R.A. Moss's Blog
February 1, 2025
January 29, 2025
New Novel in June!
I've got good news to share:
My new novel TOBACCO REPUBLIC will be released by Beck & Branch Publishers in June.
THE PREMISE: What if the 13 American Colonies never united?
This alternative history is a 21st century romantic thriller with a twist. Woven into the contemporary drama are vignettes from the past that reveal the events that shaped this altered reality.
I’ll have more announcements as the pub date nears.
Thanks for your support!
R. A.
My new novel TOBACCO REPUBLIC will be released by Beck & Branch Publishers in June.
THE PREMISE: What if the 13 American Colonies never united?
This alternative history is a 21st century romantic thriller with a twist. Woven into the contemporary drama are vignettes from the past that reveal the events that shaped this altered reality.
I’ll have more announcements as the pub date nears.
Thanks for your support!
R. A.
December 31, 2021
A Forgotten New Year's Tradition: The Feast of Fools
A HISTORICAL FICTION MORSEL: THE FEAST OF FOOLS
Celebrated on January 1st, the Feast of Fools began in medieval Fran
ce and spread to most of Europe. Dating back to the Roman festival of Saturnalia, this once-popular holiday turned the table on those in power.
Peasants dressed up and lampooned the gentry. Serfs could criticize their lords without punishment. Cross-dressing and lewd behavior along with drinking and gambling were the order of the day. In some regions, a mock pope held ecclesiastical court.
Not surprisingly, as the Feast of Fools celebrations grew, so did the official backlash. In fact, most of what we know about this tradition comes from the writing of clerics and lords criticizing the holiday.
Some say the silly hats, noise makers and revelry of our present-day New Year’s festivities are an echo of the Feast of Fools. Bottoms up to that.
In my novel KING ROBIN, protagonist Robert Webber (eventually known as Robin Hood) uses the Feast of Fools celebration in London to remain incognito from Prince John’s spies.
You can read a free preview of KING ROBIN using the Look Inside feature here: tinyurl.com/KingRobinPreview
Celebrated on January 1st, the Feast of Fools began in medieval Fran
ce and spread to most of Europe. Dating back to the Roman festival of Saturnalia, this once-popular holiday turned the table on those in power.Peasants dressed up and lampooned the gentry. Serfs could criticize their lords without punishment. Cross-dressing and lewd behavior along with drinking and gambling were the order of the day. In some regions, a mock pope held ecclesiastical court.
Not surprisingly, as the Feast of Fools celebrations grew, so did the official backlash. In fact, most of what we know about this tradition comes from the writing of clerics and lords criticizing the holiday.
Some say the silly hats, noise makers and revelry of our present-day New Year’s festivities are an echo of the Feast of Fools. Bottoms up to that.
In my novel KING ROBIN, protagonist Robert Webber (eventually known as Robin Hood) uses the Feast of Fools celebration in London to remain incognito from Prince John’s spies.
You can read a free preview of KING ROBIN using the Look Inside feature here: tinyurl.com/KingRobinPreview
December 24, 2021
The Yule Log: Once a Source of Scorn
A Christmas tradition today in England, the Yule Log was once a source of scorn.
In the early medieval era, many households across England still followed druid rituals. One of these traditions was the burning of a Yule Log, kept alight for twelve days during the feast of the winter solstice. The ashes of the log were kept in the household for luck during the coming year.
In the twilight period before Christianity became dominant in England, people practicing these rituals were shunned and at times persecuted. The conquering Normans in particular, disdained the Anglo-Saxon indigenous population for maintaining what the Normans saw as pagan practices. Eventually, the Yule Log along with many non-Christian traditions, were merged into the Christmas celebrations still observed today.
In my novel King Robin, the Yule Log tradition plays a pivotal role in the identity of Robert Webber, the man who would one day be known as Robin Hood.
You can read a free preview of KING ROBIN using the Look Inside feature here: tinyurl.com/KingRobinPreview
King Robin
In the early medieval era, many households across England still followed druid rituals. One of these traditions was the burning of a Yule Log, kept alight for twelve days during the feast of the winter solstice. The ashes of the log were kept in the household for luck during the coming year.
