Theresa Tomlinson's Blog: One idea leads to another, page 2

Getting nervous and excited!

A SWARMING OF BEES
My first book aimed at adults.Copies have arrived in the Whitby Bookshop, ready for the launch on Friday 14th December, 7pm.
Trying to choose which short extracts to read - first chapter now available to read on Amazon. Good Reads give away set in motion - number of applicants building steadily every day!

Getting nervous and excited!

My books have arrived in the Whitby Bookshop, ready for the launch on Friday 14th December, 7pm.
Trying to choose which short extracts to read - first chapter now available to read on Amazon. Good Reads give away set in motion - number of applicants building steadily every day!

NEW BOOK COMING SOON!

I've just heard that my new book A SWARMING OF BEES will be available by the beginning of December. I'm so pleased as I thought it couldn't be out before Christmas - but things have moved along well and both the kindle edition and paperback will be here soon.
Watch this space and further information will appear!

Book Cover Designs

Today I was given the chance to look at rough cover designs for my new book A SWARMING OF BEES.
It's always an exciting moment, when you first catch a glimpse of images that are a designers response to your work, and I wasn't disappointed - all the images were attractive - but which would be the most effective? A good cover is so important - it will make a reader want to know more or even pick a book up and buy it.
I hope I made the right choice!

Problems with Anglo-Saxon names!

I see the Anglo-Saxons as glamorous, blood-thirsty, passionate and exciting, but they have the most awkward, off-putting names. Queen Ethelburgh's daughter was Eanfleda and her children were Alchfrid, Alchfrida, Elfled and Ecfrid. These names don't trip off the toungue easily and yet, as a writer who tries to research the subject well - I DO want to use the proper names - it might be patronising not to.
One publisher remarked 'these names give me a headache.'
Perhaps if they were used often enough, readers would quickly adapt to them - after all we did get used to Gladriel,Gandalf, Reepicheep and Smaug.
Might it be possible to get used to Fridgyth, Begu, Ethedreda and Eadfrith too and even grow to love them!

LOST IN THE DARK AGES

I'm pleased to have the opportunity to tell readers what I've been up to over the last few years. My Young Adult novel WOLF GIRL, led me into a great deal of research into the Anglo-Saxon period, mainly 6th and 7th century Northumbria - a time period which I found exciting and absorbing - in fact I became completely hooked. I studied the work of Bede,The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle amongst others and also read many modern books on the subject. I discovered many extraordinary characters, many of them women - rather hidden amongst the blood-thirsty stories of struggles between Pagans and Christians, blood-feuds and battles for land. I've been working hard to produce new stories on these themes, and at last I have hopes of a new book on the way.