Blog Archives
Friendships Should Be Treasured
The King and the Ogre follows a kindhearted king and his gentle ogre best friend as they investigate a group of dragons disturbing the villagers and discover things are not what they seem. What attracted you to using familiar fairy-tale characters such as kings, ogres, and dragons?
I think that such fairy-tale characters would resonate best with young readers, as these characters are often friendly, silly, and altogether familiar. Their personalities, too, are light-hearted, good-natured, and easily relatable, not just to young people, but to everyone in general. The combination of the king and the ogre as lifelong friends in particular is an unlikely and unique pairing that is not often found in such settings, one that I hope will set this story apart from others. And in a setting such as this, silly dragons, simply misunderstood, only add to such uniqueness. As an historian, I have always been interested in the medieval period. To tell a light-hearted story in a fairy tale genre that imparts an important message about kindness, caring, and acceptance has proven to be a wonderful writer’s experience.
The story encourages children not to judge someone by appearance. What do you hope children understand about people who seem different from them?
Simply put, children should embrace the beautiful diversity in the world all about them, explore the differences they discover, and not jump to hasty or quick conclusions or assumptions about others, just because someone looks or acts differently than themselves. This can be said of both the ogre Arlo and the silly dragons that frighten the villagers every year. Below the surface both Arlo and the dragons, as clearly illustrated in the book, have only the very best of intentions at heart. Every new person, every new encounter is potentially a wonderful new learning and growing experience.
The book presents friendship as something that can cross very obvious differences. What does friendship mean to you personally?
Friendship is something to be treasured, absolutely. I have met many people in my lifetime and can proudly point to a handful of lifelong friends whom I consider family. These bonds are equally important and have helped to shape my own life in positive ways. These are important connections that have been there in both good times and bad. Friendships are by no means always easy, and do require an honest and sincere effort, especially in a world that continues to become more and more complex. Friendship is a safe place where we can all go, where we can be ourselves, rejoice in old memories and make new ones with those people who mean the most to us.
Would you like to revisit King Liam and Arlo in future stories?
At present I am concentrating on the writing of another series of fantasy action-adventure novels, a trilogy in fact, though I would not completely rule out the possibility of another adventure with King Liam and Arlo in the future. I am certain that there are other important and kindly life lessons that they could both teach us.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | Facebook | Website
The King and the Ogre – A Book about Kindness, Caring and Acceptance
The King and the Ogre by William J. Birrell is a warm children’s book about kindness, friendship, and making room for people who seem different. King Liam cares deeply for his villagers, while his best friend Arlo is a gentle ogre whose strength and generosity make him an important part of the community. Their friendship gives the book its emotional center and shows young readers that someone’s appearance doesn’t tell you what’s in their heart.
The story builds around the village’s annual harvest, when everyone gathers to pick fruit from the king’s orchards. Trouble arrives in the form of dragons who swoop down each year, frightening the villagers and taking fruit. When Arlo finally catches one, the dragon explains that the dragons only wanted to join the celebration. That moment turns the conflict into a thoughtful lesson about communication, since the characters discover that fear and misunderstanding have kept them apart.
The writing has the feel of a traditional fairy tale, with a kindly king, a loyal ogre, a lively village, and mischievous dragons. There’s plenty of description, especially when the book introduces the orchards, the harvest, and the final banquet. Some passages are fairly long for a picture book, so younger children may enjoy it most as a read-aloud. The repeated focus on caring, sharing, and acceptance makes the message very clear, while Arlo’s humor and the dragons’ antics keep the lesson from feeling too stern.
The illustrations add color, movement, and personality throughout the book. Bright countryside scenes show bridges, forests, orchards, mountains, and bustling village life, while character illustrations make Arlo look large but approachable and the dragons playful. The later images of villagers, ogres, dragons, and children celebrating together give the ending a cheerful sense of community. Overall, it’s an earnest, visually inviting story that encourages children to look past first impressions, listen to others, and welcome new friendships.
Pages: 40 | ISBN : 177941143X
Myths and Legends of Antiquity
The Tale of Sir Valiant and Earl Vladimoor follows a brave knight who meets a beautiful maiden, leading them on a dangerous collision course with the Dark Earl and a battle between good and evil. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The first and only true inspiration was my partner Cathy, at the time of the original writing. I had always wanted to write a story of this nature, of a steadfast knight who braves all obstacles, evil villains and dragons alike, to rescue the fair maiden, whisking her safely away to his castle far, far away. Cathy had always been touched by my writing, and asked me to put this whole story into words, after seeing the first few paragraphs. Though our relationship did not endure, the desire to finish this story always remained.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
Apart from Cathy, much of this inspiration comes from my own classical and historical education. I have always been fascinated by both the myths and legends of antiquity, the Greeks and the Romans, the underworld, fantastical tales of knights, dragons and the chivalry of the medieval period. Further inspiration came about through the writing and rewriting of the story, the determination to create a better and more engaging tale over the years, enhanced even more by the many thoughtful and helpful suggestions of my editor through the editing processes.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
In developing these characters, first and foremost, I strove to imbue them with both admirable, but most importantly believable moral, or in the case of the villain, immoral qualities.
