Book Launch Guest Post: The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary, by Simon Sandys-Winsch

Available from Amazon UK 

and pre-order from Amazon US

The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary is my first book and, needless to say, I am incredibly excited about its launch and very grateful to Jon Wright at Pen & Sword for sharing my vision for its place in an already crowded Tudor book market. 

I attempted writing fiction many years ago but, after a few short stories, realised that I lacked the natural, creative flair which other authors have in abundance. Then it gradually occurred to me that I should stick to what I am most interested in – the past – an avenue that would allow me to write non-fiction and remain within my comfort zone! 

History has always been my thing. After gaining a history degree, I became the sole history teacher at various schools and derived great pleasure from instilling a love of the past in all the children whose paths crossed with mine.

As a fresh-faced and inexperienced (and not very good!) teacher at my first post, in Staffordshire, I happened to stumble across a dusty, old book in my classroom that became the greatest inspiration for the ITD - R.J. Unstead’s Dictionary of History (1976). 

Most would now consider this wonderful tome to be dated but, for me, it opened up the past in myriad ways. I can still remember closing my eyes before randomly selecting a page that could transport me into the past. From the Assyrians to the Afghan Wars, from Cleopatra to Cortes, from Sparta to the Second World War, the book was like a faulty time machine that could drop me off anywhere! 

Colour plates and a large number of line drawings would help bring the entries to life and, if I chose to, I could follow a pathway, guided by words in capitals, that led to other entries. It felt like a book with no end, a gift that kept on giving and, to this day, I am convinced that there must be parts that I have still not read.

 

 In the foreword, R.J. Unstead bemoans the fact that he had to omit many things or the book would have been impossible to carry! I, too, had the same problem in the ITD, of course. Deciding on who and what to include or omit was largely subjective and no doubt there will be many who will question my decision-making but I had to disagree with Unstead’s implication that writers, artists and musicians are not important enough! 

He wrote several books and his aim was always to make history more fun and accessible to children. Possibly, he was a pioneer in this respect and I certainly share this ambition although the ITD is aimed at adults just as much as older children.

And so why the Tudors? This period had the advantage of me already having a good prior knowledge (having taught it quite a lot over the years!) added to the fact that it is such an important transitional time in England’s history. 

The sixteenth century witnessed the beginning of the early modern period when England started to adopt more easily recognisable features: centralised government, a growing middle class, men of ability rather than nobility in power, the diffusion of ideas and education through literature, a greater sense of nationalism and the beginnings of a global trading network. 

Moreover, it is perhaps hard to believe that so many strong, memorable characters are contained in such a relatively short time span. Margaret Beaufort, Wolsey, More, Cromwell, Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII, Cecil, Drake, Bess of Hardwick, Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I are to name but a few. Such a fascinating period demanded the template that Unstead had already provided in 1976.

Simon Sandys-Winsch

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About the Author

Simon Sandys-Winsch was born and raised in Lincolnshire before completing a degree in History and International Politics at Aberystwyth University. He then trained to be a teacher and went on to work in a great variety of schools including one in Nairobi and another in Auckland. Initially, he only taught history but gradually became co-opted into teaching many other subjects, even art and French! During a break from teaching, he sold oil paintings in Melbourne and worked for a sales company in New Zealand. He even tried his hand at telemarketing in Auckland but could only survive five days! By the time he left teaching in 2021 he was in senior management but always retained his love for his first subject. He now works as a tutor in south-east London and has a wife and two daughters with whom he loves to travel. In his spare time, he battles slugs in his allotment, plays hockey and follows his beloved Norwich City F.C. The Illustrated Tudor Dictionary is his first book. Find Simon on Bluesky @simonsandys-winsch.bsky.social

Elizabeth of York and the Birth of the Tudor Dynasty: Uniting the Roses, by Beverley Adams

Available from Amazon UK 

and pre-order Amazon US

Elizabeth of York has often been overlooked by Tudor historians in favour of her infamous son King Henry VIII and his six wives, as well as her glorious ‘Virgin Queen’ granddaughter Queen Elizabeth I. 

But Elizabeth, the daughter of King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, deserves far more recognition than she currently receives. She suffered the loss of her younger brothers, the Princes in the Tower, and lived through the reign of her maligned uncle King Richard III, who it has been suggested plotted to marry his niece. 

Elizabeth was born at a time when having women in power was not considered desirable, but if she had been able to rule then Elizabeth would have been England’s first queen regnant. It was her position as the heiress to the House of York that solidified her husband’s claim to the throne. When she married Henry VII they finally united the warring houses of Lancaster and York. 

