 I think history runs through my veins. The past is, in the cliché, a foreign country and maybe that’s what attracts us. It’s distant so it’s safe to travel there vicariously. No lobster-back Hanoverian British soldier or Greek hoplite is going to grab us, nor are we going to be press-ganged or sent to India as part of the bridal ‘fishing-fleet’, nor condemned to the drudgery of a Victorian tweenie. On the other hand, we won’t achieve the almost dictatorial powers of a Roman governor or the subtle influence of a medieval crowned queen or the high courage of Boudica or Xenobia.
 But what if? Liesel Schwarz was hailed by The Independent as ‘The soon-to-be high-priestess of British steampunk’ and she writes a rattling adventure with a sparky heroine deeply embedded in that world. Steampunk grasps the inventiveness of the Victorians and takes it off in an entirely interesting direction, a good distance from the standard timeline, but with niceties and courtesies within the darkness. Is it alternative history? You might find this post helpful to tease out the differences. But I was thrilled when she read AURELIA and gave it a lovely endorsement. I thank you, Lady Liesel! (curtsies).
 David Ebsworth, finalist for the indie Historical Novel Award in 2014, writes epic stories. His latest tour de force, The Last Campaign of Marianne Tambour focuses on two women, one a tough cantinière, a provider of food, drink and other supplies to front line soldiers and commissioned officially by the French army, and the other a dragoon. He explores how these two women participated in that last great Napoleonic battle – Waterloo. So it seemed obvious to ask him to read another military heroine’s story… Thank you, David, for your kind words.
 And Anna Belfrage, the author of the Graham Saga; eight books of multi-faceted survivors set in Scotland, England and the New World, but with a pull back to the present and the deeper past. Anna knows a thing or two about writing heroines with steel backbones – just read about Alex Lind! It’s a pleasure benefitting from her vivid imagination when talking history with her and shaping plots. She has given AURELIA a great reference!
Along with my Roman colleagues, these writers have read and reviewed AURELIA and they rather seem to like it…
Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers, INCEPTIO, PERFIDITAS and SUCCESSIO. The fourth book, AURELIA, is now out.
Find out Roma Nova news and book progress before everybody else, and take part in giveaways by signing up for her free monthly email newsletter.
If you enjoyed this post, do share it with your friends!Like this:Like Loading...
 The principal families in my Roma Nova families are the Mitelae, the Tellae and the Apuliae, so as we approach publication of the fourth book, I thought I’d do some diagrams to clarify how they interrelate.
Language note: Latin is inflected, i.e. it changes the ending of nouns and adjectives depending on the word’s place and function in sentences and whether it’s singular or plural, feminine, masculine or neuter gender. Women’s names often end in ‘a’, men’s in ‘us’, ‘o’ or ‘ax’ hence Aurelia Mitela, Conradus Tellus, Cornelius Lurio.
As a matriarchal society, Roma Novans use the feminine form when referring to the family in general. (It’s a happy coincidence that in Latin familia is feminine gender although classically familia meant the whole household, but that’s for another post!)
When referring to several members of the family, the feminine plural is used, e.g. the Mitelae.
Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers – INCEPTIO, PERFIDITAS, SUCCESSIO, AURELIA, INSURRECTIO and RETALIO. CARINA, a novella, is available for download now. Audiobooks are available for the first four of the series.
Get INCEPTIO, the series starter, for FREE when you sign up to Alison’s free monthly email newsletter. You’ll also be first to know about Roma Nova news and book progress before everybody else, and take part in giveaways.
If you enjoyed this post, do share it with your friends!Like this:Like Loading...
 I love being a Roman writer and being seen as one. Imagine how delighted I was to be included in a list that my writing friend Ben Kane gave to a reader seeking Roman fiction authors. Last year at the Historical Novel Society conference, I had the privilege of taking part in a workshop with Douglas Jackson and Harry Sidebottom and of drinking tea and discussing Falco with Lindsey Davis (swoon!). At the Harrogate History Festival Conn Iggulden told me over a glass of red wine all about Roman ball-bearings – which really was fascinating! I sympathised with Ben Kane about his foot injured on the ‘Romani’ walk from Capua to Rome that he, Anthony Riches and Russell Whitfield had undertaken for charity; their film of the walk in Roman army uniform was mesmerising.
You know by now I’ve been infected with the fascination for Rome since at least the age of eleven. I’ve clambered over a lot of Roman Europe ever since, dragging members of my family along ancient cobbled roads, up towers and aqueducts and into theatres and arenas. But sharing this thirst/lust/obsession with similarly-minded is a joy.
 Writing is another obsession, an isolated act done in a secluded room. However, you need a team of colleagues and supporters to give feedback (both brutal and kind), advice and encouragement. Little inspires you more than receiving praise from those in the same field. Ruth Downie, who featured as my writing blog guest last October, writes about Ruso, a grumpy Roman army medic saddled with a debt-ridden family, impossible bosses, annoying Britons, an elusive and headstrong servant and a murder. And that’s just the first book! Ruth’s immaculate research, dry humour and plotting mind are stitched into the whole story. Highly recommended.
 Russell Whitfield focuses on another neglected subject, but in the epic mode – a gladiatrix or female gladiator. His Spartan Lysandra is a tough cookie, but her world is fierce beyond any jungle you can imagine. Russell endorsed my first novel INCEPTIO, introduced me to Simon Scarrow (who endorsed PERFIDITAS) and has been a friend of Roma Nova ever since.
I want to publicly thank Ruth for providing me with a lovely comment to sit on the front cover of AURELIA – praise from her is silver indeed. And Russell, thank you for a splendid endorsement leading those inside.
Gratias maximas vobis ago contubernales!
Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers, INCEPTIO, PERFIDITAS and SUCCESSIO. The fourth book, AURELIA, is now out.
Find out Roma Nova news and book progress before everybody else, and take part in giveaways by signing up for her free monthly email newsletter.
If you enjoyed this post, do share it with your friends!Like this:Like Loading...
|
Subscribe to Blog via Email
Join 37 other subscribers.
Buy AURELIA from Apple!
UK
US
|
