Julian Stockwin

Researching the Kydd Novels #3

Posted on July 6, 2017     2 Comments

One of the elements of writing my Kydd tales that I particularly enjoy is the research, and it’s one of the things I’m most questioned about when I give talks or do author signings. There are many aspects of this – consulting primary and secondary sources, speaking to experts, undertaking location research, visiting museums and archives. I’m often asked about the length of time research for a book takes – that’s a difficult thing to quantify because in some ways I guess I have been doing it subconsciously all my life, during my time at sea absorbing the universals all mariners take to their hearts and ingesting material from countless maritime books, both fiction and non-fiction, that I’ve been drawn to from an early age.

Readers Rock!

As well as the professional experts I mentioned in my last blog I owe a debt of gratitude to a number of my readers, who have generously contributed their time and local knowledge, and many of whom have become friends over the years. They are scattered across the globe, male and female, young and old. Although I’ve not met them all of course, through social media such as Twitter, Facebook and my BigJules blog I’ve developed a circle of informal contacts I feel I can call upon in my work. Here’s a random three who’ve proved that readers really do rock!

Sarah Callejo Living in Madrid, Sarah was most helpful with suggestions for Spanish names, phrases and eccentricities that I put to good use in Betrayal.

Robert Squarebriggs Visiting Canada on location research for Quarterdeck, I met up with reader Bob Squarebriggs in the aptly named Lord Nelson hotel in Halifax. Bob enthusiastically imparted his knowledge of the country’s boreal wilderness and remarkable maritime heritage.

Paulo Meireles A native of Portugal, Paulo enlightened me with details of his homeland’s culture that gave a truly authentic flavour to the storyline in Persephone.

Researching the Kydd Novels #2

Posted on July 5, 2017     4 Comments

One of the elements of writing my Kydd tales that I particularly enjoy is the research, and it’s one of the things I’m most questioned about when I give talks or do author signings. There are many aspects of this – consulting primary and secondary sources, speaking to experts, undertaking location research, visiting museums and archives. I’m often asked about the length of time research for a book takes – that’s a difficult thing to quantify because in some ways I guess I have been doing it subconsciously all my life, during my time at sea absorbing the universals all mariners take to their hearts and ingesting material from countless maritime books, both fiction and non-fiction, that I’ve been drawn to from an early age.

Experts to go!

I’m deeply indebted to the many experts who’ve contributed their time and knowledge over the course of the Kydd Series. Having one whose calling is centrally that which bears on a particular turning point of the developing tale gives a priceless authenticity to the narrative and usuallly spurs me on to deeper work, to the benefit of the emerging plot. There’ve been countless kind souls who’ve steered me true and of course I couldn’t possibly name them all, but to get an idea of the range and quality of these, here’s a random three:

Dr David Green at the USDA Forest Service provided details of the specific gravity of swamp oaks that enabled me to send Kydd on his night-time sabotage mission against the French frigate in Quarterdeck.

Dr Dennis Wheeler of the University of Sutherland shared his analysis of the meteorological conditions during October 1805, providing insights for Victory.

Dr Reg Murphy of the Antigua Dockyard told me the story of a deadly confrontation on the quayside in Kydd’s day. A rusting old anchor marks the spot where a British peer and acting commander – Thomas Pitt, the 2nd Baron Camelford – shot dead another officer in a pistol duel. This incident went on to become the basis for my fatal meeting between Farrell and Powell in Seaflower.

I work very hard to ensure the veracity of my books, and much of this I owe to the many leading authorities across a broad spectrum of specialities whom I’ve consulted over the years who have freely shared their knowledge. And of course my own professional experiences in the British and Australian navies, both on the lower deck as a naval shipwright and on the quarterdeck as an officer, are of immense value in achieving an insight into the motives, fears and satisfactions of life at sea.

Plaudits for Persephone

Posted on June 6, 2017     4 Comments

Since the publication of Persephone in the UK on May 18 I’ve been giving talks and doing signings at various locales. It’s always a special pleasure to meet readers, old and new. And who could have predicted that on one book signing I’d meet a delightful young lady called Persephone! I’ve been chuffed with the response to this book.

