One benefit of The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff being published on Kindle & E-book is that it is now possible to view the beginning of the book on Amazon and elsewhere.
What you will see is obviously taken from the Kindle version but as that follows the format of the paper book, it is the same basic idea.
Unfortunately the long front pages with the chapters, the foreword, the map, the Word Hoard and the Muster List all take up space in this preview but you still get to read almost all of Chapter One, which is not a bad thing. No sign of any goats yet, which may be a good thing or a bad thing depending on whether you like spoilers or not.
Saturday 17 December 2011
Tuesday 15 November 2011
A new episode?
I think I have got through The Other Project now and random thoughts of a sequel to the Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff are being jotted down with a working title of The Revenge of the Grufflings. The first half of the book is pretty plain sailing, but the second half throws up some issues which I don't know how to resolve as history kind of gets in the way ...
That's the problem when you involve known historical characters such as Penda in your story; you can only interact with them in certain ways, unless you choose to go down some alternative reality line. In part that could happen (there are trolls and elves in the milieu of my book after all), but I think it would be cheating to do so.
The decision has yet to be made and the journey has only just started, so although I know what happens next, I don't know the exact route to get there.
That's the problem when you involve known historical characters such as Penda in your story; you can only interact with them in certain ways, unless you choose to go down some alternative reality line. In part that could happen (there are trolls and elves in the milieu of my book after all), but I think it would be cheating to do so.
The decision has yet to be made and the journey has only just started, so although I know what happens next, I don't know the exact route to get there.
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Facebook page update
Just a quick post to say that the Facebook page for the Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff can now be reached here. The link is facebook.com/Grufflings.
Wednesday 24 August 2011
Kindle edition now out!
I am happy to announce that The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff is now available in a Kindle edition:
United Kingdom
USA
I am waiting for details of the e-Pub version - keep your eyes peeled!
United Kingdom
USA
Friday 13 May 2011
The names of the kingdoms
Very early on in the process of writing the book I got it into my head to deconstruct the names of the various kingdoms, sub-kingdoms, regions, etc. that the characters know and move through. With hindsight I was a little uneven in my approach but I think I got the level about right.
The first name was Dere. This is better known as Deira but this is a Latin name derived (probably) from a Brythonic original (perhaps Deur). However the road that runs from Edinburgh to York is known as Dere Street so I opted to use this name for the land around York.
Having dropped one Latin name, the next in line was Bernicia. The Brythonic original was something like Bryneich which is not very easy on the tongue, so I went for Bernice as a similar name to Dere.
Then there was the land that the story began in. It is often lumped in with Bernice in general histories but I prefer to think of it as a separate kingdom that was later merged. We only have the Welsh name Din Guaire to apply to the region, which seems to have had its political centre at either Bamburgh, Yeavering, or both. My solution was to assume that the "gu" in Guaire was pronounced as a "w" and so Dinware was coined as an easy way to give a name to the land within which Frith and Bertred were born.
Moving away there was The Mark, which represents the midland realm of Mercia. In West Saxon sources this is often written as Mierce which by i-mutation would suggest an earlier northern spelling something like Mearc. It is The Mark because there were no other marks (border areas, marches) in existence.
Welsh names, paradoxically, are left pretty much as they are. Gwynedd was for some time going to be "Gwunneth" or something similar but I abandoned this idea in favour of the modern spelling because it lacked the simple elegance of Dere and Bernice.
Similarly the Brythonic kingdoms of Rheged and Gododdin are mentioned several times and no attempt was made to alter those names.
Finally there is the name Gatburgh. A single place-name can change from one form to another in a remarkably short period of time. Bede gives the name as "ad gefrin" but on the whole such Brythonic names did not survive elsewhere in Northumberland, so it seems plausible that at some time there was an attempt to change the name to a more English friendly form. Gat is of course Old English for goat and burgh is a fortified place. Although Gatburgh is technically not fortified it does have the illusion of strength to help it along, and the ancient hillfort on the summit of the Bell may have influenced the name further.
The first name was Dere. This is better known as Deira but this is a Latin name derived (probably) from a Brythonic original (perhaps Deur). However the road that runs from Edinburgh to York is known as Dere Street so I opted to use this name for the land around York.
