Finding the Throughline with Kate Hanley

[Octavia Randolph, practical matters]: An amazing writing process that starts outside at 6 am + Independent publishing vs. self-publishing Ep 1110

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This week I’m talking with Octavia Randoplh, a prolific and wildly successful author of historical novels and essays. She’s best known for her Circle of Ceridwen saga, a meticulously researched series of 11–soon to be 12–books set in 9th century England and scandinavia.


Octavia now makes her home on Gotland, a small island off the coast of Sweden in the Baltic Sea where some of her novels are set and which was an important way station for the Vikings as the traveled East and West from Scandinavia.


She is also a devoted needleworker and mosaic artist, and an unabashed cat person.


We covered:


- Why ‘Viking’ isn’t really the right word to describe the people from Scandinavia who explored far and wide a millennia and a half ago


- How a fascination with physical artifacts from England’s early history put her on the path to be a historical fiction author


- How she found her way to massive publishing success despite having great agents and getting only rejections from traditional publishing houses


- The difference between self-publishing and independent publishing–and a peek inside the cast of folks who make it possible for Octavia to edit and publish her books


- How a daily morning walk forms the basis of how she gets her writing done–that, and talking to herself as she writes


Visit Octavia at octavia.net, or on the Circle of Ceridwen Saga private Facebook group.


For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.


Thanks to this week’s sponsor, Air Doctor Pro. Visit airdoctorpro.com and use code KATE to save 30% off an amazing indoor air filter *and* receive a free three-year warranty (an $84 value).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Finding the Throughline with Kate HanleyBy Kate Hanley
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