So sat at home this weekend I was not expecting a knock on the door from the delivery man. But that’s just what happened and with him, he brought a box of books from my publisher, Amberley. Thinking he was dropping off copies of the paperback version of my first book ‘Edward II the Man: A … More STOP PRESS! Sneaky Preview of ‘Robert the Bruce: Champion of a Nation’
I’ve been asked a lot recently about how I wrote my first book, which was published at the end of 2017. Years of research, copious amounts of coffee, endless drafting and redrafting finally resulted in my manuscript. The manuscript eventually became the book. I wasn’t given a manual when I first decided to put pen … More Sharing the Wisdom: My Eight Top Writing Tips
Last week I was interviewed by Gary Ekborg, who runs the internationally renowned blog and website Medival Archives. It was good fun and filled with many great questions. Please click on the link to hear the recorded interview: Podcast Interview MAP#78: Edward II The Man with author Stephen Spinks To accompany the podcast interview, Medieval Archives … More My Podcast Interview with Medieval Archives, 30 January 2018
When is a book a book? It’s a question I’ve asked myself many times in the last few months. For those of you who have been following my blog series, ‘A Writer’s Journey’, will remember that my manuscript, ‘Edward II the Man: A Doomed Inheritance’ was submitted to my publisher Amberley at the end of … More A Writer’s Journey #7: When is a book a book?
Well folks, send out the heralds and blow the trumpets. I am delighted to announce that after weeks of discussions with my editor at Amberley, we have today signed off on the front cover of my book. Here it is…. The image is taken from a beautiful manuscript held by Corpus Christi College Cambridge, who kindly … More STOP PRESS: Book Cover
So the last few weeks have been both extremely busy but also lots of great fun. Having now moved house just because I like a challenge, Zack, my mischievous tabby and I are now unpacked and settled in. I’ve even managed to tackle the garden with the help of my mum, who after inflicting years … More A Writer’s Journey #5: ‘The Book’ begins to take shape
It’s been a good few months since I last made an update to my ‘Writer’s Journey’ theme and so on a windy lunchtime such as this I thought I would put pen to paper, or rather fingers to MacBook. The journey to produce my book, Edward II the Man: A Doomed Inheritance, continues at great pace … More A Writer’s Journey #4
I have been asked many times how I went about securing a publishing deal. The truth is, I had no idea how to do it when I first set out. I did not know anyone personally who had travelled down the publishing path; I had never even spoken to an agent or publisher before; and … More Writing Tips #3: The Elusive Publishing Deal
Last week I was fortunate enough to have been granted special permission by Lord and Lady Berkeley to visit their magnificent home, Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire, which is closed to the public during winter. Berkeley has a rich heritage and is perhaps most infamous for the traditional tale of the murder of Edward II, held … More Berkeley Castle: A ‘Murderous’ Prison Cell
I am a self-confessed bibliophile. You only have to walk into my study, bedroom, bathroom, or in fact any room in my house to know that I speak the truth. I am surrounded by books in all their glorious shapes, sizes and bindings. There is nothing more reassuring than the smell and feel of a … More Writing Tips #2: Out on Location
I thought I would post an update on my progress to date, especially as my last in my ‘Writer’s Journey’ series talked about my wobble. I am still going. My beard has grown all woolly and my fingers are sore from all the typing and hand written notes, but like I said before, I am … More A Writer’s Journey #3
I was recently asked if I spend my entire spare time in a dusty archive, pouring over beautiful illuminated manuscripts, letters or household accounts in order to conduct my research for my up coming book. Whilst this occasionally happens, they were sad to hear that most of these beautiful relics of our cultural heritage are … More Writing Tips #1: Research
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