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I have just finished my unpublished historical/fantasy novel about Caledonia. I enjoyed mingling historical fact with fantastical fiction. It's AD 83 – 212, three generations of Caledonian chieftains contend with intertribal rivalries, Roman incursions and harsh climatic conditions. To safeguard the land, they must respect the old gods and follow the teachings of the druids. Lachlan follows in the footsteps of his father, Calgacus and becomes a hero in his own right, surpassed only by his son, Arawn. By obeying the gods and seeking the relics of power, he is able to expel the Romans from Caledonia forever with the aid of ancient magic and above all his courage and determination. Here is n extract from chapter 10 when Lachlan meets the Celtic Moon Goddess.  After a couple of days, Lachlan decided to set off into the wilderness alone. He made the familiar cross-country hike to the Chief Druid’s cavern, where he explained what had happened to the village of Britons. “So, you see, Master, I can only obtain justice and revenge by moving astutely.”
“Lachlan, I see that you have put your years of learning here to good purpose. You operate with wisdom. It’s almost dusk, let’s stroll together to the sacred grove and under the oak branches, I’ll call upon the Moon Goddess. I feel sure she will answer your prayers. Tonight, the moon is full. You have come at a propitious time.” Standing before the majestic oak, the Chief Druid put his hand on Lachlan’s head and pressed down gently, “Kneel, and pray!” Obediently, he silently called upon Arianrhod to come and hear his tale of sorrow. The night deepened, and a hush fell upon the sacred grove. The moon, round and full, cast a silvery glow over the ancient trees. Lachlan knelt before the towering oak, his heart heavy with desire for vengeance and justice. The air stirred softly as if the spirits of the forest were listening. In a low voice, the Chief Druid began to chant in the old tongue, invoking the power of Arianrhod, the Moon Goddess. The words danced on the edge of hearing, carrying ancient magic that seemed to vibrate in the very air around them. Lachlan felt a shiver run down his spine as he closed his eyes and concentrated on his deepest desires. As the chanting reached a crescendo, a beam of silvery light streamed down from the moon above, illuminating Lachlan in an ethereal glow. The air grew still, and a sense of otherworldly presence settled over the grove. Arianrhod had heard their plea, and she had a plan to avenge the lives lost and bring justice upon the Roman legionaries and their nefarious centurion. The radiant features of her spectral form turned to Lachlan, “Beloved of the gods, consider this.” She snapped her long fingers and a shaggy green-furred hound, the size of a small cow appeared. The ferocious beast quailed under the goddesses’ stern gaze and sat on its haunches. “Your conquest of the Darkness, Lachlan, removed much evil from the land. It brought this hideous creature to me, since for some reason it spends much time howling at the moon. It is the Cù-sìth. Here we are not far from its home, for it usually lives in a cleft in the Highland rocks, whence it roams the moors. But I have it with me in thrall. I am minded to hand its magic leash to you, who can take it to do your will. This beast is capable of hunting silently, but will occasionally let out three terrifying barks, and only three, which can be heard for miles by those listening for it, even far out at sea. Those who hear the barking of the Cù-Sìth must reach safety by the third bark or be overcome with terror to the point of death. I think that you, King Lachlan, will know how best to use its horrid powers. But as ever, there is a price to pay. You will have to give the creature something to bind it into servitude.” “But what, Goddess?” “You must come to the right conclusion on your own,” the enigmatic pale features broke into an irresistible smile and the ethereal figure shimmered and vanished into its own moonlight. As the sacred grove returned to silence, Lachlan stood with tumultuous thoughts whirling in his mind; he gazed at the Cù-sìth, a fearsome creature with a powerful magic of its own. He pondered over its abilities and the goddess’ words. A price to pay, but what could it be? At that moment, Lachlan realized that the Cù-sìth's power would be tainted by his own weakness, his own human failings. He knew that if he were to truly harness the beast’s magic, he must give it something that represented the one thing that bound him to his humanity – his love for his people. He groped in his pocket. Aye, that was it! Had not Rowan’s father given him his most prized possession out of sheer love. The hideous creature eyed the two men, it’s maw slobbering, ready to throw back its head and bark before tearing them limb from limb, but Lachlan, pressing a restraining hand on the chief Druid’s chest, stepped forward boldly, striding straight towards the monster. Three paces from the confused beast, somewhat cowed