Hi nick. I was wondering when or whether you have any more novels scheduled for release as it’s been a while since your last one. I loved mariks way and the cassius corbulo series and am looking forward to anything new you are hopefully working on?
Thanks
Barry
Agent of Rome series I have two of the audibles and found one other which I have not purchased. My question how do I get all the audibles for the series have checked Chirp, Amazon and Goodreads and have not been find the audibles or a answer to this question.
Thanks for taking your time to read this and I hope you hace a good day
Dennis
Hello,
Thanks for getting in touch. I have started putting some ideas together for another Roman book. I’ll keep readers updated via this site and my Facebook page. Marik 2 might happen but it won’t be for a while! Best, Nick.
I’m looking for someone to ghost write an historical novel set in the Napoleonic era. I have done a great deal of research & need someone to help me tell the story, which is more or less writing itself.
Just finished “The Last Battle” and a worthy ending to the series. Congratulatiions Nick on a very readable set of characters. Best wishes from New Zealand.
Hello there! Thanks very much for getting in touch. I’m really pleased – and relieved – that book 7 has been so well received by loyal readers of the series. There may well be more Roman novels coming before too long. All the best, Nick.
I read all your books on Agent of Rome, including the 7th. Wonderful and gripping. I loved every sentence of it. Very good. Please continue with these (kind of) series.
Love the series , sad that it’s coming to an end but I am sure more epic stories from the Roman era are forthcoming . Saying Hello from Canada , Saskatchewan in Western Canada . Hard to spell , easy to draw.
Hi Derek,
Many thanks for getting in touch and it’s great to hear that you’ve enjoyed book 7 and the rest of the series. There may well be some more Roman books and if you can put up with fantasy, there’s also ‘Marik’s Way’! All the best, Nick.
I have just finished reading “The Last Battle”, having followed Cassius through all seven novels, and readily confess to shedding a tear at the end of his journeys with Simo and Indavara. These novels bear more than just comparison with the best within the genre, those of Simon Scarrow, Ben Kane, Anthony Riches, Harry Sidebottom and ,latterly, Adrian Goldsworthy. I do so hope that you continue to write similar novels in your brilliantly readable style, if not in the Agent of Rome series, then in a similar period with new characters. Congratulations on the conclusion of a wonderfully exciting series.
Hello Jan,
Many thanks for your message. I’m really glad to hear you enjoyed book 7. Never say never, indeed! It’s great to hear readers’ enthusiasm for the stories and I will give serious thought to another Roman tale at some point. All the best and I hope you enjoy Marik!
Best, Nick.
As a Flemish professional historian I read your novels with pleasure. The last battle in my opinion is one of the very best of the series. “Never say never again”. There are still six emperors to go before Rome calms down with Diocletianus. So I vividly hope Abscantius will retire and cede his place to an older and wiser Corbulo. I’m sure too that after a few years Indavara will be bored and shall happily respond to Corbulo’s call for assistance. OK, time to start Marik’s Way.
Hi Ginny,
Sorry for the late reply. Thanks very much for getting in touch and your kind words. You now have four more books to read, including ‘The Last Battle’, which came out last year. All the best, Nick.
Hi David,
Many thanks for getting in touch. Great to hear that you thought book 7 a worthy ending. There may be other Roman books coming at some point! Best, Nick.
Just finished Book 7. Congratulations and thanks Nick for a wonderful series. I was torn between not wanting to stop reading but at the same time knowing it brought me closer to the end of the adventures! The way you were able to bring to a conclusion all the different threads of each main character’s journey throughout the series as well as the next stage of their lives was brilliant.
Just finished ‘Last Battle and wanted to say thank you for an ending that gives you hope of more of the series. Love the characters and the flow of the journeys. Well done.
Hi Kevan,
Thanks for asking. Yes, I’m up to 80,000 words now and it will definitely be appearing in the summer! More news coming soon. All the best, Nick.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for getting touch and for supporting the series. I’m writing the last book at the moment and it should be out next summer!
All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick, Im a bit late in finding the Agents of Rome series and at present i’m up to Earthly Gods’. Have you written and more in the series ( I borrow the books from the library ) here in OZ.
Dear Nick, I have just discovered you! I have loved roman historical novels for many years and was looking for a “new” author. I really liked to two books I’ve read so far but I think Indavara is my real hero! What a star. I am really looking forward to reading a load more Agent of Rome books so a big thank you for all your research and wonderful writing.
Ginny Goodall
Hi Allen,
Indeed, I started book 7 back then but progress since has been very slow; mainly because I’m tied up with freelance work to pay the bills! But I’ve been back writing it recently and I’m hoping to publish in the summer of next year. A long time since book 6, I know, but it’s going well and hopefully will be worth the wait. Thanks for supporting the series. Best, Nick.
Hi Nick, Where can I find “Agent of Rome” book VII (The Last Battle)? I note that you posted on “27th Feb 2017 that you had started writing it. Now almost finished book VI (The Earthly Gods) and I’m keen to know what happens o the trio.
Hi Joost,
Many thanks for your message and pleased you’ve enjoyed the books. I haven’t heard anything from the Dutch publishers (Karakter) about any further translations. Sorry about that! All the best, Nick.
Hi Kevan,
Yes still self-pubbing and hoping to get it out this year. My time’s been taken up with a fantasy book but that is out in August and might keep you going if you’re interested. I’ll soon be free to focus solely on ‘The Last Battle’. Thanks for supporting the series! Nick.
Hi Nick,
Whats happening with the next book? You suggested it might be out this year and may be self published…….. GREAT series and would love to support the ‘final installment!
Dear Anne-Louise,
Many thanks for supporting the series and I’m very glad to hear you’re enjoying it. I have written about a third of Book 7 and I’m hoping to publish it before the end of the year. All the best, Nick.
Dear sir, I was having so much fun, but can’t find Agent of Rome Tome 7 at least on Kobo or Amazon. Is it almost finished, or finished or near printing? Rare to find a good read involving ancient geography, Roman civilization and whodunnit. Wish I had had that, fifty-odd years ago, to supplement Latin, Greek and Ancient History lessons in my far-off corner of the (ex) British Empire. keep it up, keep it up!
Hi Nick
We worked together a few years back on my MS and it is now published and I am wanting to send you a copy. I gave a big shout out to you on my thanks page and I really appreciated your feedback and recommendations which helped enormously.
The book DECEIT – is out in July https://www.impactpress.com.au/deceit
If you could email me your mailing address I would like to send you an early copy with thanks
Best regards
Richard Evans
Hello Sian,
Many thanks for your kind words. It’s messages like this that keep me motivated to complete book 7 – hopefully out later this year. Simon T does indeed know his stuff!
All the best, Nick.
I’ve been forlornly checking your website intermittently since I read the bad news about Hodder, and so I am absolutely delighted to learn that you’re writing a new ‘agent’ book. You are such a good writer. Your ability to create characters and write dialogue is second to absolutely no-one in the Roman fiction field. Self-publishing seems to have worked a treat for S J A Turney!
Dear Sir, I’ve just read ‘The Siege’ and I’ve already ordered the 2nd in the series. I’m no critic, so all I can say is that I greatly enjoyed it, and I suspect thal’ll be good enough for you. Best Wishes, Roger Salt
Hi Kevan,
Many thanks, that’s very nice to hear. There’ll be plenty of action in book 7 and I’m hoping to publish it this year. Thanks for supporting the series. All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick, Love all your books, up there with the very best in historical fiction. No-one does action any better and as a collector with 30 authors and over 500 first edition hardbacks, this is no’ butter up’ compliment! and if I was a publisher, you’d be on book 9 or 10 by now! The question is for now…… When might we see ‘The last Battle’, and what plans post that event?
My name is Cindy Doty and I am a freelance proofreader. I specialize in fiction/non-fiction works and am looking to broaden my client base. I invite you to visit my website to view my rates and projects I have worked on and see what others have said about my work – http://www.dotyproofreading.com. I believe that proofreading is not an expense but an investment in your project, and I would love to help you present a polished manuscript ready for publication.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Marij,
Thanks for getting in touch. Did you read the first book – ‘Het Beleg’?
In that it is explained that Simo’s father and antecedents come from Gaul but have been in Antioch for six generations. So the men may have married local women but his father’s ‘bloodline’ is ‘Gaulish’. I’m not sure if I mentioned this in book 2 so I suppose it could be a bit confusing. I hope that makes it clear and that you enjoy the book!
All the best, Nick.
about your book The Imperial Banner, which I read in the Dutch translation, being a 65 year old lady from Holland:
there is this servant/slave Simo, in my translation being a Gallier (Gaul in English).
I think it is strange that he meets his father (being a Gaul too, I suppose) in the region of Antiochia. How is it possible that 2 Gauls find one another in the near East?
Or: the translation of the nationality of Simo was not correect.
Perhaps I missed something?
With regards,
Hi,
There are six books in the series and I’m currently writing number 7, which will probably be the last one. All the best and hope you enjoy them, Nick.
hey I have read a lot of books about roman history in fiction I have read simons Scarrow books and ben kanes I have jut bought your fist 2 books and I look forward to reading and i was wondering how meany books u would be making in series
Hi Pat,
You’re very kind! Thanks – with messages like this I have all the more energy to complete book 7 and get it out this year. Many thanks for your support, Nick.
Whoah – I was looking to see when the next Agent of Rome book would be out. I’m incredulous. Dropped by the publishers? It has been a fantastic series written by an exceptionally talented author. Please don’t fail your fans – self publish. We’re waiting.
