Eagles and Dragons - The Mixed Bag Post

The last few weeks have been like prep for a military campaign into the wilds of Dacia, or some such place.

Releasing a new book can be exhausting, a logistical nightmare. But it's also exciting, especially when early input from beta readers has been so favourable. I know it has been a long time since the launch of Children of Apollo, so I am grateful that you have stuck with me. It won't take as long for the release of Book III, I can tell you.

There are a few things I wanted to update you on.



Killing the Hydra

First of all, last week I released the book trailer for Killing the Hydra - Eagles and Dragons Book II. You can watch it right here:

If you are saying to yourself that 'most of those paintings are representations of scenes from Homer', you are correct. It is not completely unrelated to the story as you will find out if you read Killing the Hydra.

Killing the Hydra will be released this coming Friday, March 7th, in e-book and paperback on both Amazon and Kobo at an introductory special. More details to come on that…


Children of Apollo 

In the run-up to the release of Book II, I've put the e-book of Children of Apollo - Eagles and Dragons Book I on special offer until March 6th.

If you haven't read it, and if your curiosity is piqued, do be sure to take advantage and download your copy.

Is is available for FREE from Kobo at the following link: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/children-of-apollo-1

Kobo e-books can be read on their own e-readers as well as iPads, iPhones, Android devices,
computers and any other tablets. You can also get the free Kobo reading apps here: http://www.kobo.com/apps?___store=ca-en&style=onestore

Children of Apollo is also discounted to .99 cents on Amazon for Kindle e-readers HERE. I should also note that I've ensured that whenever someone purchases the paperback of any of my books from Amazon, they can get the e-book version as well, for free.

I'm really proud of this series and how it is evolving. I'm also very grateful to those who have taken the time to write a review on-line, which is always very important in helping other readers to find the books.

English Historical Fiction Authors

For the blog post this week, I was invited to write a guest post for a wonderful website called English Historical Fiction Authors.

This is a site that is well worth subscribing to if you are a fan of various periods in history. They are always posting new content by a wide range of wonderful authors. So, it is definitely an honour for me to have been invited to post.

If you are curious about the research for Eagles and Dragons Book III, you'll want to read my post called From the Sands of Africa to a Hidden Frontier in Roman Britain.

In it, I discuss the research for Warriors of Epona and how the archaeology of a little-known Roman frontier in Scotland must play a part in the story. This is a sort of work-in-progress sneak peak. 

The folks at English Historical Fiction Authors have asked me back for another post in April, so I am looking forward to that too.

That's all for now. Thank you, as ever, for reading and I'll see you on the other side of launch week!

IMMORTUI - Carpathian Interlude Part I

A while ago, I wrote a post detailing all of the upcoming historical and literary treats that I was planning on releasing in 2014. 

One of those items was a re-release of IMMORTUI, Part I of the Carpathian Interlude series.

If you haven't read this novella yet, it's a cross between historical fiction and horror.

As usual, I've paid a lot of attention to the history of the age (i.e. the reign of Emperor Augustus). I never cheat on the history!

Also, the cult of Mithras plays a big part in this story, so if ancient mystery religions fascinate you, you'll like this. 

Here is the fantastic new cover design for IMMORTUI by LLPix Photography and Design. 

If ancient history and zombies are your thing, be sure to check it out and tell others about it! It's available on Kobo and Amazon. 

This series is a joy to write and the second part is on the way! For now, here is the outline of IMMORTUI:

The Legions of Emperor Augustus have returned victorious from putting down a massive revolt among the Germanic tribes of the Danube frontier. While Rome basks in its success, a new foe is gathering in the darkness of the Carpathian Mountains. When a young boy shows up at the distant fortress of Troesmis, it falls to Optio Gaius Justus Vitalis and his centurion to investigate the horrors described by the young refugee.

It is just the beginning of a struggle between the Eagles of Rome and the undead forces of an enemy that could halt the Empire’s northern advance.

It’s Romans vs. Zombies in this first novella of the Carpathian Interlude series. Get ready for action, mystery and blood in this clash between Light and Dark. 