Here’s what Booksville had to say:

I’ll be darned if Julian Stockwin hasn’t done it again – bested himself with his latest release in the Kydd Series, Persephone. There’s a little something for every reader in this volume: sea chase, age-of-sail battle, Napoleonic intrigue, imperial palace pomp, and romance. All nicely packaged in well-written historical fiction in around 400 pages.

Persephone is the name of Captain Sir Thomas Kydd’s once spurned love interest of the past, and Kydd encounters her again while on station in Portugal trying to rescue the British from Lisbon and escort Portuguese royalty from the clutches of Napoleon and his Spanish allies. A spark of interest re-ignites between them, but they are forced apart by circumstances, only to be reintroduced once again on British soil.

Kydd, the toast of England for his heroics in battle, has plenty of time to pursue her, but she appears to be out of reach. Meanwhile Kydd, inconsolable at his loss, returning to the sea and service of king and country, is sent to the site of his most recent conquest, Copenhagen, and then to follow a strange group of merchant ships protected by French sloops and a frigate, perhaps destined to invade the shores of Scotland or Ireland. They face uncertainty, and dangers abound in pursuit, only to be surprised time and again – including the final, biggest surprise of his life.

There is the romance of the sea and the romance between a couple, and Stockwin blends both seamlessly in this great tale of adventure. He deftly describes the relationship between Kydd and Persephone, their still stirring love interest yet the still unresolved conflicts from the past, setting up a hunt and seek chase that lasts through the book, almost as in a thriller. Packed in and around this theme flows the adventures of a naval hero doing his duty at sea and doing his duty on land, being paraded before the people as the hero of the hour and yet feeling the tug of life on board one his majesty’s finest fighting frigates. There are battles aplenty, both at sea and on land, both military and political. And keep in mind, while many characters are fictional, others are based in history.

Stockwin’s prose flows easily on the page, fluid with the magic of truth. You are transformed to the settings, knowing he has been there and seen that or gleaned parts from historical records. Dialogue is real, descriptions are vivid. The pacing is exciting. And having served in the Royal Navy, you know his battle narratives ring true. Many of Stockwin’s characters recur from novel to novel, and one of my favourites is Stirk, who has been with Kydd from the beginning. One of those most stirring and realistic bits of dialogue is his near the end of the novel.

I think you will find it entertaining reading!

And just three recent reader comments :-

‘Just finished Persephone, you build us up, drop us down with a thump and then raise us up again. A very enjoyable experience!’

‘I can understand Mr Stockwin finding difficulty in writing this emotionally charged book. He has managed it beautifully. And he’s a man to boot, like me!! A lot of people think that only women can do this well. Well it’s obviously not true. May I send a message to Julian’s wife – There are not very many men in this world who can write so sensitively about love between a man and woman. Her husband obviously can. I have to say I was much moved.’

‘Once again a masterpiece from the pen of Julian Stockwin. To be able to write fiction mixed with historical fact is brilliant. From start to finish an excellent read and gave me some sleepless nights. A tale that was both spell bound yet moving and kept me on the edge of my seat. Many twists and turns led you through the countryside of Portugal to the fashionable world of upper class London. A final twist at the end made the book for me. Thank you Julian another great effort and I believe one of your best yet. Can’t wait till November for my next Kydd fix.’

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Persephone is available now in the UK as hardback, ebook and audio download and in U.S. as ebook and audio download. The hardback will be available in the States and the rest of the world in early September.

The Book Depository offers a discount on Persephone plus FREE SHIPPING worldwide

The next title in the Kydd Series is The Baltic Prize, out November 2. As usual I will be offering a Collectors Set of this book

21 Books – and Counting…

Posted on May 9, 2017     12 Comments

With the publication of Persephone this month I will have 21 books in print; 18 in the Kydd series, two historical standalones and a non-fiction work. I feel very privileged to be able to earn my living as a writer and I’m looking forward to penning more Kydd titles and possibly several further standalones – or a trilogy. For the short term, however, I’m focused on the Kydd series – two titles this year and two next year in my current contract. 2017 will be a busy year for Team Stockwin, with two hardbacks and two paperbacks coming out! And of course the titles will be available as ebooks and audiobooks.