Truly amazed your old publishers did not want to support you any more. I have bought all of your books and greatly enjoyed them. Hope you can continue to write and publish this excellent series
Hi. Thanks for letting me know; I’ve had some other similar messages. All I can say is sorry about that and I have the publishers looking into it. All the best, Nick.
I am wondering why I can’t buy these books through USA Amazon. I see they’re available in the UK, which I cannot access, but not in the US. Any future date you expect this to change?
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for that. Yes, I think you’re probably on to something with the Cassius, Indavara, Simo axis. It’s partly accidental but that dynamic certainly gives me a lot to work with. Let’s hope books 5 and 6 will also be recorded by your good self at some point! All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick,
I’ve not looked at this page of your website before and have just had a browse through including the messages relating to the audiobooks.
Thanks to Liam for saying hello, we have a great time in the studio recording the books.
As with anonymous Steve I also rate that epilogue/aftermath sequence in Black Stone as my favourite sequence now of all the ones we’ve done so far. The characters are at their best when they are believable human beings not just invincible James Bond hero types, and I loved performing that, it was very moving. The adventure had finished but the characters still had so much to do.
I don’t know if I’m right but I see Cassius, Simo and Indavara as three parts of a whole, Cassius is the brain, Indavara the muscle, and Simo the heart. They succeed because they need each other to survive, because they see in each other a part of themselves that is less developed.
As for Michael de Lyall and the question of Simo’s accent, I “cast” the voices in my head from people I know or from a specific chatacter trait. So the sailors get cornish piirate accents and Indavara is a commoner who comes from the Capital Rome so gets a cockney accent from our capital London. I wanted Simo to have a distinctive voice as he’s in it all through and the black country accent from the midlands is not meant to be dumb but I think its fairly monotone pattern is apologetic which I thought was suitable for a slave. So certainly no intention to make him dumb, he is a loyal, deeply moral dear friend now and I think that is why I found that conflict at the end of Black Stone so heart breaking. All the best to you Nick and thanks to everyone who has listened to the audios.
Hi Alan,
Thanks very much for getting in touch. As a writer it’s very rewarding to hear that people are enjoying the work. Thanks for supporting the series. All the best, Nick.
Mike,
The ‘publishing industry’ is composed of people who almost never meet each other and certainly don’t have a coordinated approach to telling ‘porkies’. You asked my advice and I gave it. Some agents will look at anything at any time, many will not want to ‘double up’ on clients with similar projects; for obvious reasons – and for others it may well be an ‘excuse’ not to add to their workload. You’re quite right to approach whoever you can and get your work to as many people as possible. There are no guarantees whatsoever but the harder you work (on your book and finding representation), the luckier you – may – get. Regards, Nick.
Something I forgot to add, below, is that after I found Conn Iggulden’s agent (on his website) I emailed his agency, A M Heath. I then mentioned that I’d written a Roman-Britain novel – in the style of Iggulden – and found that his agent was Victoria Hobbs. I then actually noted that her fellow agent, Bill Hamilton is also interested in historical novels, so I specifically *asked* them which one I should send an ‘Iggulden’- style novel to, and they replied that they would suggest Victoria! So there we are… I’m just re-reading the email exchange with A M Heath now, and they *did* advise me to send a potential Iggulden competitor-novel to Victoria Hobbs, his own agent! (Which I did, back in June, but am still waiting for a reply). So perhaps you can now understand why I feel I’ve been so misled by the entire publishing industry – including the agencies of rival authors, themselves, who give the *same* advice as creative-writing guides: ‘look for an agent who represents the genre you write in’.
So I don’t know about any other aspiring authors out there, but it feels suspiciously to me like a lot of people in the publishing industry are telling us all a bunch of ‘porkies’, one way or another, as the sum-total of the advice we’re being given is definitely contradictory and just doesn’t add up… (Btw, for those not au fait with Cockney Rhyming slang, ‘porkies’ is short for ‘Porky Pies’ = ‘Lies’ 🙂
Well, no it’s not really very good advice, since creative writing guides fail to draw the distinction between Roman-period historical novels & non-Roman historical novels in their blanket descriptions of ‘look for an agent who represents the genre you are writing in’. And perhaps if they made the point which you’ve just done – that no agent is going to want to ‘double-up’ on authors in any one genre/period – then it might be a little clearer and more helpful to the rest of us. In which case, I would never have wasted my time months ago submitting to Conn Iggulden’s agent. And anyway, if an agent happens to be interested in a particular historical period, there’s no telling that they might be interested in any other. So submitting to agents representing any *other* historical period than Roman Britain is going to be virtually a lottery, and far less targeted or specific than looking for agents representing Roman Britain. For example, I couldn’t care less about the Tudor period, as it’s boring and already even more hackneyed than the Roman period has ever been (never a year goes by without we get yet *another* TV or movie adaptation about – yawn! – ‘Henry VIII & his six wives’ 🙂
And I was particularly referring to individual agents, rather than agencies, since many Roman-Britain authors do actually list their own agent on their websites (it’s how I found Simon Scarrow’s agent in the first place, after all). You, of course, only mention your agency (rather than individual agent) but it looks like they’re one of those agencies who are either on the way out or don’t like to be contacted, as they don’t seem to have a website…
Nor was I actually seeking a ‘recommendation’ from anybody (I would never have mentioned your name to an agent without your permission, of course 🙂 However, you might be interested to know that – on the website of none other than Bernard Cornwell, no less – that author not only lists his agent, but actually (and I couldn’t believe this, myself) *offers to help any aspiring author to find their own agent*! Yeah… ‘Boom’, I thought, and immediately emailed him to take up his kind offer. He duly replied (or at least, his PA did, in his name) recommending an agent in New York. So there we are, it can be done. (I think it helped that I buttered him up about his Arthurian trilogy and said that it would be nice if he could mentor me as his successor 🙂 However, the agent he suggested I contact was not – of course – his own, nor did they work at the same agency. So I think my experience with Cornwell confirms what you have revealed to us: that no author is going to recommend their *own* agent to any potential competitor (despite the fact that most of them do advertise their agents on their own website).
Anyway, it’s back to contemplating self-publishing for me, if I can save-up enough pennies (and that’s what I’d advise to anyone else these days 🙂
No it’s still good advice because not every agency that represents hist-fic will have a Roman author. Also, while it’s unlikely a oneman agency would want two Roman authors , it’s possible and at a larger agency not unusual at all. I’d forgotten my agent’s name is on the website and of course it’s not forbidden but they are so busy that they are unlikely to thank a client for a ‘recommendation’ and, to be honest, why would one of their clients do so? It’s not bad advice, it’s just the case that – as I said – finding an agent is really difficult and heavily dependent on luck. There may also be a current feeling that Roman has ‘shot its bolt’ and apparently publishers are not that keen on hist-fic at the mo. Having said that, a lot of authors are still shifting a lot of books. All you can do it keep writing to agents. It’s a nightmare I know but we’ve all been there! Best of luck.
Many thanks for the prompt reply, and for the sympathetic comments (not that any of it is news to me, but it helps to know that everyone has the same problems finding an agent 🙂 But while it may be normal for agents not to want to take on any competitors for their existing clients, then why the heck is it that every creative-writing guide, (including the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook) every editor & website blithely advise us to ‘find an agent who represents the genre you write in’ when that seems to be the *worst* possible advice given the reality of the situation? 🙁 I mean, we’re all just being jerked around, here. And on the point of your own experience, I take it that the agent you eventually found did *not* already represent any authors in your genre, is that so? In which case, it wouldn’t help anyone else if you did mention their name, anyway; albeit that several other writers in this genre actually do mention their agents by name on their websites, so it can’t be forbidden to do so. (Actually, your website does mention your agency, though they no longer seem to have a website – if they ever had one).
So the advice we’re being given by the industry is worse than useless, and we may as well just go for any agent who currently promotes Mills & Boon style romances or children’s books, and we’d have better luck, wouldn’t we…
Anyway, on the subject of self-publishing, that’s something I’ve not only been seriously considering for a long time, it’s what I’d personally advise anyone else to do if they can afford it. Because it literally seems to be the only option left these days. And as I said to Simon Scarrow’s agent, I only wish I’d been born 50 years earlier, when the ‘market saturation’ for Roman fiction (as well as every other kind of novel) just wasn’t there, and it was so much easier for anyone to get published. Anyone own a Tardis? 🙂
Hi Mike,
I got my agent the traditional way (by using the Writer’s Handbook and writing to him). At that time, the market was said to be ‘saturated’ with Roman fiction and if anything there’s probably even more out there now. So that doesn’t help; and it’s quite normal for agents not to take on ‘competitors’ for their existing clients – for obvious reasons. Having said that, if your work really stands out there is always a chance. Getting an agent is very difficult – basically there are a lot of writers and not many agents. I’m afraid it’s not really the ‘done thing’ to give out your agent’s name and details. What I suggest is just to keep banging your head against the brick wall – you might eventually loosen some bricks! That’s what I did. In the meantime, ensure that your work is nothing less than the best you can make it – you need to be ready when opportunity comes! The good thing is that these days you have the self-publishing option and I’m sure you’ll be aware that authors like SJA Turney and Gordon Doherty (in the Roman genre) have made a huge success of this. All the best, Nick.
