Longtime Shoreview resident Merrill Morse’s new book “Torgar, Santa and the Marshmallow King” follows three elves who get kicked out of the North Pole for bad behavior but make their way back into Santa’s good graces after going through a journey that includes a bit of everything.
Recently, Press Publications sat down with Morse to learn more about him and his new book.
Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A. I was raised in rural South Dakota, baling hay, feeding cattle and working in a grocery store. I went on to become a bellboy in a German hotel, a banana picker in Israel, an English teacher in Japan, a stay-at-home dad and a business owner with a Ph.D. in theology, now trying to retire.
Q. Is this your first publication?
A. Besides articles and academic publications, I have written a book on the Psalms and one on the prophet Isaiah, along with “How to Clean a Deer with a Cell Phone” – a story in a Minnesota Whitetails Magazine (December 2018).
Q. Where did your inspiration come from for this book?
A. I honestly have no idea — maybe elves?
Q. How did you come up with the characters? Are any of them based on real people?
A. As far as I know, none of these characters exist outside the book. They just snuck into my head and wouldn’t leave. But then, I have long loved imaginary figures in movies and books. Probably Disney’s fault.
Q. How did you make the story both fun and educational?
A. Two of the characters— Dringvold and Tripsy— are kind of comic-relief characters, both charming and irreverent. Another, Dreamelda, is the voice of reason and moral guidance.
Q. How did you find your illustrator?
A. Beaver’s Pond Press, the publisher, provides a list of artists to choose from so an author can find a fit for their vision. I had the good fortune to be connected to one of the best, Darcy Bell-Myers, from Stillwater.
Q. What was the process like working with them?
A. It was educational, enjoyable and mutually gratifying as we worked together envisioning characters and scenes.
Q. What was the biggest challenge you faced when writing this book?
A. Learning about and navigating the “metadata” (publishing details) and technological demands for a website, publicity, marketing and more.
Q. What message/lesson do you hope children take away from your book?
A. First — enjoyment, along with a sense of the ups and downs in facing challenges, as well as being honest, taking responsibility and experiencing reconciliation.
Q. Where can people find your book?
A. It can be ordered via the book’s website, www.mpmorse.com, which includes ordering tabs for itascabooks.com and Amazon. It would also be available at the Roseville Barnes and Noble bookstore and via numerous online distributors.
Q. Anything else you’d like to add?
A. For book readers: It is very difficult for new authors to get their works into the book sales system. Encourage libraries and booksellers to support them.
— Compiled by Madeline Dolby