Historical Novel Society Conference 2024!

Welcome to the first in the series of interviews we conducted with the authors and guests at the HNS Conference at Dartington Hall this year. Keep an eye on our podcast feed AND our YouTube channel for more in the coming days from the likes of Bernard Cornwell, David Gilman, MJ Porter, and Diana Gabaldon.

Historian Dr Ian Mortimer spoke to us in this episode just before delivering the after dinner speech at the conference. We chatted about his books (like the Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England), music to write battles to, and an interesting tip on how to feel close to the period you're writing about. https://www.ianmortimer.com/

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Find out more about the Historical Novel Society (and become a member) here - https://historicalnovelsociety.org/

Clive Mantle starred as Little John in the 80s classic series Robin of Sherwood. You might well also have seen him as Great Jon Umber in Game of Thrones, Simon Horton in The Vicar of Dibley and Mike Barratt in Casualty. He has also narrated over 180 audio books, and voiced animated characters, including Gator in Thomas the Tank Engine.

As if that wasn’t enough, Clive is also an award winning author. 'The Treasure at the Top of the World', the first in the Freddie Malone series of books, was released in 2018 and won the People’s Book Prize 2019.

Welcome to RPS, Clive!

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A classic episode from 2023 when our guest was Dr Joanne Ball! Joanne is a Roman archaeologist and battlefield archaeologist based at the University of Liverpool, with a PhD in Archaeology on the subject of Roman battlefield archaeology. 

She is a regular contributor to several magazines focused on ancient history and was co-editor of Ancient World Magazine. And is soon to have published the Publius Quinctilius Varus: The Man Who Lost Three Roman Legions in the Teutoburg Disaster.

Welcome to RPS, Joanne.

Kate Quinn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. A native of southern California, she attended Boston University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Voice. She has written four novels in the Empress of Rome Saga, and two books in the Italian Renaissance, before turning to the 20th century with “The Alice Network” (a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick), “The Huntress,” “The Rose Code,” and “The Diamond Eye.” All have been translated into multiple languages. Her newest novel, The Briar Club, tells a powerful story of female friendships and secrets in a Washington, DC, boardinghouse during the McCarthy era. It is out in July 2024. 

Kate is one of the headline speakers at this year’s Historical Novel Society Conference in Devon, UK and we are both looking forward to meeting her in person in September, but until then, welcome to RPS, Kate Quinn.

Useful links: https://www.katequinnauthor.com/

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Shauna Lawless burst onto the fantasy scene in 2022 with her debut The Children of Gods and Fighting Men, the first book of the Gael Song series, which was nominated for Best Fantasy Debut by the British Fantasy Society and went on to win The FanFiAddicts Award for Best Traditional Debut.

The sequel, The Words of Kings and Prophets was released in September 2023. 

The final book, The Land of the Living and the Dead, will be published in September 2024.

Welcome to RPS, Shauna. 

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D. V. Bishop is the author of the award-winning Cesare Aldo historical thrillers set in Renaissance Florence.

The Aldo novels have won the Crime Writers’ Association Historical Dagger and the NZ Booklovers Prize, been shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, and longlisted for many more awards.

The newest novel is A Divine Fury and is published on 20th June 2024! https://dvbishop.com/

David was also the editor of the Judge Dredd Megazine and 2000AD at one point - that's right, he was literally Tharg. Thrill power overload in this episode!

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Today Matthew interviews Steven and they discuss Sword of the Saxons, book 2 in the Alfred the Great trilogy.

Vikings, great battles, Athelney, and, most importantly, did Alfred burn the cakes?! Find out in this episode and be sure to buy the book HERE.

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We've been invited to cover the 2024 Historical Novel Society conference this year as the official roving podcasters! Bernard Cornwell, Diana Gabaldon, Kate Quinn, and loads more huge names in historical fiction will be there and we can't wait to bring you all the news and gossip from the event. Find out more in this short bonus episode!

You can also find out more at the HNS website -

https://hns2024.com/

If you would like to help us with our running costs, and get exclusive bonus episodes every month, a free copy of our book, Tips on Writing, Publishing and Marketing your Book, and other cool perks, check out our Patreon page.

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Check it out, and be sure to buy your copy of DARK FRONTIER!

Buy now: https://mybook.to/HarffyDarkFrontier

If you would like to help us with our running costs, and get exclusive bonus episodes every month, a free copy of our book, Tips on Writing, Publishing and Marketing your Book, and other cool perks, check out our Patreon page.

Mark also gives piano lessons online HERE

Ard Bandcamp page

Winterfylleth Bandcamp page

Ard Lindisfarne Mead bundles

Youtube video of Winterfylleth performing "The Hallowing of Heirdom", one of their most beautiful songs. 

Theme music by Steven and Matthew. The short piece of music at the outro is Steven's attempt at doom metal!