Editor’s Note: This exchange is part of a series of brief interviews with emerging writers of recent or forthcoming books. If you enjoyed it, please visit other interviews in the I’ve Got Questions feature.
- What’s the title of your book? Fiction? Nonfiction? Poetry? Who is the publisher and what’s the publication date?
The St. Michael Poker & Drinking Club
Fiction; Regal House Publishing; March 2020
- In a couple of sentences, what’s the book about?
The book is about faith, hope, and love. And humor. We can’t make it in this world without humor. A group of diverse clergymen gather for comradery with unexpected results. The men are tested in their own unique ways.
- What’s the book’s genre (for fiction and nonfiction) or primary style (for poetry)?
The book is Literary Fiction that features religious men, but it is not necessarily a religious book. It addresses universal truths and moral issues present in every man’s life.
- What’s the nicest thing anyone has said about the book so far?
First, I’ve got to applaud Ned Randle on his ability to create vivid characters who are clever and fascinating to watch on the page. Each of the clergymen’s lives are just specific enough to convince us of their reality, while their unique personalities offer us the opportunity to situate them as symbols of their chosen religion. It’s a great way to take a look at these religions separately, to brainstorm in which ways they can coexist and clash. Kirkus Review
- What book or books is yours comparable to or a cross between? [Is your book like Moby Dick or maybe it’s more like Frankenstein meets Peter Pan?]
Earthly Powers by Anthony Burgess. Burgess’s work addressed faith and miracles and features very human characters.
- Why this book? Why now?
We need stories to uplift our souls in this graceless age we now live in.
- Other than writing this book, what’s the best job you’ve ever had?
I was a patent, trademark and copyright attorney. I got to work with a number of interesting, creative people.
- What do you want readers to take away from the book?
That those men and women we trust to be stewards of our faith are as frail and human as we are. They suffer from loneliness and crises of faith, just like everyone else.
- What food and/or music do you associate with the book?
Beer and potato chips. The card players like their beer and Father Tom likes his chips.
- What book(s) are you reading currently?
I love the novels of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. I currently am rereading War and Peace. On the nonfiction side, I’m muddling through Caste by Isabel Wilkerson and Ron Chernow’s Grant biography.
Learn more about Ned at his website.
