KYDD, My First Book
Looking back at this, the debut novel in the Kydd series, it hardly seems that a decade has passed since I very nervously submitted a proposal to write a series about a young man press-ganged into the Royal Navy, who eventually goes on not only to cross the great divide between the lower deck and the quarterdeck, becoming not only an officer, but eventually to make admiral!
The book’s cover was commissioned as an original oil painting by Geoff Hunt RSMA
The agent to whom I sent my little package (it wasn’t done by email in those days…) was Carole Blake. Kathy and I had made up a long list of agents we planned to approach. Although we both believed in the series with all our hearts we were realistic enough to know that it would be highly unlikely to find an agent willing to take the project on at our first attempt – and we were starting with one of the country’s very top agents…
However, the patron saint of writers must have been looking down on me and Carole came back very positively and suggested a meeting. We liked each other and it went from there – auctions both sides of the Atlantic, foreign translation deals, audiobook contracts…
As it is my first book, KYDD will always hold a special importance for me. My first contract was for four books, which seemed a huge undertaking – even though as a computer systems man I had mapped out outlines and plots for the first twelve titles (that’s now expanded to over 20!). When I decided to see if I could write about the great age of fighting sail I took the big step of giving up full-time work and accepting a half-time position lecturing in computing at a local college. (Kathy was still working full-time.) In stages I gave up the day job and then Kathy joined me so we could work as a full-time creative team.
Favourite scene? Probably Kydd’s first night aboard when he finds solace deep in the bowels of the ship thanks to a kindly boatswain – and a little warm, furry creature…
Why choose a wig-maker for your hero?
I wanted to have someone not at all connected with the sea, taken against his will into His Majesty’s Royal Navy but who grows to love the life and find a natural ability as a seaman. I chose to have him as a wig-maker somewhat on a whim but also as this was an occupation facing many challenges with changes in society at that time and through this I could also reflect the Georgian age ashore.
Where did his name come from?
Ah! I thought long and hard about this, wrote down hundreds of possible names from the period, wandered through numbers of graveyards looking at tombstones. I knew I wanted something manly, of the time, but also with a modern ring. Princess Diana’s mother’s name was Frances Shand Kydd. ‘Kydd’ somehow rang a bell and when I checked I confirmed it would certainly have been found in Georgian times.
Spotted on TV – with the Blake expedition up the Amazon
What was the hardest thing you encountered in writing this book?
That’s easy – adjusting to having Kathy critique my work! In the early stages she was kind but very firm. I would look at the proverbial blue pencil marks (she is an ex magazine editor-in-chief) all through my lovingly crafted work and resent every change she suggested. But in a fairly short time I realised she has superb editorial judgement, and I trust her unconditionally now.
How much of your own naval career was brought to bear?
For me, it has to be said that having served in the Navy has proved invaluable in my writing. I know the traditions of the sea, many of which have not changed even to this day. And quite a few of the characters in my books are based on actual mariners I have known. I was not pressed but I served both as a common seaman and as an officer.
Charles Fox, larger-than-life Georgian politician
Why did you kill off Bowyer?
That was very hard and in fact upset me writing it but there were two reasons behind it. First, I wanted to show that the sea is and always will be neither cruel nor malevolent but simply indifferent to we insignificant mortals. Second, I had to make way for the forging of a friendship between Kydd and Renzi.
How much research did you have to do for this book?
Well, location research initially was very little as I lived in Guildford and knew Portsmouth and Sheerness very well from my Navy days. By that stage I had amassed a quite considerable library on the Napoleonic period but I needed to flesh that out with information from museums, libraries and talking to various experts. In all I probably put in about six months’ research time.
Copyright notices
Fox: Image: By Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792) (worldroots.com/brigitte/royal/royal17a.htm) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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Julian Stockwin 
Greetings,
I fist picked up Kydd on a whim being drawn by the title and thinking some of pirates. I soon found that I couldn’t put it down. I was very pleased to find out there is a treasure trove of enjoyment in each volume. Carribbee has been digested and I’m eagerly anticipating Kydds next adventure.
Thank You
Hello Julian:
I read KYDD when it first came out and knew right there and then that you were an author to be watched. I think I was probably one of the early ones to compliment you on your work. I’ve since read all of your novels and they are all uniformly excellent! Keep it going – its a difficult genre and those of us weaned on Hornblower and Aubrey/Maturin need Kydd in our lives!
Cheers
Phil
Hello from frozen Western Canada, East of the Rockies. I really enjoy the Kydd books, having read them all and got my Star Wars orientated son reading them! I enjoy the balance between shore and ship, the elevation from press gang entry to officer ranks and Renzi’s contribution but not dominance. I await the next with real enthusiasm. By the I received a Kydd cap for my son’s Christmas present so quickly and such good value. Thankyou.
Anthony Heazell
My copy of Kydd became a victim of flooding under my house but I rescued it and carefully dried the pages. It sits, looking a bit, the worse for wear on the bookcase ready to be read again and again. Many thanks for such a wonderful series and for the opportunities to interact with its author.
I came to Kydd through the recommendation feature of Audible.com. I had listened to all the Aubrey-Maturin series and needed a new line of Napoleonic Wars books to listen to. I was not disappointed, nor have I been since. I am 4 books behind you right now, but I have much to look forward to, as I buy the new ones as the become available in hardcover here in the States. I love reading the blog and will be cracking the next one in the next week or two.
it all started when I picked up ARTEMIS in a discount bookshop I read the first
chapter then scoured all my local bookshops for KYDD I had to hide Artemis so that I couldn’t get ahead of myself in reading the books many a night Ive been up at some late hour with my head in a Kydd series book only to find my ever patient wife asleep in bed with all the other lights out and me finding my way to bed in the dark
the best was when you visited our local air cadet unit for a talk and book signing I’ll never forget it
best wishes
Nigel
I have read all the Kydd series and enjoyed them immensely. You inspired me to write my memoirs, Flotsam and Jetsam, A collection of sea stories that have washed ashore from a 40 year career in the US Navy.