Having dropped one Latin name, the next in line was Bernicia. The Brythonic original was something like Bryneich which is not very easy on the tongue, so I went for Bernice as a similar name to Dere.
Then there was the land that the story began in. It is often lumped in with Bernice in general histories but I prefer to think of it as a separate kingdom that was later merged. We only have the Welsh name Din Guaire to apply to the region, which seems to have had its political centre at either Bamburgh, Yeavering, or both. My solution was to assume that the "gu" in Guaire was pronounced as a "w" and so Dinware was coined as an easy way to give a name to the land within which Frith and Bertred were born.
Moving away there was The Mark, which represents the midland realm of Mercia. In West Saxon sources this is often written as Mierce which by i-mutation would suggest an earlier northern spelling something like Mearc. It is The Mark because there were no other marks (border areas, marches) in existence.
Welsh names, paradoxically, are left pretty much as they are. Gwynedd was for some time going to be "Gwunneth" or something similar but I abandoned this idea in favour of the modern spelling because it lacked the simple elegance of Dere and Bernice.
Similarly the Brythonic kingdoms of Rheged and Gododdin are mentioned several times and no attempt was made to alter those names.
Finally there is the name Gatburgh. A single place-name can change from one form to another in a remarkably short period of time. Bede gives the name as "ad gefrin" but on the whole such Brythonic names did not survive elsewhere in Northumberland, so it seems plausible that at some time there was an attempt to change the name to a more English friendly form. Gat is of course Old English for goat and burgh is a fortified place. Although Gatburgh is technically not fortified it does have the illusion of strength to help it along, and the ancient hillfort on the summit of the Bell may have influenced the name further.
Tuesday 12 April 2011
Blog address
I've just updated the blog to my own, much shorter, web address: www.gruffling.info
No point in putting in a hyperlink - you are already here!
Unfortunately it does not have the same security level as Blogger, so some of you may no longer be able to see it if you have an evil net nanny like they do at work!
No point in putting in a hyperlink - you are already here!
Unfortunately it does not have the same security level as Blogger, so some of you may no longer be able to see it if you have an evil net nanny like they do at work!
Thursday 7 April 2011
Book reviews
One of the things that has been hardest for me as a new author has been getting a print review. Of course I'm pleased to have been reviewed on-line and would welcome many more, but its certainly good to see a review in a printed format. I think it helps that there is the feeling of independence involved that may not apply to online reviews.
I was very pleased when a colleague told me that the Crack magazine had reviewed the book. This worthy and arty magazine has a good circulation in the Newcastle area. I couldn't have asked for a better first review, so many thanks to GM!
The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff
Kevin D. Futers, Strategic Book Group, £8
This is a lovely curio of a book from Futers, a Scottish author who has been resident in Newcastle since 1974. It’s a sort of re-telling, or retro-updating, of the story of the three billy goats Gruff; an old folk tale usually associated with Norway. Here the action is set in ancient Northumberland and sees three brothers inflicted by a curse that turns them into goats who must set forth into a land besieged by trolls on the hunt for a maiden’s kiss: not an inconsiderable task when you are distinctly goat-ish in appearance. Naturally, there is a bridge, but killing its guardian heaps only more trouble on the trio who get caught up in an almighty feud. The author’s evident interest in mythology doesn’t come at the expense of a really cracking read in a tale which is full of cauldrons, kings and people answering to the moniker of “Cerdic the Tall” and the book will appeal to both adventurous adults and children alike. GM
Being a lifelong looker of gift horses in the mouth, I would point out that my middle initial is a P, not a D but that is the fault of the font on the cover, so fair enough!
It was also strange to be described as Scottish, even though I am. I put British on the Census!
Now comes the crucial bit - extracting a quote to help with marketing. "A lovely curio of a book" or "a really cracking read" are possible, or a longer bit from "The author's evident interest..." to the end.
I was very pleased when a colleague told me that the Crack magazine had reviewed the book. This worthy and arty magazine has a good circulation in the Newcastle area. I couldn't have asked for a better first review, so many thanks to GM!
