About Karliff and the Other Characters

The Karliff series of novels is a fun and entertaining trilogy about a boy and his adventures. Karliff is a wonderful boy who I'd like to have as a child. He is honest and nice to everyone. My unpublished novels include good morals and tell good stories about a boy, his family and friends. My work is representative of my attitude about life, that is, violence and fighting are unnecessary. I also am a firm believer that grown-up content is clearly inappropriate for viewing or reading by children. I also believe that peace is something very fragile that must be achieved by the human race. My work reflects my beliefs in an effective way.

I have written the novels with literary elements such as symbolism, theme and foreshadowing which are what is often found in classic literature.

Symbolism is text in a work that symbolically means something else, another deeper meaning which can state the author's political opinions, opinions about society and the like.

Theme tells the reader what the author believes is important in an indirect way, not word for word.

Foreshadowing is when literature indirectly foretells an event in the work, a hint about a future event in the story.

Who is Karliff, the main character in the Karliff novel series and what makes him so special?

Karliff is a very nice boy. He always tells the truth, as do the other characters. Karliff always does the right thing, unlike the main character in a number of other books for children. The characters never lie, cheat or steal. People like characters who are good and honest which isn't something Richard Carlson Jr. claims to have come up with. The series is full of kindness and friendship for the entire family.

Why should I buy the entire Karliff series of novels after they are published?

The Karliff series is a well-written set of novels. Written from the point-of-view of a ten-year-old (in the first book, Karliff is ten, then eleven in the next, and twelve in the last), the series explores what it might be like for a child of that age to live over the summer starting in 1981 in the southwestern United States. The series involves good role models and a plethora of good examples for kids to learn from.

Who are the other characters?

The other characters are just like Karliff in that they have good morals. Karliff's family includes his younger brother Jonathan, his mother, his father and the family cat, Jessetta. Karliff's Aunt and grandfather are also involved in the first novel in the series. A friend of Karliff, lives across the street in their cul-de-sac. The second novel involves Karliff's Aunt Mindy, Uncle Jesus and cousin Theresa.

Are there any animals in the novels?

Yes. Karliff's family includes a friendly Russian blue cat. His Aunt and Uncle's family includes a friendly dachshund. In the second novel, there are two snakes involved.

How can I be notified of publication of the Karliff novel series and when will I get my copy?

Please be patient. Richard is doing all he can (we hope) to find a decent publisher. To keep up to date with his progress, subscribe to his e-mail newsletter. He also has a blog, which is updated regularly and includes information regarding his other writing as well and other topics including his mental illnesses.

When and where do the novels take place?

The three novels take place over the summer in 1981, 1982 and 1983 respectively. The first and third novels take place in the warm city of Tucson, Arizona, in the United States where the author and illustrator have lived for over twenty years. The second takes place in Phoenix, Arizona which is very similar in climate to Tucson. The entire series includes references about living in the southwestern United States.