We are thrilled to announce that we have signed two new instalments in the Legion of the Damned Roman Thrillers by Jeff Jones: action-packed, authentic historical military adventures set in Ancient Rome.
Here, Jeff tells us what to expect from the latest instalments:
“It’s been a whirlwind two and a half years since I first signed up with Sapere Books, during which time the first four books in my Legion of the Damned series have been published, with the fifth instalment, Tides of Blood, due for publication later this year. Now I am delighted to announce that Sapere Books have contracted another two books in the series.
“From the very start I knew I’d found the right home for these books, with everyone at Sapere being enthusiastic and supportive. I have learned so much from them and believe I am a better writer for it.
“So, what’s in store for Centurion Corvo and his men? Well, I can’t give too much away, but book six will see The Damned back in Rome, where they will have to adapt to face a new type of enemy. In book seven they will find themselves undertaking their most dangerous mission yet on the empire’s eastern border.”
Tides of Blood is available to pre-order now.
Stay up to date with Jeff’s news and latest releases here.
In this behind-the-scenes blog series, Sapere Books authors offer an intriguing insight into how, where and why they write.
Today, we are delighted to spotlight Neil Denby, author of the Quintus Roman Thriller series.
Inspiration can come at any time of the day or night, but I find that the small hours are awash with ideas — plot lines, character development, a resolution to a particularly tricky scenario — so it is important that I keep a notepad and pencil by the bed. It may be old-fashioned but it is also reliable and has the advantage of not involving bright screens.
Frustratingly, come morning, I cannot always decipher what I have written down, but sometimes there are gems. These may be character or plot evolution, or perhaps just phrases, but I know I would have forgotten them completely if I had not made a note.
While out walking — an excellent way to clear the brain of fog — I defer to modern technology and record voice notes on my mobile phone. The same principle applies — if there is no immediate record, the thoughts can be lost.
These brief lines are later transferred to a laptop. This is strategically placed in a corner of my study so that I am not distracted by the view outside the window. A row of reference books and one of my favourite possessions, an original Steve Bell cartoon, are all that I have for company. It also helps if I can visualise a character or a place, so I keep a sketchpad on my desk where I can create basic images — maps, plans, sometimes the progress of marches or battles. These drawings help to maintain consistency and authenticity.
This is my primary space, where the words are typed up. I add to them, enhance them, contextualise them, read them back. I often discover that I have used a particular word or phrase twice or more. Or if there is something I’m not sure about, I look it up. The reference books help to straighten out facts and also to find alternative words. Roget’s and Brewer’s and Fowler’s and Chambers provide a wealth of information unmatched by an American-leaning internet. I admit to slipping down rabbit holes of etymology and semantics, but find it strangely satisfying.
I always have to read what has been written, in context with the book so far. Traditionally that would have meant printing the manuscript out and sitting down with a pencil. Happily, that is no longer the case. Instead (thanks to everything going up into the Cloud) I can now read and review on my iPad. This means I can lounge in a chair, or sit outside, or read whilst travelling. So it is more a case of recreating the experience of the reader to see how and if things work.
Of course, there are edits, and actual printouts sometimes, but that is basically it: pencils and pads and technology.
Oh technology, where were you when I had all those essays to write at school?