The Adventures of the Billy Goats Gruff
Kevin D. Futers, Strategic Book Group, £8
This is a lovely curio of a book from Futers, a Scottish author who has been resident in Newcastle since 1974. It’s a sort of re-telling, or retro-updating, of the story of the three billy goats Gruff; an old folk tale usually associated with Norway. Here the action is set in ancient Northumberland and sees three brothers inflicted by a curse that turns them into goats who must set forth into a land besieged by trolls on the hunt for a maiden’s kiss: not an inconsiderable task when you are distinctly goat-ish in appearance. Naturally, there is a bridge, but killing its guardian heaps only more trouble on the trio who get caught up in an almighty feud. The author’s evident interest in mythology doesn’t come at the expense of a really cracking read in a tale which is full of cauldrons, kings and people answering to the moniker of “Cerdic the Tall” and the book will appeal to both adventurous adults and children alike. GM
Being a lifelong looker of gift horses in the mouth, I would point out that my middle initial is a P, not a D but that is the fault of the font on the cover, so fair enough!
It was also strange to be described as Scottish, even though I am. I put British on the Census!
Now comes the crucial bit - extracting a quote to help with marketing. "A lovely curio of a book" or "a really cracking read" are possible, or a longer bit from "The author's evident interest..." to the end.
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Candlemas
I've been thinking again over the last few days about the seasons.
It is accepted by the majority of people that summer begins at the Summer Solstice, autumn at the Autumnal Equinox, winter at the Winter Solstice and spring at the Vernal Equinox. So in the UK we have the BBC running their Autumn Watch programme in November and their Spring Watch programme in May.
We seem to base these seasons more on whether we expect the weather to be warm or cold than anything else. Yet there is an older perception of the seasons which survive in the expressions Midsummer and Midwinter. These clearly refer to the longest and shortest days of the year respectively. So the start of winter is also midwinter?
The major pointers are what pagans refer to as the Fire Festivals - Candlemas, Mayday, Lammas and Hallowe'en. These occur roughly three months apart and also midway between the equinox/solstice dates. These then, surely, are the real beginning of the seasons. Therefore, cold though it may be, we are now entering into Spring.
I was out in the garden at the weekend and was delighted to see some bulbs that we put in last year poking their heads through the soil. Even better, all along the hedgerow there is a mass of green buds, ready to burst into leaf as soon as the conditions are right.
It seems to me that things are definitely Springing!
It is accepted by the majority of people that summer begins at the Summer Solstice, autumn at the Autumnal Equinox, winter at the Winter Solstice and spring at the Vernal Equinox. So in the UK we have the BBC running their Autumn Watch programme in November and their Spring Watch programme in May.
We seem to base these seasons more on whether we expect the weather to be warm or cold than anything else. Yet there is an older perception of the seasons which survive in the expressions Midsummer and Midwinter. These clearly refer to the longest and shortest days of the year respectively. So the start of winter is also midwinter?
The major pointers are what pagans refer to as the Fire Festivals - Candlemas, Mayday, Lammas and Hallowe'en. These occur roughly three months apart and also midway between the equinox/solstice dates. These then, surely, are the real beginning of the seasons. Therefore, cold though it may be, we are now entering into Spring.
I was out in the garden at the weekend and was delighted to see some bulbs that we put in last year poking their heads through the soil. Even better, all along the hedgerow there is a mass of green buds, ready to burst into leaf as soon as the conditions are right.
It seems to me that things are definitely Springing!
Sunday 2 January 2011
What does the P stand for?
Well, for the past 40 odd years it has unquestionably been Peter but I've discovered a new name which suits me down to the ground, so with Stúfur's permission I'm adopting his other name as my own.
Kevin Pönnuskefill Futers!
I've always thought that Icelanders have the best names. Now I've appropriated one for myself.
Kevin Pönnuskefill Futers!
I've always thought that Icelanders have the best names. Now I've appropriated one for myself.
A look at other fiction set in the Early Middle Ages
There is a good sized body of historical fiction with an Anglo-Saxon bent out there. Most of it is good, often it can be seriously flawed, but generally it is entertaining stuff and a good way to bring to life the period. I have arranged the list below into roughly chronological periods which are however undefined in terms of dates.
