St Albans writer’s cake loving Vikings book
Added: (Fri Sep 17 2021)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Retired accountant Channing Rider believes he’s finally written one of the greatest books of the 21st century – about cake loving Vikings in space.
The 60-year-old widower from St Albans encountered several rejections from publishers because his initial Nordic raiding romance novels weren’t raunchy enough.
But the graduate of Random House Penguin’s writing school has finally gone to print with his laugh-out-loud illustrated story book, Vikings Love Fairy Cakes.
Although aimed at people like himself who are almost grown-up, Channing’s debut will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.
Channing said: “I was really inspired by the Viking Netflix Series.
“I tried to write a Viking romance novel, but publishers rejected it - it was not raunchy enough.
“I read a few published ones and was shocked.
“I wrote one more and it was still too tame.
“Eventually, I just gave up and wrote and illustrated this little book to amuse myself - I hope it makes others smile too.
“I do think Vikings Love Fairy Cakes will eventually go down as one of the greatest books of the 21st Century.”
Vikings Love Fairy Cakes follows the fortunes of a close group of Viking friends as they zoom around the galaxy encountering adventures and unexpected dilemmas.
Channing’s hugely imaginative story features fierce shield maiden Hilda and her pet sparrow, Olaf the Not so Terrible, and Harold Blood-Axe Forkbeard with his passion for sugar craft.
There’s also Malcolm with delicate ankles, lovesick Tolle, and Jeremy the pet hamster.
Channing, who continues to work part-time for a local firm of estate agents, has harboured ambitions of becoming a writer since his school days.
And the father-of-three credits celebrated novelist and essayist Ronald Blythe with planting the seed.
He explained: “I think the first person who put the idea of writing in my mind was Ronald Blythe when he came to our school.
“Ronald was a lovely and inspiring fellow.
“I tried writing young adult fiction after my wife passed away, but the result was too sad, and I put my work back in the drawer.
“Now I want to write fun books about people getting on with each other despite all their differences.
“Vikings Eat Fairy Cakes is very much like that – it is about a close group of Viking friends sailing around the galaxy, having adventures, learning about themselves, and scoffing down fairy cakes.”
Channing is currently writing and illustrating a sequel to Vikings Love Fairy Cakes.
For further information visit Amazon and search for Channing Rider, where the Kindle and paperback versions of Vikings Love Fairy Cakes are both available.
Notes to the Editor
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