Welcome to Festival Season!

This week has been hectic. In the pandemonium of the lockdown - and therefore being unable to work - I'd just about forgotten how demanding times were. When, in August (hopefully), I get back to work, it will be interesting to see how a timetable works again!

While I sit here typing there's not a single cloud in the sky! The heavens are blue, the canopy green, and the landscape amass with all colours. Inspiration is really in the air. It's perhaps little surprise, then, that I've returned to my wonderful set of friend, The Clan of Caledon, as they run through the Scottish landscape. With the lockdown (even as it's easing) despite being outlaws, they are more free than I am. An interesting thought. Currently, they are in their fourth adventure.

This week has been dominated by these characters, beginning on Monday when I joined chair Ann Landmann and fellow author Olga Wojtas in pre-recording our event for the #Cymera2020 festival. You can find out about the event by clicking on this link:

https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/2020-events/2020/6/6/virginia-crow-amp-olga-wojtas

I had such a great time recording the event, I really hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed taking part in it!

I was immensely disappointed when the festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, but the fabulous Cymera committee moved the whole event to a digital platform. Now, as well as being delighted to appear as part of the festival, I'm really excited about being able to watch all the events!

If Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror are your chosen genre(s), you are in for an absolute treat with the events Cymera have lined up! You can find them all here:

https://www.cymerafestival.co.uk/2020-events

On Wednesday, I shelved my Caledon friends in favour of the wonderful Doctor Henry Fotherby, in my appearance as part of the second Our Own Write. There are very few characters I have written in whom I can see every aspect of myself. Fotherby is the one who knows me best, and who I can fully understand. Even when I have let him run wild with his own story, I know where he'll go, because it's where I would have gone, too!

I gave a short reading from Beneath Black Clouds and White followed by a sharing of fanart(!) and answering a few questions.

You can watch this by following this link:

https://twitter.com/DaysDyingGlory/status/1266299996468477952?

Authors! Our Own Write is running on the final Wednesday of every month. This is a brilliant event to get involved with. Your audience is global and full of like-minded people. Check out their website and join in the bookish fun:

https://ourownwrite.squarespace.com/

In addition to this, my New Year's resolution is still going strong. This week it was a submission to Wigtown Poetry Prize.

The books mentioned in today's blog can be found here:

Caledon: amazon.co.uk/dp/B083JNL9NK

"Go out and tell all those you meet, Caledon has risen. Caledon will be protected and defended. And to you who would cause her harm, be prepared. A new fight has come."

After the destruction of the Jacobite forces at Culloden, Scotland is divided, vulnerable and leaderless, with survivors from both sides seeking to make sense of the battles they have fought against their fellow Scots. 

James Og flees Drumossie, seeking the protection of his uncle's house in Sutherland. It is here that James learns that the Northern Highlands hold a secret power only he can wield: Caledon. When Ensign John Mackay begins hunting Og's family, James realises he must harness this power to defeat the enemies of Scotland. 

But, as the ageless Caledon awakes, so too does an ancient evil. When it allies with Mackay, the small Clan of Caledon faces enemies at every turn, discovering that even those closest to them may seek to destroy them.

Beneath Black Clouds and White: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QFYFB6V/

Accompanied by his wife to Flanders, Josiah Tenterchilt meets a man who could not be more different from him: an apprentice surgeon named Henry Fotherby. As these two men pursue their own actions, fate and the careful connivance of a mysterious individual will push them together for the rest of their lives.

​

But it is a tumultuous time, and the French revolutionaries are not the only ones who pose a threat. The two gentlemen must find their place in a world where the constraints of social class are inescapable, and ‘slavery or abolition’ are the words on everyone’s lips.

​

Beneath Black Clouds and White is the prequel to Day's Dying Glory.

Keep safe and keep smiling!

Find me here: www.stompermcewan.com
www.twitter.com/DaysDyingGlory - follow me there!

Summery Sunshine through the Window!

Spring has well and truly sprung!

This week, an entire year has passed me by. I've been revisiting a manuscript I completed last year, entitled The Year We Lived, which - you've guessed it! - spans a whole year. It's set in 1174, and follows a conflict between a Saxon family and a Norman family. It's got a massive twist at the end (more like a contortion) which I'm quite proud of!

It has also been Week Two of my Caledon review tour. Two more great reviews!

The first, from The Avid Reader, gave the book four stars and had this to say of it:

Caledon is filled with fighting, betrayals, magic, truths, lies, suspense, action, heart ache and twists and turns that keep the pages turning.

