Clod Makes A Friend - Cover Reveal

I’m excited to share the book cover and blurb of my new Middle Grade fantasy novella, Clod Makes A Friend! Angst cover artist Alessandro Brunelli has rendered a fun and colorful portrayal of the mischief that Clod and Ada get into. On the back cover, all the way to the left, you can make out a shadowy image of someone watching. I’m always amazed at his art and how it does an incredible job of bringing my stories to life, right down to the foreshadowing.

Clod Makes A Friend is a timely story about dealing with bullies, being a good friend, growing up, and mortality. While written for ages 8-12, there is something in this story for everyone. Pre-release readers are describing it as “wonderful,” “lovely,” and, “beautiful.”  Edited by Danielle Fine and Hugo-nominated editor Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Clod Makes A Friend will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook on March 1st, 2018. Preview copies are available on Netgalley or by request.

Best Friend Ever?

Bullies love to hate Clod. Not just because he’s bigger, clumsier, and uglier than his classmates – he’s also the only student in his school without magic. In a world where all magic is possible and everyone else is born with great gifts to do amazing things, Clod is alone.

Living with his mum in a broken-down cottage on barely enough, the only thing Clod has to play with is the clay she occasionally brings him. Bleak is an understatement. More than anything, Clod wants a friend. The only way that’s going to happen, is to make one himself.

After an angry visit from the worst of the bullies, his teacher Learned Yugen, Clod’s clay sculpture of a little girl comes to life and introduces herself as Ada. For a clay girl barely the size of his hand, she has more confidence and courage than he knows what to do with. Every adventure she leads him on gets Clod into trouble. She may be the friend he wants, but is she the friend he needs?

After many years, and too many pranks, Yugen becomes convinced that Clod is tainted by the evil slowly infiltrating the Kingdom of Pag. Especially when Ada isn’t the only one Clod can bring to life.

Clod Makes A Friend is a bittersweet fairy tale for all ages from David J. Pedersen, author of the Angst series of fantasy novels.