Ave! As an aspiring author of Roman novels, myself, the general advice we get given by almost everyone is to: ‘find an agent who represents the genre you write in’. Which sounds logical enough, but in the real world, that advice doesn’t seem to work. I’ve just got a reply from Simon Scarrow’s agent saying that (without even looking at my novels and despite my novels being set in the 5th c. rather than the 1st) she couldn’t even consider representing me in case of a potential conflict of interest between me and Simon…! So resisting the temptation to shout back at her: ‘Temet Futue!’ (A quote from the novel: ‘The Last Legion’) I explained the evident failure in validity of advice I was getting from everyone else, and complained about how disheartening the situation is that the publishing industry seems more intent on protecting its current investments than in making any newer (potentially better) ones. So my question to you is: How the heck did you ever manage to find an agent and (if you didn’t mind telling me) who are they? 🙂
Hi Nick. I’m reading The Far Shore and it’s really good. Can’t help but wonder if the scene with Squint in the Sea Serpent isn’t a nod to a certain scene in the Mos Risley cantina in Star Wars. Hope it is.
Cheers.
Alan.
Hi Liam,
Glad you’re enjoying working on the books. I have heard them, yes, and very impressed. That’s a good idea re: Nigel. I shall get in touch with him.
Nick.
Hi Nick, I am reading The Dead move Fast. Can you please tell me what Syntagmatarchis and kiros mean please. its driving me daft not knowing and I have tried hard to find out to no avail. thanks
Over the past couple of years i’ve had the very great pleasure of recording the audio book versions of your Agent of Rome series, with the wonderful Nigel Peever reading. We’re recording The Black Stone this week, taking our afternoon break as I type this.
Have you had an opportunity to listen to any of these? It might be nice if Nigel had a few words from yourself regarding the audio books which he could pop on his website, but no pressure if you’re particularly busy.
Anyway, mostly just wanted to say how much we’re both enjoying working on this series!
Liam
Hey Nick,
Please to meet u at goldboro books night and writing this from the seat in front of you on the train lol.
Drop me a message back and catch up over a pint one night.
Andy.
Hi Tom,
Very nice to hear from you and I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the books. I don’t think Karakter are publishing any more in Dutch, I’m afraid. I certainly haven’t heard anything if they are. Sorry about that. All the best, Nick.
Hi Steve,
Thanks so much for getting in touch. I’m a former history teacher myself – the noblest of professions! It’s always great to hear readers are enjoying the series (especially as you’re clearly a genre expert) – that’s why I do it. I’m also very pleased that you rated the sequence at the end of the Black Stone – it’s always difficult to imagine how these people so different to us might have reacted. Hopefully it was true to the characters and an interesting epilogue to the longest book so far.
All the best and I hope you enjoy books V and VI (out next year).
Nick.
Hi,
I’m a long time History addict – History graduate, military historian and (now retired) History teacher, who has always had a particular interest in the ancient world. Also an avid reader of pretty much everything – though I very much enjoy the recent wider availability of Roman based fiction such as Scarrow, Riches, Turney, Breem, Sidebottom, Wishart, Maddox Roberts et al. So basically as far as history and historical fiction go, I guess I could claim to “know my stuff”. So that’s the context for my praise. However, I’m not in the habit of writing to authors but felt I had to drop you a note to say how much I have enjoyed reading your Corbulo series – which I’m sure you get told all the time! But also specifically to say thank you for writing the sequence at the end of The Black Stone, where Corbulo attempts to come to terms with what has happened and how it has affected him. This was so well done. Thank you so much for writing it.
Steve
My name is Simon Walpole, I’m a freelance illustrator with an interest in Ancient History, and in particular Ancient Rome. I have recently had some illustrations in Ancient Warfare Magazine as well as some some upcoming books by Gordon Doherty, SJA Turney and Griff Hosker.
Please take a look at my website: http://swalpole6.wix.com/handdrawnheroes with a view to my possibly doing some illustrations for any current or future projects you may have. My rates are reasonable and as a goodwill gesture I will do a small chapter heading illustration or frontispiece for free.
Thankyou for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks so much for your message. Yes, I lived in Warsaw for 5 years and Brighton for about 4 on and off. Both great places. Thanks for supporting the series and getting in touch. All the best, Nick.
i’ve been a fan of your books for years and just checked your website. I live (and have lived for the past 5 years) in Warsaw. Inicidently, I also lived in Brighton, close to the Marina (2002- 2005)
Great to hear from you, especially from such an exotic locale! I’m glad you didn’t spot too many mistakes; it’s hard to eradicate them completely but myself and the editors do our best. In case you weren’t aware, the fifth book was published in June. Thanks again for supporting the series! All the best, Nick.
I am thoroughly enjoying your “Agent of Rome” series. Unfortunately I am reading them back-to-front (so far The Black Stone, The Far shore and at the moment The Siege) but it doesn’t make them any less enjoyable.
When I first picked up The Black Stone I thought “oh, this is about the Roman secret service. Not sure if I’ll enjoy it as much as previous ancient Rome books I have read.” But once I got to know Cassius, Simo and Indavara and your story telling prowess I loved your books. Thank you. It is interesting to read The Siege and start from the beginning when Cassius first came into “posession” of Simo and their times together. Having read last and now first i can appreciate that your characterisation of these two has never faltered. I am looking forward to the introduction of Indavara.
I have read many novels set in ancient Rome and enjoyed them all but as a subconscious story editor I am always picking up editing errors. In some novels I have found frequent and horrendously obvious examples but in your books I have, so far, only found one or two.
Thanks for your books and I hope to enjoy them for some time to come.
Hi James.
Many thanks for getting touch. It’s great to hear you’re getting so much out of the books. I won’t be at Harrogate, I’m afraid – mainly because I haven’t been invited 🙂 Also, I live in East Anglia so its a bit of a trek. I’m sure you know but book 5 is out this month – I hope you enjoy it and 4 too. If you’d like to keep up with series news, competition etc I also have a Facebook page (Agent of Rome). All the best and thanks again for supporting the series, Nick.
I just started reading your books this month. I am now onto number three. I would like to say thanks,I find them interesting,fun,informative and most importantly hard to put down. Keep up the great work and I will continue to support you by purchasing your books.
Will you be attending Harrogate history festival in October. I went last year and met Simon Scarrow,Harry Sidebottom,Ben Kane and Anthony Riches to name a few?
Hi Thom,
Thanks very much for your message. I’m really glad you’re enjoying the series. I have to give a lot of credit to Henk Moerdijk, the translator, who seems to be doing a great job. As you may know, book 2 brings in the character Indavara, a gladiator himself. There is no shortage of books on the subject out there to help you with the research. There is a huge amount of work involved, yes, especially when you start out. If you need any advice, feel free to contact me on facebook (agent of rome) or twitter (randomrome). Best of luck! Nick.
I have just started reading your serie (in holland it’s called: Strijder van Rome I: Het beleg) and I must say I really love the story. I just orderd your second book (in dutch: het koninklijk vaandel) and can’t wait to start!
I am trying to write a book on my own, which is about the hard live of a gladiator. It’s taking a lot of research and patience to write a historical novel, so I’d like to say that I have a lot of respect for your hard work and your talent.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much for your message. I’m thrilled to hear how much you’re enjoying the series and I hope the Far Shore lives up to expectations. Book 5 is out in June and I’ve actually started book 6 just today! If you’d like to keep up with the series, there is a facebook page (Agent of Rome) and I’m @randomrome on twitter. Thanks again, Nick.
Mr. Brown,
For the past few years I have been studying about Ancient Rome, more specifically the roman army. Your stories of Cassius Corbulo and his adventures are the perfect mixture of realism and romanticism. I read “The Siege” in eight hours, not able to put it down. I have just finished “The Imperial Banner” and starting “The Far Shore” today. I have a lot in common with Cassius and have a great admiration for his courage and humility in such perilous times. Thank you once again for your work and I look forward to reading more.
Cheers,
Jacob Bradbury
I have been enjoying your books a lot and saw that you have written a few short stories in the Agent of Rome world. I have a weekly feature of short fiction review and wanted to ask if you could send an pdf of your short fictions so that I can review them on the blog? Thanks for you consideration!
Hi John. Nice to hear from you – really glad you’re enjoying the series. As for the shorter chapters – they’re actually comparatively short as it is so can’t really help you there 🙂 As for signed copies – all you need to do is send an email to agentofromebooks@yahoo.co.uk All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick . Just to say how much I have enjoyed your books . The detailed description of events & people makes you feel that the charactors are alive & you the reader are there with them . Great writing & story line . Looking forward to you next book .
Two questions for you if I may .
1 . Would you & the publishers consider shorter chaptors ? I read your books in bed before settling for the night saying : ” I’ll just finnish this chaptor” then fall asleep drop the book & wake up ! Hence the request .
2 . Is there any way to get details of your book signing’s ? I buy your books from Amazon normally to add to my collection of your H.B. books , sadly not one of them is signed by you .
Regards
John
Hi Lewis,
Very nice to hear from you; I’m thrilled that you’ve enjoyed the first three books and are looking forward to ‘The Black Stone’. There is indeed an important development from Indavara – his story is set to run and run. Hopefully with his help, Cassius can become a bit more adept at swordplay – as you say, it’s not exactly his strength! As for Abascantius – he also returns for book IV (if you’re an ebook reader there is a short story featuring him called ‘The Eleventh Hour’.) If you’re interested in more info on the series there is also a facebook page for Agent of Rome. All the best and thanks for your interest, Nick.
I have read pretty much all of the Roman novel authors out there, ben kane, scott, riches, iggulden you name it I have read it. I was trying to find more to read and I found yours.
