Utah Writer Named Podcast Author of the Month
West Jordan, Uta. — W.D. Kilpack III, a native of West Jordan, Uta., and author of the New Blood series of fantasy novels, was named Author of the Month by the Sinister Soup Podcast, broadcast out of Washington state. The podcast will air on Monday, April 26.
Sinister Soup co-founder, Clay Vermulm, said, “Bill [Kilpack] is a wonderful man who works extremely hard on his craft and is always open to having a discussion or offering advice to his peers.” Vermulm said that Sinister Soup is an exploration of genre fiction through the lens of literature, film “and ridiculous conversation.” According to the Sinister Soup Web site,“Our mission is to give a narrative voice to the best horror fiction, science fiction, and fantasy content of the world. Our show will also feature a monthly guest appearance episode, wherein we will dedicate an entire episode to promoting and discussing the work of an up-and-coming artist.” Kilpack will be featured in the next guest appearance. Vermulm said that Crown Prince, book one of New Blood, “is a gritty, visceral, realistic fantasy novel that will compel you to keep on reading!”
Vermulm said, “Being a part of a community is a wonderful thing. I feel especially drawn to the author/writer community. I have found it to be a warm and gracious community that is always willing to help out its fellow members. That’s why my brother, Travis, and I created the Sinister Soup Podcast. We want to be active members of our community. Our mission is to shine a light on the under-read writers of the genre fiction world who are creating amazing content and doing great things for the artistic community via outreach and collaboration.” The April 26 podcast will include an interview with Kilpack, as well as a sample from Crown Prince read by Vermulm.
Kilpack said, “As I’m sure will show in the podcast, it was a lot of fun being interviewed. Clay and Travis really play off each other, bouncing back and forth. I’m pretty good at not busting up laughing when I’m supposed to be looking ‘all professional,’ but they got me rolling a few times. I’m excited to hear the end product!” This will be the second time Kilpack has appeared in a podcast, the first being in Criticurb’s “Creativity & You,” which appeared January 2021.
Crown Prince is the first of an eight-book series centered around Natharr, the Guardian of Maarihk. He is one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr’s is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be. He adheres to his sacred duties even in the centuries since the Firstborn were forced to the brink of extinction by the Aa. Natharr still stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. He spends decades planning, even for saving the life of the newborn Crown Prince Vikari so he may one day reclaim the throne of the land where Mankind was created in the time when the Olde Gods walked.
According to RedHeadedBookLover.com, “Crown Prince is one of the most brilliant fantasy novels that I have ever had the pleasure of reading ... Kilpack is not only a phenomenal writer for his flawless ability to capture his reader’s attention, but he is also a great writer for his descriptive powers and characterization of characters which will hook his readers! ...Crown Prince is a sensational, thrilling and addictive story that will thrill you as well as entertain you.”
According to OnlineBookClub.org, “Crown Prince stands out with amazing descriptions, complex characters, and intriguing supernatural elements ... book one in the New Blood series, the storyline is incredibly promising ... the author has a flair for setting the scene and creating memorable characters ... I absolutely loved the descriptive prowess of this author ... Kilpack genuinely takes the time to help us immerse in the fantasy world, no matter if he describes a battle scene, a peaceful moment, or a mythological creature like a Hamadryad or a Manticore, he always manages to conjure the best images in our minds ... the author does a great job of incorporating the supernatural elements in a general atmosphere of myth and legend ... there was nothing I disliked about this novel ... the series has the potential to acquire epic dimensions.”
Vermulm is an author from rural Montana and currently residing in Washington state. He has “worked a plethora of jobs from farmer, to sous chef, to actor, to teacher.” He said he channels his years of experience in the service and entertainment industries into his characters, plots, and themes, so he can submit “irresponsible amounts of short stories” to literary journals across the country. He was recently a finalist for the 2020 Rick DeMarinis Short Story Contest and his story, “Bad Spirits,” appeared on filmabee.com.
Kilpack’s roots are deeply seeded in the Salt Lake Valley. He was born in Salt Lake City and raised in West Jordan, where he graduated at the top of his class from West Jordan High School, and served as editor-in-chief of the high school newspaper and twice as editor of the school literary/art magazine. After, he attended Westminster College of Salt Lake City, where he earned an Honors Program bachelor of arts degree, double majoring in communication and philosophy. He graduated cum laude and served as editor of the college newspaper. After, he earned a master of professional communication, also at Westminster.
Kilpack an award-winning and critically acclaimed internationally published writer, with works appearing in print, online, radio and television, starting with his first publication credit at the age of nine, when he wrote an award-winning poem. As an adult, he received special recognition from L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future Contest. He has been editor and/or publisher of nineteen news and literary publications, both online and in print, with circulations as high as 770,000. He received both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Westminster College of Salt Lake City, and was also a high-performing athlete, qualifying for international competition in Greco-Roman wrestling. He is a communication professor and a nationally recognized wrestling coach. He is happily married to his high-school sweetheart and is father to five children, as well as helping to raise five step-children. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he continues to live, coach and teach. For more information go to www.Kilpack.net.