The Powder of Death paperback

‘We know Julian Stockwin best for taking us on adventures on the High Seas with Captain Kydd not the Medieval world of Knights and Castles, but don’t let that put you off – this is every bit as good!’ — Amazon 5-star review

1261. Oxford, England. An envoy returns from the land of the Tartars to meet with an English scholar and share a deadly secret. The two men vow that the knowledge of gunpowder must die with them as the consequences are otherwise too fatal to contemplate.

1290. Hurnwych Green, England. After his quiet life is shattered by tragedy, blacksmith Jared begins a pilgrimage to the Promised Land. Along the way he is invited to join the Knights Hospitallers as their blacksmith on a holy crusade for King Edward. The adventure that follows sees Jared encounter men from distant Cathay who harbour the secret of huo yao, and so begins one man’s obsession with the powder of death and a king’s determination to change the very nature of warfare.

Published in April

Inferno paperback

‘Julian Stockwin is one of the best current authors in this genre. His books are always awesome and Inferno is no exception.’ — Amazon 5-star review

1807. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd’s famous sea action aboard Tyger has snatched his reputation from ignominy. He is the hero of the hour. But though Britain’s Navy remains imperious, a succession of battles has seen Napoleon victorious on mainland Europe.

In an attempt to prevent the French from taking control of Denmark’s navy, Kydd’s great friend Nicholas Renzi – now Lord Farndon – is sent on a desperate diplomatic mission to persuade the Danes to give up their fleet to Britain. But the Danes are caught between two implacable forces and will not yield, opting instead for the inferno of battle.

To be released May 18

Persephone hardback

‘I have to say that without a doubt, Persephone was an absolute joy to read. I have hardly slept for the last few nights as I have really struggled to put it down.’ — early reader

November 1807. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd must sail to Lisbon to aid the Portuguese Royal Family’s evacuation in the face of Napoleon’s ruthless advance through Iberia. In the chaos of the threatened city an old passion is reawakened when he meets Persephone Lockwood, a beautiful and determined admiral’s daughter from his past.

But the Royal Family’s destination is Brazil, Persephone’s England, and it seems Kydd’s chance has gone again. Only later he discovers Persephone has another suitor – and that, if he wants to win her hand, he must enter the highest echelons of London society.

Mixing with aristocracy and royalty brings other responsibilities. The Prince of Wales asks him to take temporary command of the Royal Yacht. Sailing to Yarmouth, Kydd realises they are being stalked by French privateers. The terrible threat of a prince of the blood being captured sees Kydd call on daring seamanship of the highest order.

Will be launched May 18

The Baltic Prize hardback

1808. Parted from his new bride, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is called away to join the Northern Expedition to Sweden, now Britain’s only ally in the Baltic. Following the sudden declaration of war by Russia and with the consequent threat of the czar’s great fleet in St Petersburg, the expedition must defend Britain’s dearly-won freedom in the those waters.

However Kydd finds his popular fame as a frigate captain is a poisoned chalice; in the face of jealousy and envy from his fellow captains, the distrust of the commander-in-chief and the betrayal of friendship by a former brother-in-arms now made his subordinate, can he redeem his reputation?

In an entirely hostile sea Tyger ranges from the frozen north to the deadly confines of the Danish Sound – and plays a pivotal role in the situation ensuing after the czar’s sudden attack on Finland. This climaxes in the first clash of fleets between Great Britain and Russia in history. To the victor will be the prize of the Baltic!

Published November 2

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All the books will be available worldwide, usually a month or so after the UK publication date.
The Collectors Sets
For each new title I offer a Collectors Set. Each Set comprises a signed, numbered and embossed UK First Edition plus a signed cover postcard. Each issue is strictly limited to 500 in number. The Persephone Collectors Set is fully subscribed but there are still some unreserved for The Baltic Prize. Secure yours here.
Standing Orders
A number of readers have asked whether they could have a Standing Order for all future Collectors Sets. Just email with your postal details and ‘Sign Me Up for All Future Collectors Sets’ in the subject line.