ChatGPTing about Roma Nova

Roman woman with phone? (AI)

I had a fascinating chat with my phone the other day. Fence-sitter that I am, I haven’t really embraced AI and I voiced my guarded scepticism last year on my writing blog.

However, encouraged by my family, I frivolously threw a question at ChatGPT.

“Have you heard of Alison Morton?” I was expecting a ‘who?’ or a string of other Alison Mortons to pop up in the screen.

I almost fell of my chair when the reply came:

“Yes! Alison Morton is known for her Roma Nova series, which blends alternate history with espionage and political intrigue. Her books imagine a modern-day Roman-style society ruled by women, with plenty of covert operations, power struggles, and betrayals. Given your interest in modern espionage thrillers set in a Roman-style world, her work might be right up your alley.

Are you already familiar with her books, or are you considering checking them out?”

Gods! How did it know I enjoyed espionage novels and stories set in the Roman world? Eek!
“Tell me more,” I tapped.

“Alison Morton’s Roma Nova series is an alternate history thriller saga set in a world where the Roman Empire never fully collapsed. Instead, a breakaway Roman state—Roma Nova—was founded in the mountains of Europe and evolved into a modern, matriarchal society. The series mixes elements of espionage, political intrigue, and adventure, with strong female protagonists navigating high-stakes power struggles.

The Core Series

The main books follow two timelines:

1. Carina Mitela’s Story (Modern Timeline)

   • INCEPTIO – The first book introduces Carina, an American woman who discovers her Roma Novan heritage and gets entangled in espionage, assassination attempts, and political machinations.

   • CARINA, PERFIDITAS, SUCCESSIO  continue her journey, as she rises within Roma Nova’s intelligence services, facing enemies both inside and outside the state.

2. Aurelia Mitela’s Story (Historical Timeline – 1960s–1980s)

   • AURELIA focuses on Carina’s ancestor, an intelligence officer battling conspiracies within Roma Nova’s political elite. 

   • INSURRECTIO and RETALIO explore a period of dictatorship and resistance within Roma Nova.

Themes & Style

Morton’s writing blends the tight pacing of a spy thriller with rich world-building. The Roma Novans maintain Latin traditions, yet use modern technology and institutions, making for an intriguing mix of past and present. The books feature strong female leads, espionage, covert operations, and political maneuvering, making them appealing if you enjoy intelligence dramas within a unique setting.

If you’re interested in a blend of James Bond meets Ancient Rome, her books might be a perfect fit. Would you like recommendations on where to start?”

“Yes, please” I replied, completely fascinated.

“Since the Roma Nova series has two main timelines, where you start depends on what kind of story you prefer.

Best Starting Points

1. If You Want a Modern Spy Thriller with a Strong Female Lead:

   • Start with INCEPTIO (Book 1) – It introduces Carina Mitela, a young woman who discovers her Roma Novan heritage and is thrown into a world of espionage, assassination attempts, and power struggles.

   • If you enjoy it, follow with PERFIDITAS and SUCCESSIO to see her rise in Roma Nova’s intelligence services. (And the novella CARINA?)

2. If You Prefer a Historical Political Thriller with a Classic Roman Feel:

   • Start with AURELIA (Prequel series, but written later) – It follows Carina’s ancestor in the 1960s as she navigates political conspiracies, intelligence operations, and a looming dictatorship.

   • Follow with INSURRECTIO and RETALIO for a deeper dive into Roma Nova’s internal conflicts.” (It also forgot NEXUS.  Ha!)

Do you find the premise appealing because of the espionage angle, the Roman influence, or both?

Me, now getting into it: “Both”

“The Roma Nova series is a great blend of both espionage and Roman influence, which isn’t something you see often in fiction. The mix of intelligence operations, political conspiracies, and a society that still holds onto its Roman roots creates a unique setting for modern spy thrillers.

The espionage side brings in secret agents, coded messages, betrayals, and high-stakes missions—very much in the style of modern spy fiction. Meanwhile, the Roman influence adds layers of political maneuvering, honor-based conflicts, and a rigid but evolving social structure, making the stakes feel even more intense.

Are you looking for more books like Roma Nova, or are you just curious about how Morton developed the concept?”

Me, now trying to think more strategically: 
Wondering  if this alternative world appeals to many readers… (innocent face)

The Roma Nova series has a dedicated following, particularly among readers who enjoy espionage thrillers, alternate history, and strong female protagonists. While it’s a niche concept, it appeals to multiple types of readers:

• Espionage and Thriller Fans – Those who enjoy spy fiction appreciate the covert missions, betrayals, and intelligence operations in a unique setting.
• Alternate History Enthusiasts – Readers fascinated by “what if” scenarios enjoy how Morton realistically builds a modern Roman-style society.
• Roman History Buffs – Fans of Ancient Rome like seeing how its traditions and governance might have evolved.
• Fans of Strong Female Leads – The matriarchal nature of Roma Nova flips traditional power structures, attracting readers who enjoy stories with powerful women in leadership roles.

While it may not be a mainstream bestseller, it has a strong cult following. The uniqueness of a Roman-inspired modern spy thriller makes it stand out. Do you think the concept has the potential for an even bigger audience, or do you see it staying more niche?

Me (now in the give-me-some-marketing-tips mode): I wondered if it had the potential to for a bigger audience?

That’s a great question. The Roma Nova series has the potential to reach a larger audience, but it would likely need a breakout moment—such as a film or TV adaptation, or a major push from a big publisher. Here’s why it could appeal to more readers:

Why It Has Potential for a Bigger Audience

1. Spy Thrillers Are Always Popular – The espionage genre has a steady audience, and a fresh setting like Roma Nova could attract readers looking for something beyond the usual Cold War or modern geopolitical thrillers.
2. Roman Influence Adds a Unique Hook – Shows like Gladiator, Rome, and Barbarians prove that audiences love Roman-inspired stories. Mixing that with a modern thriller makes it stand out.
3. Strong Female Leads Are in Demand – With the rise of interest in female-led action and intelligence stories (Killing Eve, Atomic Blonde), Roma Nova could appeal to those audiences.
4. Alternate History Is Growing – Books like The Man in the High Castle and Fatherland have shown that alternate history can break into the mainstream, especially if it’s done in a thrilling way.

Then we went on about a possible Netflix series. At that point, I needed a strong cup of tea and a lie-down.

That was a salutary experience or do I mean surreal?

My story writing remains my domain. I will fight like the Horatii on the bridge to preserve that creative place. But perhaps we can harness some of the world’s knowledge in a friendly, specific way through these utilities. But of course, we must always, always check what they produce.

The crucial point – they must always remain our slaves and never become our masters.

Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers –  INCEPTIO, CARINA (novella), PERFIDITAS, SUCCESSIO,  AURELIA, NEXUS (novella), INSURRECTIO  and RETALIO,  and ROMA NOVA EXTRA, a collection of short stories.  Audiobooks are available for four of the series. Double Identity, a contemporary conspiracy, starts a new series of thrillers. JULIA PRIMA,  Roma Nova story set in the late 4th century, starts the Foundation stories. The sequel, EXSILIUM, is now out.

Download ‘Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’, a FREE eBook, as a thank you gift when you sign up to Alison’s monthly email update. As a result, you’ll be among the first to know about news and book progress before everybody else, and take part in giveaways.