The second came from Hurn Publications, who gave the book five stars (wahey!), and concluded by saying:

Get ready for quite the journey. You’re going to love this read!

[Star ratings are not from blog sites, but can be found on the Caledon Good Reads page]

I'm off now to enjoy the sunshine - thank goodness for gardens in these crazy times!

Keep smiling and stay safe.

Find me here: www.stompermcewan.com
www.twitter.com/DaysDyingGlory - follow me there!

With Love - The Enduring Legacy of Book Inscriptions

This week on Twitter (@stompermcewan) I've been sharing some inscriptions from books in our library. It was suggested to me that I list some of these treasured memories here in blog format, so that it would reach a wider audience, so that's what I'm doing!

An inscription immortalises the recipient and the giver. But more than that, it preserves forever the heartfelt love and appreciation embodied in the giving of a book. That's why I finished the week with the following tweet:

Enjoy these bite-size histories which have created heroes of normal people as they shared there love of reading and books with someone else. We have bibles, adventures, poem, biographies and so many more. You can find all of these - and more - on my Twitter page.

So many of the books in our little library were gifts from Sunday Schools
- this one given to Dad when he was 7.

Children's books were a thing to treasure and, according to Granddad, also doubled up as sketchbooks!

From a gentleman with a story or two to tell - a trained exorcist.

19th century collection of Burns' poetry gifted 1905.
This is a book we acquired so I don't know who Esther was.

A Bible given to my Great-Granddad on going to war
- pleased to say he did have a safe return. 

Given to Mum from her Godparents.

A dedication from Jeffrey Meyers to Susan Watson in his Robert Frost Biography.
Not sure who she was.

Another Biography, this time of Richard Dimbleby

One of several books given to Granddad from his Sunday School.

No idea who Nellie was, but the handwriting in this is incredible.

From a stamp album - the date is 1894.
Why was the word "Day" underlined and capitalised?

I don't know Evelyn but like to imagine this is from a
secret admirer which is why there are only initials.

An unsteady hand with a lot of love.
This one is from a copy of Tom Brown's School Days.

I've been surprised by how many people abbreviated Christmas to Xmas.

Amazing handwriting with a message which speaks for itself.
Featured in here: http://childoftheisle.blogspot.co.uk/

A tale of knights and chivalry - a perfect gift for a 21st birthday!
"The Dove in the Eagle's Nest"

From a time when a book was a treasured prize. How do I know?
Because it's survived since 1887!

This is from a biography of King George the Sixth.
A time-capsule.

I don't know who Charlotte Harrison or Miss Mary Smith were,
but I love the handwriting in this Book of Psalms.

This was given to Dad when we relocated to Orkney.

Intrigued as to whether Claude R Barber was related to Joan Margaret Pearson.
Maybe the book stayed in the house.

A fragile connection to my Grandfather (Maurice) who I never knew
and, in turn, my great-grandparents.

Beyond Frank I can't identify the names in this prayer book.
Interesting that the recipient's name comes second.

A shared Adventure story! Never seen the name Arnalyn before and
I can't track them down despite the unusual name.

A copy of The Ingoldsby Legends sent to Angelo on his 28th Birthday from his mother.
Beautiful!

We thought this Bible had no connection to us until we began
researching our family tree that we found a link.

Thoughtful gift of "Little Cat Lost" A book may have a thousand words,
but an inscription speaks a million more.

Two poetry books inscribed by the poet.
Not sure the significance of the pictures but they'll remain in the book.

We got this with a bundle of 19th Century Royal Navy items.
Many items were parted with, but we kept this book.

I can't expand on this inscription but love its sentiment entirely.

This is from a pocket bible given to my Great-Grandma from
my Granddad (George). He was 14 in 1941.

Two and a half years makes such a difference to this handwriting!
I don't know Elaine, but think I taught her father piano.

Sharing a corner of our world with someone who's shared their own,
creates a global community. Nothing teaches us more.

And finally, one of my favourite inscriptions.
Alex was 1 at the time, Mum wrote the inscription.

If you've got any inscriptions in your libraries, please share them. They are such beautiful sentiments and they're also treasure troves for genealogists.

Like the Blog?
Buy the book (for Kindle or in Paperback)

A Holiday Unlike Any Other

There’s a scene towards the end of The Return of the King when the hobbits have returned to The Shire and everyone is in the tavern, oblivious to the fact that anything life-changing has happened.  Leaving aside the fact that this was not at all like the book, it is the silence and expressions of these four characters which mirror my own.