by the man’s confidence, he stopped and taking a moonstone from his purse, laid it shining on the ground among the strewn oak leaves under the fascinated stare of the curious creature. The colour of the moon in the sky was a pale, silvery blue, with faint beams of light dancing around the edges. It pulsed and shifted, almost translucent in its beauty. As he placed the moonstone on the ground, it seemed to intensify, casting a hypnotic glow on everything around it in exactly the same way as the moon above. The small, round stone shimmered, catching and reflecting the moonlight. As if mesmerized, the Cù-sìth stepped forwards, its eyes fixed on the stone, placed a huge paw on it and seemed to absorb some unseen power. Lachlan, with a final glance at the goddess’ hallowed grove, turned to the now compliant beast, took its chain, and began to lead it away, followed by the grinning ancient druid. Occasionally on the journey to his hall, the Cù-sìth would stop, bow its head, then raise it to release a full-throated howl at the moon. Lachlan stared up at the shimmering disc in the sky and noted how the soft, ethereal silver that bathed the world in its gentle light reflected in the large brown eyes of the monstrous hound. Somehow it seemed to him that the whole night was bending to their will, as if the moon herself were guiding their steps towards their goal. As they approached the village, Lachlan ordered the beast to sit and wait for his return. He came back with Kerwin and drew the cringing Briton close to the Cù-sìth. “Tell the hound the tale of what the Romans did to your village. Do not spare any detail, however painful to you. He will hear your tale of woe, Kerwin. Tell it in the ancient tongue of your people.” The Briton slowly gained confidence as the great, shaggy green head tilted an ear towards him. As the tale unfolded, the Cù-sìth began a low angry growling that chilled the two Celts to the marrow, but Kerwin finished his account and, Lachlan stood, placed the chain in the Briton’s hand and said, “Lead him to the fortress my friend.” Then he addressed the great hound, bravely stroking its head, “Harken, Cù-sìth! Use your magic to bring terror to those who have wronged us and bring justice to our people!” Almost as if not wishing to waste a second, the hound loped off, straining at his leash. The beast appeared to know where he was directed so that Kerwin had only to hold onto the chain, knowing that he held the power of the moon goddess Arianrhod within his grasp. Arrived at the gate of the fortress, the hound let out a chilling bark, and the echo of its howl filled the night air. Lachlan shuddered as he heard the second bark, and then the third. Miraculously, the malevolent sound had no effect on the Briton. Suddenly, the Roman soldiers began to drop like flies, their eyes wide with terror as they frantically searched for the source of the sound. Lachlan knew that the Roman centurion would not have been able to resist the call of the Cù-sìth, and that he, too, would have been overcome by the horrific barks. The Roman soldiers, desperate to escape the howling beast, started running for their lives, some even abandoning their weapons and armour in their haste to flee. Some senselessly ran out of the main gate, heedlessly and confusedly towards the source of the howling. The episode was over in a matter of minutes, with the Cù-sìth's howls echoing through the fortress and the surrounding area. Lachlan watched on as the Roman soldiers left their fortifications, their faces twisted in fear and despair. The centurion, however, was nowhere to be found. Both Celts knew that the Cù-sìth would continue to search for him until his mission was complete. As the dust settled, Lachlan considered that his accord with Arianrhod had been paid in full. The Romans would never forget the terror of that night, and the Cù-sìth would be a constant reminder of the power and strength of the Celts. Lachlan led the Cù-sìth back to the sacred grove, where he bid farewell to the beast and, kneeling, thanked Arianrhod for her guidance. As the Cù-sìth disappeared into the darkness, Lachlan felt pride and satisfaction wash over him, knowing that he had become a true king, one whose people would be protected by both human and supernatural forces. Kerwin knelt before him and said, “Sire, I am only one man, but I swear fealty to you if you will accept me among your folks.” Lachlan smiled and imagined a world without the Romans and their upstart gods in which all the people of the island vowed allegiance to him. He sighed, knowing that he should be satisfied and grateful for what he possessed in the knowledge that the moon goddess had taught him a lesson in the delicate balance of power and sacrifice. However, this was not the end. Lachlan felt responsibility for the creature, now bound to his will. He would have to ensure that the Cù-sìth did not wreak unnecessary chaos, and, in the process, he would have to keep the gods satisfied. A bond had been forged, one that Lachlan could neither ignore nor escape.
