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A fantasy world comes alive

by Kaye Thornbrugh For Coeur Voice
| December 10, 2018 12:55 PM

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Author and producer Jack Castle is on the film set with Nataliya Lieuallen, who plays Dr. Sophia Davenport in the “Stranger World” trailer.

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Nataliya Lieuallen as Dr. Sophia Davenport.

From his time as a stuntman for Universal Studios to the years spent serving as a police officer in Alaska, Jack Castle’s life as been full of adventure.

These days, he plays Marshal Jack, the lawman on Steam Train No. 7 at Silverwood, and also moonlights as an author of science fiction and fantasy novels, including the Amazon best-seller “Europa Journal.”

Castle’s newest adventure? Bringing a fantasy world to life.

He’s adapting his 2017 novel “Stranger World” into a short film.

“I’m putting together a book trailer using a talented director, crew and actors,” Castle said. “It’s a movie-quality trailer for the ‘Stranger World’ series.”

Castle began writing the series while his young daughter was bedridden due to illness.

“I felt helpless,” he said.

During that time, Castle remembered a storyline he’d dreamed up years before: What if the princess, pirates, creatures and other beings who roam amusement parks were real?

Though he was under contract from a publisher to write a different book, Castle couldn’t resist the pull of what would become “Stranger World.” While his daughter recovered, he wrote a chapter a day and read it to her at night.

Ultimately, Castle decided to self-publish “Stranger World” in 2017. He managed all aspects of the publishing process himself, from hiring an editor and cover designer to marketing the book.

“It was really scary,” he said. “Most people do it the other way around. They self-publish and then go with a traditional publisher.”

Castle has published three novels in the “Stranger World” series, with a fourth installment coming in spring 2019. All three books have hit the Top 100 charts on Amazon.

Though he wrote “Stranger World” for his eight-year-old daughter, Castle said he’s found that the book appeals to readers of all ages. Whether it’s on the train at Silverwood or in the pages of a fantasy novel, people long to be transported, to escape to another world for a while.

“Everybody loves that sense of disbelief,” Castle said. “They want to get on this train and go on this mythological expedition.”

He experienced some of that wonder himself, on set filming the “Stranger World” trailer. Castle said it was surreal to see his character, the “Lamppost Man” (played by Logan Foster) appear in full costume.

“I think my heart actually skipped a beat,” Castle said. “He walked right out of my brain and onto the set.”

Castle said he looks forward to sharing the story he crafted for his daughter in another form.

“I’m excited for people to get to know my daughter’s book,” he said.

The “Stranger World” trailer will debut in December.