Dunalastair Estate of Outlander fame
and our destination for Easter

Usually, after a two-week holiday, I grumble a little bit about where the time has gone and bemoan the fact that I’ve wasted it.  I never really did outgrow that.  This time, though, I don’t know how I’ve fitted it all in.  I’ve clocked up over 2000 miles on the road, visited one of my stomping grounds, and discovered riches and ruins of Highland Perthshire.  But it’s not that which left me in a confused limbo between worlds.  I became a published author.

My new book with hundreds of its ancestors

at Innerpeffray Library

After travelling back home to the far north of Scotland, I wandered around my local Tesco with a feeling and expression akin to those four hobbits.  No one in the shop knew – or cared – about the whirlwind adventure I’d been on.  But certainly, I feel I’ve accomplished a great thing.

It’s frightening putting yourself out there.  After all, your soul must leach onto the page a little bit to create a story which is worth sharing.  I’ve been performing since my age was in single figures, sometimes even for local or international dignitaries, but I’d never been as scared as I was standing in front of people and reading my own text to them.  I really felt I was baring my soul, and not just to the people who were at the book launch events, but to the whole world.

Thankfully, at my first event, the Duckegg Theatre Company were there to enact some of the scenes.  And what an amazing job they made of it!  [Full videos are on the Facebook page]

The second event had a much more intimate setting in the beautiful hidden gem of Innerpeffray Library, an historical venue, perfect for the book launch.

An author in her natural habitat: A library!

You can read the blog about the two launches here.

Why have I told you all this?  Well, to say thank you, really.  This thing which passed so many people by in silence and obscurity has meant a great deal to me.  So, to you who have discovered this blog; have read the book; have attended and even performed at the launch events: Thank you.  It may not seem like a big thing, but it’s the world to me.

Taken from your words written in the guestbook.

The book is here in paperback and here in ebook format.  And here’s a section to whet your appetite:

CHAPTER FOUR

Sunday 7th September 1806

Summer in Petrovia Lodge lacked the exciting comings and goings of London, but it was far from dull. The company of the three sisters had improved immensely and they now spent every moment laughing over things that occurred and celebrating the long summer days. The gypsies had moved on now leaving, as usual, gifts for the family in exchange for the permission to reside on their land. The usual gifts of wooden pegs and finely carved figures of animals were left by the river, but in addition Madame Kerina paid a visit up to the house. It was the eve of their departure and she walked up the lawn, calling out in a strange language and in a loud voice so that the five inhabitants of the lodge rushed out to see what it was. She walked up to Arabella and tied a soft red ribbon about her neck.

‘I have seen a child on the lawns of Petrovia Lodge. Do not wear the black of mourning for long, my dear. I hear wedding bells ringing, with laughter but a taste of sorrow.’

‘Wedding bells?’ Arabella whispered, hardly daring to believe the witch who stood before her, yet desperate to do so.

Madame Kerina did not speak again but hobbled away back to the settlement of caravans. Each of the women looked down at the ribbon around Arabella’s neck and, as one, her sisters began congratulating her as though it never occurred to them that the divination may have been incorrect.

September made its appearance in its usual golden way while summer clawed at the earth, doing everything it could to maintain its hold. The fruits of the trees by the river shone as they grew and, where edible, the girls walked down each day to collect them.

‘Nothing tastes so good as a freshly picked apple,’ Catherine announced as she bit into one.

‘We are meant to be taking them back up to the lodge, Cat,’ Imogen replied. ‘We’re already behind with this, and we stand no chance of getting to the top of the trees as Hamish used to.’

‘I can get to the top,’ Catherine replied fearlessly, gripping the apple she was eating firmly in her teeth and commencing the climbing of the tree.

‘You know you should not compare Cat to any man, she has to beat them.’ Arabella looked up as Catherine called down.

‘A messenger! I think we have a letter!’

Book Launches - A Blog Guaranteed Not To Help

While I've been working alongside the Crowvus team to prepare for the three Book Launch events, I've read SO MANY websites about creating a good and effective launch.  I can tell you now, not one of them works entirely.

So in this Blog I intend to address some of the issues I've faced around planning my own Book Launch, with perhaps a few harsh truths thrown in.

1. Budget - Almost all lists suggest that you set your budget and stick to it.  Make sure that you stay within what you can afford.  This is a fair comment because you can bet that, as soon as you go from posting cute pictures of your dog on Facebook to posting your Crowdfunder page, most of your friends suddenly treat you like a pariah.
   "Virginia who?"
   
2. Entertainment - Clearly most people who turn up to a book launch are there to see the author.  But having an alternative - but thematic - entertainment can also be very welcome.  However, expect to be ignored by these people 50% of the time, turned down 30% of the time and gain success the other 20%.  At this point I have to pay huge thankful recognition to Duckegg Theatre Company who were the first people I asked and who have supported me from the word go:
   "You guys are amazing!
   