It is often thought that Elizabeth was a weak, ineffectual and pious woman who was too meek to challenge her husband’s rule, but in reality she held some sway over her husband and he often valued her opinion. If anything, Elizabeth was a resolute, well-respected and influential queen. 

Despite being of Plantagenet blood, Elizabeth of York was the mother of the Tudor dynasty, one of England’s most powerful and ruthless monarchies. Yet she was a devoted mother and an adored queen to the people of England.

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About the Author

Beverley Adams was born and raised in Preston, Lancashire. She gained her MA in English in 2018 and her first book, The Rebel Suffragette: The Life of Edith Rigby, was published in September 2021. She has since released other titles including The World’s First Computer Programmer: The Life of Ada Lovelace and The Forgotten Tudor Royal: Margaret Douglas Grandmother to James VI & I. She is passionate about bringing the lives of inspirational women back to life. Her interests include history, in particular the Tudors, reading and travel. Find out more at beverley's website https://beverleysreads.wordpress.com/ and find her on Twitter @WriterBeverleyA

Special Guest Interview with Kat Christensen, Author of A Profitable Wife

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Embark on a captivating journey with Kat Christensen's novel—a tale that breathes life into American history. Set against the backdrop of a nation's expansion, this story introduces a world rich with romance, jealousy, murder, and the unyielding spirit of survival. Meet Easter, a formidable young woman carving her homestead from the rugged Western frontier. With Manifest Destiny's fiery ambitions as a backdrop, Easter's resilience is tested amidst political turmoil and societal upheaval.

I'm pleased to welcome author Kat Christensen to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

A Profitable Wife is a pioneer survival story spiced with romance, jealousy, and murder. It’s inspired by a scrappy ancestor of mine who, born during the War of 1812, eventually made her way from New York’s Mohawk Valley to homestead in what is today the states of Ohio and Iowa. My grandmother first told me this tale when I was nine, and I later learned it had been passed down through generations, captivating many with its scandal and mystery. 

Historian James Whitcomb Ellis cemented its legacy in his 'History of Jackson County', confirming family lore and enriching it with vivid historical details. Researching this ancestor’s journey was a historical fiction writer’s dream, bringing to life the extraordinary events that shaped her world and the young nation around her.

What is your preferred writing routine?

When I’m deep into a project, my writing pace varies from daily sprints to occasional bursts a few times a month, depending on the depth of research needed or life’s inevitable distractions. My creative sanctuary is a humble cabin in eastern Washington, where I retreat to focus on my craft.

Writing often consumes me—I lose track of time and enter what I call a "clairvoyant disposition." I inhabit my characters, seeing the world through their eyes, feeling their emotions, and channeling their experiences both physically and spiritually. This immersive process lets me shape vivid scenes, leaving just enough room for readers to embark on their own journeys. My stories often take on a life of their own, guided by characters who lead me to unexpected destinations.

What advice do you have for new writers?

For budding historical fiction writers: savor the journey. Embrace the process of discovery and creation, for the journey itself is the reward.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

In today’s digital age, social media reigns supreme. Building an online presence is crucial—share your work and support fellow authors. The literary community thrives on mutual encouragement, and platforms like Reedsy and Goodreads are invaluable for connecting with readers and writers alike. Collaboration and camaraderie can open doors you never knew existed.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research

The “Real Housewives” of the Old West.  I was struck by the resilience of countless pioneer women who braved the frontier, often journeying alone with their children in tow to reunite with husbands who had gone ahead to prepare their new homesteads. 

These women weren’t mere companions—they were architects of their families’ futures. From building homes out of raw materials to founding schools, churches, and community organizations, they mirrored and recreated the lives they left behind. Their strength and ingenuity were nothing short of astonishing, embodying the indomitable spirit of the American frontier.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

The story of Easter—a young woman defined by her grit and determination—thrusts her into trials that pioneer women often faced. Writing about her bittersweet reflections on survival was deeply emotional. She embodies the "mama bear" spirit, willing to endure anything to ensure her children’s survival. Capturing her moments of despair and resilience, especially when she confronts defeat yet refuses to be defeated, was both challenging and profoundly moving.

What are you planning to write next?

I’m excited to revisit a project set in the 6th century, centered on historical queens embroiled in a decades-long blood feud. I had put it on hold to focus on A Profitable Wife, but this winter, I’m diving back in, eager to bring their fascinating story to life.

