A. D. T. McLellan is an author and musician based in the Macedon Ranges. The third instalment in his Horn-Horn young adult fiction series will be available to purchase online in November. He spoke with reporter Oliver Lees.
What is your connection to Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges?
I have lived in Mount Macedon and Gisborne since I was two-years-old, having moved here from London. I went to Macedon Primary School and Mowbray College, and attended Victoria University in Sunbury in the early 2000’s. I am a proud Mount Macedonian, and think we live in the best place in the world (tied with London).
When did you decide you wanted to become an author?
I started writing when I was 11, and gradually matured in my skills over the years. Particularly in my early twenties, when I couldn’t find any good books to read, I really started to rely on my own stories as a compensation. That’s when I realised I wanted to do this for a living.
Were you always intent on writing young adult fantasy?
No, in fact I am not a fan of fantasy in general. I am not fond of Lord of the Rings or Dune or anything like that. Stories strictly have to be contemporary fantasy (set in the real world) or else I feel I can’t relate to them. Because of that, Horn-Horn is more a comedy than a fantasy -the fantasy elements play second fiddle to the quirky small-town characters going about their daily lives.
Your Horn-Horn series is a real jumble of genres. How would you describe these books to a first-time reader?
I tend to describe the books as Beetlejuice meets The Simpsons meets Harry Potter. It’s choc-full of pop-culture references, filled with scientific jargon, inside jokes, slapstick comedy, pure Stephen King horror, lots of crazy twists and turns, and a million clues throughout each book in order for you to solve the many riddles featured.
It’s aimed at young adults from 13 and up, although there are plenty of fans in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, etc. I hope to entice young readers who feel like they don’t fit in anywhere — the outcasts of society, who love a good laugh and a story that challenges them.
When can we expect more from the Horn-Horn series?
There are currently two books available in the series: ‘Horn-Horn’ and its sequel ‘Horn-Horn, Cracked’. The third book ‘Stars Above Horn-Horn’ will be available strictly on Amazon from November 30, 2021. The fourth book in the series, currently titled ‘Horn-Horn’s Cow Problem’ will hopefully be out some time in 2022 or 2023.
To find out more about Mr McLellan and his work, visit: www.adtmclellan.com