My most common dissatisfaction with books about the period is simple things being wrong, such as pre-Viking Age characters being given Scandinavian names when there is a substantial choice of English names and enough name elements known to make up your own constructs. Then there is the treatment of Anglo-Saxon paganism as being identical to Scandinavian paganism but with a W at the beginning of Odin, not to mention good old fashioned anachronisms. There are a few other points along these lines but this is not the place to make specific criticisms. As these all point to Amazon, take into account the customer reviews there - there may even be some of mine!
NB: An updated list is available here.
Settlement Period
Rhinegold Technically this is of only passing connection to the Anglo-Saxons, being set in Europe throughout, but I have included it for character and because it is truly outstanding!
Hengest's Tale An account of Hengest's adventures in Frisia, possibly aimed at a younger reader.
Men Went to Cattraeth From the other side: an account of the Gododdin.
Ragnarok Bad title (suggestive of Viking Age) for a good book. A British noblewoman marries an English king.
The Way Of Wyrd: Tales of an Anglo-Saxon Sorcerer Not certain what period this belongs to but it is presumably early rather than late. The title says it all.
The Saga of Beowulf A modern retelling of Beowulf. Originally conceived in two episodes, The Land of Death and Shadow followed by The Land of Fire and Ice. It is also available on Kindle
Heptarchy Period
The Amber Treasure (Northern Crown) Set in the 6th/7th century in Deira
Ship Burial: The Rune of Ing A Christian mission from Kent to East Anglia finds the way is less than smooth.
Paths of Exile King Edwin's life as an exile after his father's death.
Storm Frost Set in the 7th century but the location is unknown.
Brightfire: A Tale of Sutton Hoo Sequel to Storm Frost set in 7th century East Anglia
The Whispering Bell Set in 7th century Mercia - the tale of an orphaned girl.
Month of Swallows Story of Hilda, a girl in the court of King Edwin of Northumbria
Holy Isle Sequel to Month of Swallows. Good luck finding a copy (you are up against me for one!)
Wolf Girl A crime story set in 7th century Northumbria
Viking Period
The Last Kingdom Northumbrian exile fights the Vikings
The Pale Horseman Northumbrian exile at Athelney with Alfred of Wessex
The Lords of the North Northumbrian exile returns home
Sword Song Northumbrian exile returns to help Alfred of Wessex
The Burning Land Northumbrian exile saves Wessex
Hrolf Kraki's Saga Poul Anderson's faithful rendition of the saga with additional material from other sources makes for an almost saga-like reading experience; not to everyone's taste as it can feel like reading a translation rather than a work of fiction.
Byzantium Irish monk enslaved by Vikings finds his way by the Volga to Byzantium.
Raven: Blood Eye A Viking's life.
Raven: Sons of Thunder More Viking's life
The Whale Road Viking band in search of the treasure of Attila
The Wolf Sea Still looking for Attila's treasure by way of a stolen sword.
The White Raven Apparently finished with Attila's treasure the boys have problems at home.
The Prow Beast Their homes lost and their boat sunk, the boys get involved in Swedish politics.
Far After Gold Scottish lass enslaved by Viking brute/hunk in M&B style kirtle-ripper
Pre-Conquest Period
The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth A look back at the Battle of Maldon from the grisly battlefield.
Mercenaries Norman lads go out to seek their fortune
Warriors Norman lads make a name for themselves in Italy
Conquest Normans + Conquest = ? No, not 1066, this sees our Norman lads go on Crusade.
Housecarl The life of a Huscarl in Harold Godwinson's army.
Post-Conquest Period
Last of the English Story of Hereward the Wake
Hereward Another Story of Hereward the Wake (not yet published)
One final comment: I have discovered in the course of compiling this list that at least one book that I had listed elsewhere (but not here) is probably the work of a Neo-Nazi. The Anglo-Saxons seem to hold a great deal of fascination for English Neo-Nazis, so I suppose a small sample of books from the genre may reflect their distasteful world view. If any of the books here are of the same ilk, I unreservedly apologise for including them. This list is to be viewed as a wide sample of the genre rather than a list of recommendations!