First book was great
Second book perfect
Third book…. Just as perfect.
Loved everything about the books cant wait for the 4th which I Have preordered. The story behind Indevara is very instersting, Possibly a Thracian?. I would like to know his past. It creates alot more depth to the story I am glad you havnt had him remember anything keeps his story going.
Also I am still waiting for Cassius to actualy fight someone with his damb gladius. Or was it a spartha the longated officer sword? He seems to be such a weak character when it comes to battle but then on the otherhand he takes control and actualy seems quite brave.
Overall great books and your a great author. Cant wait for the next.
I would like to see how Cassius’s boss (forgot his name starts with A though!) reacts to everything which happened in the far shore.
Hi Dave, many thanks for getting in touch. Much appreciated. I’ve just checked and you’re quite right – that’s a mistake! I will notify the publishers in case there’s a reprint. Well spotted 🙂 Hope you also enjoy book IV and all the best, Nick.
Love your books Nick, wish I could write like that. You have joined my favorite authors, Simon Scarrow, Harry Sidebottom and Bernard Cornwell. Just a trivial note: The Far Shore, page 270 five lines from the bottom “unbelted tunic” then page 271 15 lines up “Cassius grabbed his belt” – that a typo? Anyway, great entertainment that will be reread many times. Thank you. Regards, Dave K.
Hello David,
Nice to hear from you. Is that academic research or just out of interest? Like all the Agent books it can be read as a standalone but starting with the Siege might offer a richer overall experience. That’s if you like them of course! All the best, Nick.
Just found out about your book “The Black Stone” while researching the black stone of Emesa. Might give it a try, but is it stand alone, or must you read the others in the series first?
Hello, John, thanks very much – that’s great to hear. It’s nice to see Cassius et al have reached some readers ‘down under’. Book 4 is out in a couple of weeks and I’m currently working on book 5. Thanks again and all the best! Nick.
Hello Nick, I guess you’ve heard it all before, but I really want to just say thanks for taking me away from a less than sunny Sydney and immersing me in a time and place you write so well. Fan fucking tactic! All the best. Please retreat to your lonely writers garret and get to work…
I did read one of your books (paperback). I liked it. So i tried to buy e-books (at bol.com in dutch). Well i could buy them and i payed for it but i cannot read them because the digital right protection gives problems. i was busy for over 2 hours. this is the wrong message for people that want to do things right. just want to let you know that in this way your rights as an author are not well protected.
Hi again, yes that may well be it. Nigel (the reader) has chosen to give them all distinctive accents which was a bit of a shock to me at first but it is a very effective interpretation.
thanks Nick
appreciated the reply. My Simo impression probably comes from the audio characterisation which is different from my reading impression in the first two books. cant wait for the next instalment, black stone. mike
Hello Michael,
Glad to hear your enjoying the series. Simo’s always been a bit fat, as for lazy, not sure where you got that impression, except perhaps via a misplaced Cassius comment – he does that sometimes! As usual, Simo has an important role to play towards the end of the story. Hope that answers your question. All the best and I hope enjoy the rest of book 3. Nick.
i am really enjoying the series having read the first 2 books and currently listening to the latest as an audio book while driving to work. My question is “are you dumbing down the simo character into a fat lazy servant from a caring knowledgeable chap”
Hi Nick. Glad to hear you’re enjoying it and I look forward to seeing your review. Doorbells – I seem to remember reading something about bells on chains within niches outside houses. As they used bells in religious ceremonies it seems likely that they would also have used them for this purpose.
All the best and thanks for supporting the series, Nick.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting in touch. I know that The Siege has been recorded and I have asked the publishers about it and book 2. I will get back to you when they tell me more. All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick….great series, but will the first 2 soon be available from Audible in download format ? Seems strange that Book 3 is out in this format but the first two are not. Hope they will be available soon as during the summer months I just like to lay back in the garden and listen to favourite books I have already read. Looking forward to the next in the series. Cheers mate.
Far Shore is available as an audiobook on audible etc. I think the other two will be coming at some point. There is a CD version, see here: But I should warn you that it is very expensive!
Hi Thomas, very nice to hear from you. I have a contract from my publisher for three more books. The fourth, The Black Stone, is out in June. Thanks for supporting the series, Nick.
Hi Robert, yes I see what you mean about the dates. Its hard to remember but I suspect there are different dates (years of accession) elsewhere (probably a text book) – or I may have just made a mistake!
In any case, well spotted and many thanks for supporting the series – book VI out later in the year. All the best, Nick.
I am a great fan of your works and appreciate them all! Keep up the good work!
After having read “The imperial banner” I noticed you used Hormizd Ardashir (or Hormizd I) as persian emperor, even if the story takes place in the year 272 AD. Even if Hormizd I reigned only until the year 271 AD and was then succeded by his older brother Bahram I (reign 271-274).
I just wanted to point this small error out because I am a great fan of yours and hope to keep reading great books like “the siege” and “the imperial banner”.
Hello, William. Very nice of you to get in touch, it’s much appreciated. The Far Shore came out on kindle on July 18 and is also available on istore etc. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for supporting the series. All the best, Nick.
Hi Roxanne. Many thanks for that and I hope you enjoy The Far Shore 🙂 Book 4 out next summer and there are also a couple of short stories if you have an ereader. All the best, Nick.
Wanted to say I love your series and just begining The Far Shore. Vvery sad that I will have to wait for futher books as they are a great read and I love the characters.
Best Roxanne
Very glad to hear you’re enjoying The Siege, much appreciated. Re: the “fire” term, I have heard this before from a number of people, and after due consideration, I don’t think it quite applies – though I must admit I’ve used “fire” less often in the later books! The thing is, my characters would have been of course speaking Latin, so anything in the book could be considered a translation of sorts. Also, while people in the know like yourself might consider “fire” inappropriate, most readers are familiar/comfortable with it and don’t even note the connotation. In fact, I would say that to use “shoot” would, to many people, raise more thoughts of a gun than “fire.” Many thanks for getting in touch – if you’re interested in reading more, book 3 came out last week. All the best, Nick.
Greetings and salutations from Nick to Nick.
I am currently reading your excellent work “Siege”; very enjoyable.
I was an Armourer for many years (26) and have been a keen archer for the last few years shooting longbow and horse-bow with Penicuik Archers.
I will point to a small error commonly made by historical authors and the public in general.
The term “fire” when used with archery of any kind, including the horse bow (I have one) is only used to describe the shooting of incendiary arrows! The term “fire” only came into common usage with the advent of firearms when the operator would apply fire to the primer powder or fuse in order to ignite the main charge to launch the missile (a ball of lead or “round”)
The proper term when using a bow is “SHOOT” or “LOOSE”
I hope this is useful to you and you have not taken offense.
I only point this out because it is almost as bad as that American aberration of a phrase “Lock and Load” which to those that know is a complete impossibility.
The term should be “Load and Lock”!!!!!!!!
A useful place to visit for research is The Royal Armouries at London or Leeds.
Hi nick. I was wondering when or whether you have any more novels scheduled for release as it’s been a while since your last one. I loved mariks way and the cassius corbulo series and am looking forward to anything new you are hopefully working on?
Thanks
Barry
Hello. Unfortunately not. I had to self publish which means it’s only on Amazon. Sorry about that. Hope you can get it elsewhere. Best, Nick.
Nick, is Agents of Rome “The Last Battle” available on iBooks as all the other books of the serie? I can only find the audio version…
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for getting touch. Not sure what’s happened there. The whole series has been available for some time and is listed on Audible, Amazon etc. Hopefully it’s a temporary issue. Best, Nick.
https://www.audible.co.uk/author/Nick-Brown/B0053S1YEA?ref=a_pd_Agent-_c1_author_1&pf_rd_p=aebffbf1-33ac-4be8-82f9-b498e9e5fcfa&pf_rd_r=2FF21QX2Z12ADAJCK95C
Agent of Rome series I have two of the audibles and found one other which I have not purchased. My question how do I get all the audibles for the series have checked Chirp, Amazon and Goodreads and have not been find the audibles or a answer to this question.
Thanks for taking your time to read this and I hope you hace a good day
Dennis
Hi Graham,
Thanks very much for getting in touch and glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Best, Nick.
Just finished the last battle. Sense of relief at a perfect ending. Great series Nick. Thanks.
Hello,
Thanks for getting in touch. I have started putting some ideas together for another Roman book. I’ll keep readers updated via this site and my Facebook page. Marik 2 might happen but it won’t be for a while! Best, Nick.
Good Day! Kindly let me know when your next book, especially “Marik’s Way Book 2” will be available in Hardcover/Paperback.
I’m looking for someone to ghost write an historical novel set in the Napoleonic era. I have done a great deal of research & need someone to help me tell the story, which is more or less writing itself.
Hello Peter,
Many thanks for getting touch. Great to hear that you enjoyed book 7. All the best to you in NZ! Nick.
Just finished “The Last Battle” and a worthy ending to the series. Congratulatiions Nick on a very readable set of characters. Best wishes from New Zealand.
Hello there! Thanks very much for getting in touch. I’m really pleased – and relieved – that book 7 has been so well received by loyal readers of the series. There may well be more Roman novels coming before too long. All the best, Nick.
I read all your books on Agent of Rome, including the 7th. Wonderful and gripping. I loved every sentence of it. Very good. Please continue with these (kind of) series.
Hi Joe,
Great to hear from a reader in Saskatchewan (hopefully correct spelling!) Many thanks and all the best!