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The history of the English people is a rich tapestry woven from a variety of cultural and ethnic threads. Yet, despite the clear historical evidence, many people find it difficult to accept that the English identity is a synergy of Briton (Celtic) and Germanic (Anglo-Saxon, and not only) elements. This reluctance stems from a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and psychological factors. I’d like to delve into these reasons to understand why this acceptance remains elusive for many. The formation of national identity often relies on simplified and sometimes mythologized historical narratives. For England, the dominant narrative has traditionally emphasized the Anglo-Saxon and later Norman contributions, often overshadowing the earlier Celtic (Briton) presence. The story of a unified Anglo-Saxon identity was particularly popularized in the 19th century during the rise of nationalism. This period saw a deliberate emphasis on the notion of a homogeneous English race, partly in response to the political climate and the need to forge a strong national identity. This historical narrative is deeply ingrained and serves as a foundation for the collective consciousness of the English people. Accepting a more complex heritage requires challenging these long-held beliefs and re-examining the nation’s history, which can be an uncomfortable process for many. Cultural integration and assimilation further complicate the acceptance of a Briton-Germanic synergy. Over centuries, the English language and culture have absorbed and integrated various influences, creating a unique identity that often obscures its diverse roots. The early Britons and later Anglo-Saxons, along with Viking and Norman influences, all contributed to this cultural mosaic. However, the dominant culture tends to highlight specific elements while minimizing others. The process of assimilation means that many cultural contributions from the Britons and Germanic tribes have become so blended that their distinct origins are no longer easily identifiable. This blending creates an illusion of a singular, unified cultural origin, making it harder for people to recognize and accept the true diversity of their heritage. Consider that so far I hven’t mentioned the Danish/Viking contribution. I’ve never tested my DNA, but there’s certainly Danish in there, after all, I’m from Lincolnshire. From a psychological perspective, group identity plays a crucial role in how people perceive their heritage. The concept of "in-group" and "out-group" is fundamental to social identity theory. People derive a sense of pride and self-esteem from their group affiliations, and this often involves viewing their group as distinct and superior. Far be it from me! Admitting a mixed heritage challenges the perceived purity and superiority of the in-group, leading to cognitive dissonance. This psychological discomfort can make it difficult for people to reconcile their beliefs with historical facts, resulting in resistance to accepting a synergy of Briton and Germanic origins. Education and media significantly shape public perceptions of history and identity. The way history is taught in schools and portrayed in th media can reinforce certain narratives while neglecting others. In many cases, the focus has been on the achievements and culture of the Anglo-Saxons and Normans, with less emphasis on the Britons and the Danes. This selective emphasis influences how people understand their heritage. When the contributions of the Britons are not highlighted or are portrayed as less significant, it reinforces the notion of a predominantly Germanic origin. Changing this perception requires a concerted effort to present a more balanced and inclusive view of history. In contemporary society, there is a growing recognition of the importance of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds in shaping national identities. This shift is partly driven by increased awareness of multiculturalism and a more inclusive approach to history. However, it takes time for these changes to permeate deeply entrenched beliefs and narratives. The axe I wish to grind is that in Wke culture, Anglo-Saxon is becoming a derided term because of its misuse by extreme right-wing groups. Please let us reflect on the tenth-century Renaissance under King Alfred and regard Anglo-Saxon culture with justified pride. As more research and scholarship highlight the contributions of both Britons and Germanic tribes to English identity, and as educational curricula and media representations evolve, it is likely that acceptance of this synergy will become more widespread. Embracing a more complex and nuanced understanding of heritage can enrich the sense of identity and foster greater appreciation for the diverse roots of the English people. The reluctance to accept the synergy of Briton and Germanic in English identity is rooted in historical narratives, cultural integration, psychological factors, and the influence of education and the media. Challenging these entrenched views requires a willingness to re-examine history and embrace a more inclusive understanding of identity. As society progresses, there is hope that this acceptance will grow, leading to a richer and more comprehensive appreciation of what it means to be English. Thanks for commenting G. Miki - I replied by message.
There is a unifying theme running through my historical novels: it is that of the common man’s or woman’s destiny being shaped by historical events and leading him or her to encounter great personages. This theme is shaped by my historical convictions; I am not a Marxist but neither am I blind to the importance of economics in determining mankind’s existence. I quote something I read: control of the economic base does not mean control of the superstructure. Greater thinkers than I, like the philosopher De Tocqueville point to the importance of individuals in shaping history. So, a writer of historical fiction should consider the role of individuals, gender, disability and even geographic events and build them into his plot. Enough of theory!
