intended to draw in a mainstream audience. I would love for my current readers to be fascinated by this new direction I’m taking. But Emissary is not intended to be another Davis Bunn book.
What is the significance of Thomas Locke?
Thomas is my legal first name, and Thomas Locke was the first of my ancestors to immigrate from Wales to the United States. He was a cabinet maker – a skilled laborer who took a gamble by starting a new life in a distant place.
Thomas Locke’s grandson was Francis Marion, a military officer in the Revolutionary War known as “Swamp Fox.” In the movie, The Patriot, Mel Gibson plays a character loosely based on Francis Marion.
I have always admired the adventuresome spirit of my ancestors, and I hope these new adventure stories will honor the Thomas Locke name.
More Q&A
The discussion continues on my Thomas Locke blog. Check out these posts:
How do you hope to encourage EMISSARY readers?
What is “epic fantasy for modern readers”?
Who are your favorite fantasy authors?
Emissary Reviews
The first reader reviews of Emissary are in! Click here to see what they’re saying.