Cheers Tessa. I’ll do my best!
Love the series , sad that it’s coming to an end but I am sure more epic stories from the Roman era are forthcoming . Saying Hello from Canada , Saskatchewan in Western Canada . Hard to spell , easy to draw.
I loved the whole Agent of Rome series, in fact I like all your books and short stories. Bring me more please!
Hi Derek,
Many thanks for getting in touch and it’s great to hear that you’ve enjoyed book 7 and the rest of the series. There may well be some more Roman books and if you can put up with fantasy, there’s also ‘Marik’s Way’! All the best, Nick.
Dear Mr. Browne
I have just finished reading “The Last Battle”, having followed Cassius through all seven novels, and readily confess to shedding a tear at the end of his journeys with Simo and Indavara. These novels bear more than just comparison with the best within the genre, those of Simon Scarrow, Ben Kane, Anthony Riches, Harry Sidebottom and ,latterly, Adrian Goldsworthy. I do so hope that you continue to write similar novels in your brilliantly readable style, if not in the Agent of Rome series, then in a similar period with new characters. Congratulations on the conclusion of a wonderfully exciting series.
Derek Patience
Hello Jan,
Many thanks for your message. I’m really glad to hear you enjoyed book 7. Never say never, indeed! It’s great to hear readers’ enthusiasm for the stories and I will give serious thought to another Roman tale at some point. All the best and I hope you enjoy Marik!
Best, Nick.
dear Mr. Browne
As a Flemish professional historian I read your novels with pleasure. The last battle in my opinion is one of the very best of the series. “Never say never again”. There are still six emperors to go before Rome calms down with Diocletianus. So I vividly hope Abscantius will retire and cede his place to an older and wiser Corbulo. I’m sure too that after a few years Indavara will be bored and shall happily respond to Corbulo’s call for assistance. OK, time to start Marik’s Way.
Hi Ginny,
Sorry for the late reply. Thanks very much for getting in touch and your kind words. You now have four more books to read, including ‘The Last Battle’, which came out last year. All the best, Nick.
Hi David,
Many thanks for getting in touch. Great to hear that you thought book 7 a worthy ending. There may be other Roman books coming at some point! Best, Nick.
Just finished Book 7. Congratulations and thanks Nick for a wonderful series. I was torn between not wanting to stop reading but at the same time knowing it brought me closer to the end of the adventures! The way you were able to bring to a conclusion all the different threads of each main character’s journey throughout the series as well as the next stage of their lives was brilliant.
Hi Evelyn,
Many thanks for getting in touch. As for more stories in the series, we’ll see! Thanks for supporting the series. All the best, Nick.
Just finished ‘Last Battle and wanted to say thank you for an ending that gives you hope of more of the series. Love the characters and the flow of the journeys. Well done.
Hello Hector,
News on that very soon! The book is finished and I’m currently editing.
Thanks, Nick.
Please let me know when book 7 published THANKS
Hi Kevan,
Thanks for asking. Yes, I’m up to 80,000 words now and it will definitely be appearing in the summer! More news coming soon. All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick, You indicated last year we might still get to see the finale of Agent of Rome (The Final Battle). Any news?
Hi Brian,
Thanks for getting touch and for supporting the series. I’m writing the last book at the moment and it should be out next summer!
All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick, Im a bit late in finding the Agents of Rome series and at present i’m up to Earthly Gods’. Have you written and more in the series ( I borrow the books from the library ) here in OZ.
Dear Nick, I have just discovered you! I have loved roman historical novels for many years and was looking for a “new” author. I really liked to two books I’ve read so far but I think Indavara is my real hero! What a star. I am really looking forward to reading a load more Agent of Rome books so a big thank you for all your research and wonderful writing.
Ginny Goodall
Hi Allen,
Indeed, I started book 7 back then but progress since has been very slow; mainly because I’m tied up with freelance work to pay the bills! But I’ve been back writing it recently and I’m hoping to publish in the summer of next year. A long time since book 6, I know, but it’s going well and hopefully will be worth the wait. Thanks for supporting the series. Best, Nick.
Hi Nick, Where can I find “Agent of Rome” book VII (The Last Battle)? I note that you posted on “27th Feb 2017 that you had started writing it. Now almost finished book VI (The Earthly Gods) and I’m keen to know what happens o the trio.
Hi Joost,
Many thanks for your message and pleased you’ve enjoyed the books. I haven’t heard anything from the Dutch publishers (Karakter) about any further translations. Sorry about that! All the best, Nick.
Hey, love your books. Is there any change book IV trough VII will be translated into Dutch?
Greetings, Joost
Hi Kevan,
Yes still self-pubbing and hoping to get it out this year. My time’s been taken up with a fantasy book but that is out in August and might keep you going if you’re interested. I’ll soon be free to focus solely on ‘The Last Battle’. Thanks for supporting the series! Nick.
Hi Nick,
Whats happening with the next book? You suggested it might be out this year and may be self published…….. GREAT series and would love to support the ‘final installment!
Dear Anne-Louise,
Many thanks for supporting the series and I’m very glad to hear you’re enjoying it. I have written about a third of Book 7 and I’m hoping to publish it before the end of the year. All the best, Nick.
Dear sir, I was having so much fun, but can’t find Agent of Rome Tome 7 at least on Kobo or Amazon. Is it almost finished, or finished or near printing? Rare to find a good read involving ancient geography, Roman civilization and whodunnit. Wish I had had that, fifty-odd years ago, to supplement Latin, Greek and Ancient History lessons in my far-off corner of the (ex) British Empire. keep it up, keep it up!
Yours, truly
Anne-Louise Ratté
Hi Nick
We worked together a few years back on my MS and it is now published and I am wanting to send you a copy. I gave a big shout out to you on my thanks page and I really appreciated your feedback and recommendations which helped enormously.
The book DECEIT – is out in July https://www.impactpress.com.au/deceit
If you could email me your mailing address I would like to send you an early copy with thanks
Best regards
Richard Evans
Hello Sian,
Many thanks for your kind words. It’s messages like this that keep me motivated to complete book 7 – hopefully out later this year. Simon T does indeed know his stuff!
All the best, Nick.
Hi Roger,
Indeed that is more than enough for me! Very glad to hear you enjoyed it and hope the same goes for book 2. All the best, Nick.
I’ve been forlornly checking your website intermittently since I read the bad news about Hodder, and so I am absolutely delighted to learn that you’re writing a new ‘agent’ book. You are such a good writer. Your ability to create characters and write dialogue is second to absolutely no-one in the Roman fiction field. Self-publishing seems to have worked a treat for S J A Turney!
Dear Sir, I’ve just read ‘The Siege’ and I’ve already ordered the 2nd in the series. I’m no critic, so all I can say is that I greatly enjoyed it, and I suspect thal’ll be good enough for you. Best Wishes, Roger Salt
Hi Kevan,
Many thanks, that’s very nice to hear. There’ll be plenty of action in book 7 and I’m hoping to publish it this year. Thanks for supporting the series. All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick, Love all your books, up there with the very best in historical fiction. No-one does action any better and as a collector with 30 authors and over 500 first edition hardbacks, this is no’ butter up’ compliment! and if I was a publisher, you’d be on book 9 or 10 by now! The question is for now…… When might we see ‘The last Battle’, and what plans post that event?
My name is Cindy Doty and I am a freelance proofreader. I specialize in fiction/non-fiction works and am looking to broaden my client base. I invite you to visit my website to view my rates and projects I have worked on and see what others have said about my work – http://www.dotyproofreading.com. I believe that proofreading is not an expense but an investment in your project, and I would love to help you present a polished manuscript ready for publication.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Hello
Hi Marij,
Thanks for getting in touch. Did you read the first book – ‘Het Beleg’?
In that it is explained that Simo’s father and antecedents come from Gaul but have been in Antioch for six generations. So the men may have married local women but his father’s ‘bloodline’ is ‘Gaulish’. I’m not sure if I mentioned this in book 2 so I suppose it could be a bit confusing. I hope that makes it clear and that you enjoy the book!
All the best, Nick.
Hello Nick, a message from a reader in Holland:
about your book The Imperial Banner, which I read in the Dutch translation, being a 65 year old lady from Holland:
there is this servant/slave Simo, in my translation being a Gallier (Gaul in English).
I think it is strange that he meets his father (being a Gaul too, I suppose) in the region of Antiochia. How is it possible that 2 Gauls find one another in the near East?
Or: the translation of the nationality of Simo was not correect.
Perhaps I missed something?
With regards,
Marij.
Hi,
There are six books in the series and I’m currently writing number 7, which will probably be the last one. All the best and hope you enjoy them, Nick.
hey I have read a lot of books about roman history in fiction I have read simons Scarrow books and ben kanes I have jut bought your fist 2 books and I look forward to reading and i was wondering how meany books u would be making in series
Hi Pat,
You’re very kind! Thanks – with messages like this I have all the more energy to complete book 7 and get it out this year. Many thanks for your support, Nick.
Whoah – I was looking to see when the next Agent of Rome book would be out. I’m incredulous. Dropped by the publishers? It has been a fantastic series written by an exceptionally talented author. Please don’t fail your fans – self publish. We’re waiting.
These things happen unfortunately. Thanks very much for supporting the series; I will keep readers in touch with developments. All the best, Nick.
Truly amazed your old publishers did not want to support you any more. I have bought all of your books and greatly enjoyed them. Hope you can continue to write and publish this excellent series
Hi Nick. There’s clearly an issue there but it is being looked into. Hope we clear it up soon.
