Buffalo author R.K. Gold, 26, released his new book “Lost in the Clouds” on Aug. 2. It’s about an average man who loses his life to cancer and becomes trapped in a cloud between the living and the dead. He must successfully complete seven challenges in order to sever his connections to the mortal world. If he fails, he forfeits his eternity and the consequences may be worse than death.
R.K. Gold was kind of enough to talk to Sweet Buffalo about his exciting new book.
1) Tell us about yourself. How long have you been writing?
I was born in raised in Buffalo, N.Y., but I went down south to the University of Maryland for undergrad. I received a BA in English, then took a couple years off, and I’m currently pursuing an MS in economics from UB. I’ve been writing since January 2014. It was my senior year of college and I decided it was time to actually start getting serious about my passion, instead of just daydreaming about it.
2) What inspired you to write this book?
Oh God, I have no idea what inspired me to write this book. Honestly, the rough draft only took me a little less than two weeks to complete, but as far as what inspired it– I guess I could say my dog, because I usually get all my ideas for writing when I take him for a nice long walk.
3) Why do you think readers will find this enjoyable?
I don’t know if they will enjoy it. I hope they do. I’ve received some positive feedback and reviews early on, but hmmm…. I guess they might like imagery. Since the book takes place in some sort of limbo I did my best to include specific details so the reader never felt too lost. . . then again the title is Lost in the Clouds so maybe I should’ve disoriented them more.
4) Are there any references to Buffalo in the book?
Not in this book no, unless readers think I’m comparing Buffalo to death. Oh wait you know what there is one reference to Buffalo in it. It’s very subtle. My protagonist Neville does reference a red building in the skyline that always catches his attention. That’s my nod to Louis Sullivan’s Guaranty building. It was one of the first historic buildings I became familiar with in our downtown.
5) Talk to me about the main character. It says he’s an average guy. What kind of person is he and what types of obstacles does he have to overcome?
Ha! I mean he’s just about as average as they come. Not particularly ambitious – he just wanted to live and found a way to. As for his obstacles, well in the synopsis I give a glimpse of his conflict. His challenges. Basically his tests are to sever his ties to the mortal world. He needs to leave his humanity behind if he wants to move on.
6) What will readers take away from this book? Is there a moral to this story?
I don’t know, don’t die? Okay that’s a bad joke, sorry I tend to make those. I’m not sure there is a moral to the story, my main objective when I write is to create something that isn’t boring. So if they aren’t bored the book did it’s job.
If you would like to purchase a copy of “Lost in the Clouds,” visit www.books.pronoun.com/lost-in-the-clouds/. J.K. Gold is also the author of “Just Under the Sky” and “Brinwood.”
