Dear Reader, Love John Arnold

Dear Reader…

“Duck Squad” was fun to write.

I was lucky enough to have spent more than twenty years of my life with pet ducks. And they inspired the story that became my novella.

It was also inspired by a gang of wild ducks I used to see downtown. They were fearless. Human beings did not intimidate them. I would often find them sleeping in the shade – sometimes in the shadow of a bar!

And it was also inspired by duck bedtime stories I used to make up for my son.

Like a lot of human beings, I often wonder how animals look at us. So often we give them human traits. Do they give us animal traits? And what would happen if they could understand what we say? What would they have to say to us?

The story is about some renegade ducks who manage to escape a university lab. They find refuge in a fraternity house and discover that not all humans are their enemies.

The ducks get a chance to right some wrongs for themselves and their new human friends.

Many familiar stories revolve around revenge, such as “The Count of Monte Cristo.” And revenge can be sweet – especially when it’s deserved.

The book is a fantasy and an adventure and a cautionary tale, because we human beings are not the only creatures on this planet.

When you look at the book cover photo of the ducks, you’ll notice the duck facing forward looks like he knows what’s up. That encapsulates my story. The ducks do know what’s up. They are on to us humans.

So, I invite you to go on this adventure. I hope you have some surprises. And some smiles. And next time you encounter an animal – particular a duck – wonder what’s going on in that duck mind.

I do.

John Arnold

About the Author

John Arnold has had his work presented in either a reading or production at American Conservatory Theater (San Francisco) playreading series; California Playwrights Festival, Sacramento; Out and About Theater, Minneapolis; Playwrights Center, San Francisco; Sacramento Theater Company; West Coat Ensemble, Hollywood; Aloha Theater, Kainaliu, Hawaii; Moving Arts, Los Angeles; Mercury Cafe, Denver; First Stage, Los Angeles; The Theater-Studio, New York, Prince William Sound Community College, Valdez, Alaska; Theater of Western Springs, Illinois; and others. His monologue “Bit” is featured on Fourth Wall Review.com. His screenplays have been finalists in the Art Color “Digital Cinema International Film Festival, Montreal, the San Francisco Global Movie Fest, Indie Film Fest, Switzerland and the Swedish International Film Festival.

His play “Saint George” was winner of the 2016 Play Competition – Thistle Dew Theater, Sacramento. His monologue “Aunt Velma Considers Changing Religion” was part of the 2016 One Act Play Festival, Phoenix Stage Company, Connecticut.

 He is author of “Duck Squad,” “Autobiography of a Duck” and “Going Home” - available via Amazon.com.  

You can visit John’s blog at http://johnharnold.wordpress.com.

About the Book:

Title: Duck Squad
Author: John Arnold
Publisher: Createspace
Pages: 75
Genre: Fantasy

Three ducks escape from a university lab experiment and find sanctuary in a fraternity house. They discover human beings can be their friends – and enemies. Their adventures begin righting wrongs – and getting even.

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