Now available on Amazon here!

What is Our Company of Fools about?

We came to the Fools’ Writing Workshop for a week of peace.

Instead, we’re fighting our demons—literally.

My friends and I are sharing the same horrific dream: hideous monsters of black smoke who show us visions of our worst fears. I worry that what I see isn’t merely a fear, but a prophecy about who I will become. I can’t tell anyone—my friends would never think of me the same, and I can’t bear the thought of their rejection. The Fools are the only ones who understand me, and I can’t lose them, not right before I go to college.

We have to stop these demons before we go our separate ways. If we can’t…will we have to face these demons alone, night after night? Will we keep living in the shadows of our worst fears, haunting us during the day?

-Leah Pool

Additional FAQs for Our Company of Fools:

What genre is Our Company of Fools?

Contemporary fantasy, with supernatural thriller / light horror elements and a dash of coming of age story.

What audience is Our Company of Fools for?

Our Company of Fools is best for teenagers and early young adults. The main character, Leah Pool, is a 17-year-old about to go to college for the first time, so teenagers in her shoes may find the novel especially relatable. If the book were a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for intense fantasy action.

Do you have a preview or excerpt of Our Company of Fools I can read?

Yes! This blog post contains a brief sneak peak from the book. Additionally, the Amazon page for Our Company of Fools lets you read the beginning of the novel.

How did you come up with Our Company of Fools?

The novel was inspired by the writer’s group I was a part of during my high school & early college years. For more on the history of the novel’s development, see this blog post about the history of writing the book.

Who are some of the major characters in Our Company of Fools?

Leah Pool (main character) is a socially-awkward teen about to head to college. She loves writing, and loves her writers’ group, the Fools. Hallie is a member of the Fools and Leah’s best friend. She is a bright ray of sunshine to everyone she meets. Other Fools and friends of Leah include Roderick, Faith, A.J., Bryce, Percy, and Cal. The Whine and the Bass, who take the form of a massive two-headed dragon, are the mysterious, fearsome leaders of the demons and the Fools’ main enemy.

Who did the cover art for Our Company of Fools?

Caleb Cole. For more details on the story behind the cover art, check out this blog post!

Is Our Company of Fools a Christian novel?

Not in the traditional sense. As with my other writing projects, I would not classify it as Christian fiction, but the themes and light allegory do relate back to a Christian worldview.

Additionally, while the book also contains elements of spiritual warfare, it is not 100% theologically accurate.

What are the theme verses for Our Company of Fools?

“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God… but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.” -1 Corinthians 1:18 & 1:27 (NASB)

“Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” -1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB)

What music inspired you as your wrote Our Company of Fools?

Imagine Dragons is the unofficial artist for this book, as many of their songs resonate with this story. Other artists/songs include: Home by Phillip Phillips, Keeping Me Guessing and Angel By Your Side by Francesca Battistelli, The Call by Regina Spektor, and We Fall Apart by We As Human. See this blog post for a full playlist inspired by the novel!

What did you learn from writing Our Company of Fools?

I learned a lot about friendship and community, lessons that were complimented by real-life experiences with my friends in my writers’ group and in college while I worked on the book. The power of vulnerability in particular is a theme that has stuck with me throughout the process of working on this book.

I also initially wrote the book to process my own struggle to let go of good things in my life in order to embrace the present. I see the Lord’s hand in the writing of Our Company of Fools because it did help me process my grief and emotions in early 2016. Returning to the book at different points over the last few years has also helped ground me during other transitions I’ve faced.

Finally, the book taught me the importance of writing for yourself before others, but also tempering that with courage to share your soul through writing with others. I wrote Fools for myself at first, then recognized the value sharing the story (which was full of my own heartache and emotional rawness, particularly in those early drafts) with others. Those who have read the earlier versions of the book have been moved and encouraged by it, in similar ways that the book has encouraged me.

Further reflection on this topic can be found at this blog post, which focuses more on how I grew as a writer through working on Our Company of Fools.