My most common dissatisfaction with books about the period is simple things being wrong, such as pre-Viking Age characters being given Scandinavian names when there is a substantial choice of English names and enough name elements known to make up your own constructs. Then there is the treatment of Anglo-Saxon paganism as being identical to Scandinavian paganism but with a W at the beginning of Odin, not to mention good old fashioned anachronisms. There are a few other points along these lines but this is not the place to make specific criticisms. As these all point to Amazon, take into account the customer reviews there - there may even be some of mine!
NB: An updated list is available here.
Settlement Period
Rhinegold Technically this is of only passing connection to the Anglo-Saxons, being set in Europe throughout, but I have included it for character and because it is truly outstanding!
Hengest's Tale An account of Hengest's adventures in Frisia, possibly aimed at a younger reader.
Men Went to Cattraeth From the other side: an account of the Gododdin.
Ragnarok Bad title (suggestive of Viking Age) for a good book. A British noblewoman marries an English king.
The Way Of Wyrd: Tales of an Anglo-Saxon Sorcerer Not certain what period this belongs to but it is presumably early rather than late. The title says it all.
The Saga of Beowulf A modern retelling of Beowulf. Originally conceived in two episodes, The Land of Death and Shadow followed by The Land of Fire and Ice. It is also available on Kindle
Heptarchy Period
The Amber Treasure (Northern Crown) Set in the 6th/7th century in Deira
Ship Burial: The Rune of Ing A Christian mission from Kent to East Anglia finds the way is less than smooth.
Paths of Exile King Edwin's life as an exile after his father's death.
Storm Frost Set in the 7th century but the location is unknown.
Brightfire: A Tale of Sutton Hoo Sequel to Storm Frost set in 7th century East Anglia
The Whispering Bell Set in 7th century Mercia - the tale of an orphaned girl.
Month of Swallows Story of Hilda, a girl in the court of King Edwin of Northumbria
Holy Isle Sequel to Month of Swallows. Good luck finding a copy (you are up against me for one!)
Wolf Girl A crime story set in 7th century Northumbria
Viking Period
The Last Kingdom Northumbrian exile fights the Vikings
The Pale Horseman Northumbrian exile at Athelney with Alfred of Wessex
The Lords of the North Northumbrian exile returns home
Sword Song Northumbrian exile returns to help Alfred of Wessex
The Burning Land Northumbrian exile saves Wessex
Hrolf Kraki's Saga Poul Anderson's faithful rendition of the saga with additional material from other sources makes for an almost saga-like reading experience; not to everyone's taste as it can feel like reading a translation rather than a work of fiction.
Byzantium Irish monk enslaved by Vikings finds his way by the Volga to Byzantium.
Raven: Blood Eye A Viking's life.
Raven: Sons of Thunder More Viking's life
The Whale Road Viking band in search of the treasure of Attila
The Wolf Sea Still looking for Attila's treasure by way of a stolen sword.
The White Raven Apparently finished with Attila's treasure the boys have problems at home.
The Prow Beast Their homes lost and their boat sunk, the boys get involved in Swedish politics.
Far After Gold Scottish lass enslaved by Viking brute/hunk in M&B style kirtle-ripper
Pre-Conquest Period
The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth A look back at the Battle of Maldon from the grisly battlefield.
Mercenaries Norman lads go out to seek their fortune
Warriors Norman lads make a name for themselves in Italy
Conquest Normans + Conquest = ? No, not 1066, this sees our Norman lads go on Crusade.
Housecarl The life of a Huscarl in Harold Godwinson's army.
Post-Conquest Period
Last of the English Story of Hereward the Wake
Hereward Another Story of Hereward the Wake (not yet published)
One final comment: I have discovered in the course of compiling this list that at least one book that I had listed elsewhere (but not here) is probably the work of a Neo-Nazi. The Anglo-Saxons seem to hold a great deal of fascination for English Neo-Nazis, so I suppose a small sample of books from the genre may reflect their distasteful world view. If any of the books here are of the same ilk, I unreservedly apologise for including them. This list is to be viewed as a wide sample of the genre rather than a list of recommendations!
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