If you have read and enjoyed this novella do be sure to leave a review wherever you purchased it as this always helps other readers to discover the series. 

Finally, so that I can get a bit more history into this post, here are some pictures related to the story. 

As ever, thank you for reading!

Remains of the Legionary base of Troesmis,
where the story begins on the Danube frontier
in modern Romania.

Image of the 'Tauroctony' - Mithras slaying the Bull.

An ancient Mithraeum.
Mithraic rites took place in caves such as this, where
the worshipers reclined and shared a sacred meal.

If you missed the previous posts called 'IMMORTUI - Fighting the Undead', you can still read them. There are three posts on:

Roman Weapons

Roman Armour and Clothing

and

Mithras, Lord of Light

LYKOI - Carpathian Interlude Part II will be coming this Spring, so stay tuned!

Learning from Historical Fiction

This week I spent three days at a fantastic event known as the Ontario Library Association Super Conference with 5000 delegates, mostly librarians, and all of them lovers of the written word. It was brilliant.

I was there in my capacity as a 'day-jobber'. However, one of the perks of my work is that once a year I can shrug my cubicle for a few days to interact with a group of people whom it is a privilege to know.

Librarians know their stuff and are some of our most precious community resources. They help patrons of all ages with an infinite number of valuable things like research, job search, small business startup info, early learning etc. etc. The list goes on.

One thing they are very good at is readers' advisory. Sometimes people just don't know what to read, so they ask the librarian.

That seems like a regressive statement in the face of all they do, but to a writer and lover of fiction it's highly relevant.

While sitting in one of the crowded corridors between sessions, I bumped into someone who also happens to be an Eagles and Dragons fan and avid reader of historical fiction.

Big shout out to Jim!

We got to talking about historical fiction, of course, and some of our favourite reads. During our talk, he reminded me of something that I sometimes take for granted.

He said that historical fiction a wonderful way to learn about, and teach, history.

EUREKA!

This stuck with me afterward, resonated in my mind for the rest of the day. I remembered that this was one of the reasons I began writing historical fiction.

Historical Fiction is, if done well, the BEST way to learn about history. I believe that.

Take the Roman world, for example. I've been researching that period and writing in that world for years now. I think in that space and time so much that the lines between present and past become a little blurry.

And I love it!

But for the average person who doesn't know much about the Roman world, or the lives of people in ancient Rome, reading a work of historical fiction can be a very rich, rewarding and entertaining experience.

It can be far more engaging that the sad dry lectures of, I'm sorry to say it, far too many school and university educators who only end up turning students off of history.

Reading a well-researched work of historical fiction can teach the reader about everything from home life and food to politics, warfare and the events that shaped the world. You can get inside the head of a Caesar, or a slave.

The fact that historical fiction helps to connect you with the past on a visceral or emotional level, only helps to cement your knowledge even more. 

But therein lies the great responsibility of the author of historical fiction - the author has the power to shape people's vision of the past, especially if their book is the reader's only exposure to history.

However, ancient and medieval history have come down to us with more holes than a gladiator's sparring post. So there will always be a need for the author to fill in the gaps.

I always try to do that honestly and make sure to say so in the author's note.

One of my greatest joys has been when a reader told me they learned so much about Roman history and life by reading one of my books. That made me feel fantastic.

I also felt good because I could rest easy in the knowledge that I had done my research so that someone could learn about the past in an accurate and entertaining way.

Historical fiction is indeed the best way to learn about the past. I know that owe much to authors such as Steven Saylor and Colleen McCullough for their brilliantly researched and written work. For those, and other novels like them, I'm grateful.

So, if ever there has been a historical fiction novel that helped to enlighten you and switch you on to history, no matter the period, be sure to let others know.

As ever, thank you for reading.

Myth of the Marquee Character

Julius Caesar

Two weeks ago, I wrote about what I look for in historical fiction as a reader.

This week, I wanted to touch on something that I’ve discussed on several occasions with fellow writers, agents, and fans of historical fiction: the idea of the ‘Marquee Character’.

When I speak with true fans of historical fiction, I often find that they don’t read because there is a big name of history in the book. More often, they pick up a book because of the period in which it takes place, and because they like the premise of the book.

