I should have posted about this before, but I’m appearing at the Historical Novel Society’s conference, which is taking place in Manchester, this coming Sunday, the 17th. Please come along if you can! Have a look at the details here.
The theme will be distinctly martial with me, Harry Sidebottom, Douglas Jackson and Robert Low (he of the excellent Viking Oathsworn quartet) taking part. It’s been linked in with the Manchester Lit Fest – and Bernard Cornwell is appearing the night before. I’d love to go, but I’m heading out for dinner with all of the above. No swords, axes or knives are allowed!
On another note, my editor has today given me the thumbs up for Soldier of Carthage. A big phew! It needs a few tweaks, but nothing more than a few hours work. Now for a little break before I get stuck in to the next one, Legionary.
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How did this go then?
any good tales to share?
It was great, thanks. Had a very convivial dinner with Harry Sidebottom and Jim Gill, his agent, Douglas Jackson and Robert Low. A late add-on was Robyn Young (Templar trilogy) who was at the Manchester Lit. Fest. with Doug. Plenty of good food and drink was consumed. More than that I could not say!
I was invited to the oxford union society with bernard cornwell on the tuesday, he was brilliant! have you met him before? do you think many historical fiction writers owe a bit to him?
@Fabitaromunass – sounds great! I was sorry to miss BC at the Manchester Lit Fest recently. I haven’t met him, unfortunately, no. One day! I think lots and lots of HF writers owe a lot to him, yes. When I was about to start writing my first book, I re-read the first few Sharpe books to check out the style and dialogue etc., hoping to be inspired. Some of it appears to have rubbed off, I think!
I love how Sharpe was inspired by Hornblower and now he’s the one doing the inspiring! Can’t argue with Sharpe. I think i’ve re-read the first three india books four or five times now. HF books seem to be about British history less and less these days in my opinion, do you think that’s because it’s Bernard’s territory and he’s the daddy? do you see yourself ever dipping into that area?
@Fabitaromunass: I’m not sure – what about Alexander Kent’s books, and the resurgence in civil war novels in the last couple of years? I do see myself possible dipping in to that area at some stage, yes, possibly with an Irish twist. Couldn’t possibly say which time period though 😉