2020? Goodbye to all that!
So here it is, Merry Christmas, everybody’s trying to have fun but . . . well, you all know what’s going on. Not a good year, 2020. A plague year. Still, it’s nearly over and now our eyes turn to the new one. I hope it’s a better year for everyone and you all manage to have at least a little jollity this Yuletide!
I’m calling it Christmas today, although it’s only December 17th. I’ve had enough of 2020 and I’m downing tools till January 4th. I’ve had to cancel a bunch of book stuff this year, the London Book Fair, some fun gigs in Kent, Yorkshire and Nottingham, the Frankfurt Book Fair in October was a washout, too. I’m sorry if you are one of the people I have had to let down. Force majeure, I’m afraid. This bloody Covid thing has intervened in all our lives and, personally speaking, it’s had a big negative impact on finances, too.
But, mercifully, nobody very close to me died – although a few have got ill. And I’m a glass-half-full kinda guy so – onwards, as they say, and upwards.
There is some stuff to look forward in 2021: I have a new Viking series that kicks off in February with The Last Berserker (see cover below). This is the first in a hopefully long-running series (called Fire Born), which will be a least a trilogy – that’s guaranteed – and, with a fair wind, perhaps a seven or eight-book series, perhaps as long as the Outlaw Chronicles. You can pre-order a copy (eBook or paperback) here. I think it has legs, anyway, this action-packed 8th-century yarn. I love the characters of Tor and Bjarki and I am truly excited about getting stuck into writing Book 2 in the new year.
Speaking of the Outlaw Chronicles, it cannot have escaped you’re attention that I have published two – count ’em, TWO – new Robin and Alan adventures in this long, miserable year. So if you want to be a pal, buy a copy of Robin Hood and the Caliph’s Gold, which is available here (see cover below) in paperback or eBook format. If you like it, and want to be even more kind, leave a review on Amazon. It would be very much appreciated.
I have also written another Outlaw Chronicles – Robin Hood and the Castle of Bones – which follows right on from Caliph’s Gold. Both are set between Holy Warrior and King’s Man in the timeline (see the Outlaw Chronicles correct order here) and they are both pretty damn exciting adventures, I think. Two decent additions to the Outlaw cannon, anyway. Check ’em out!
If you missed it, I also brought out the paperback version of Blood’s Campaign in October. It didn’t get the love it deserved from the general public but I still think it is a very fine novel about the William of Orange’s wars in Ireland in the 17th century. The centrepiece is the Battle of the Boyne (July 1690) – which was a fascinating and bloody fight to research and write about. I learnt huge amount, I admit, about that epic battle.
So that was 2020. And good riddance to it. I would, however, just like to say a massive thank you to all of you who bought my various books this year – and helped me keep the lights on in Castle Donald – you allow me to do what I love and I am deeply grateful. I also hope that in 2021, I’ll be able to get to meet a lot more of you in person, and that the sunlit uplands we used to hear so much from out leaders about really are just around the corner.
Merry Christmas to you all – and a very happy new year!
A shit year indeed. But at least we had some books from you!
Have a good break and next year HAS to be better.
Thanks Nick! Happy Christmas to you and your family