Best regards,
Hank McKInney, RADM, USN(ret)
Congratulations on writing your memoirs, Hank – delighted that in some small way I was able to inspire a fellow Old Salt to put pen to paper!
I’ve read them all and loved them all. Keep them coming. Julian Stockwin, the true successor of C.S. Forester, Alexander Kent and Dudley Pope.
A Fellow Vietnam Veteran, Tom
Kydd’s OK, Bowyer had to go. Perhaps I’ll develop a liking for Renzi in the 20th book.
Hate to admit but I just read it for the first time. It came up in the recent blog roll recently and I became curious. Enjoyed it very much and I now have the second one sitting there with a pile of library books…it’s next on the agenda.
A real gritty portrait of the times and especially the sea-going culture.
When I read Kydd I was new to nautical fiction. The technical language felt foreign and, well, intimidating. As I soldiered on through that first chapter, I imagined how intimidating and alien it was for Kydd as well. As the pages turned, I felt more comfortable – got my sea-legs, I guess you could put it! Bowyer’s death shook me more than I could have imagined – your explanation in the blog made it sadly natural.
May you be given the strength to write many more volumes.
It’s been a wonderful series and we are looking forward to Pasha -write faster boats! I was at at first dismayed by Kydd’s meteoric rise in ranks during the first few books, and thought that nigh on to impossible. Things have moved in a very positive vein since. Thank you both for the hard work and great reads. John
Kydd’s rise is based on the historical record and the men who did achieve as he did. This was down to part talent, part luck, part the demands of wartime. It was not the usual rate of progression, but then Kydd’s a pretty special guy…
I knew I was getting “Caribbee” for Christmas so I decided to go back and reread “Kydd”. Having read all of your books, it was interesting to go back to your beginning. This article help me understand Tom Kydd’s root and the road you choice to follow. Looking forward to your next book.
Big Jules, I write a little from time to time as I have time, but never to the extent you do. I find that I am most creative early in the morning and run down by mid morning if the subject of the writing has not “caught me up”. I can and do write later in the day and into the night, but my creative “ah ha” moments come early in the day. What is your experience?
Generally do my creative work in the mornings, research and emails etc. in the afternoon and early evening.
Kydd had to come to terms with learning the ropes. Has the time now come for you to write a companion volume ‘How to sail a 19th century warship’? Then the rest of us lubbers can keep tabs on what you are on about when it comes to sailing on a maxi scale. Loved the book.
I do hope to put out a KYDD Series Companion at some point in the future.
I’m a huge fan of this series and have been since I bought the original “Kydd” in hardback when it came out. I live in Guildford so the story really resonated. It would be great to have a series companion. Is there any news on when this might happen? Kind Regards.
Hope to publish one sometime in the future
Writing a series like Kydd is like the birth of a child. There is a lot of pain and angst initially. Then, will that “child (Kydd)” be accepted and acquire “friends (readers)”? Then, as in this case, (you Julian) have “raised” a child who has grown up to be successful and his “friends” can’t wait to hear more about him.
It was not just KYDD who joined his first mess, we joined with him.
To this day I remember my first mess, and the circle of faces, who watched me as I put my bag down, wondering what will happen next….
Hi Bosun
I wonder if you can help me? I have read all of the Kydd series but due to an
error when I moved they were all disposed of. I am now starting from no 1 to re read them can you give me a list in order so I can purchase them again
Many Thanks
Peter Pingree
Peter – on the home page of the web site is a pdf download of a summary of all the books in the Kydd series in order.
When I first picked up kydd I thought “what the hell” the speech almost seemed incomprehensible , but then it clicked and suddenly I was rolling with the sea shanty and the waves and have been a firm fan ever since, my father in law is ex merchant marine and as picky as they come with mistakes … He loves these books… Which for me proves the accuracy of the seamanship and life.
How did Renzi originate into your books
I’m planning a special post on Renzi in the near future so will answer your question then.
These interviews are extremely interesting and very much appreciated by one who has read the Kydd series and looks forward to his future adventures. I have learned a great deal. Edward J. Hawie, St. Simons Island, Ga.
I am a big fan of the Kydd series and as I am a tour guide on HMS Victory I am always being asked about books of that period. Naturally I always recommend Jules’ series and the best bit even I get feedback, mainly cursing me for the expense I have cost them and where has Julian Stockwin been hiding.
Hope to see you all on my ship sometime,
Chris
I think killing Bowyer was a perfect step, as it immediately set a tone of the unexpected (a little bit comparable to George R.R. Martins “A Game of Thrones”). Suddenly you can’t be sure if any character other than Kydd could die as well, even including Renzi. This gives the books a sense of realism, as the chances to be wounded or to die were quite high. I like it, if important characters can succumb to the vagaries of the elements or war. It makes the characters that survive that more valuable.
BZ
Thanks for this, Steven!
(BZ=Bravo Zulu=”Well done!” in signalese)
Hi Bosun, I am in the process of reading KYDD for the sixth time now before going on to read the next thirteen in the series ( of which I have a few of the signed and embossed copies). Keep up the good work and I hope your good lady Kathy keeps cracking the whip. If not it’ll be to the gratings for you with the cat.
Best Wishes, Mike.