Local author Scott Michael Gale introduces readers to the town of Peculiar in his first novel – Stittsville Central

(Under the pseudonym Scott Michael Gale, this Stittsville author is publishing his first novel – The Specialist: The Paranormal Adventures of Lydia Walker.)

Scott Michael Gale, Stittsville resident (his pseudonym, under which he writes to preserve anonymity and confidentiality) recently published his first novel. Having released in April, The Specialist: The Paranormal Adventures of Lydia Walker will act as the first in a series entitled The Particular Novels. The next novel in the series, currently in the deep editing phase, will be released in July 2021.

Set in a small town called Particular – a world Scott started to create in 1999 – the synopsis of the book states: “This story is told from the perspective of Lydia Walker, a 9th grade teenager living in the idyllic small town of Peculiar, where the paranormal seems like a normal thing, at least for Lydia and her friends. Lydia’s father is the sheriff of this small town and is also a protector of its secrets; he is known as a “Guardian” and this gives Lydia a unique perspective on what goes on behind the scenes that “regs”, ordinary humans, are not aware of. We can jump in and experience Peculiar through Lydia’s eyes after going through a lot of turmoil and various supernatural encounters, and now she’s embarking on a new chapter in her life that she never saw coming. This is a series filled with legendary monsters, trolls, magic, fairies, grief, loss and mysteries. So come join Lydia and her best friend Ben on their latest adventure in The Specialist – The Paranormal Adventures of Lydia Walker. “

The town of Peculiar was originally inspired by a road trip to the author’s childhood home in Paris, Ontario. “I saw children riding bikes down the old main street and soon after a big dog that looked like a wolf ran after them, my mind turned directly to a werewolf chasing them. It struck me then, it was in 1999 that it would be nice to live in this small town as a teenager and explore all of its nooks and crannies; especially if it was populated by supernatural creatures.“Another inspiration came when, on a cross the main street of StittsvilleScott observed that “some teenagers were doing what I remembered doing as a kid, biking in the woods and making their own trails. They used their imaginations as they played with sticks, pretending to see things that others couldn’t. Thus, the idea was born to create a story rooted in the supernatural. Then come many years of developing the world of Peculiar and the stories that come from this small town from another world.

Scott used his interest in folklore and fairy tales to create the story of Peculiar, from 1850 to the present day. He has even created a city map, which measures 3 ‘by 4’ and hangs on the wall in his family’s TV room. Scott’s love for the little shops in town and the outskirts of regions, such as Richmond and Munster, played a large role in the development of Peculiar. This fueled his desire to create a small town where his characters could flourish.

On his decision to write from a teenage perspective, Scott remembers his own teenage years. These were years when he felt on the verge of adulthood – which sounded scary – yet no longer considered a child. “When else could you find your first love, your first heartache, your own self, trying to prove your worth, and more?” It seemed like the right way to tell about the experiences of a new world, through the eyes of someone who was going through so much. on a regular level that throwing them into the world of the supernatural just seemed like a great choice.

During the years of Peculiar’s founding, Scott and his wife had two children. Him and his wife at the same time supporting the LGBTQ community, with Scott having written gay and trans characters in his first and second novels, and that he plans to continue doing for future novels. “Love for each other, as we are, is so important that we have to keep a clear mind to love because we are loved too much.” Scott’s philosophy is an important reminder to all, and one that he emulates in his love of his own transgender children and his commitment to inclusion in his writings.

For eight years Scott was able to volunteer in the library with Ms. Lam at Stittsville Public School, where children and teachers knew him as Mr. Scott. As he worked to help children read and read to them stories, Scott was happy to observe children’s fascination with books. “It helped the old writing bug come back.”

Stittsville Central received an email from Derek Young, who, after reading the novel, was happy to share his thoughts: “I had the opportunity to read this new book by Scott Michael Gale titled The Specialist: The Paranormal Adventures of Lydia Walker. Looks like it’s going to be a series of novels and it explores some very interesting characters in a very unusual city. Hope you get a chance to check it out. “

Scott’s first novel, The Specialist: The Paranormal Adventures of Lydia Walker, is available for purchase on Amazon and Kindle. More information on Scott, his characters, and the town of Peculiar can be found on the author’s website.