The Caren Johnson Literary Agency discusses the world of self-publishing in this time of economic slowdown. I personally agree with the agency’s opinion that traditional publishing is the first route you should seek as a new author, though some have had major success with self-publishing and then later having an… Read More »Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
Over at Suvudu, Shawn Speakman has written a lengthy article coming to the defense of George R.R. Martin and his long awaited continuation of the A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy series. Martin completed the fourth book, A Feast for Crows, in 2005 with the promise that A Dance… Read More »Defending George R.R. Martin and A Song of Ice and Fire
The Capetians, called the Robertinians in earlier generations, ruled medieval France from 987 to 1328. A powerful family in the West Frankish Kingdom, the Capetians were likely of Saxon origin, migrating from the Rhine-Meuse region some time in the early 8th century. For several generations the Robertinians, descendants of Count… Read More »The Capetians
The Guardian has published its list of 1000 Fantasy & Sci-Novels that everyone must read. It’s actually published in three parts, so you can continue on to parts two and three at the end of the first part. I’ve never even heard of several of these. The first three in… Read More »1000 Fantasy and Sci-Fi Novels Everyone Must Read
Thousands of painstakingly handwritten books produced in medieval Europe still exist today, but scholars have long struggled with questions about when and where the majority of these works originated. Now a researcher from North Carolina State University is using modern advances in genetics to develop techniques that will shed light… Read More »DNA Testing and Medieval History: Uncovering the Origins of Ancient Manuscripts
An Involuntary King: A Tale of Anglo Saxon England by Nan Hawthorne Paperback: 648 pages Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (September 3, 2008) ISBN-10: 1419656694 An Involuntary King: A Tale of Anglo Saxon England by Nan Hawthorne is an historical fiction novel set in Anglo-Saxon medieval England that follows the fictional character… Read More »Review of An Involuntary King: A Tale of Anglo Saxon England by Nan Hawthorne
On the winter morning of Tuesday, November 7, 1189, the rebel forces of Miles of Gloucester approached the town of Worcester. Miles of Gloucester was part of the rebel army who opposed King Stephen, and his army came to Worcester to lay waste to it and burn it to the… Read More »Battles in Medieval History: The Siege of Worcester, 1139
From Roger of Hovedon on the Battle of Gisors: After these events, Robert, earl of Leicester, came with forty knights and a few men-at-arms, before the castle of Pasci, which had belonged to him; on which the knights of the castle sallied forth with a great number of men-at-arms and… Read More »Man-At-Arms
BestFantasyBooks.com has some good recommendations on what makes a fantasy book good or bad. The major points include: Fantasy Books must scream originality Fantasy Books must draw you into their world Fantasy Books must have a well-drawn, unique magic system Fantasy Books must have strong characterization