Those characters in the former category, while moral and virtuous to the extent that they could be in their present circumstances, honest, caring, dependable and trustworthy, were also infused to some degree with certain character flaws and shortcomings, self-doubt and self-worth as examples, that at times created an internal struggle for them in their own development.
Those characters in the latter category were likewise imbued with wholly despicable characteristics, of cruelty, selfishness, arrogance and greed, and a complete disregard for the safety or well-being of others, those who in the end held no hope of salvation. These would be such character traits that would create and almost immediate dislike amongst readers, while simultaneously necessitating the need for an ultimate triumph of good over evil.
These characters too, the good ones, at least are in part based on real life people, Cathy and myself.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Interestingly enough I had never intended to write any sort of sequel for this story, but as luck and good fortune, and inspiration would have it, I found myself very quickly through the editing process of this book sitting down and writing a follow up to this original text. Looking at the story ever closely I could see many new potential directions in which this tale could continue. At present, the draft for the next book is well underway, but with no clear definitive ending yet in sight. Depending how I choose to complete this new text, I may be able to set this up for a potential third installment.
I anticipate a second publication by the end of next year, as I do have another manuscript in the works, ready to go for later this year. I started writing it at about the same time I began this original text.
At this point all I can really say is that the fight between these two main characters is not over. The evil Vladimoor is far from remaining confined, restless in the depths of the murky underworld.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Vladimoor, obsessed with this young maiden, will stop at nothing to possess the beautiful Catherine. Thwarted time and again, Sir Valiant and Earl Vladimoor face each other once more in a final epic battle.
Only one will walk away.
The Tale Of Sir Valiant and Earl Vladimoor
William J. Birrell’s The Tale of Sir Valiant and Earl Vladimoor is an epic clash of good versus evil wrapped in a sweeping medieval fantasy. The novel follows Sir Valiant, a noble knight devoted to protecting his kingdom and his beloved Catherine from the cruel and ruthless Earl Vladimoor. Throughout the story, Sir Valiant faces not only external threats, ferocious dragons, treacherous landscapes, and relentless enemies but also his own inner struggles of duty, love, and sacrifice. The story is steeped in the grandeur of classic heroism, with vividly detailed battles, a strong romantic undercurrent, and a rich medieval setting that pulls the reader into its world.
From the first page, the book grabs hold with its intense, immersive descriptions. The opening battle between Sir Valiant and the dragon Prometheus is cinematic, filled with scorching fire, clashing steel, and a knight’s sheer determination to survive. The way Birrell describes the oppressive heat, the putrid stench of the dragon’s breath, and the weight of the knight’s armor make it feel like you’re right there in the thick of it. The prose is energetic and dramatic, sometimes bordering on overindulgent, but that’s part of its charm. It reads like a legend passed down through generations, with every detail heightened for effect. Some passages can be a bit lengthy, especially when describing settings or Sir Valiant’s thoughts, but if you love rich world-building, it’s a treat.
One of the most engaging aspects of the book is the emotional depth of Sir Valiant’s character. His devotion to Catherine is unwavering, and the way he treasures the embroidered cloth she gave him adds a touching personal stake to his battles. A particularly moving scene is when he recalls watching Catherine dance for the first time in the village square, her silver-white gown flowing with the music. This moment, alongside his vow to protect her at any cost, gives weight to his every decision. However, while the romance is beautifully woven into the plot, I occasionally wished Catherine had more agency in the story rather than being primarily a symbol of Valiant’s honor and purpose. Still, their connection is heartfelt and powerful, making his quest feel all the more urgent.
The villain, Earl Vladimoor, is a formidable and thoroughly despicable antagonist. He is the embodiment of darkness, cruelty, and revenge, always lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike. His siege on Summerton and the kidnapping of Catherine and other young women adds a harrowing level of stakes to the story. The devastation he leaves in his wake is palpable burning villages, terrorized people, and a looming sense of dread. While he’s a classic evil-for-the-sake-of-evil villain, it works well within the grand, mythical tone of the novel.
The Tale of Sir Valiant and Earl Vladimoor is a gripping, old-school adventure with heart, high-stakes battles, and a noble hero worth rooting for. If you love medieval epics, knights in shining armor, and grand quests filled with danger and romance, this book is for you. Fans of The Lord of the Rings or The Once and Future King will likely appreciate its classic, mythic tone. While it occasionally leans into overly elaborate descriptions and predictable heroism, that’s also part of its appeal—it’s a story that revels in its own legend. A thrilling, heartfelt read that will leave you eager for more of Sir Valiant’s adventures.
Pages: 224 | ASIN : B0DR5S1CCG