Hi. Thanks for letting me know; I’ve had some other similar messages. All I can say is sorry about that and I have the publishers looking into it. All the best, Nick.
Mr. Brown, It looks like the latest 3 books are not available digitally via Amazon. The just is not an option.
Andrew
Hi Nick,
I’m not sure what’s going on there. I can see the books listed on Amazon and a purchase option. What does it say when you try to buy?
Nick.
I’m referring to the Kindle version.
I am wondering why I can’t buy these books through USA Amazon. I see they’re available in the UK, which I cannot access, but not in the US. Any future date you expect this to change?
Hi Nigel,
Thanks for that. Yes, I think you’re probably on to something with the Cassius, Indavara, Simo axis. It’s partly accidental but that dynamic certainly gives me a lot to work with. Let’s hope books 5 and 6 will also be recorded by your good self at some point! All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick,
I’ve not looked at this page of your website before and have just had a browse through including the messages relating to the audiobooks.
Thanks to Liam for saying hello, we have a great time in the studio recording the books.
As with anonymous Steve I also rate that epilogue/aftermath sequence in Black Stone as my favourite sequence now of all the ones we’ve done so far. The characters are at their best when they are believable human beings not just invincible James Bond hero types, and I loved performing that, it was very moving. The adventure had finished but the characters still had so much to do.
I don’t know if I’m right but I see Cassius, Simo and Indavara as three parts of a whole, Cassius is the brain, Indavara the muscle, and Simo the heart. They succeed because they need each other to survive, because they see in each other a part of themselves that is less developed.
As for Michael de Lyall and the question of Simo’s accent, I “cast” the voices in my head from people I know or from a specific chatacter trait. So the sailors get cornish piirate accents and Indavara is a commoner who comes from the Capital Rome so gets a cockney accent from our capital London. I wanted Simo to have a distinctive voice as he’s in it all through and the black country accent from the midlands is not meant to be dumb but I think its fairly monotone pattern is apologetic which I thought was suitable for a slave. So certainly no intention to make him dumb, he is a loyal, deeply moral dear friend now and I think that is why I found that conflict at the end of Black Stone so heart breaking. All the best to you Nick and thanks to everyone who has listened to the audios.
Hi Alan,
Thanks very much for getting in touch. As a writer it’s very rewarding to hear that people are enjoying the work. Thanks for supporting the series. All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick, I’ve just finished The Earthly God’s and I’ve really enjoyed the book. The series so far has been a brilliant journey. Long may it continue.
Best wishes.
Alan
Mike,
The ‘publishing industry’ is composed of people who almost never meet each other and certainly don’t have a coordinated approach to telling ‘porkies’. You asked my advice and I gave it. Some agents will look at anything at any time, many will not want to ‘double up’ on clients with similar projects; for obvious reasons – and for others it may well be an ‘excuse’ not to add to their workload. You’re quite right to approach whoever you can and get your work to as many people as possible. There are no guarantees whatsoever but the harder you work (on your book and finding representation), the luckier you – may – get. Regards, Nick.
Ave again,
Something I forgot to add, below, is that after I found Conn Iggulden’s agent (on his website) I emailed his agency, A M Heath. I then mentioned that I’d written a Roman-Britain novel – in the style of Iggulden – and found that his agent was Victoria Hobbs. I then actually noted that her fellow agent, Bill Hamilton is also interested in historical novels, so I specifically *asked* them which one I should send an ‘Iggulden’- style novel to, and they replied that they would suggest Victoria! So there we are… I’m just re-reading the email exchange with A M Heath now, and they *did* advise me to send a potential Iggulden competitor-novel to Victoria Hobbs, his own agent! (Which I did, back in June, but am still waiting for a reply). So perhaps you can now understand why I feel I’ve been so misled by the entire publishing industry – including the agencies of rival authors, themselves, who give the *same* advice as creative-writing guides: ‘look for an agent who represents the genre you write in’.
So I don’t know about any other aspiring authors out there, but it feels suspiciously to me like a lot of people in the publishing industry are telling us all a bunch of ‘porkies’, one way or another, as the sum-total of the advice we’re being given is definitely contradictory and just doesn’t add up… (Btw, for those not au fait with Cockney Rhyming slang, ‘porkies’ is short for ‘Porky Pies’ = ‘Lies’ 🙂
Vale,
Mike
Ave Nick,
Well, no it’s not really very good advice, since creative writing guides fail to draw the distinction between Roman-period historical novels & non-Roman historical novels in their blanket descriptions of ‘look for an agent who represents the genre you are writing in’. And perhaps if they made the point which you’ve just done – that no agent is going to want to ‘double-up’ on authors in any one genre/period – then it might be a little clearer and more helpful to the rest of us. In which case, I would never have wasted my time months ago submitting to Conn Iggulden’s agent. And anyway, if an agent happens to be interested in a particular historical period, there’s no telling that they might be interested in any other. So submitting to agents representing any *other* historical period than Roman Britain is going to be virtually a lottery, and far less targeted or specific than looking for agents representing Roman Britain. For example, I couldn’t care less about the Tudor period, as it’s boring and already even more hackneyed than the Roman period has ever been (never a year goes by without we get yet *another* TV or movie adaptation about – yawn! – ‘Henry VIII & his six wives’ 🙂
And I was particularly referring to individual agents, rather than agencies, since many Roman-Britain authors do actually list their own agent on their websites (it’s how I found Simon Scarrow’s agent in the first place, after all). You, of course, only mention your agency (rather than individual agent) but it looks like they’re one of those agencies who are either on the way out or don’t like to be contacted, as they don’t seem to have a website…
Nor was I actually seeking a ‘recommendation’ from anybody (I would never have mentioned your name to an agent without your permission, of course 🙂 However, you might be interested to know that – on the website of none other than Bernard Cornwell, no less – that author not only lists his agent, but actually (and I couldn’t believe this, myself) *offers to help any aspiring author to find their own agent*! Yeah… ‘Boom’, I thought, and immediately emailed him to take up his kind offer. He duly replied (or at least, his PA did, in his name) recommending an agent in New York. So there we are, it can be done. (I think it helped that I buttered him up about his Arthurian trilogy and said that it would be nice if he could mentor me as his successor 🙂 However, the agent he suggested I contact was not – of course – his own, nor did they work at the same agency. So I think my experience with Cornwell confirms what you have revealed to us: that no author is going to recommend their *own* agent to any potential competitor (despite the fact that most of them do advertise their agents on their own website).
Anyway, it’s back to contemplating self-publishing for me, if I can save-up enough pennies (and that’s what I’d advise to anyone else these days 🙂
Vale,
Mike
Hi again,
No it’s still good advice because not every agency that represents hist-fic will have a Roman author. Also, while it’s unlikely a oneman agency would want two Roman authors , it’s possible and at a larger agency not unusual at all. I’d forgotten my agent’s name is on the website and of course it’s not forbidden but they are so busy that they are unlikely to thank a client for a ‘recommendation’ and, to be honest, why would one of their clients do so? It’s not bad advice, it’s just the case that – as I said – finding an agent is really difficult and heavily dependent on luck. There may also be a current feeling that Roman has ‘shot its bolt’ and apparently publishers are not that keen on hist-fic at the mo. Having said that, a lot of authors are still shifting a lot of books. All you can do it keep writing to agents. It’s a nightmare I know but we’ve all been there! Best of luck.
Ave Nick,
Many thanks for the prompt reply, and for the sympathetic comments (not that any of it is news to me, but it helps to know that everyone has the same problems finding an agent 🙂 But while it may be normal for agents not to want to take on any competitors for their existing clients, then why the heck is it that every creative-writing guide, (including the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook) every editor & website blithely advise us to ‘find an agent who represents the genre you write in’ when that seems to be the *worst* possible advice given the reality of the situation? 🙁 I mean, we’re all just being jerked around, here. And on the point of your own experience, I take it that the agent you eventually found did *not* already represent any authors in your genre, is that so? In which case, it wouldn’t help anyone else if you did mention their name, anyway; albeit that several other writers in this genre actually do mention their agents by name on their websites, so it can’t be forbidden to do so. (Actually, your website does mention your agency, though they no longer seem to have a website – if they ever had one).
So the advice we’re being given by the industry is worse than useless, and we may as well just go for any agent who currently promotes Mills & Boon style romances or children’s books, and we’d have better luck, wouldn’t we…
Anyway, on the subject of self-publishing, that’s something I’ve not only been seriously considering for a long time, it’s what I’d personally advise anyone else to do if they can afford it. Because it literally seems to be the only option left these days. And as I said to Simon Scarrow’s agent, I only wish I’d been born 50 years earlier, when the ‘market saturation’ for Roman fiction (as well as every other kind of novel) just wasn’t there, and it was so much easier for anyone to get published. Anyone own a Tardis? 🙂
Vale,
Mike
Hi Mike,
I got my agent the traditional way (by using the Writer’s Handbook and writing to him). At that time, the market was said to be ‘saturated’ with Roman fiction and if anything there’s probably even more out there now. So that doesn’t help; and it’s quite normal for agents not to take on ‘competitors’ for their existing clients – for obvious reasons. Having said that, if your work really stands out there is always a chance. Getting an agent is very difficult – basically there are a lot of writers and not many agents. I’m afraid it’s not really the ‘done thing’ to give out your agent’s name and details. What I suggest is just to keep banging your head against the brick wall – you might eventually loosen some bricks! That’s what I did. In the meantime, ensure that your work is nothing less than the best you can make it – you need to be ready when opportunity comes! The good thing is that these days you have the self-publishing option and I’m sure you’ll be aware that authors like SJA Turney and Gordon Doherty (in the Roman genre) have made a huge success of this. All the best, Nick.
