History, Etc: The First Draft

Thanks to all the subscribers who submitted questions in response to my last post.

Here is everything I can tell you about my new book, CASTLES, published in October (UK) and November (US) this year.

Including:

* Info on signed, dedicated copies

* US vs UK editions

* Special editions

* What’s in the book, which castles are covered

* What I think a castle is

* And more

This Substack is where I’ll be posting the pre-order links when they are live, along with book tour dates, competitions and much more.

History, Etc is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Stay tuned…

Dan x

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danjones.substack.com/subscribe

Here it is… the most in-depth interview I’ve done about my Essex Dogs trilogy. The brilliant Genevieve Gaunt hosted this conversation.

You will be able to listen to the full interview as bonus content on the Lion Hearts audiobook, which comes out on July 31st.

That’s read by Ben Miles. You can order it here.

Other editions!

* The Broken Binding limited, signed, numbered edition of Lion Hearts.

* The regular ‘gold’ UK edition of Lion Hearts.

* The forthcoming US edition of Lion Hearts.

* 50% off all Essex Dogs & Wolves of Winter character art (use code EATTHERATS at checkout)

History, Etc is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danjones.substack.com/subscribe

Thanks to everyone who asked questions about my new book, Lion Hearts, which is out on July 31st (and Sept 25th in the US). You’re all great. Here are the answers.

As explained in the video: I thought I’d also round up everything else you might want to know about Lion Hearts… how to get signed copies, artwork with a 50% discount, tickets for live dates, and more.

Consider this the ‘everything’ email.

PS For those who won a signed book - email me and let me know your postal address.

SIGNED BOOKS

You have options:

* The Broken Binding signed, numbered, limited edition (1,350 copies only), with sprayed edges and a special cover. Still some available. (Ships worldwide.)

* Personalised, signed copies via my local Waterstones. You need to email [email protected] and give details of what name and message you want. (UK only - deadline this Friday 11th July… as in tomorrow.)

* Signed ‘regular’ gold cover edition (A selection of indie bookshops have these - including Goldsboro, West End Lane Books, Booka Bookshop.)

50% OFF SIGNED ARTWORK

I love Ash Fields. Our creative partnership, initially to design bookstore windows for the Essex Dogs launch, has been so important to me while I’ve worked on these books. (Explained in the video in more detail.)

You can buy beautiful character art via ourtinyprints.com - use the code EATTHERATS at checkout to get 50% off the retail price.

(If you know, you know.)

We have prints of Scotsman, Romford, Darys, Squelette, The Captain and Hircent.

LIVE SHOWS & SIGNINGS

Only a very few dates this autumn, as I’m writing my Castles book. Get tickets while you can…

18 Aug - Edinburgh Book Festival (in conversation with Alice Winn)

2 Sept - Colchester Castle - IN CONVERSATION WITH ELODIE HARPER - this one is about Elodie’s new book, Boudicca’s Daughter. **SOLD OUT**

25 Sept - Intelligence Squared, Bath (in conversation with Helen Carr) - use code HISTORYETC25 at checkout to get 25% off ticket price

29 Sept - Intelligence Squared, London (in conversation with Alice Loxton) - use code HISTORYETC25 at checkout to get 25% off ticket price

2 Oct - Waterstones, London - IN CONVERSATION WITH KEN FOLLETT - this one is about Ken’s new book, Circle of Days. **JUST ANNOUNCED**

…AND COMING SOON

A couple of weeks ago I sat down for two hours to reflect on the whole Essex Dogs trilogy, history, writing and a lot more, with the amazing Genevieve Gaunt.

I think it’s the most detailed, considered and personal interview I’ve ever done - certainly on my writing and maybe on anything.

A recording of our conversation will be included as bonus content on the Lion Hearts audiobook, which is read by Ben Miles. Do please pre-order the audiobook!

You’ll be able to watch the whole thing when I drop it on Substack and Youtube next week.

Stay tuned…

History, Etc is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danjones.substack.com/subscribe

Thanks to all the subscribers for posting questions - please join up to ask next time… also for more fun, full access to all the articles in the archive, and every new post.

New book

Lion Hearts is coming soon! The Essex Dogs trilogy is coming to an end…

UK pre-order (July 31st release)

US pre-order (September 25th release)

Podcast new season

Season 7 of This Is History: A Dynasty To Die For launched this week.

Listen for free on Apple or Spotify.

Join the Royal Favourites bonus eps crew on Patreon (new thing)

Live shows

June 26th Chalke History Festival

August 18th Edinburgh Book Festival (tickets on sale in June)

September 25th Intelligence Squared Bath

September 29th Intelligence Squared London

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danjones.substack.com/subscribe

If you’d like to post a question next month, please subscribe!

Have a great weekend…

Dan x

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danjones.substack.com/subscribe

Here’s something nice for the weekend. My narration of Henry V has been shortlisted for Book of the Year (Audiobook, Non Fiction) in the British Book Awards 2025.

I know many of you have listened to the book in this format - thanks!

If you haven’t, here’s a little sample of it.

You can listen to Henry V now on all major audiobook platforms, including Spotify and Audible.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danjones.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit danjones.substack.com

I’m asked a lot what I’m reading, or what I’m looking forward to reading. Here is a look at my current stack. All of these books are available now for order or pre-order via your favourite bookseller.

Video above. More details on each below.

I’ll make one of these posts every month or so to round up what I’m reading. What’s on your TBR pile? Share your tips in the comments section…

Mark Twain by Ron Chernow

Chernow is a Pulitzer Prize winning biographer, and one of the great American historians working today. If you can’t hear the word Hamilton without humming ‘It’s Quiet Uptown’, then this at least in part his fault. Mark Twain is one of the most quotable (and misquotable) writers in the modern English canon, and the sort of titan Chernow specialises in studying.

Released 13th May. US pre-order. UK pre-order.

Mythica by Emily Hauser

Well, I thought I would experiment with filming the monthly Q&A answers live this time.

The good news is quite a few people joined and I think (hope?) enjoyed it.

(The quality of the video seems to have been quite poor, so apologies for that. I think a specific wifi issue with today, though.)

Anyway, a million thanks to all who posted questions. Please do subscribe if you want to ask questions next time.

Are there any other Substacking historians you would like me to invite to do a live interview on here? Post your suggestions in the comments and I will reach out to any particular favourites.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danjones.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit danjones.substack.com

Thank you everyone who watched this evening’s live broadcast with Lucy Worsley. Here’s the full conversation for anyone who wants to re-watch.

Enjoy!

Dan x

Loved the questions as always.

For reasons which should become obvious I had to upload this in two parts. Hope this isn’t too annoying (for you).

Part one above. Part two below.

Do please subscribe if you’d like to be part of January’s Q&A!

Merry Christmas to you all…

Dan x

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit danjones.substack.com/subscribe