Newsletter #2
Welcome to my brand new, shiny newsletter in which I bring you up-to-date with news and events, offers and giveaways. I’ll invite you to take a peek at my author life and the nuts and bolts of writing novels, and ask you about what you like to see in a historical novel and why.
And while this is a handy way of keeping everyone informed about the writing life of one author, what I really want to do is to keep in touch with the many people who, like me, are fascinated by writing, history, literature, music, the natural world, gardening and… chickens. So if you have any questions or want to get in touch, do message me.
News Flash! News Flash! News Flash!
Things are beginning to hot up here at the Castle - and not just because the shades of winter have at last relented, and signs of summer are making themselves known in the leafy lanes and byways of rural Dorset. No, this is more to do with the frenetic activity surrounding the soon-to-be-released Sun Ascendant.
Yes, the second book in The Tarnished Crown series - the sequel to Wheel of Fortune - is almost here.
The Tarnished Crown series is a story about one young woman’s battle for survival, but it also reflects the struggles of a family, a region, and a country - and those who seek to rule it.
'Dunn delivers again with a vivid, gritty, visceral story, beautifully told and packed with twists and turns. Sun Ascendant takes us into the heart of the Wars of the Roses and deftly explores how it affected women, and how women might affect it.' Matthew Lewis
Just as a reminder, at the close of Wheel of Fortune, I left young Isobel Fenton in a bit of a situation:
‘His eyes flicked open, met hers, and his hand whipped around and grabbed her wrist. She struggled to free it from the vice of his grip as, slowly, he pulled her arm until the point of the dagger lay over his heart. He held her eyes with his. “Kill me.” She bared her teeth, willing herself to strike. “Kill me, Isobel,” and he let go of her wrist. Needle-sharp, the dagger dented his skin, the fine sable hair of his chest curling around the tip of the blade. Furious, despairing, she pressed harder, drawing from him a sharp breath as the point of the dagger pierced his skin. Fascinated, she froze under the watchful grey eyes that willed her on. “Kill me. Release me,” and he closed his eyes, the lines between them smoothing as if already in death.’
Sun Ascendant
https://pixabay.com/users/engin_akyurt-3656355/
'Reminds me of why I fell in love with historical fiction in the first place. A magnificent family drama set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses.' Elizabeth Chadwick
It takes valuable time to read and endorse a book, so I really appreciate the input of authors and historians on whose frank opinions I can always rely, and want to flag up, writer, medieval historian and chair of The Richard III Society Matthew Lewis; and my friends and authors, historical novelist Elizabeth Chadwick, word smith S.L. Russell, and Andrew Chamberlain.
‘Research underpins the narrative and adds a profound sense of credibility to a compelling story of one woman's battle for survival. The author's knowledge brings the background to vibrant life, and her expressive writing makes for a page-turning and engrossing read.’
SL Russell
While writing a book is a one-woman show, publishing it is quite another matter. I’m delighted to have worked with the very talented team at Resolute Books and especially my editor, Liz Carter (herself a gifted writer), whose perspicacity and eye for detail makes her a dream-team for any author. (Do take a look at her wonderful Repression Ground - a Young Adult dystopian novel and the first in the Newland Trilogy.)
I’ve also had the pleasure of working with Helen Lewis and the crew at Literally PR https://www.literallypr.com, who guide me through the nuances of PR with a deft steer; and also the very lovely Jason Smith of Social Shapes https://www.socialshapes.com who, with utmost expertise and patience, takes my social media and website in hand when I would rather be writing, and works his magic.
’An intense and compelling mix of love, war, and politics.’ - Andrew Chamberlain
Meanwhile, I’m also celebrating a year with Resolute Books, https://www.resolutebooks.co.uk a collaboration of an inspiring, stand-out crowd of authors, editors and designers, aiming to bring the very best in fiction, poetry and memoir to readers everywhere.
And in other news…
I am thoroughly enjoying working on book 3 in The Tarnished Crown series, which involves much research and being on the hoof visiting the sites associated with the Wars of the Roses and, in particular, Richard, Duke of Gloucester in the years before he became king. It is against this backdrop of national turmoil and those at the centre of it, that Isobel Fenton finds herself in a life she could never imagine.
Bolton Castle, Yorkshire
Wishing everyone a good spring and happy reading.