Dear Nick,
Ave! As an aspiring author of Roman novels, myself, the general advice we get given by almost everyone is to: ‘find an agent who represents the genre you write in’. Which sounds logical enough, but in the real world, that advice doesn’t seem to work. I’ve just got a reply from Simon Scarrow’s agent saying that (without even looking at my novels and despite my novels being set in the 5th c. rather than the 1st) she couldn’t even consider representing me in case of a potential conflict of interest between me and Simon…! So resisting the temptation to shout back at her: ‘Temet Futue!’ (A quote from the novel: ‘The Last Legion’) I explained the evident failure in validity of advice I was getting from everyone else, and complained about how disheartening the situation is that the publishing industry seems more intent on protecting its current investments than in making any newer (potentially better) ones. So my question to you is: How the heck did you ever manage to find an agent and (if you didn’t mind telling me) who are they? 🙂
Regards,
Mike
Hi Alan,
Yes indeed – well spotted 🙂 Couldn’t resist.
Hope you enjoy the rest of the book!
All the best, Nick.
Eisley even
Hi Nick. I’m reading The Far Shore and it’s really good. Can’t help but wonder if the scene with Squint in the Sea Serpent isn’t a nod to a certain scene in the Mos Risley cantina in Star Wars. Hope it is.
Cheers.
Alan.
Hi Liam,
Glad you’re enjoying working on the books. I have heard them, yes, and very impressed. That’s a good idea re: Nigel. I shall get in touch with him.
Nick.
Hi Carol. Wrong Nick Brown!
Here is his website:
http://www.nickbrownbooks.com
All the best, the other Nick Brown.
Hi Nick, I am reading The Dead move Fast. Can you please tell me what Syntagmatarchis and kiros mean please. its driving me daft not knowing and I have tried hard to find out to no avail. thanks
Hi Nick,
Over the past couple of years i’ve had the very great pleasure of recording the audio book versions of your Agent of Rome series, with the wonderful Nigel Peever reading. We’re recording The Black Stone this week, taking our afternoon break as I type this.
Have you had an opportunity to listen to any of these? It might be nice if Nigel had a few words from yourself regarding the audio books which he could pop on his website, but no pressure if you’re particularly busy.
Anyway, mostly just wanted to say how much we’re both enjoying working on this series!
Liam
Hey Nick,
Please to meet u at goldboro books night and writing this from the seat in front of you on the train lol.
Drop me a message back and catch up over a pint one night.
Andy.
Hi Tom,
Very nice to hear from you and I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the books. I don’t think Karakter are publishing any more in Dutch, I’m afraid. I certainly haven’t heard anything if they are. Sorry about that. All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick,
I’ve read the first three books in Dutch and enjoyed them very much.
Do you have any idea when book IV and V will be published in Dutch?
Greetings,
Tom T. Beune
Hi Steve,
Thanks so much for getting in touch. I’m a former history teacher myself – the noblest of professions! It’s always great to hear readers are enjoying the series (especially as you’re clearly a genre expert) – that’s why I do it. I’m also very pleased that you rated the sequence at the end of the Black Stone – it’s always difficult to imagine how these people so different to us might have reacted. Hopefully it was true to the characters and an interesting epilogue to the longest book so far.
All the best and I hope you enjoy books V and VI (out next year).
Nick.
Hi,
I’m a long time History addict – History graduate, military historian and (now retired) History teacher, who has always had a particular interest in the ancient world. Also an avid reader of pretty much everything – though I very much enjoy the recent wider availability of Roman based fiction such as Scarrow, Riches, Turney, Breem, Sidebottom, Wishart, Maddox Roberts et al. So basically as far as history and historical fiction go, I guess I could claim to “know my stuff”. So that’s the context for my praise. However, I’m not in the habit of writing to authors but felt I had to drop you a note to say how much I have enjoyed reading your Corbulo series – which I’m sure you get told all the time! But also specifically to say thank you for writing the sequence at the end of The Black Stone, where Corbulo attempts to come to terms with what has happened and how it has affected him. This was so well done. Thank you so much for writing it.
Steve
Hi, Simon,
Thanks for that. Will bear you in mind if I ever need any illustrations.
Nick.
Hi
My name is Simon Walpole, I’m a freelance illustrator with an interest in Ancient History, and in particular Ancient Rome. I have recently had some illustrations in Ancient Warfare Magazine as well as some some upcoming books by Gordon Doherty, SJA Turney and Griff Hosker.
Please take a look at my website: http://swalpole6.wix.com/handdrawnheroes with a view to my possibly doing some illustrations for any current or future projects you may have. My rates are reasonable and as a goodwill gesture I will do a small chapter heading illustration or frontispiece for free.
Thankyou for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.
Simon
Hi.
June next year. All the best, Nick.
When is book 6 of Agent of Rome series coming out
Hi Deepak,
Thanks so much for your message. Yes, I lived in Warsaw for 5 years and Brighton for about 4 on and off. Both great places. Thanks for supporting the series and getting in touch. All the best, Nick.
Hello from Warsaw!
i’ve been a fan of your books for years and just checked your website. I live (and have lived for the past 5 years) in Warsaw. Inicidently, I also lived in Brighton, close to the Marina (2002- 2005)
Hi there, Nick, and welcome to Pàmies.
Hi Peter,
Great to hear from you, especially from such an exotic locale! I’m glad you didn’t spot too many mistakes; it’s hard to eradicate them completely but myself and the editors do our best. In case you weren’t aware, the fifth book was published in June. Thanks again for supporting the series! All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick.
I am thoroughly enjoying your “Agent of Rome” series. Unfortunately I am reading them back-to-front (so far The Black Stone, The Far shore and at the moment The Siege) but it doesn’t make them any less enjoyable.
When I first picked up The Black Stone I thought “oh, this is about the Roman secret service. Not sure if I’ll enjoy it as much as previous ancient Rome books I have read.” But once I got to know Cassius, Simo and Indavara and your story telling prowess I loved your books. Thank you. It is interesting to read The Siege and start from the beginning when Cassius first came into “posession” of Simo and their times together. Having read last and now first i can appreciate that your characterisation of these two has never faltered. I am looking forward to the introduction of Indavara.
I have read many novels set in ancient Rome and enjoyed them all but as a subconscious story editor I am always picking up editing errors. In some novels I have found frequent and horrendously obvious examples but in your books I have, so far, only found one or two.
Thanks for your books and I hope to enjoy them for some time to come.
Peter Wells
Kapiti Coast
New Zealand
Hi James.
Many thanks for getting touch. It’s great to hear you’re getting so much out of the books. I won’t be at Harrogate, I’m afraid – mainly because I haven’t been invited 🙂 Also, I live in East Anglia so its a bit of a trek. I’m sure you know but book 5 is out this month – I hope you enjoy it and 4 too. If you’d like to keep up with series news, competition etc I also have a Facebook page (Agent of Rome). All the best and thanks again for supporting the series, Nick.
I just started reading your books this month. I am now onto number three. I would like to say thanks,I find them interesting,fun,informative and most importantly hard to put down. Keep up the great work and I will continue to support you by purchasing your books.
Will you be attending Harrogate history festival in October. I went last year and met Simon Scarrow,Harry Sidebottom,Ben Kane and Anthony Riches to name a few?
Hello, yes sure. If you go on the Agent of Rome facebook page and message me, I can give you my email address.
Can I interview you for a class assignment. I am in grade 6
Hi Thom,
Thanks very much for your message. I’m really glad you’re enjoying the series. I have to give a lot of credit to Henk Moerdijk, the translator, who seems to be doing a great job. As you may know, book 2 brings in the character Indavara, a gladiator himself. There is no shortage of books on the subject out there to help you with the research. There is a huge amount of work involved, yes, especially when you start out. If you need any advice, feel free to contact me on facebook (agent of rome) or twitter (randomrome). Best of luck! Nick.
Dear mister Brown,
I have just started reading your serie (in holland it’s called: Strijder van Rome I: Het beleg) and I must say I really love the story. I just orderd your second book (in dutch: het koninklijk vaandel) and can’t wait to start!
I am trying to write a book on my own, which is about the hard live of a gladiator. It’s taking a lot of research and patience to write a historical novel, so I’d like to say that I have a lot of respect for your hard work and your talent.
Keep up the good work.
All the best,
Thom Elsenaar
Hi Jacob,
Thanks so much for your message. I’m thrilled to hear how much you’re enjoying the series and I hope the Far Shore lives up to expectations. Book 5 is out in June and I’ve actually started book 6 just today! If you’d like to keep up with the series, there is a facebook page (Agent of Rome) and I’m @randomrome on twitter. Thanks again, Nick.
Mr. Brown,
For the past few years I have been studying about Ancient Rome, more specifically the roman army. Your stories of Cassius Corbulo and his adventures are the perfect mixture of realism and romanticism. I read “The Siege” in eight hours, not able to put it down. I have just finished “The Imperial Banner” and starting “The Far Shore” today. I have a lot in common with Cassius and have a great admiration for his courage and humility in such perilous times. Thank you once again for your work and I look forward to reading more.
Cheers,
Jacob Bradbury
Hi Nick,
I have been enjoying your books a lot and saw that you have written a few short stories in the Agent of Rome world. I have a weekly feature of short fiction review and wanted to ask if you could send an pdf of your short fictions so that I can review them on the blog? Thanks for you consideration!