I’ve read a lot of historical fiction and seen a lot of historical movies that don’t feature marquee characters.

This reminds me of something a New York literary agent once said after reading my full manuscript. It went something like this:

“Your story and historical details are great, but you just don’t have a marquee character. People would rather read the hundredth novel about Julius Caesar than a book about some emperor they don’t know anything about.”

Alexander the Great

Another agent some months later told me this: “I like the story and your writing. When you’ve finished your Alexander (the Great) novel, definitely let me know.”

At the time those statements were infuriating. I was being told I had a good story, good style, good history, but then ‘no marquee character’!

Of course now, it’s all water under the Roman bridge. I’ve learned a lot since then, grown as a writer and a reader, and had the chance to speak with, and read books by, many other wonderful writers.

The lesson I’ve learned is this:

When it comes to historical fiction/fantasy, it isn’t the presence of a marquee character that draws readers in and makes them remember a book long after they’ve finished. It’s the historical period and the manner in which the story is told.

‘Hold on, one second!’ you might say. ‘If there is a book about Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar, I’m much more likely to pick that up than any other.”

That’s true to an extent. Especially for readers new to historical fiction. Certainly, I take notice when a new book about Alexander or Caesar comes out. They are the celebrities of history and we can’t get enough of celebrities, can we?

Of course we can. If anything, I’m even more choosey when it comes to books about the biggies of history simply because there are so many books about them and I don’t want to waste my time. I don’t want to read about the same person over and over again. I know what happens.

It’s the period and how the story is told that will draw me in.

I think that the absolute need for a ‘Marquee Character’ is a total myth.

The Roman Empire
A 'Marquee' Period

How about a ‘Marquee Period’ instead? And that will be different for each reader.

We all have our favourite periods of history in which we prefer to read, write or watch.

As I’ve said before, time is precious. When I picked up a book about Hannibal (a marquee character, to be sure) I had to put it down because the story did not accurately portray the period or world through which Hannibal was moving. What I wanted was a story set in the time of Carthage’s struggle with Rome, and I didn’t feel that I got that.

There are numerous books in which main characters are ‘nobodies’ in history – soldiers, whores, farmers, sailors, widows etc. etc. It doesn’t matter, really. They all have stories to tell.

A Roman Woman

Gene Wolfe’s Latro in the Mist is about an unknown Latin mercenary who fought for the Persians in Greece. Gillian Bradshaw’s The Sun’s Bride is about an unknown Rhodian sea captain who is chasing pirates in ancient Greece. Steven Saylor’s Roma Sub Rosa series’ fictional protagonist is Gordianus the Finder. In the latter series, Caesar is never more than background. It’s the period that Saylor is writing in and how he brings it to life that makes it such wonderful reading. You can read my interview with Steven HERE.

As far as writing, I’m a big believer in writing the story you need to write. Yes, I have started my own Alexander trilogy, but that‘s more because I have a particular story of Alexander that I want to tell, a story that hasn’t been told. In that project, my main character isn’t anyone important, a horse breeder’s son. But his story is taking place in a period of history that is exciting.

Medieval Peasantry

Whether a period is a ‘marquee period’ depends entirely on the reader and writer and what they want.

Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Medieval Britain and France, Renaissance Italy etc. etc. etc. – all of these periods may be ‘marquee’ to one person but completely uninteresting to another.

I guess what I’m finally saying is this:

Writers: write the story you want to write.

Readers: read the stories you want to read.

Everyone: explore the past beyond Alexander and Caesar. Get to know the nobodies of history, and in so doing, get a better understanding of it.

Thanks for reading. 

My Ideal Historical Fiction

On this blog I’ve written a lot about different periods of history, archaeological sites, historical people, and my own journey in writing historical fiction. I’m a writer and historian, after all. This is my virtual crate of amphora on which to stand.

But I’m also a reader who loves the genre (and variations on it), and I’m a Taurus, which I’ve been told makes me very stubborn and opinionated. Perhaps just a little.

And why not? I read what I like and make my reading decisions carefully. I don’t have the extra dosh to burn and more importantly, time is precious.

