Starting today, a bunch of historical novelists mustered by Ben Kane will be publishing short stories in instalments on their Facebook pages for your daily entertainment! What did Albanus get up to while Ruso and Tilla were on their trip to Rome? You can find out here. There's also a list of links pinned at … Continue reading Authors without Borders
Come to lunch!
UPDATE, 17 March - No! Don't come to lunch! Sadly, it's cancelled. Having been woken from hibernation by Storm Ciara, I'm now snatching a brief moment of calm before Storm Dennis (due tomorrow) to issue an invitation: Join us for a Literary Lunch near Taunton on Monday 20 April! I'll be talking all things book-related … Continue reading Come to lunch!
Be merry…
Thank you to everyone who's spent time with Ruso and Tilla this year! Best wishes for a happy and peaceful Saturnalia/Christmas/what you will.
PRIMA FACIE in audio!
Singing and dancing at Downie Towers* - I can finally confirm that PRIMA FACIE will be an audiobook! Thanks so much to everyone who's asked. It'll be available in early November. As further proof that the gods have smiled on us, it will be read by the enormously popular Simon Vance. I'll be spreading the … Continue reading PRIMA FACIE in audio!
The Bear and the Wolf
The Bear and the Wolf A short story of love and danger on the Roman Empire’s most hostile frontier. It's always a delight to work with Simon Turney. He and I took opposite sides in the "Romans versus Britons" debate at the Alderney Literary Festival, (there are photos here) but we both knew it was … Continue reading The Bear and the Wolf
Saturday, final stop on the Blog Tour – For Winter Nights
Many thanks to For Winter Nights, the final host on the Blog Tour! If you haven't yet discovered this excellent book blog, now is a good time to nip across there - not only for the chance to win a copy of Vita Brevis, but also to browse a splendid collection of reviews and articles, … Continue reading Saturday, final stop on the Blog Tour – For Winter Nights
Tuesday on the Blog Tour – Parmenion Books
Many thanks to the excellent Robin Carter over at Parmenion Books for hosting today - a VITA BREVIS giveaway and some medical remedies you very probably haven't tried before. Or even considered.
Competition fever!
There's competition fever here at Downie Towers, with the caption competition running till the end of July, plus two more chances to win goodies. Apologies to those who've heard this all before, but in case you haven't... First, a chance to stock up your summer reading bag with books of your choice, or to win … Continue reading Competition fever!
Io, that was Saturnalia!
There's a marvellous video of this year's Deva celebrations on YouTube. Somewhere in there you may spot the author of the Empire series, Anthony Riches (dressed as a centurion), the Emperor Domitian (being suitably megalomanic) and yours truly. An extra treat was the combination of Saturnalia with the Winter Watch parade, which made for a … Continue reading Io, that was Saturnalia!
Another skeleton!
Basking in reflected glory here, because some of my former comrades from the site at Whitehall Roman Villa have made a wonderful find: the skeleton of a man who died in about the 5th century, and the remains of the shield that was buried with him. There's video footage and some pics from the local … Continue reading Another skeleton!