my stories...
... used to find their voice after a day’s safari, by the embers of a glowing fire as the distant roar of lions echoed through the African night. Above us were more stars than you could ever imagine. The spectacular beauty of wild Africa has proved an unending inspiration for me as an author. ​
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In my novels, I explore the profound love and tragedy of human’s relationship to animals and the land we share with them, a sacred bond which is perpetually under threat. I hope to transport you, from wherever you are reading, to that fire under the stars, as you join me on a journey through the African wildlife, and get to know characters that may remain in your hearts as they have in mine. ​
- Dougie Arnold
Books
The Magic Band of Five
PUBLISHING DATE 15TH MAY 2025
I have huge faith in children and young people because I believe they value nature and protecting our environment more than any generation that has gone before. I hope this story will inspire them and that they can put themselves in the position of the main characters Charlie and Lily. That is such an exciting side of writing a book like this, making the reader feel that they are actually apart of what is happening.
Add to that the special power of an amazing bronze wrist band with the footprints of the Big Five African animals that is very real and has actually been on the table next to me as I have written every page. Magic is a very over used word but …
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TUSKER
When I first started working in Kenya I have a vivid memory of trying to count the number of
elephants in a herd as they passed, there were certainly over seventy. Amongst them was one whose tusks were so long, they were close to touching the ground. Such elephants are traditionally called “tuskers” Today there are probably fewer than thirty of these giants left in the whole of Africa.
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Elephant poaching remains a very real threat. The last survey nine years ago estimated there were 415,000 in the whole continent. When I was born there were thought to have been around 5 million!
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If wildlife and nature is something you value you will love this book. You will also be helping
elephants yourself as half the net profits from sales go towards their conservation and protection.
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INVISIBLE US
It is so exciting to bring Africa and nature to young children in a really fun way. When I have gone
into schools to talk to 4-6 year olds and show them photos of the real creatures that inspired the
stunning illustrations, their reactions have been truly wonderful. They have loved trying to find them
and discover what they are.The questions have been non stop!
The story goes deeper than that though. Importantly it looks at friendship, particularly between
those who on the face of it are very different. It is lovely to reinforce how crucial that is in all our
lives.
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What is your favourite thing about writing books?
I become so engrossed in the characters I am writing about that they become totally real in my
head. Their strengths and vulnerabilities in many ways mirror those of a mixture of people I have
known in life and of course there is some of me in there too. I like them to be able to behave in
ways that allow them dig deep and believe in themselves. So often in our own lives those we know
who have real talents or ability don't have enough self belief to become the person they really are. Combining that with writing about a subject I am really passionate about, in the case of Tusker,
elephant poaching, is a strong combination and makes writing itself such a powerful experience.
Who is your favourite character in your book and why?
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My favourite character is Ana. She really feels for the world around her. As a young journalist in a
war zone she wants to tell the stories of ordinary people that so often get forgotten. Yet despite her
inner strength, her experiences get close to breaking her. How living in a remote Kenyan game
reserve helps her to overcome her fears and find herself again is a particularly powerful thread
running through the book.
What is your favourite drink to consume while writing?
Ginger herbal tea.
Do you have any bad habits while you’re writing?
I write in the north facing side of the house as the garden and sunshine on the other side distract
me. However, people are often walking by, frequently the same ones at around the same time each
day and I start to wonder about their lives. My mind is transported to imaginary homes and places
of work and if they seem interesting individuals I find it quite hard to refocus on my writing.
How did you research your book?
The fifteen years I spent living in Kenya gave me a great insight into many sides of the country.
However, I read up all sorts of additional information on elephants themselves as well as many in
depth reports on elephant poaching and its devastating effects.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Definitely a pantser. I find that plays a vital part in my enjoyment of writing. I love not really
knowing where my imagination is going to take me until I sit in front of the computer. Of course my
head is endlessly full of ideas but the outline of the story is on a single sheet of A4 paper.
Q+A ON TUSKER
All books are available to buy from online retailers including Amazon and can be ordered from all good book shops. Click Below!
Contact me:
Dougiearnoldbooks@gmail.com
