Finding the story in a historic treasure trove
Research & writing updates, a book event, and more...
Exile is coming! Pre-order it now!
This new historical fiction anthology features 13 authors (including me!) and will be published on November 12. Writer/editor Helen Hollick is organizing a blog tour from November 12-26 spotlighting each story. I’ll post links on my Substack Notes, and include them in my December news.
ROGUES AND KINGS - Research & Writing Update
I’ve been spending a lot of time in and around Lincoln—rather, Richard, Robin, Robert, and the Hood gang have. (I was there in 2016 and would visit again if I could!) The place looked a bit different 800 years ago in September/October 1216 when the gang was there, but I can imagine it was grand.
King John visited Lincoln a number of times during his reign, including 28 September until 2 October 1216, which figures into my plot arc for Rogues and Kings. You’re probably tired of hearing me say this, but: I need to do my homework to get the setting right.
There won’t be an Exchequer Gate (top left) in the new novel. It wasn’t built until the 14th century. The Lucy Tower (top right) in Lincoln Castle dates to the 12th century. It was two stories tall and originally built of wood. I believe it was stone well before the turn of the century. I have those details in research notes for For King and Country and will have to dig them out.
The Medieval Bishops’ Palace (lower left) was an incredible complex, but some of what remains there now dates to construction done from the 13th-16th centuries. Lincoln Cathedral (lower right) suffered major damage from an earthquake in 1185. Rebuilding began in 1192, but only the choir and eastern transept of the building were completed by the 12-teens.
If you’re interested, I’ll point you to my blog for my research notes on Lincoln Cathedral, Lincoln Castle, and the Medieval Bishops’ Palace. These locations will be mentioned in only a few lines of Rogues and Kings. That’s the historical novelist’s iceberg syndrome: only a bit of the fascinating research shows ‘above the water.’
BOOK SIGNING EVENT
Do you live in the New Orleans area? The First Annual Folsom Book Festival is being planned for December 9 in Folsom, Louisiana, 10am-5pm (times are tentative). There will be a book signing event, book readings, a used book sale, and more at the Giddy Up Coffee House.
I will have print copies of Rogue available for purchase, and may also bring Men of the Cross and Echoes of the Storm.
ON THE BLOG
Luciana Cavallaro stops by to talk about the relevancy of ancient myths to us. Check out her post “Mythology: are the stories still valid today?”
HISTFIC OUTSIDE THE BOX
Several author friends from HistFic Outside the Box are participating in a promo November 3-6. Our authors write historical fiction that combines great storytelling with diverse representations of places, times and peoples. If you like creative and unconventional, check out some intriguing tales!
In conjunction with that, the Fediverse Book Fair is happening over at Mastodon November 4-5.
What is this Fediverse Book Fair?
"...authors and publishers will post about their books, or about related subjects like research, and include the #FediBookFair hashtag. They may also run competitions or offer things like signed books."--from the #Fediverse website
Follow the #FediBookFair hashtag. (You don't have to have an account to follow.)
Until next time, happy reading!
—Char