3. Venue - I landed on my feet here and got some real support!  Choosing somewhere that will draw in like-minded people is crucial.  It's worth looking around carefully before you choose.
   "I've always wanted to go there!"
4. Blog Tour - This is a great idea!  There are so many successful blogs around that if you write a post for them it'll be helping all involved.  Plus, for the main part, book bloggers are quite a nice bunch.
   "Blog it out!"
5. Reading - Choosing which passages from your book you want to deliver.  I have to admit that, whilst the rest of the organisation has been a nightmare, this is the part that fills me with dread.  I'm a trained teacher, and talking in front of people does not phase me.  But READING in front of them, and from something that contains heartfelt words from your own soul, is downright daunting.
   "Please don't laugh..."
   
6. Advertise - As aforementioned, social media is not always the best way to gain support, although throw it out once, twice, thrice...  Actually keep on putting it out there until people get bored of it and agree to attend the launch just to shut you up.
   "Hello? Hello, friends?"
7. Advertise - Get local press involved.  Don't email though, as that is easy to be ignored.  Give them a ring.  Or if, like me, you have an aversion to telephones get your agent/publisher/friend/random-person-you-grabbed-off-the-street to call for you.
   "Yes, you don't know me because I'm a debut author..."
8. Advertise - This is the soul destroying part where you realise that, despite your best efforts to coax, cajole or beg people to attend AND the £££s that you've spent persuading them don't seem to be getting you anywhere, you break your budget as you pay to appear on that one bus shelter you're sure will make all the difference.
   "Of course it was worth mortgaging the house three times, I'm on the billboard three miles outside town!"

And then you turn up, convinced that the only people there will be your immediate family, faithfuls of the venue and those three trusty friends who'd follow you anywhere.  And are you correct?  Well, let's wait and see!

11th April - The Ropewalk, Barton-upon-Humber

17th April - The Library of Innerpeffray, nr Crieff

6th May - St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.

Like it?  Support it!

[Thank you!]

What's In A Title?

I'm lucky.  I've always had poetry in my life.  Starting with the earliest nursery rhymes and passing through the works of the powerful wordsmiths such as Alfred Noyes and Walter de la Mare, to the poems my mother wrote for myself and my siblings.  Poetry has been an ever present force.

Countless years ago, when I was ten, I was bought an encyclopedia of famous people.  Amongst the hundreds of entries in it there were also some quotes and, on reading one such quote, an inexplicable interest was triggered.  The quote was:

"'Tis strange - but true; for truth is always strange; Stranger than fiction"

I was so taken by this that I read in earnest about the man who had created it.  It was a child's encyclopedia so, as you would imagine, great chunks of this man's life were omitted.  But, nevertheless, the appeal of Lord Byron's writing had caught me.

Years later, I made the discovery that Dark Lochnagar, a song I loved hearing The Corries sing, was taken from the poem Lachin y Gair by Lord Byron.  That I had found an inspiration in this song, without knowing that Byron was the author, only emphasised the appeal his words had for me.  The pensiveness and loss (this poem was written far from the mountain it describes and with little hope of returning to it) gave rise to the inspiration that created Day's Dying Glory.  I also discovered that the third verse, perhaps the most evocative in writing, had been missed out from the song.

I've learnt a lot more about Lord Byron since then.  I recently described him as a man with a questionable moral compass, which I feel might have been a generous description given some of his outrageous behaviour.  But it cannot be denied that, as poetry goes, this man was a genius.  His use of language to paint settings is second to none, and his meter always matches his story.  The three words of his that I have borrowed to name my novel speak with far more imagery than you first anticipate, and the more I consider them, the more I see that they do not just describe a sunset, but a turning point.  A turning point in a day, and a turning point in a life.

It would be wrong to imply that Byron's writing was my sole inspiration for this book.  I have drawn inspiration from writers including Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte and Ann Radcliffe.  As well as these authors, Sir Walter Scott's poetry is made mention, and I am lucky enough to own a first edition of "Ballads and Lyrical Pieces", a book that features in my novel.

But without wanting this comment to turn into an essay (though every year I keep meaning to enter the Keats-Shelley Memorial Association Essay Prize), Byron's poetic legacy clinches top spot for me.  When you can extract three words from a writer and have them tell their multifaceted story, that is inspiring writing.

So, what's in a title?  A lot more than it seems!

[Day's Dying Glory has been distributed to the libraries listed in our first blog]