Kevin Marsh's Blog, page 2
June 5, 2015
The thinking behind the title of my book
The Gordian KnotThe Gordian Knot is a legend of Phrygian Gordian associated with Alexander the Great and is often used as a metaphor for an intractable problem.
I thought this an appropriate title because of the challenges facing my characters. The mystery and power surrounding the Belgae Torc has an effect on them all and this forms the basis of The Torc Trilogy.
As the plot is linked with both Germanic Paganism and Celtic mythology, I chose the Triquetra, a three cornered shape and symbol used by both Christians and Polytheists, as a foundation for some of the druidic rituals in the story. It is also an appropriate image for the cover of the book.
This particular design is influenced by an illustration in the Lindisfarne Gospels and although it's a Celtic or 'trinity knot', I think it symbolises the metaphor perfectly. The colour green and the Celtic element is for Orlagh and her Irish roots.
Every aspect of my novel is influenced by this magical design, and the title; The Gordian Knot, leads nicely into the final part of The Torc Trilogy, but that of course is another story.
I thought this an appropriate title because of the challenges facing my characters. The mystery and power surrounding the Belgae Torc has an effect on them all and this forms the basis of The Torc Trilogy.
As the plot is linked with both Germanic Paganism and Celtic mythology, I chose the Triquetra, a three cornered shape and symbol used by both Christians and Polytheists, as a foundation for some of the druidic rituals in the story. It is also an appropriate image for the cover of the book.
This particular design is influenced by an illustration in the Lindisfarne Gospels and although it's a Celtic or 'trinity knot', I think it symbolises the metaphor perfectly. The colour green and the Celtic element is for Orlagh and her Irish roots.
Every aspect of my novel is influenced by this magical design, and the title; The Gordian Knot, leads nicely into the final part of The Torc Trilogy, but that of course is another story.
October 8, 2014
Book Reviews
Hello to everyone who have bought my books from Amazon. Thank you so much for showing an interest in my work and I hope you enjoyed reading my novels. Please could I ask you to leave a review on Amazon as I understand that reviews are highly regarded in the world of book promotion. The other thing of course is that it would be very nice to hear from you and indeed what you think of my work.
Royalties
Wow, I have just received my annual sales payment from my publisher. It's nothing to get excited about, certainly not enough to retire on, but never mind. I get great satisfaction out of being paid for doing something that I really enjoyed doing, (writing novels), and being paid for something that I did many months ago.
I intend to market and promote my novels more in future, but the important thing is to write the next one.
I intend to market and promote my novels more in future, but the important thing is to write the next one.
September 3, 2014
The Belgae Torc
Good news. I have just managed to persuade my publisher to reduce the Kindle cost of my novel The Belgae Torc.
It is now available from Amazon.co.uk at £2.99. It will be reduced accordingly on Amazon.com
The Belgae Torc is the first book in The Torc Trilogy.
The Gordian Knot, released last month, is the second book in the series.
The Belgae Torc
It is now available from Amazon.co.uk at £2.99. It will be reduced accordingly on Amazon.com
The Belgae Torc is the first book in The Torc Trilogy.
The Gordian Knot, released last month, is the second book in the series.
The Belgae Torc
July 23, 2014
July 4, 2014
A significant date
My next novel 'The Gordian Knot' should be available on Amazon from Friday 11th July.
This is the second book in The Torc Trilogy, the third and final installment is due out next year.
This is the second book in The Torc Trilogy, the third and final installment is due out next year.
June 28, 2014
Inclement weather and a good book
The weather this weekend in the south east of England is not going to be inspiring to say the least. It's warm but overcast with the promise of rain. It is afterall Wimbledon season so what would one expect from the Great British weather?
Today I received the PDF version of my novel The Gordian Knot from my publisher and now I have to spend the weekend reading through it again searching for stray errors and bits I might not be happy with. This will be the last opportunity I have to make changes before its locked down and sent to the printers.
Exciting times, at last after over a year of hard work the book will come into being, just in time for my book launch on Saturday 2nd August.
Today I received the PDF version of my novel The Gordian Knot from my publisher and now I have to spend the weekend reading through it again searching for stray errors and bits I might not be happy with. This will be the last opportunity I have to make changes before its locked down and sent to the printers.
Exciting times, at last after over a year of hard work the book will come into being, just in time for my book launch on Saturday 2nd August.
May 21, 2014
Book launch
My book launch arrangements are coming along nicely. The venue has been booked and the date set. Saturday 2nd August at the rugby club in the town where I live. The venue is perfect, it is my old club where I used to play and coach rugby.
Last evening I designed the invitations and plan to start sending them out at the end of June, no point doing it earlier as people tend to forget!
Its almost time to reveal the details of the book, so keep watching.
Happy reading everyone!
Last evening I designed the invitations and plan to start sending them out at the end of June, no point doing it earlier as people tend to forget!
Its almost time to reveal the details of the book, so keep watching.
Happy reading everyone!
May 14, 2014
My next book
I got the ISBN number for my new book today. The cover has been designed and approved and it looks great, I’m really happy with the results.
The proofreading continues and initial feedback has been great, there are very few typo’s and only a couple of minor recommendations, so all good there. My publisher wants the manuscript by 5th June, so as soon as the proof reading is finished I can make the alterations and send it off.
The venue has been booked for my book launch, Saturday 2nd August, so now I can get on with advertising, sending out my book launch invitations and booking promotion venues for the coming months.
It’s a great feeling to see all my hard work coming together, but now all I want to do is get on with writing the third book in The Torc Trilogy.
The proofreading continues and initial feedback has been great, there are very few typo’s and only a couple of minor recommendations, so all good there. My publisher wants the manuscript by 5th June, so as soon as the proof reading is finished I can make the alterations and send it off.
The venue has been booked for my book launch, Saturday 2nd August, so now I can get on with advertising, sending out my book launch invitations and booking promotion venues for the coming months.
It’s a great feeling to see all my hard work coming together, but now all I want to do is get on with writing the third book in The Torc Trilogy.
April 25, 2014
New book update
At last my manuscript is ready to go to the proof readers. I will personally deliver a copy to them this weekend and between us we have a month to check and iron out any horrors. My publisher wants it by the first week of June.
The cover is done, and it looks fantastic. I have to come up with a quote from the book that will feature on the front, so will be searching the pages this weekend for something striking.
The countdown for the 'official reveal' has begun. In four weeks’ time I will post the cover and synopsis. The book launch will be last week of July, although I guess it will be available from Amazon etc, by mid-July.
Watch this space for further posts and updates.
Happy reading folks.
The cover is done, and it looks fantastic. I have to come up with a quote from the book that will feature on the front, so will be searching the pages this weekend for something striking.
The countdown for the 'official reveal' has begun. In four weeks’ time I will post the cover and synopsis. The book launch will be last week of July, although I guess it will be available from Amazon etc, by mid-July.
Watch this space for further posts and updates.
Happy reading folks.
