Welfy Q. Deederhoth: Meat Purveyor, World Savior

A heartwarming story of friendship, adventure, and luncheon meats.

As a homeless runaway who finds work in a Manhattan deli, Welfy Deederhoth—orphan, product of New York’s foster care system—stumbles into a parallel world where he’s believed to be a prophesied hero: “The One in a dirty apron who leads the Brundeedle race out of Woe Time.” The pocket of this dirty apron contains endless supplies of high-tech gadgetry and low-tech foodstuff. In battle, Welfy never knows what he’ll pull from it—a floppy slice of baloney, some other edible, or a weapon that will help him and the Brundeedles survive. Uncertainly navigating New York’s streets with his friend Harlan, struggling with self doubt as the savior of an alien population, Welfy learns that “home” means something different than anything he ever expected, that he’s not as alone as he supposed, and that certain meats should be celebrated even if they’re a bit disgusting.

Author Eric Laster has spent more than ten percent of his life as a ghost, writing a New York Times bestselling YA fantasy trilogy. His greatest ambition is to wield his writing utensils much as the best deli-folk wield their foodstuffs—deliciously. Originally from New York City, Eric lives in Los Angeles, where he pens fiction and provides writing and editing services to publishing and marketing clients.