In writing my own books, I’ve discovered what I really like in historical fiction. ‘Write what you know and love,’ as the saying goes. Ok, so I’ve tweaked that saying a little.

I’ve been reading historical fiction/fantasy for a long time now. Writing it too.

So, here are the things that I (Adam) am looking and hoping for when I pick up a new work of historical fiction:

I – Historical Period

We all have our favourite historical period(s). I’m not going to pick up a novel set in any historical age.

I like ancient Greece and Rome (obviously!) and the early Middle Ages, in Britain and Europe in particular. I love the Arthurian period, or rather the ‘Dark Ages’, that bridge period between the classical and medieval worlds. If a book takes place in this broad span of time, I’m interested.

That’s not to say I don’t have any interest in the Renaissance or Victorian ages, for instance. There is much to be learned from all history. It just means that as far as reading, I prefer those mentioned above.

II – Voice and Writing Style

This applies to all reading, but it’s so very important that I thought I should include it here. Before buying something, I’m going to download a sample or read a few pages to make sure I like how the author is saying what he or she has to say. I need to ‘click’ with the author and their style, and this could vary from series to series by the same author.

For example, I loved the Dream of Eagles series by Jack Whyte (Camulod Chronicles in the US). It remains one of the best series I’ve ever read. However, when it came to Mr. Whyte’s Templar series, I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t go beyond book one. It’s very subjective, but I have to love an author’s voice and style.

III – Battles and One-on-one Combat

My main area of interest and study for ancient and medieval history has always been warfare. I was never overly interested in the codes governing the Benedictine order of monks, for instance. Therefore, one thing I do enjoy reading about is battle on a large or small scale.

Not only do battles add some nice action to a novel, they can also be turning points in stories (in history!) that have far-reaching consequences for the characters, and sometimes the world. I love the upheaval a battle causes in a story and, well, they are just plain cool!

IV – Heroes and Heroines

I want a hero or heroine that I can relate to. They have to be someone that I want to root for, someone for whom I will be utterly sad when they experience tragedy. This may seem obvious – after all, this is at the heart of good storytelling – but there have been many instances in which I didn’t care about the hero one way or the other.

My preferred heroes and heroines must go on some kind of journey. They must learn and achieve something, and in so doing, inspire me, the reader. If you want to read more about this, check out my previous post The Hero’s Journey.

V – Romance

Hey, it’s not all about blood and guts. Some of the greatest stories in history have to do with great love affairs. Love is a goddess that has governed the hearts and minds of people for ages and cannot be ignored.

If I read a book that is all action, and blood, and tragedy, I don’t feel fulfilled. I won’t be satisfied with my read. And don’t think that having your main grunt head down to the local brothel to make googoo eyes at his favourite whore is sufficient. That’s not romance, that’s lust and a bit of titillation. Some sex is good by me. Why not? Let’s have fun! But I prefer that a writer leaves the cubiculum door closed most of the time. Let the reader’s imagination fill in the blanks. There is a time and place. There is erotica and there is historical fiction.

I’ve touched on this in an older post, Oh,Behave! Read that to find out about an embarrassing episode of mine in a writing workshop. Ouch!

In all seriousness, I’m talking about a true connection between a man and a woman, the real deal for which one would willingly die. I’d say all the great stories have Love at the heart of them.

If a book doesn’t have this element, at least in some measure, then I’m likely to leave disappointed.

VI – Pacing

There has been a lot of talk about action-packed page-turners lately, that this is the way to captivate an audience and garner readers. I agree to an extent, but when a book is just page after page of action, slaughter and mayhem, I find it exhausting.

I don’t want to be exhausted. I read fiction for relaxation.

By all means get in some good action sequences. Stir things up. But, as a reader, I want things balanced out with something soothing, or scary etc. In my opinion, if the words and setting are well-chosen, it’s ok to be still. Balance is everything.

VII – Research

This is what sets historical fiction apart from other genres. It usually requires more research than other genres because the writer needs to transport the reader to another age.

To me, the books I pick up are time machines. I want to escape. I want to live in another period of history, and for that to happen the research needs to be meticulous.

