Discover History in a New Light
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I wonder, what are your thoughts when you hear the phrase ‘historical fiction’?
Love it?
Hate it?
A bit nonplussed?
As a self-confessed history lover, I was amazed to discover that some people think historical fiction (or history books in general) are boring.
That’s a bit of a problem when you’ve just written a historical fiction ebook, right?
Except, that’s exactly why I’ve written Echoes of Hearth and Hall. Through my studies, I’ve found the past to have been full of people just like you and me. Yes, there were kings and knights and battles, all of that stuff that fills the pages of most history books. But there were also mamas awake with their littles at 3am desperately willing them to sleep; people baffled by snow in springtime; and deep, heart-rending grief at the loss of loved ones.
I’ve written this ebook, I guess, particularly for people who would say that they don’t love historical fiction. I’d like to convince you that history is not boring, but is in fact full of stories that will thrill you.
Echoes of Hearth and Hall is a collection of short stories set in early medieval England but (for the most part) telling the stories of ordinary people. There are shorter stories and longer ones; more abstract ones and others more historically-defined. This is deliberate: I’ve tried to include enough variety that there is something for everyone.
And don’t just take my word for it! I sent my ebook to a few pre-launch readers, and this is what they had to say…
All the best as always (and happy reading!),
Holly
Hi Holly! We chatted a while back on Notes. I’m a first-year English/Language Arts teacher preparing to teach Brit Lit to juniors and seniors. My first few texts are coming together quite nicely, but I’m really struggling with Beowulf! Mostly because it is so foreign, so other, historically. I think much of this struggles goes back to it being part of an oral tradition and thus reading differently than other early English texts. Would you consider sending me background information etc. which might help chip away some of these barriers for me and my students? A brief write up would be sufficient, but I think they would think it’s pretty cool to chat with a real live Brit (we’re in Southern Ohio, lol). A video would work fine too! Let me know your thoughts!
@Holly A Brown’s Echoes of Hearth and Hall is a must read. Even if you are not a history lover, her writings capture the essence of motherhood and being a woman better than any I have ever read. She also perfectly blends historical figures into a way that make them relatable to us, which I think is the most importantly part of history. We must remember that no matter what time period someone of from, we are all just people. Holly paints such a relatable and vivid picture of people in the past, and I just wanted to keep reading. Very, very well done. I loved every second and would encourage anyone to pick this up and dive in!