Let’s look at some concrete examples in my writing. In a recent trilogy The Saxon Shore Trilogy, I have underlined how climate change drove mass migration, one of the causes of the decline of the Roman Empire. My main character, Valdor, is a Batavian youth, a simple farm lad, who, with his fisherman cousin and others, flees the flooded Rhineland and Roman oppression to meet Carausius, a usurper who becomes emperor. Through courage and ingenuity, he rises to the rank of Count and helps the Empire defend itself against barbarian hordes. Later in the series the reader meets King Arthur, a descendant of Valdor. The St Cuthbert Trilogy underlines how great forces, in this case Christianity, can influence the life of a common leather worker. He goes to war, then meets St Cuthbert, a chance encounter that changes his life. One of his descendants is caught up in the Norman Conquest, but he is a master mason responsible for constructing Durham Cathedral. What about women? Absolutely vital in the historical novelist’s work if he or she is going to be realistic. Great events shape the life of Leoba, an Anglo-Saxon saint, missionary in Germany, foundress of abbeys and only female counsellor to none less than Charlemagne. I fell in love with her as I wrote her tale in The Purple Thread, set in 8th century Europe. Again, we have a main character who is not only ordinary, but a former slave, a Briton, Begiloc, forced by the church to protect Leoba because he was a valiant warrior. He meets saints, popes and bishops on his forced destiny across different countries. But why are ordinary people so important in my novels? Simply because we can identify with them and their adventures are ours. That is why in the Sceapig Chronicles, another trilogy, I have chosen a deer breeder, an apple grower and other country folk to rise above their simple peaceful lives to fame. But hang on! They were forced to react by the first Viking raids to protect what little they had. Again, they meet important people. You will find these genuine historic figures scattered throughout my novels rubbing shoulders with farmers, fishermen, tradesmen, and merchants. As for settings, my interest is the Anglo-Saxon period, but no era stands in isolation, so I have explored late Roman Britain and early Norman England. In The Bretland Trilogy I cover early medieval Wales and in Expulsion, we meet the Vikings, driven out of Ireland by united clans to wander as far as Constantinople. Writing historical novels implies plenty of research for accuracy, but it is fun as the literary brush leaves swathes of colourful lives and depicts many parallels with our present-day world. Oh yes, history teaches us that we never learn from history, or so they say. I wonder whether Sir Winston Churchill would have agreed with that, but as I say… greater minds than mine! As you know, my favourite period for my writing is the Anglo-Saxon era AD 410 -1066.
Out of curiosity, I began to read up on the period before AD 410. What struck me immediately was how the Roman Empire had gone from magnificence to woefulness in the third century. The more I studied, the more I wanted to write a novel about it. I was under no illusions because the argument is complex. I’d like to share my findings here, not least to temp you into obtaining a copy of The Saxon Shore my latest novel, which contains a pinch of each of the following ingredients! The question is WHY? You think the world is a mess in 2024 – you should try AD 286 (when my novel begins). In no particular order of importance -- BECAUSE
That’s complex enough, isn’t it? It took Diocletian to sort it out, but in AD 303 he began to persecute Christians I have tried to write page-turning fiction about this period from ca. AD 286 to the Edict of Mediolanum AD 306 when Emperor Constantine the Great decreed Christianity would be tolerated throughout the Empire. I hope that the Saxon Shore will be published by the spring. Look out for my postings in Facebook and here. I have been fortunate enough to receive some excellent reviews from American readers, so this is not a petulant response by any means. However, one kind American lady magnanimously wrote that she loved the story, but shame the novel was littered with typos. Hang on a minute, dear lady, how is that possible? After a career teaching English, double-checking, triple-checking, my Beta readers and, finally the demanding editorial proofs can even one typo have escaped us? But ‘littered’. Now I wouldn’t bother writing this blog if it was a question of just one eccentric’s opinion, but several Americans have complained in their reviews about typos. Then, it came to me in a flash: British and American English! Is it my fault if a reader reads colour when she is convinced it should be color? Or sympathise when she knows it is sympathize? Well, it’s hardly surprising that a British author writes in British English. His Vance & Shepherd Metropolitan murders are set in London – the capital of little Old England. Then, there are his Anglo-Saxon novels. Good job I can’t write those in Old Englisc (sic!) or only a few experts would understand them, but surely an American would admit that it would be incongruous to write a novel set in the eighth century AD in American English. Now, I must indulge myself with a little language history. Old English gave way to Middle English (the language of Geoffrey Chaucer) who died in 1400. Then we had William Caxton, (born 1422) whose printing press did much to make English uniform throughout England. His painstaking typographical settings contained all his foibles, so modern-day English spelling has much to do with Caxton’s preferences, which is perhaps that he thought night should be spelt (not spelled) so and not nite. I was born in Lincolnshire about ten miles from