Kat Christensen

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About the Author

Kat Christensen is a historical fiction author and reviewer who is passionate about good reads. Rooted in a diverse heritage tracing back to the Revolutionary era, she is driven by a deep-seated curiosity to uncover remarkable stories of female ancestors that shape our modern identity. Kat honed her skillset in corporate information technology which she now passionately transforms into the art of architecting stories. Residing in the Pacific Northwest, she can often be found on urban and rural hiking trails, and of course, in cozy coffee shops. Find out more at Kat's blog https://katchristensen.blog/ ad find her on Facebook and Twitter @KathChristensen

Special Guest Post by Gemma Hollman, Author of Women in the Middle Ages: Illuminating the World of Peasants, Nuns, and Queens

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Available from Amazon UK 

and pre-order from Amazon US

A magnificently illustrated oversize book that uses art to illuminate the lives of medieval women, from peasants to queens

Understanding Medieval Women Through Art

The medieval period is a time that captures popular imagination. It is no surprise that the fantasy genre we are used to seeing in films and television and within books often set themselves in the Middle Ages - a time of glorious knights, beautiful damsels, and a love for stories with dragons and mythical beasts. But when we want to turn to the real history behind these settings and learn more about what medieval life was really like, we can sometimes hit a brick wall. Written sources were largely written by men and were concerned with religious and political matters, often to the exclusion of women. How, then, do we find out how a medieval woman may have spent her day?

One obvious answer can be easily overlooked: artwork. Medieval Europe was an exceedingly visual culture, with art decorating their tableware, the walls of their homes and churches, their mirrors, their furniture, their books. Art was made by anyone for everyone. One did not have to be educated or literature to pick up a paint brush or sew a cushion, and as the centuries progressed and industry flourished, there were plenty of opportunities in the world of work to choose a more creative career.

 
Peasant women were abundantly depicted in art when they are otherwise overlooked in many written sources. Marginalia of manuscripts very often showed scenes of domestic life, and women are found baking bread, making pasta, feeding farm animals and spinning threads. As the book trade developed in the later Middle Ages, some women who had moved to the blooming towns and cities found opportunities to work as illustrators of these manuscripts, leaving their marks on books they would never otherwise have come into contact with.

 
By creating such art, we are able to trace the existence of lower-class women who may otherwise have been lost to history. One well-known manuscript artist was Jeanne de Montbaston, who worked for many years as an illustrator alongside her husband Richard in Paris during the fourteenth century. The couple decorated at least 50 manuscripts that have survived today, working together and separately. 

Jeanne and Richard Montbaston at work, from the Roman de la Rose

(Wikimedia Commons)

Their slightly different styles have allowed us to identify which images Jeanne was solely responsible for, and gives us a wonderful insight into her skill. One manuscript features a marvellous self-portrait of the two at work. Because Richard died before Jeanne, we know her name; in order to continue working as a single woman, she had to swear an official oath with the University of Paris. If she had predeceased her husband, we would never have known her name, but she still would have left her mark in the little figure of herself in the margins of a page.

But artists were not only from the lower classes, and one may be surprised to hear that many artists were religious women. Sequestered away in their nunneries and abbeys, religious women usually had a unique opportunity to gain a much higher education than their lay sisters. Most religious orders taught their nuns to read so that they could understand religious texts, and many consequentially learnt to write, too.

Although much of a nun’s day was expected to be devoted to prayer, idle hands were thought to encourage sin and so they needed another outlet to direct their attentions. Creating something with their own hands was seen as a healthy activity, and so nuns were told to sew altarpieces and religious garments, to copy out religious texts to fill their libraries, and decorate these books with beautiful, holy imagery. 

Very many of these religious women signed their own works, and there is a plethora of self-portraits of nuns that survive from these manuscripts. Through this, we manage to have snippets of lives where records otherwise do not survive - one of the first signed self-portraits of a Western woman was created by a German nun named Guda in the 12th century.

Guda Homiliar - Univ.bib Frankfurt Barth42 f110v (detail)

(Wikimedia Commons)

Women were not only creating art, but they were expected to be influenced and shaped by it too. Noblewomen were even more surrounded by art than their lower-class counterparts, with vast castle walls to fill with tapestries and everyday items like mirror cases and storage chests carved and painted with pictures. Noblewomen had very high expectations placed upon their behaviour, and so the art that surrounded them was often meant to guide them and remind them to behave meekly and properly. 

Demure women gazed down from portraits, saintly women watched over them in church stained-glass windows, and the books gifted to them depicted their own visage knelt in prayer. Noblewomen are shown as powerful, benevolent figures who guide their children and husbands with their mercy and charity.
Art held a vital important to medieval people, and so we have to consider it when trying to uncover the lives of people who lived centuries ago. 

