A little bit about me
crimecrackers
(February 18, 2010) Many thanks to the Crimecrackers reading group from Cambridge for inviting me to their monthly meeting at Heffers bookshop last night. We had a lively and challenging discussion about the appearance of real historical characters in works of fiction. One Crimecracker couldn't bear coming across historical characters at any price - so wasn't too pleased to encounter Sir Francis Drake in Martyr. I respect his opinion; we all have different tastes. But if you follow his line through to its logical conclusion, you would have to rule out all William Shakespeare's history plays, Robert Graves's I, Claudius, all CJ Sansom's books, Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, The Day Of The Jackal by Frederick Forsyth, most of Robert Harris's novels - and thousands upon thousands of other brilliant works.
I actually have no question, I just wanted to tell you how very much I enjoyed your book!. I finished it just last night, and it was wonderful. I have told all of my friends that it is like CSI in the 15th century. I can't wait for more adventures with John Shakespeare.
(February 9, 2010) To Patricia who wrote that she enjoyed Martyr - and compared it to a Tudor CSI - I would just like to say thank-you. I can't reply to you in person because you did not leave an email address.
(January 29, 2010) It's always good to discover new websites devoted to the world of books. I was delighted to come across workingwritersandbloggers.com, which is run by Cherie Burbach in chilly Wisconsin (though I can't believe it's any colder than Norfolk, England, this bitter, never-ending winter). She interviewed me and gave me the chance to talk about some of my favourite books. Have a look at the interview on her website and see if you agree or disagree with my choices.
(January 29, 2010) It's always good to discover new websites devoted to the world of books. I was delighted to come across workingwritersandbloggers.com, which is run by Cherie Burbach in chilly Wisconsin (though I can't believe it's any colder than Norfolk, England, this bitter, never-ending winter). She interviewed me and gave me the chance to talk about some of my favourite books. Have a look at the interview on her website and see if you agree or disagree with my choices.
(January 21, 2010). Snow now almost all gone from Norfolk (there's a small patch of igloo left in the back garden). The good news is that most of the songbirds seem to have survived the bitter weather. We have greenfinches, tits, siskins, robins, sparrows, doves, blackbirds pigeons (of course), as well as a field full of crows on the hill behind us. Great stuff.
(January 21, 2010). Snow now almost all gone from Norfolk (there's a small patch of igloo left in the back garden). The good news is that most of the songbirds seem to have survived the bitter weather. We have greenfinches, tits, siskins, robins, sparrows, doves, blackbirds pigeons (of course), as well as a field full of crows on the hill behind us. Great stuff.
ellis peters awards
(October 30, 2009). Congratulations to Philip Kerr on his victory in the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Crime Award with his novel If The Dead Rise Not. He deserved the prestigious prize not just for his book - but also for his hilarious acceptance speech at the ceremony in Fitzroy Square, London.
Justin Pollard
(September 1, 2009) Anyone who enjoys the hilarious QI on television will love Justin Pollard's work, because he is a writer on the series (which, of course, stars Stephen Fry). I'm looking forward to Justin's new book Secret Britain: The Hidden Bits of our History, which is due out next month. In the meantime, you should be able to access his excellent new website www.secretbritain.com from Monday (September 7).
Liz Bestic
(August 27, 2009) It was excellent to hear from Liz Bestic, a former colleague from newspaper days who, like me, has now taken the low road to East Anglia - and is forging ahead as an artist. Have a look at her website: www.besticart.co.uk.
Reading
(August 1, 2009) Most of my reading is history books, but I've read a couple of terrific novels recently. Best of the bunch was Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. Can't wait to see the film now. The other one I really liked was The Ghost, a very intelligent and clever thriller by Robert Harris. He just gets better and better. I also enjoyed The Scent of the Night by Andrea Camilleri; it's part of the quirky Montalbano detective series set in Sicily. Some of his antics are most un-policemanish (drink-driving, vandalism, insubordination) but his taste for Italian cooking is spot on.
John Shakespeare's birth
(July 30, 2009) A reviewer on Amazon.com wonders about the birth details of John Shakespeare. Well, he was born in 1558, six years before his brother Will. The register at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, gives his christening date as October 15. The cleric spells his name wrongly as Jone Shakspere and there seems to be some confusion over gender, but such errors were not uncommon in the 16th century. For instance, in 1582, a marriage license for William Shaxpere and Anne Whatley of Temple Grafton was granted the day before another entry for William Shagspere to marry Anne Hathwey of Shottery. It is clearly the same couple - the playwright Will and Anne Hathaway - which just demonstrates the mistakes that were commonly made, either through carelessness or the taking of strong drink.
Claire Letemendia
(July 28, 2009) It's always good to hear from other novelists - particularly of the historical variety. I was delighted to make contact with Claire Letemendia, whose first book The Best of Men has just come out. It's set at the time of the English Civil War and sounds a thumping good read. I'm looking forward to getting a copy. See her website at claireletemendia.com.
JUST READ YOUR NEW NOVEL, FANTASTIC! ARE YOU GOING TO FOLLOW UP WITH A ANOTHER JOHN SHAKESPEARE NOVEL?
(July 27, 2009) In reply to David Smith's kind email, yes, I am following up Martyr. I am just finishing the editing of Revenger, the second in the series, which is scheduled for publication next summer.
Gortner
(July 9, 2009) American novelist C.W.Gortner has interviewed me for his excellent historical website. Check it out at http://historicalboys.blogspot.com/2009/07/interview-with-rory-clements-author-of.html. His own historical novel, The Last Queen, tells the remarkable story of the Spanish Princess Juana, sister of Katherine of Aragon - Henry VIII's first wife. Publishers Weekly describes it as an "enthralling story, brilliantly told". I'm looking forward to reading it.
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