I was going to wait until this was available on Amazon to post about it, but I'm so excited about the cover that TJ Lindroos did for me that I can't wait. This novel has involved a huge amount of research and editing. I wanted it to do justice to a subject I take very seriously, Andrew de Moray and his role in the Scottish War of Independence.
I am still working on the blurb. Blurbs are difficult, important and, to be honest, I'm not very good at them. Here is the current version, but it is still up for edit.
1296 Scotland: Newly knighted by the King of the Scots, Andrew de Moray fights to defend his country against the invading forces of King Edward Longshanks of England. After a bloody defeat in battle, he is dragged in chains to an English dungeon.
With Andrew missing and Scotland in smoking ruins, Caitrina de Berkley evades the rampaging English army fleeing into nearby hills.
Soon Andrew makes a desperate escape to save the country he loves. But with Scotland under the heel of a brutal conqueror, can he possibly survive, much less prevail?
14 comments:
Excellent cover Jeanne.
Very Cecil Doughty-ish ;¬)
He did a really nice illustration of the Battle of Bannockburn that I'd love to use sometime. :)
Thanks. Glad you like the cover. What do you think of the blurb? They are just hard. (Of course, you know how the story ends. A lot of people won't)
I know it's a novel about Andrew, but outside of Scotland and academia, who has heard of him?
Yet thanks to *that* film, William Wallace is weel kent ower the wurld.
Perhaps it should start "Before William Wallace, before Robert the Bruce, there was another Scottish hero..."
I'm imagining that in a deep baritone in the the trailer for the film :¬)
Well, he wasn't exactly before William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, more contemporaneous with them to pretend to be Oldnat and a pedant. (He does the role better than I)
I'll run that idea by a few people though. It's a thought even if it makes my tummy a bit nauseous.
No kilts. There are no kilts in this novel and there IS a bridge at a certain battle. I'll restrain my usual "I can't stand Mel Gibson" rant. ;-)
Andrew was captured in 1296, *before* Wallace was mentioned in 1297.
It's a blurb Jeanne...
LOL Well, yes. It is a blurb and no one knows where Wallace was during the Dunbar debacle. So I'll lie a bit in it. *rolls eyes*
Here:
Before William Wallace, before Robert the Bruce, there was another Scottish hero...
1296 Scotland: Newly knighted by the King of the Scots, Andrew de Moray fights to defend his country against the invading forces of King Edward Longshanks of England. After a bloody defeat in battle, he is dragged in chains to an English dungeon.
With de Moray imprisoned and the land in smoking ruins, Caitrina de Berkley evades the rampaging English army, fleeing for refuge into the nearby hills of the Black Isle.
Soon de Moray makes a desperate escape to save the country he loves. But with Scotland under the heel of a brutal conqueror, he must raise the north of Scotland to rebellion in hope of defeating the English army sent to crush him.
How does that work? It was pointed out to me, with some truth, that if I ask a question in a blurb people will assume the answer is yes (he can succeed) and since he kind of dies... Maybe I shouldn't ask that.
As it's a historical novel you will lie a bit!
"A new sworn knight, Andrew de Moray fights against the ruthless invader, the English King, Edward Longshanks.
Captured in a forlorn battle, the young Knight escapes...to raise rebellion!"
It also depends on your readership; the guys will want mention of the armour and weapons, plus the displacement of forces(which you did well)...
...and the women will want to know what the heroine is wearing...
Only kidding Jeanne.
Ah Jeanne, I see you've had the expert chatting with you. I can't improve on his advice but one wee thing I may put in the blurb is 'newly knighted by Balliol King of Scots...' It was Balliol wasn't it?
Maybe you could also very briefly explain Caitrina de Berkley's role or even just say 'the handsome/bonny/attractive Caitrina...'.
Otherwise I think it's fine, in fact more than fine. Well done.
Oh forgot to say I too think the cover's top class.
Yeah, well, you knew I was about to smack you one. (I know a word of two of Scots and always considered skelpt to be a good one. )
I think it's important to mention that he is knighted by the king of the Scots. Most Americans wouldn't associate the name de Moray with Scotland, remember. (Ignorant Americans. What are you going to do with them? ;-) ) I expect with the description and cover to have more male readers but maybe mentioning a betrothed will hook some women.
Here is my latest version:
Before William Wallace, before Robert the Bruce, there was another Scottish hero...
1296 Scotland: Newly knighted by the King of the Scots, Andrew de Moray fights against the ruthless invader, the English King, Edward Longshanks. After a bloody defeat in battle, he is dragged in chains to an English dungeon.
Soon the young knight escapes. He returns to find Scotland under the heel of a brutal conqueror and his betrothed sheltering in the hills of the Black Isle. Now he must raise the north of Scotland to rebellion in hope of defeating the English army sent to crush him.
Ye did ask...
Aye, it was Toom Tabard Rosa.
Jeanne wants to brush over him, which I think is a mistake, as it shows what an utter arsehole Longshanks was.
But it's your book Jeanne:¬)
Oh, believe me, Conan, the novel says what a nasty piece of work Edward Longshanks was, but in the blurb I only have about 100 words so I'm sticking to essentials.
Glad you like the cover, Rosie!
Here is what I am currently thinking which changes about every 5 minutes:
Before William Wallace, before Robert the Bruce, there was another Scottish hero...
1296 Scotland: Newly knighted by the King of the Scots, Andrew de Moray fights against the ruthless invader, the English King, Edward Longshanks. After a bloody defeat in battle, he is dragged in chains to an English dungeon.
Soon the young knight escapes. He returns to find Scotland under the heel of a brutal conqueror and his betrothed sheltering in the hills of the Black Isle. Seizing Avoch Castle, he raises the banner of Scottish freedom. Now he must lead the north of Scotland to rebellion in hope of defeating the English army sent to crush him.
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