All the best,
Jasper
Hi John. Nice to hear from you – really glad you’re enjoying the series. As for the shorter chapters – they’re actually comparatively short as it is so can’t really help you there 🙂 As for signed copies – all you need to do is send an email to agentofromebooks@yahoo.co.uk All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick . Just to say how much I have enjoyed your books . The detailed description of events & people makes you feel that the charactors are alive & you the reader are there with them . Great writing & story line . Looking forward to you next book .
Two questions for you if I may .
1 . Would you & the publishers consider shorter chaptors ? I read your books in bed before settling for the night saying : ” I’ll just finnish this chaptor” then fall asleep drop the book & wake up ! Hence the request .
2 . Is there any way to get details of your book signing’s ? I buy your books from Amazon normally to add to my collection of your H.B. books , sadly not one of them is signed by you .
Regards
John
Hi Lewis,
Very nice to hear from you; I’m thrilled that you’ve enjoyed the first three books and are looking forward to ‘The Black Stone’. There is indeed an important development from Indavara – his story is set to run and run. Hopefully with his help, Cassius can become a bit more adept at swordplay – as you say, it’s not exactly his strength! As for Abascantius – he also returns for book IV (if you’re an ebook reader there is a short story featuring him called ‘The Eleventh Hour’.) If you’re interested in more info on the series there is also a facebook page for Agent of Rome. All the best and thanks for your interest, Nick.
Hi Nick.
I have read pretty much all of the Roman novel authors out there, ben kane, scott, riches, iggulden you name it I have read it. I was trying to find more to read and I found yours.
First book was great
Second book perfect
Third book…. Just as perfect.
Loved everything about the books cant wait for the 4th which I Have preordered. The story behind Indevara is very instersting, Possibly a Thracian?. I would like to know his past. It creates alot more depth to the story I am glad you havnt had him remember anything keeps his story going.
Also I am still waiting for Cassius to actualy fight someone with his damb gladius. Or was it a spartha the longated officer sword? He seems to be such a weak character when it comes to battle but then on the otherhand he takes control and actualy seems quite brave.
Overall great books and your a great author. Cant wait for the next.
I would like to see how Cassius’s boss (forgot his name starts with A though!) reacts to everything which happened in the far shore.
Kindest regards
Lewis.
Hi Dave, many thanks for getting in touch. Much appreciated. I’ve just checked and you’re quite right – that’s a mistake! I will notify the publishers in case there’s a reprint. Well spotted 🙂 Hope you also enjoy book IV and all the best, Nick.
Love your books Nick, wish I could write like that. You have joined my favorite authors, Simon Scarrow, Harry Sidebottom and Bernard Cornwell. Just a trivial note: The Far Shore, page 270 five lines from the bottom “unbelted tunic” then page 271 15 lines up “Cassius grabbed his belt” – that a typo? Anyway, great entertainment that will be reread many times. Thank you. Regards, Dave K.
Hello David,
Nice to hear from you. Is that academic research or just out of interest? Like all the Agent books it can be read as a standalone but starting with the Siege might offer a richer overall experience. That’s if you like them of course! All the best, Nick.
Just found out about your book “The Black Stone” while researching the black stone of Emesa. Might give it a try, but is it stand alone, or must you read the others in the series first?
Hello, John, thanks very much – that’s great to hear. It’s nice to see Cassius et al have reached some readers ‘down under’. Book 4 is out in a couple of weeks and I’m currently working on book 5. Thanks again and all the best! Nick.
Sorry about that. Hope you get it fixed.
Hello Nick, I guess you’ve heard it all before, but I really want to just say thanks for taking me away from a less than sunny Sydney and immersing me in a time and place you write so well. Fan fucking tactic! All the best. Please retreat to your lonely writers garret and get to work…
I did read one of your books (paperback). I liked it. So i tried to buy e-books (at bol.com in dutch). Well i could buy them and i payed for it but i cannot read them because the digital right protection gives problems. i was busy for over 2 hours. this is the wrong message for people that want to do things right. just want to let you know that in this way your rights as an author are not well protected.
Hi Paul,
I have just received my free copies of the CD version of the audiobook, so hopefully the download format will be out fairly soon. All the best, Nick.
Hi again, yes that may well be it. Nigel (the reader) has chosen to give them all distinctive accents which was a bit of a shock to me at first but it is a very effective interpretation.
thanks Nick
appreciated the reply. My Simo impression probably comes from the audio characterisation which is different from my reading impression in the first two books. cant wait for the next instalment, black stone. mike
Hello Michael,
Glad to hear your enjoying the series. Simo’s always been a bit fat, as for lazy, not sure where you got that impression, except perhaps via a misplaced Cassius comment – he does that sometimes! As usual, Simo has an important role to play towards the end of the story. Hope that answers your question. All the best and I hope enjoy the rest of book 3. Nick.
i am really enjoying the series having read the first 2 books and currently listening to the latest as an audio book while driving to work. My question is “are you dumbing down the simo character into a fat lazy servant from a caring knowledgeable chap”
g
Hi Nick. Glad to hear you’re enjoying it and I look forward to seeing your review. Doorbells – I seem to remember reading something about bells on chains within niches outside houses. As they used bells in religious ceremonies it seems likely that they would also have used them for this purpose.
All the best and thanks for supporting the series, Nick.
Hi, two thirds through The Far Shore and enjoying it as much as the previous ones. Quick question – did doorbells really exist in Roman times?
Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting in touch. I know that The Siege has been recorded and I have asked the publishers about it and book 2. I will get back to you when they tell me more. All the best, Nick.
Hi Nick….great series, but will the first 2 soon be available from Audible in download format ? Seems strange that Book 3 is out in this format but the first two are not. Hope they will be available soon as during the summer months I just like to lay back in the garden and listen to favourite books I have already read. Looking forward to the next in the series. Cheers mate.
Far Shore is available as an audiobook on audible etc. I think the other two will be coming at some point. There is a CD version, see here: But I should warn you that it is very expensive!
Hi Thomas, very nice to hear from you. I have a contract from my publisher for three more books. The fourth, The Black Stone, is out in June. Thanks for supporting the series, Nick.
HI NICK
Are your books in audio CD ?
hi nick
Have all your books and they are damn good :O) I know its a pest question–any more ?
Hi Robert, yes I see what you mean about the dates. Its hard to remember but I suspect there are different dates (years of accession) elsewhere (probably a text book) – or I may have just made a mistake!
In any case, well spotted and many thanks for supporting the series – book VI out later in the year. All the best, Nick.
I am a great fan of your works and appreciate them all! Keep up the good work!
After having read “The imperial banner” I noticed you used Hormizd Ardashir (or Hormizd I) as persian emperor, even if the story takes place in the year 272 AD. Even if Hormizd I reigned only until the year 271 AD and was then succeded by his older brother Bahram I (reign 271-274).
I just wanted to point this small error out because I am a great fan of yours and hope to keep reading great books like “the siege” and “the imperial banner”.
Ah, now I think I see what you mean. I will check with the publishers and let you know – that is strange.
Hello, William. Very nice of you to get in touch, it’s much appreciated. The Far Shore came out on kindle on July 18 and is also available on istore etc. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for supporting the series. All the best, Nick.
Dear Mr Brown,
love Your books , Do you have any idea when the “Far Shore” Will be released on Kindle in the US.
Thanks for your time
William Kulhanek
Hi Roxanne. Many thanks for that and I hope you enjoy The Far Shore 🙂 Book 4 out next summer and there are also a couple of short stories if you have an ereader. All the best, Nick.
Wanted to say I love your series and just begining The Far Shore. Vvery sad that I will have to wait for futher books as they are a great read and I love the characters.
Best Roxanne
Hi Nick,
Very glad to hear you’re enjoying The Siege, much appreciated. Re: the “fire” term, I have heard this before from a number of people, and after due consideration, I don’t think it quite applies – though I must admit I’ve used “fire” less often in the later books! The thing is, my characters would have been of course speaking Latin, so anything in the book could be considered a translation of sorts. Also, while people in the know like yourself might consider “fire” inappropriate, most readers are familiar/comfortable with it and don’t even note the connotation. In fact, I would say that to use “shoot” would, to many people, raise more thoughts of a gun than “fire.” Many thanks for getting in touch – if you’re interested in reading more, book 3 came out last week. All the best, Nick.
Greetings and salutations from Nick to Nick.
I am currently reading your excellent work “Siege”; very enjoyable.
I was an Armourer for many years (26) and have been a keen archer for the last few years shooting longbow and horse-bow with Penicuik Archers.
I will point to a small error commonly made by historical authors and the public in general.
The term “fire” when used with archery of any kind, including the horse bow (I have one) is only used to describe the shooting of incendiary arrows! The term “fire” only came into common usage with the advent of firearms when the operator would apply fire to the primer powder or fuse in order to ignite the main charge to launch the missile (a ball of lead or “round”)
The proper term when using a bow is “SHOOT” or “LOOSE”
I hope this is useful to you and you have not taken offense.
I only point this out because it is almost as bad as that American aberration of a phrase “Lock and Load” which to those that know is a complete impossibility.
The term should be “Load and Lock”!!!!!!!!
A useful place to visit for research is The Royal Armouries at London or Leeds.
Cheers Nick M
Hi, Norman. Yep it’s out on March 28th.
Is Imperial banner going to come out in paperback? If so, when?