Women’s voices are so often silent or silenced in the written record, and so art can tell us so much that may otherwise be lost. Through this art that they created, were depicted in, and were influenced by, we can start to unpick what life was really like for a woman in medieval Europe.

Gemma Hollman 

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About the Author

Gemma Hollman is a historian and author who specialises in late medieval English history. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, her first book 'Royal Witches' was published in 2019 and her second book 'The Queen and the Mistress' was released in November 2022. She has a particular interest in the plethora of strong, intriguing and complicated women from the medieval period, a time she had always been taught was dominated by men. Gemma also works full-time in the heritage industry whilst running her historical blog, Just History Posts, which explores all periods of history in more depth. Find out more at Gemma's website https://justhistoryposts.com/ and find her on Facebook and Twitter @GemmaHAuthor and @JustHistoryPost

Historical Fiction Spotlight: The Missionary's Wife: based on a true story, by Claire McGregor

Available from Amazon UK, Amazon US

and Amazon AU

Nova Scotia, 1871. Leaving everything and everyone she has ever known, Annetta Stewart boards a ship bound for the exotic islands of Vanuatu in the South Pacific, unaware of the trials and dangers that lie ahead.

Annetta is young, has her new husband by her side, and is going with love in her heart. But will it be enough?

The dangers become real as the actions of slavers in the islands bring consequences that shake the couple to their core. Annetta must decide if she is strong enough to stay. Will the light or dark win out in the hard truths she must face about her faith and purpose in life?

Based on actual events, The Missionary’s Wife is a moving and powerful historical novel about sacrifice, love, acceptance, partnership, and the courage to live life despite the challenges we face.

Join Annetta on her journey and discover the beauty of the islands through her eyes, as she grapples with the ultimate question: how far would you go for what you believe in?

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About the Author

Claire McGregor lives with her husband and two children in the rolling hills northeast of Melbourne, Australia. She is an Accredited Editor and book designer who specialises in editing non-fiction, particularly memoir, family history and biography. The Missionary's Wife is her first work of historical fiction. She helps many independent authors bring their books to life through her business, Kookaburra Hill Publishing Services. Find out more from Claire's website https://clairemcgregor.com.au/ and find her on Facebook and Instagram @clairemcgregor37

Book launch Guest Post by Deb Stratas, Author of Christmas with the Kingston Girls - A Festive and Uplifting WWII Historical Fiction Novel

Available for pre-order

from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Can Christmas festivities brighten even the darkest days of war?

Tilly, Maggie, and Katie Kingston’s lives changed when the blitz tore through London, putting a sudden end to a peaceful childhood on Longridge Road. With all three sisters determined to do their part for England in the war, their paths lead them away from each other for the very first time. Tilly to the Royal Ambulance Service, Maggie to the Women’s Army, and Katie to the Navy.

As we close in on the holiday season, I’m delighted to announce that the final book in my Kingston Sisters series, Christmas with the Kingston Girls, is launching November 15, 2024. It is the sequel to:

• The War Twins of London

• A Burning London Sky

• The Code Girl from London

What’s the storyline for Christmas with the Kingston Girls?

Christmas with the Kingston Girls is a look back at each Christmas during World War II. It begins before the war begins in 1938, and ends in 1946 when the family is into the post-war period and finally back together.

The events of each Christmas season are told through the eyes of one of the main characters: Tillie, Maggie, Katie, and Alice. It is a series of snapshots of where everyone was in their lives, and how they were coping with the war impacts of that year. Some are poignant, many are sad, yet there is also a lot of joy and merriment. 

You can follow the Kingston girls as they mature, serve their country to help the Allies to eventual victory, and deal with love and loss along the way. It completes the original trilogy by wrapping up the stories of these courageous women and their wartime adventures.

What was your inspiration to write a Christmas book?

Christmas with the Kingston Girls is a thank-you to all the readers who have loved the tight-knit Kingston family and wanted to read more about Tillie, Maggie, and Katie. I thought it would be a great way to showcase the entire story of the Kingston Girls through a specific lens, and to share untold tales that helped shaped the characters into who they became. I’ve always loved holiday books – they get you into the Christmas spirit! As I hope this book does for you. 

Was it easy or difficult to write a book spanning nine family wartime Christmases?

It was surprisingly difficult to write Christmas with the Kingston Girls. I originally thought I would be able to take a broad sweep of the nine Christmases based on all the writing and research I’ve done for the first three books. But remembering exactly who was where, and within which individual story arc each short Christmas period was more difficult than I anticipated. I found I had to constantly re-read my own books to ensure I got it right! 

I also found it challenging because I couldn’t change any of the storylines of the first three books. As I was writing Christmas with the Kingston Girls, I wanted to embellish certain events or add more content, but I couldn’t without compromising the integrity of the first three books. 

