Deborah Swift's Blog, page 26
September 5, 2017
10 tips for Editing Historical Fiction no.8 ‘Suddenly’
It must be a month ago that I started thinking about writing a blog post on the difficulties of writing about sudden events, which was something highlighted by Hilary Mantel in her Reith Lectures. In the meantime I’ve been on holiday in walking in Wales, and with historical fiction writers Carol McGrath and Jenny Barden […]
August 15, 2017
This Deceitful light by Jemahl Evans #HistFic
Having read The Last Roundhead, I didn’t think Jemahl Evans could produce a better book, but This Deceitful Light is a tour-de-force. His character Blandford ‘Sugar’ Candy sits right up there with Rose Tremain’s Merivel as one of the great creations of a seventeenth century man. Opinionated and rascally, Candy gives us his take on the […]
July 19, 2017
Launch Day for Hostage to the Revolution by Diane Scott Lewis #18thC
I’m delighted to welcome Diane Scott Lewis today as she launches her latest book. Diane and I met a few years ago at the Historical Novel Conference in St Petersburg, Florida. Here’s Diane to talk about how she was inspired to write Hostage to the Revolution. A few years back I visited Cornwall, England, and toured […]
July 14, 2017
Cabinet of Curio-stories – A Viking Slave Collar
Today I welcome Ken Hagan who writes historical fiction set in the age of the Vikings. Here, he explains how an artefact from a museum inspired his story. Dublin was the hub of the Slave Trade in 10th Century Europe For the Norse kings and warrior merchants of Dublin, overseas trafficking of war captives was a […]
July 11, 2017
A German powder compact causes trouble in #WW2
Today I welcome author Clare Flynn, who I met at the Historical Novel Conference where we were both helping out stuffing goody bags for all the delegates. Clare is going to talk about how one particular object speaks to the themes in her new WW2 novel, The Chalky Sea. The German Powder Compact The Chalky […]
July 9, 2017
10 Tips for Editing Historical Fiction. No.7 Detail
When my agent sent off my first manuscript to publishers I had high hopes. Yet it came back with a slew of rejections before it found its publisher. One of the rejections said ‘overwhelmed with period detail’. Another said, ‘not enough period detail.’ Clearly, different editors had different expectations about the amount of detail a […]
July 4, 2017
Tuesday Treat – Bargain UK Historical Fiction #99p #TuesdayBookBlog
Found these whilst browsing – Ten fabulous historical reads all at 99p today only plus two of my own young adult novels, also at 99p. Must be something there that appeals to you. Click the books to buy.
June 23, 2017
Historical Fiction – recent excellent reads #GreatBook
My recent reading. Historical Fiction recommendations. As you know, I read widely, and here are some books which are definitely worth your time. All are beautifully written. Click the title for the UK buy link. The Anchoress This is a contemplative book aimed at young adults. Its powers lie in the description of life as a […]
June 11, 2017
Ten Tips for Editing Historical Fiction No.6 Status
Writers of historical fiction are often concerned with the relationships between servants and masters (see this post) because your rank was extremely important in previous centuries. This picture above expresses it well – the servant sees a lot of her mistress’s back because she is always behind her, and this gives her a particular […]
May 30, 2017
Coffee and History with Annie Whitehead
I was thrilled to discover that one of the historical fiction authors I’d met on facebook, Annie Whitehead, lives very close to me – only a few miles as the crow flies. I couldn’t resist the chance to meet up and share our common experiences of writing, editing and reaching readers with our books. Annie […]