In the twilight period before Christianity became dominant in England, people practicing these rituals were shunned and at times persecuted. The conquering Normans in particular, disdained the Anglo-Saxon indigenous population for maintaining what the Normans saw as pagan practices. Eventually, the Yule Log along with many non-Christian traditions, were merged into the Christmas celebrations still observed today.
In my novel King Robin, the Yule Log tradition plays a pivotal role in the identity of Robert Webber, the man who would one day be known as Robin Hood.
You can read a free preview of KING ROBIN using the Look Inside feature here: tinyurl.com/KingRobinPreview
King Robin
November 29, 2021
Was Robin Hood Real?
Some medieval scholars claim that variants of "Robin Hood" (Robhode, Robert Hode, and others) were simply generic terms for an outlaw. The reason? That name had been applied to different bandits over hundreds of years in England.
Other scholars argue that this indicates there once was an original Robin Hood from which these generic variants spawned. However, no one has been able to definitively establish who this original Robin Hood was... if he ever existed.
One thing is certain. As perhaps the best known tale of English folklore, the Robin Hood legend continues to find resonance in cultures across the globe even to this day.
In my novel KING ROBIN, the beloved rogue of Sherwood Forest triumphs over the ruthless Prince John and takes the throne – only to become a tyrant himself.
You can learn more at the novel's website:
https://www.king-robin-novel.com/
Other scholars argue that this indicates there once was an original Robin Hood from which these generic variants spawned. However, no one has been able to definitively establish who this original Robin Hood was... if he ever existed.
One thing is certain. As perhaps the best known tale of English folklore, the Robin Hood legend continues to find resonance in cultures across the globe even to this day.
In my novel KING ROBIN, the beloved rogue of Sherwood Forest triumphs over the ruthless Prince John and takes the throne – only to become a tyrant himself.
You can learn more at the novel's website:
https://www.king-robin-novel.com/
February 24, 2021
Judge the Best of 3 Actors Reading from KING ROBIN
Vote for the best of three actors giving table readings from KING ROBIN and you’ll be entered to win a $100 Gift Card and other prizes.
Learn more here:
https://www.king-robin-novel.com/win100
Learn more here:
https://www.king-robin-novel.com/win100
January 11, 2021
How Much Would a Robin Hood Heist be Worth Today?
Meeting the mythical Robin Hood in the forest would have been a nightmare for a royal tax collector. The financial losses could have been staggering.
The saddlebags of a tax collector’s mule might hold four to five dozen pound sterling coins. How much would that be worth in today’s economy? The key to that is cows.
Scholars tell us that in Robin Hood’s time, a single pound sterling would buy 15 cows.
So at today’s cattle prices, seizing the coins in the sheriff’s saddlebag would be like capturing a U.S. armored car carrying MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH.
The saddlebags of a tax collector’s mule might hold four to five dozen pound sterling coins. How much would that be worth in today’s economy? The key to that is cows.
Scholars tell us that in Robin Hood’s time, a single pound sterling would buy 15 cows.
So at today’s cattle prices, seizing the coins in the sheriff’s saddlebag would be like capturing a U.S. armored car carrying MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH.
December 16, 2020
Cinematic Rights Representation for KING ROBIN
I'm thrilled and honored that the cinematic rights for KING ROBIN are now represented by Kirk T. Schroder of Schroder Brooks Entertainment Law Firm PLC.
Regarding the novel's cinematic potential, story analyst James Chatterton (HBO, Anonymous Content) called it, "tailor made for a multi-season series on streaming or cable."
King Robin
Regarding the novel's cinematic potential, story analyst James Chatterton (HBO, Anonymous Content) called it, "tailor made for a multi-season series on streaming or cable."
King Robin
December 6, 2020
ARCs of KING ROBIN Now Available
Beck and Branch Publishers is proud to announce Advance Reading Copies of KING ROBIN by R. A. Moss coming February 15, 2021 are now available to qualified reviewers. To request a complimentary copy, contact the author on Goodreads or visit: https://www.king-robin-novel.com/contact