Lastly, I suffered a minor (major?) emergency when I lost the first 30,000 words of the manuscript in January. I spent a frantic few days trying everything I could to recover the file, to no avail. At that point, I reconsidered even writing the book. I wondered if maybe I wasn’t meant to write it and the story wasn’t supposed to be told.

 But I decided that it was important for me to finish, so I painstakingly re-created the first ten chapters from memory. Luckily, I am a planner so at least I had my outline to guide me. I actually believe the second version is better. Being named a finalist in the Historical Novel Society’s First Chapters Competition reassured me that this book was meant to be written. 

What’s one interesting thing that you found during your research?

One of the most interesting and challenging things was the sheer difficulty in getting weather information for the wartime period. The newspapers stopped printed weather forecasts so that the enemy wouldn’t be forewarned about optimal bombing conditions in England. And none were broadcast on the radio either, so the British people never knew what might be coming weather-wise for six long years. One of the many hardships they had to face.

It was important to accurately portray the weather conditions as a backdrop for what was happening to Tillie, Maggie, and Katie. This part of the research caused me to dig in to many different sources to recreate the real weather conditions as closely as possible. 

Are you sad to leave Tillie, Maggie and Katie behind as the Kingston family saga ends?

Yes, I have fallen in love with each of the girls, and I’m sad to leave them behind in my made-up world of 1946. As each girl has grown into a woman, faced and overcame many personal challenges, bravely conquered dangerous wartime conditions, and searched for love, I have been cheered with their personal resilience and commitment to family. It’s a testament to the real wartime spirit that existed in Britain. At the same time, I feel their stories are complete and I’m content to leave them alive and joyful after six long years of war. 

Watch out for a cameo or two in my next book, as I’ve brought along a Kingston girl into my upcoming series!

What are you working on next?

I’m writing a new series about brave women at Bletchley Park, home of the codebreakers, which is also set in WW2. There is a new set of characters who will be facing their own obstacles and seemingly impossible wartime roles, all the while dreaming of a love that will stretch past victory. The first adventures of Violet, Fern, and Isabelle Grey will be coming in 2025!

Deb Stratas

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About the Author

Deb Stratas tells well-researched and highly readable stories about powerful women in extraordinary circumstances. Readers are transported to other times and places, inspired to be authentic in their own lives. In 2023, Deb signed with ReadMore Press to re-launch her WWII Kingston Twin series: The War Twins of London and A Burning London Sky. As The Kingston Twins, Bravery in the Blitz, the first book was a finalist in the regional fictional category of the 2023 Next Generation Indie Awards.  2023 also saw her enjoy her fourth intensive research trip to London (her happy place!) and complete the Cheshire Novel Prize Summer School and Advanced course. She is based in Oshawa, Ontario, and when not researching or writing, she cherishes spending time with her two amazing adult children, their spouses, and two sweet grandchildren. Find out mor from her website https://www.debstratas.com/ and follow Deb on Facebook and Twitter @deb_stratas

Book Launch: What is Better than a Good Woman?: Alice Chaucer, Commoner and Yorkist Matriarch, by Michèle Schindler

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Alice Chaucer, Countess of Salisbury and Duchess of Suffolk, is one of the very rare people, and the only woman, not born to nobility who became an important political player in the upheaval of fifteenth-century England. 

Widowed, remarkably enough, at the age of 11, that ‘marriage’ nevertheless set her on the road to power and riches. Her second husband, the Earl of Salisbury, would die at the Siege of Orléans during the Hundred Years War. 

Her third husband, William de la Pole, was Henry VI’s Chief Minister ‒ and paid for that allegiance with his life, murdered and thrown into the English Channel. Alice survived all this and more – including a state trial in 1451 – and at the same time was a patron of the arts, commissioning artworks depicting empowered historical female characters, notably St Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. Alice possessed a large library. 

Tomb of Alice Chaucer, Duchess of Suffolk

Church of St Mary the Virgin, Ewelme. (Wikimedia Commons)

As late as 1472, Alice became custodian of Margaret of Anjou, her former friend and patron. She ruthlessly protected the inheritance of her son John de la Pole, and three of his four sons would pursue the Yorkist claim to the throne against Henry VII: they would all die in the attempt. 

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About the Author

Michèle Schindler studied at Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, reading English Studies and history with a focus on mediaeval studies. At the same time she worked as a language teacher, teaching English and German as a second language. In addition to English and German, she is fluent in French, and reads Latin. You can find Michèle on Facebook and Twitter @FLovellInfo