the port of Immingham from where (or whence) the Pilgrim Fathers left in the Mayflower before calling in farther down the coast in the port of Boston (Lincs, not Massachusetts). Of course, they were mainly Puritans and took with them plenty of copies of the King James Authorized (sic) Bible with its beautiful English, despite the frequent thee, thy, and thou it is the most diffused book in the world. And we should not forget (forgot, forgotten) that Americans use get, (got gotten), so they use a purer seventeenth-century usage than British get, got, got. It used to bother me that Americans called a tap a faucet until I discovered that in seventeenth-century Britain the faucet was the name given to a cask or barrel tap – open it and out flows ale – now that’s charming! Few Americanisms set my teeth on edge, but one of them, understandably is john. Why call a toilet john when it can be a loo? I speak for all the Johns in this world! Even worse is an expression in current vogue, ‘from the get-go’—I hate it—what’s wrong with ‘from the start or ‘from the beginning’? Thanks for bearing with me. As a reward especially to any patient Americans, I’ll say right here that there are Americans among my favourite writers – favorite writers – such as Ernest Hemingway, Gore Vidal and poets Frost and Dickinson. Also, I promise not to criticize my American writer friends in a review about their typos (non-typos!)  At school they taught us that Anglo-Saxon began in 410 when the Romans definitively abandoned Britannia to defend Rome against Alaric. Instead at university, they chose 383AD presumably because the imperial usurper, Magnus Maximus raised the standard of revolt at Segontium (Caernarfon) in north Wales, and crossed the English Channel.Maximus held much of the western empire, and fought a successful campaign against the Picts and the Scots around 384. His continental exploits required troops from Britain, and it appears that forts at Chester and elsewhere were abandoned in this period, triggering raids and settlement in north Wales by the Irish. Until the late twentieth century, historians drew on the writings of Gildas and Bede. Gildas and other sources were used by Bede in his Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, written around 731.Bede gave a precise date, 449AD, for the first arrival of the Anglo-Saxons and he said they came from three tribes: the Angles, Saxons and Jutes, who themselves came from different parts of Germany and Denmark – the Angles were from Angeln, which is a small district in northern Germany; the Saxons were from what is now Lower Saxony, also in northern Germany; and the Jutes were from Jutland, now part of Denmark. According to Bede the Angles settled in East Anglia, the Saxons in southern England, and the Jutes in Kent and the Isle of Wight.
I do not believe any of the dates 383, 410 and 449 are credible. The truth is that much earlier Saxon legionnaires came to Britain, retired from the legion, married Britons, cleared land and tilled it, settling and introducing their language, Old English, to the Britons. The construction of roman forts, the Saxon Shore forts provide further evidence in the third century that Saxon piracy was rife along the south and east coasts. Other archaeological evidence indicates a Saxon presence in England as early as the third century. Gildas used the correct late Roman term for the Saxons, foederati, people who came to Britain under a well-used treaty system. This kind of treaty had been used elsewhere to bring people into the Roman Empire to move along the roads or rivers and work alongside the army. Gildas called them Saxons, which was probably the common British term for the settlers. Hence, my current work-in-progress, a novel beginning in 286AD and provisionally entitled The Saxon Shore. I hope to finish it before the Spring, as I ama bout to start Chapter 9, there’s a way to go yet. After the turbulent end to the roman period in Britain, matters become clearer. The fifth-century settlement is still obscure, but events become clearer with the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, c. 650-800AD I now wish to list my published Anglo-Saxon novels in the following heptarchy (7 kingdoms) context (See map): 1. Kent, settled by the Jutes. Ethelbert of Kent was the first Anglo-Saxon king to be converted to Christianity, by St Augustine around 595 AD. 2. Mercia, whose best-known ruler, Offa, built Offa's Dyke along the border between Wales and England. This large kingdom stretched over the Midlands. 3. Northumbria, where the monk Bede (c. 670-735) lived and wrote his Ecclesiastical History of Britain. 4. East Anglia, made up of Angles: the North Folk (living in modern Norfolk) and the South Folk (living in Suffolk). The Sutton Hoo ship burial was found in East Anglia (see below). 5. Essex (East Saxons). Here the famous Battle of Maldon was fought against the Vikings in 991. 6. Sussex: the South Saxons settled here. 7. Wessex (West Saxons), later the kingdom of King Alfred, the only English king ever to have been called ‘the Great', and his equally impressive grandson, Athelstan, the first who could truly call himself ‘King of the English'. Here are my novels with dates and kingdoms specified (more or less in order of publication)
When did Anglo-Saxon England end? Every schoolchild learns 1066 with the Norman Conquest. But is that true? Depends. Certainly, almost all the Saxon aristocracy perished in that year and the Normans seized their lands, but rural life continued unchanged. You have to evaluate the millions of peasants against the hundreds of Norman aristocrats. Sadly, the splendid Anglo-Saxon culture was destroyed. Finally, King Harold’s daughter married the Prince of Kiev – that might be a novel in the making! Thank you for reading.