But here’s the rub: the historical details of the time and place have to take a back seat to the story itself. This is tricky.

When I first started writing, the historian in me was front and centre. My brain wanted to purge every single historical detail onto the page. I was beating my readers over the head with history lessons disguised as fiction.

Then I toned it down only to be told that I needed more description. It’s a sharp sword edge to walk along. I’ve found that it helps, before writing, to immerse myself in the history of a period and become familiar with everyday details and objects. Then, when I begin writing, I focus on story and the history (and archaeology) adds texture to the story.

I was reminded of this recently by Stephen King. I’ve been reading his fabulous book On Writing and in it he says this:

“When you step away from the ‘write what you know’ rule, research becomes inevitable, and it can add a lot to your story. Just don’t end up with the tail wagging the dog; remember that you are writing a novel, not a research paper. The story always comes first.”

That’s great advice and it took me a long while to get that as a writer. Lately, a reader e-mailed me to say that she had read Children of Apollo and learned a lot about the history and world of ancient Rome without even noticing. I was really happy about that e-mail. It took me a while (and many drafts) to get there, but it was certainly worth the struggle. As a reader, I want exactly that too.

VIII – Description

A lot of readers and writers are down on description and think that it’s boring.

I love description in a novel and I don’t mind it being lengthy if it is beautiful and really does transport me. If someone is writing a story set one or two thousand years ago, you need description to transport the reader. Otherwise, why read historical fiction?

I started reading a book about Hannibal a few years ago. It had sounded amazing to me and I couldn’t wait to get into it. But, I was very disappointed when it became obvious that the story could have been taking place in any century. Sure, perhaps the writer developed the character of Hannibal psychologically, but what about Hannibal’s world? I got tired of the book and didn’t even finish it – a rare occurrence indeed.

For me, description adds beauty and gives the reader a richer sense if his or her surroundings. A couple of examples of wonderful description that spring to mind are John Cowper Powys’ descriptions of Wales in his massive book Porius, and the brilliant, dreamlike descriptions of the Underworld, or Hades, in Alice Borchardt’s The Silver Wolf. There was a lot of description in these novels and I loved every word.

Description, to me, is especially important when taking a reader to a period, and place, with which they are not altogether familiar.

IX – Religion

When it comes to religion, especially pre-Christian religion, many writers steer clear and play it safe. Perhaps this is because it’s unfamiliar, controversial, or even uncomfortable.

I feel very strongly about this because in the ancient and medieval worlds, Faith was often foremost in people’s minds. I’ve covered this before in the post Writing Ancient Religion.

If a writer tells a story set in ancient Egypt, Greece or Rome, for instance, and then leaves out religious beliefs and practices or even the smallest of what we might call ‘superstitions’, it does a great disservice to the reader.

A writer owes it to a reader to give them the full picture, or as close to it as possible. There is a lot that we don’t know about ancient religious practices, but that can be a good thing. Where there are gaps, we can approximate, make an educated guess. You can even make it up and then say so in the historical note at the end.

The ancients believed that the Gods were involved in, or affected, all aspects of their everyday lives. As a result, people were constantly ‘interacting’ with their deities whether by making offerings, erecting statues, or praying etc. etc.

In his book, Latro in the Mist, author Gene Wolfe has gods, goddesses, nymphs and other such beings coming in and out of the story, interacting with Latro. Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, and The Adventures of Oddyseus series by Glyn Iliffe are all great examples of historical fiction/fantasy that let the Gods in through the front door. As a result, I found reading those books to be a wonderfully rich experience.

The majority of people today may not be very religious or faith-driven, but in the ancient or medieval worlds, most were. I really believe that should be reflected in historical fiction.

I could probably add a few more points to my list above, but in truth that would be overdoing it. It is rare that I find a book that has every one of the nine elements that I’ve noted.

However, when I do find a book that does have all of those things, it certainly is one that I shall never forget.

But this is just my personal list of what I look for in historical fiction as a reader.

If you have something different to add, I’d love to hear about it.

What is the makeup of your ideal work of historical fiction?