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New Back Cover Copy for Edwin: High King of Britain

30 October 2013
Edoardo
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Categories: Edwin, High King of Britain, Northumbria The Lost Kingdom, The Northumbrian Thrones, Writing

Now my publishers, the lovely people at Lion Fiction, have had the chance to read the complete text of Edwin: High King of Northumbria they’ve written a fresh draft of the back cover copy. I’d be very grateful if you could read it and let me know what you think.

Edwin: High King of Britain | Back Cover Copy

Edwin is a king. Yet he is about to be betrayed and butchered.

Edwin, the long-exiled king of Northumbria, thought he had found sanctuary at the court of King Rædwald – his friend and now protector.

But as Rædwald faces the draw of riches and the fear of bloodshed, rumours abound that he will not hold firm to their bond.

As Edwin contemplates his fate and the futility of escape, hope is offered by a messenger from an unknown god. It is prophesied that Edwin will ascend to greater power than any of his forefathers.

Through cunning victory in battle and a strategic marriage to the Kentish princess Æthelburh, Edwin’s power grows.

But his new wife and her missionary priests bring more than political alliance. Where should Edwin look to for a power not of this earth: with their new God, or with the Anglo-Saxon gods of old? And can any power raise Edwin above all other thrones?

Edwin: High King of Britain is the first book in The Northumbrian Thrones trilogy – a riveting read seeped in the intrigues, bloody battles, and romance of the kings of Anglo-Saxon Britain.

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Acceptance notes – no.8 in a series

21 October 2013
Edoardo
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Categories: Acceptance Notes

But however nice a rejection note, it will never be as good as an acceptance, particularly one like this! Triple whammy!

Thank you for your submission.

The Elephant’s Boy – an excellent story accepted.

The Reluctant Eagle – this section does not make sense:

The Reluctant Eagle said nothing. And then he made a big mistake. He looked down again.

             “Oh no,” he said and closed his eyes tight shut.

             So he did not see Mr Fox put his long red snout right up against his ear .

             “BOO!”

             The Reluctant Eagle jumped.

If he is high up it is not possible for the Fox to go ‘Boo’ in his ear. If we can resolve this it will be accepted. [Gentle reader, it was.]

The Pigeon’s Revenge – this story is exceptional and is most definitely accepted. Have you thought about approaching film companies with regard to it being made into an animated film? I have emailed Aardman animation this morning to enquire about the method of their considering such work.

Rejection notes – no.16 in a series

21 October 2013
Edoardo
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Categories: Rejection Notes

This is the sort of rejection note that is almost as good as an acceptance!

A fun tale, Edoardo!

Unfortunately, it’s not a good fit for us at this time – even though I love a good satire!

I wish you the best in placing this elsewhere. I noticed your books above, and they sound fascinating. I do believe I’ll place them on my list.

Best,

Book review: Vanished Kingdoms by Norman Davies

20 October 2013
Edoardo
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Categories: Book review, History

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OK, I admit it, in the end I didn’t read all 848 pages. Some of the kingdoms were just too obscure, the characters too interchangeable, and the permutations too complicated (Burgundy, I’m thinking of you) to prevent my eyes glazing over. But where I did know something about the background history, Davies was downright brilliant. In particular, the chapter on Alt Clud, the Kingdom of the Rock, that endured upon the twin humped lump of granite overlooking Dumbarton for four centuries during the Early Medieval period was wonderful. It brought the old British kingdoms vividly to life, and was worth the price of the book (or at least the reservation charge at the library) on its own. So, particularly recommended for periods and places that you know a little about, and want to learn more about.

Edwin in the mail

30 September 2013
Edoardo
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Categories: Edwin, High King of Britain

It’s been a long eight months of work but this morning I sent off to the publishers, Lion Fiction, the final text for Edwin: High King of Britain, the first volume in the projected trilogy of books about the Bretwaldas of the northern kingdom, The Northumbrian Thrones. The series title was the publishers idea, but a good one – there is something very Game of Thrones-ish about Anglo-Saxon England, even down to the rumours of monsters and dragons in the wilderness (and Beowulf’s hall).

The next volume will, naturally, be about Oswald – king, saint, martyr and, according to Max Adams’ biography, prototype for Aragorn, son of Arathorn.

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Bede the Gentle-man

27 September 2013
Edoardo
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Categories: Archaeology, Northumbria The Lost Kingdom

In his Ecclesiastical History of the English People the Venerable Bede invented the very idea of England. Reading the book today, I’m struck by its generosity, its concern for historical sources but most of all by the evident kindness of Bede himself. This was a good man. I wonder if the quintessence of the ideal of England – the gentle-man – was prefigured and, in a way, preformed by the man who invented England, Bede himself. I can think of few better patterns for a nation than the man from Jarrow.

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