My guest today is historical fiction author M.J Porter. M.J is going to talk to us about their writing journey, and their latest book. So grab yourself a cuppa, get cosy and let’s get chatting to M.J.
Author bio
I’m an author of historical fiction (Early English/Saxon, Vikings and the British Isles as a whole before the Norman Conquest, as well as three 20th-century mysteries) and fantasy (Viking age/dragon-themed). I’ve also written my first nonfiction book, The Royal Women Who Made England: The Women of the Tenth Century.
I was born in the old Mercian kingdom at some point since 1066. Raised in the shadow of a strange little building, told from a very young age that it housed the bones of long-dead kings of Mercia and that our garden was littered with old pieces of pottery from a long-ago battle, it’s little wonder that my curiosity in Early England ran riot. I can only blame my parents!
I like to write. You’ve been warned!
Welcome to my blog, M.J. Can you tell us how you came to write historical fiction?
Hi Karen, thank you for welcoming me to my blog. I’m excited to share my writing journey with your readers, which I can assure everyone, has involved a lot of writing. Read on.
It wasn’t until I went to uni that I realised I wanted to write. But, even though I was undertaking a history degree, it wasn’t historical fiction I wished to write, but rather fantasy, and if you will, a Norse-inspired Viking age Icelandic fantasy with dragons (I know, it’s a little niche). This story took me many, many years to write, because, as so often the case ‘life’ got in the way.
It wasn’t until over a decade after uni I finally started to work on this project ‘properly.’ It took about three years to write, and since then, a handful of people have read it. But, I did keep on writing, and eventually, while studying for my Masters degree, I discovered a historical individual I wished to bring to life, and so I did.
I wrongly thought I’d tell Ealdorman Leofwine’s story in one book. I didn’t, and I haven’t. The Earls of Mercia series is now eleven books long, and has four additional ‘side stories.’ And the series is still not finished. The plan is to cover the period up to 1066, and I’m just about to reach the 1050s.
I’ve continued writing other series, variously working my way backwards through the Saxon-era of England, which fascinates me. These endeavours were all indie-published until 2022 when I signed with Boldwood Books to bring to life a character from a later series as a young man. Icel, who also appears in The Last King series, is a hard man to please. He can always best our hero, Coelwulf, and so why not discover if that is truly what happened to him. And so, The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles was conceived, and continues apace. I’ve also republished and substantially rewritten the Brunanburh Series with Boldwood Books, and the first in my new Dark Ages Chronicles, Men of Iron, is due for release on 15th April. For those wondering, I believe Son of Mercia, my first traditionally published book, was the 50th novel I wrote. (I had previously had two books republished with another publisher, but it didn’t end well.)
I continue to indie publish and while I’m obsessed with the Saxon kingdom of Mercia, I’ve also written three 20th century mysteries. I’ve recently started republishing my fantasy titles, as well as finally finishing another fantasy project I discarded back in 2019. I’ve created a new author name for my fantasy work. It’s not exactly a secret but shhhhh.
I’ve also written a work of nonfiction, published by Pen and Sword books, about the royal women of the tenth century in Saxon England. (It’s a bit nerdy).
And so, I’ve written a lot of books – almost too many to remember. I’ve started keeping a list because there are so many – upwards of 60 at the last count. I love writing. It feels very special to inhabit my fictional worlds and to share them with readers (thank you readers). I hope it continues for many more years because I still have A LOT of stories to write.
Well, that’s a fascinating journey and a lot of books published, M.J. Thank you for sharing it with us. Wishing you many more successful writing years.
M.J’s latest book is published on 15 April
After the legends of Arthur, yet before the Saxon kingdom of Mercia, a tribal age of iron and rust ruled.
Britain AD540.
In the western hinterland of Roman Britannia, Meddi, the seeress of the Eorlingas tribe, can only obtain vengeance when her husband’s dead and her ancestral villa returned to her.
With her brother, Madog, as leader, they unite and stand strong against those who seek the riches of their villa. They must harness the power of the lost magiks of iron to make weapons to mercilessly oppose those who seek to challenge and fight to rule.
Meanwhile in the east, Waermund, a young warrior of Saxon descent, has exacted the ultimate revenge against his brother. Startled by his own ruthlessness, he knows his father will pursue him to exact retribution. He and his band of miscreant warriors must flee westwards and forge a new future by earning coin from those too weak to protect themselves.
Meddi and Wærmund are set to collide in a world of iron and rust.
An action-packed, thrilling historical adventure set during the Dark Ages. You won’t be able to stop reading!
Buy Link: Amazon
Follow M.J
Some other books by M.J
Coming soon!
During Britannia’s tribal age only the strongest prevail…
Britain AD541
Seeress Meddi has been restored to her rightful position of influence within the Eorlingas tribe. But a heavy cloud hangs over the tribe’s survival with the escape of the treacherous Elen who seeks to exact a bloody vengeance following Meddi’s reinstatement and her downfall.
Meddi knows Elen will return to settle the blood feud and the tribe must be ready to face this deadly threat with iron. They must toil day and night to harness the power of the lost magiks to make the weapons needed to overpower Elen.
Meanwhile, Wærmund, a warrior of Saxon descent, has escaped his enforced captivity and vows vengeance against his captors. He too hungers for the promise of sharp blades and travels West to find those who can fashion iron into blades sharp enough to kill. But when a lone woman befriends the band of warriors, promising him even more than that, he’s beguiled by her tale of deceit amongst her own tribe, so reminiscent of his own.
Unbeknown, Meddi and Wærmund share a common enemy and one who is just as belligerent as they are…
Out on 13 July. Preorder: Amazon
The once-mighty kingdom of Mercia is in perilous danger.
Tamworth, Mercia AD825
Beornwulf Mercia’s King, lies dead and years of bitter in-fighting between the nobles, and cross border wars have left Mercia exposed to her enemies.
King Ecgberht of Wessex senses now is the time for his warriors to strike and exact his long-awaited bloody revenge on Mercia.
King Wiglaf, has claimed his right to rule Mercia, but can he unite a disparate Kingdom against the might of Wessex who are braying for blood and land?
Can King Wiglaf keep the dragons at bay or is Mercia doomed to disappear beneath the wings of the Wessex wyvern?
Can anyone save Mercia from destruction?
Buy Link: Amazon
Karen King 