Welcome to Telling Their Tales!
If you’re new here, I’m Holly and I’m passionate about sharing medieval history that’s about more than just kings and battles. Connection and relatability are two of my key words here on Substack, and I can’t wait to uncover those hidden stories with you. I’m delighted to be here to support you on your own journey, whether that be reading or writing history, or both!
I am based in the UK, in rural South Yorkshire, where I live with my husband, toddler, and two crazy cats. Having handed in my masters thesis three weeks before my son was born, I started out on Substack during leave from my teaching job. Though juggling it all can be busy and fraught, I have loved connecting with so many other readers and writers with a similar passion for history. I have degrees (BA and MSt) in History from both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and I’m currently studying for a DPhil in Archaeology at Oxford.
Why subscribe?
I am passionate about uncovering the untold tales of history: the ones that usually get pushed to the sidelines or not even shared at all.
Tales of powerful women who went about their work quietly, leaving only ephemeral records but achieving dramatic change.
Tales of men who were gentle and emotional, experiencing love and heartbreak, weeping at grief and loss.
Tales of ‘ordinary’ people whose lives weren’t deemed worthy of writing down but who had tangible and textured experiences as they journeyed through this world.
Subscription benefits
Community, learning, storytelling
Free subscribers:
Weekly article plus archive of 50+ articles uncovering the untold tales of Anglo-Saxon England, including biographies, book reviews, discussions of historical events, and explorations of poetry
2 monthly group discussions to share our current reads, overturn historical stereotypes, and share your own writing
Paid members:
Paid membership starts from just over £4 per month…
Exclusive twice-monthly instalments of my serialised historical fiction novel, Hild’s Tale, launching November 14th 2024
All instalments of Bertha’s Tale, a novel written on Substack during 2023-2024
20+ short stories and 2 fictional miniseries
Ebook download of my collection of short historical fiction stories, Echoes of Hearth and Hall
Monthly history-focus book club (we’re currently reading Storyland by Amy Jeffs)
Option to ask your questions to other subscribers in the group chat
Monthly writing challenges and/or ask-me-anything (history or history-writing related) chat
Founding members:
Only five spots remaining for 2024 intake!
12-month editing and writing advice, for work undertaken on or off Substack, fiction or non-fiction, with email and DMs support
Please note that while my historical expertise is in early medieval England, I am willing to take on clients whose content falls outside of this time period.
Have you checked out my vision article for Telling Their Tales? If not, I’d highly recommend clicking the link below to see if it’s for you before you consider joining our community.