 Garnet and Gold is the name I gave to my box-set of four historical novels https://www.overdrive.com/media/9112917/garnet-and-gold because when I think of those early kingdoms, I imagine the splendour of the jewellery made by patiently hammering thin sheets of gold, overlaid with a labyrinth of niello work, carefully soldered to encase precisely-cut pieces of garnet, the semi-translucent gemstone, which would be enhanced by the light passing through the stone reflected back by the gold layer. Clever, or what? My guess is that the best pieces, which we are fortunate to see from Sutton Hoo in the British Museum and the Trumpington Cross—the main feature of this blog—in the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, were reserved for the richest and most powerful individuals f the time (about the 7th century AD). Historians are almost certain that the Sutton Hoo ship burial was the grave of King Raedwald, king of East Anglia.
What then of the mysterious bed burial near Cambridge? Who was the teenage girl archaeologists estimate between 14 and 18 laid to rest with a stunning pectoral cross in one of only 15 bed burials so far brought to light? My guess is that she was a princess who can be identified as one of England's earliest converts to Christianity – and who lived in a settlement boasting one of the oldest Anglo-Saxon Christian burial sites in Britain. The pectoral cross is only the fifth of its type found to date. Perhaps the most famous is the one buried with St Cuthbert in Durham cathedral. The 3.5cm diameter Trumpington Cross comes from one of the earliest Christian burials in Britain, probably dating between AD650-AD680. Because the earliest Anglo-Saxon converts to Christianity were from noble families, with its adoption filtering down through the social hierarchy, the teenager buried at Trumpington Meadows was undoubtedly of aristocratic or even royal status. Although buried with treasured possessions including gold and garnet pins, an iron knife, glass beads and a chain which would have hung off her belt, it was the unexpected presence of the cross –which marks the teenage girl as an early convert to Christianity. The Trumpington Cross is testament to the very early years of the English church after St Augustine was dispatched to England by the Pope in 597AD to convert the pagan Anglo-Saxon kings; what a spectacular dress accessory! The bed consisted of a wooden frame held together by metal brackets, with further pieces of looped metal fixing the cross-slats to create a suspended bed base, similar to modern beds, but with a straw mattress. The body was then placed on the bed, probably when it was already in the grave.  All of my books are published by a hybrid publisher: Next Chapter.
They describe themselves and I quote: “Next Chapter is a Rapid Versatile Publisher (RVP) that combines the professionalism and quality of traditional publishing with the creative freedom of independent publishing.” When they accepted my first novel, I had to wonder if I’d done the right thing to opt for them or to simply self-publish. Thirty-five novels later, all published by Next Chapter or one of their imprints, my answer is a resounding yes, I’m more than satisfied with the treatment I receive. But, what is a hybrid publisher? The Intellectual Property Bar Association (UK)’s Hybrid Publisher Criteria includes the following list of expectations, which all hybrid publishers are expected to meet (I quote them): Define a mission and vision for its publishing program. Vet submissions. Commit to truth and transparency in business practices. Provide a negotiable, easy-to-understand contract for each book published. Publish under its own imprint(s) and ISBNs. Publish to industry standards Ensure editorial, design, and production quality. Pursue and manage a range of publishing rights. Provide distribution services. Demonstrate respectable sales. Pay authors a higher-than-standard royalty. I am happy to say that my publisher amply meets all these criteria – so thank, you Next chapter’s CEOs. As an author, I’m well aware of the vanity publishers out there. If you are a new writer, beware the sharks! Just use a search engine to find out who they are and avoid them like the plague! Thank you for your kind attention, John B. |
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