Historical Highlights and Exclusive Updates
Monthly Roundup | August 2024
Hello all!
I hope that August has been kind to you, and that you have enjoyed uncovering hidden tales, old and new. This month’s roundup is heavy on the reads, with a few exciting updates to the community here at Telling Their Tales.
Just a quick housekeeping note. This is a beefy edition and if you’re reading this in email (as most do), some email providers may truncate the content. Read in the Substack app to make sure you don’t miss anything. You can download the app at the link below. It’s free, quick, and easy to do.
Contents
In Case You Missed It
Something to Read
Something to Watch
Coming Up In September
Opportunity to Help - Historical Fiction Directory
In Case You Missed It
My top article this month was on the topic of female bed burials, a phenomenon unique (in England) to the mid-seventh century. The article explored concepts of belonging, cultural heritage, and identity across the centuries, connecting our own experiences with those of our ancestors.
The Chronicles (non-fiction)
The Sagas (fiction)
New subscriber features
We had our first two subscriber chats this month: an introductory thread and an ask me anything thread. They were great fun! I loved getting to know you all and hearing about your own historical fiction projects.
I also soft-launched The Scriptorium, a place for writers of history and historical fiction. I’ll be continuing the soft launch over the next few months, but for a yearly £50 fee, members will have access to a co-learning space where we work through our writing projects together. This is for all writers, wherever you are on your writing journey. There will be co-working spaces (I hope!), workshops, group chats, and access to a 1:1 bespoke coaching session.
The Society of History Writers - NEW!
Society of History Writers is a newsletter dedicated to sharing historical research and historical fiction to a global readership. It is a collaborative project, with contributions from a range of individuals showcasing history across time and space. Not limited to academic research or published authors, it aims to provide a platform for every writer at any stage of their career. I’m currently taking submissions for posts and the Directory; you can find all the information at the links below.
Something to Read
I’ve been reading Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon, the winner of the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. Set in ancient Greece, it is comedic and heartbreaking in equal measure, and I find myself drawn to it night by night (my reading slot is at bedtime!). Highly recommend.
I couldn’t not link my own ebook, Echoes of Hearth and Hall! It’s a collection of short historical fiction stories, designed to show the relatability of our ancestors’ experience. You can find all the details of how to get hold of a copy at the post below.
The Library is a great resource for finding new fiction reads across a range of genres. Our very own Bertha’s Tale was recently included in its romance directory, and there is a historical fiction section too.
In fact, I recently discovered
’s Shield of Locksley this way - and I love it. He’s serialising the tale over multiple seasons.Talestack News is another excellent roundup for finding short stories here on Substack. Reading through the edited posts is one of my favourite pastimes, and I’ve discovered so many new authors that way.
asked for recommendations to learn more about green man carvings in medieval churches. Queens of the Wild by Ronald Hutton is a great popular-level book if you’re wanting to find out more about these mysterious figures. Do restack this article and tag Syre if you have any other recommendations.Something to Watch
It wouldn’t be a Telling Their Tales roundup without a Time Team mention! Long-time readers know that this love affair started over twenty years ago when I watched my very first episode, featuring an intact wooden Roman water wheel. From then on I was hooked! Since relaunching on YouTube and Patreon, they have joined forces with the National Trust at Sutton Hoo, conducting a range of excavations over Summer 2024. They recently published a live episode on their final day of digging (linked below), and will be sharing a longer documentary soon revealing all their findings. I loved the live episode, so can’t wait for the documentary!
Coming up in September
The Chronicles (free non-fiction)
Four free posts, including a discussion of medieval feminine heartbreak, review of The Wordhord, and my first travel diaries video
Two group chats
The Sagas (paid fiction)
The final two instalments of Bertha’s Tale: A Novel!! Featuring a historical endnote.
The final instalment of the miniseries: The Warrior’s Heart. Things are wrapping up at the end of my first year here on Substack!
Two (or three?! I’m undecided) more instalments of Chronicles of an Unwilling Abbess, and/or some flash fiction. Lots of historical fiction going on over here!
The Scriptorium (founding members’ writing circle)
Our first workshop - content TBD so let me know in the comments if there is anything that you would be interested in learning more about in the history/historical fiction writing world.
That’s it for this month guys! It’s been a great one, and I look forward to connecting with you more over the coming weeks. Have a great September.
All the best as always,
Holly
What a month! Filled to the brim with brilliant things, I am looking forward to reading the female burial post, I seem to have missed it first time around. I love the sound of your new offerings too xx