Rock, Paper, Swords!

Support us on Patreon, where you can even give a loved one a GIFT subscription: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Welcome to the RPS Xmas Special 2024! We take a look at some of the best seasonal books like Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol", movies like Lethal Weapon (!), and all the classic music we enjoy at this time of year. Like "Wassail The Night Away"! We also discuss the possibility of us collaborating on a Christmas novella TOGETHER in 2025... It's a fun, if slightly rambling and disjointed episode, but hey, it's Christmas. God bless us, everyone. The History Quill Convention 2025 https://thehistoryquill.com/convention-2025/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast and X https://twitter.com/rock_swords

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Jane Johnson is from Cornwall and has worked in the book industry for 30 years as a bookseller, publisher and writer. For many years she was responsible for publishing the works of JRR Tolkien, and later worked on Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, spending months in New Zealand with cast and crew (she wrote the official visual companions to the films). The authors she publishes include George R.R. Martin, Dean Koontz, Robin Hobb, Mark Lawrence and Raymond E Feist. While she was in Morocco in 2005 to research The Tenth Gift she met her soon-to-be husband, a Berber tribesman from a village in the Anti-Atlas Mountains. Returning home, she gave up her office job in London, sold her flat and shipped the contents to Morocco and they were married later that year. They now split their time between Cornwall and Morocco, and Jane still works remotely as a Fiction Publishing Director for HarperCollins. We met Jane in Dartington Hall at the HNS Conference back in September and you can listen to that short episode (and watch the video on our Youtube channel), but when we read her CV, we knew we had to get her back for a full episode. Welcome back to RPS, Jane Johnson! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast and X https://twitter.com/rock_swords 

Matthew Harffy has a new book out on December 5th called Shadows of the Slain. We chat about it in this episode, and you can buy it at the link below! Buy the book: https://mybook.to/ShadowsOfTheSlain Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast and X https://twitter.com/rock_swords  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Dr Ian Mortimer is best known as the Sunday Times-bestselling author of the four Time Traveller's Guides - to Medieval England, Elizabethan England, Restoration Britain and Regency Britain - as well as four critically acclaimed medieval biographies, a prize-winning novel and several other titles. His books have been translated into sixteen languages. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. He has been described by The Times as 'the most remarkable medieval historian of our time'. He lives in Devon, where Steven and I met him recently at the Historical Novel Society Conference. We had a lovely chat with him there and you can listen to that episode or even watch the video on our YouTube channel. But we didn’t have time for a full episode and there were so many more questions we wanted to ask, so we are delighted to have Ian back on the podcast. Welcome back to RPS, Ian! Useful links: https://www.ianmortimer.com/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast and X https://twitter.com/rock_swords

https://mybook.to/HereticPriory Steven's new winter novella is out today! Well, it's actually TWO stories in one collection - The Heretic of Haltemprice Priory is the main story, a novella that sees Tuck, Will and Little John joining forces again to investigate some eldritch happenings at a medieval priory just before Xmas. The second tale, The Christmas Hunt, features Tuck and John searching for Will who's gone missing after chasing some thieves off his farm during a snowstorm on Xmas Eve. Find out a little bit more about the stories in this bonus episode and please do buy the new book here: https://mybook.to/HereticPriory

Support us on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠ We're thrilled to welcome a true writing legend to the podcast today, and one of my favourite authors! With a career spanning over four decades, Joe R. Lansdale is the award-winning author of more than 50 novels and countless short stories, spanning horror, crime, westerns, and more. His unique voice, dark humor, and vivid storytelling have earned him fans all over the world, TV series and film adaptations of his work, and numerous accolades, such as the British Fantasy Award, the American Horror Award, the Edgar Award, and eleven Bram Stoker Awards! Most recently he has published Sugar on the Bones, the latest in the extremely popular Hap and Leonard series, and the movie of his novel, The Thicket, starring Peter Dinklage, Juliette Lewis and James Hetfield has just been released. In October he has a collection of stories coming out entitled: In the Mad Mountains: Stories inspired by H. P. Lovecraft. Welcome to RPS, Joe R. Lansdale. Useful links: https://www.joerlansdale.com/  Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast and X https://twitter.com/rock_swords 

Last year we released a festive rock song called "Christmas is Coming" (you can find the normal version AND an acoustic version on streaming services) and we had so much fun that we decided to do it again this year. "Wassail The Night Away" is our best song yet! We hope you all love it and it helps make Christmas 2024 the best one ever. Find it on all major streaming services like Spotify, Amazon Music, iTunes, YouTube etc and add it to your winter playlists! Support us on Patreon! Our Top Fans and Producers got to hear "Wassail The Night Away" days ago and you too can get bonus content by supporting us and helping us with our running costs from as little as £1 per month! patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

Today we're discussing the master of cosmic horror himself, HP Lovecraft! Author of stories like The Call of Cthulhu, The Shadow Over Innsmouth, The Thing on the Doorstep, and a ton more.  Howard Phillips Lovecraft was born on August 20, 1890 and died March 15, 1937 when he was just 46. He's inspired authors like Stephen King and bands like Metallica. Was he any good? Join us this Halloween to find out! Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast and X https://twitter.com/rock_swords  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast  HPL’s works for FREE online - https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/ “The Case of Charles Dexter Ward” - https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/cdw.aspx Audible - https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Complete-Fiction-of-HP-Lovecraft-Audiobook/B07NRT2886 Francois Baranger - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dunwich-Horror-Francois-Baranger/dp/1624650775 LOVECRAFTIAN MUSIC: Sulphur Aeon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3QYogaCuP8&ab_channel=vanrecords Ulthar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBS6giWHZPA&list=OLAK5uy_nJIYHBigjHNxQkChry2S06JNgP9MosXfk&index=2&ab_channel=Ulthar-Topic Nile - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3iQbAB_yrY&ab_channel=Nile-Topic Metallica - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vSH9pMzHm0&ab_channel=Metallica-Topic Morbid Angel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYACQcg3_Fg&ab_channel=EaracheRecords

Support us on Patreon and get bonus episodes every month: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Guy Windsor is a swordsmanship practitioner, instructor, researcher, writer, and also an entrepreneur. On his website swordschool.com he states his mission in life is to restore historical martial arts to their rightful place at the heart of our culture. He has a blog, books, has developed training courses, and is the host of a podcast called The Sword Guy. As Steven and I often write about swords and combat, Guy seemed like a perfect guest for the podcast. Welcome to RPS, Guy Windsor. Useful links: https://swordschool.com/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast and X https://twitter.com/rock_swords

Steven's new novel is out on Monday, 7th October 2024! Book 6 in the Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles, THE VENGEANCE OF MERLIN is finally here after a 2 year break! We have a quick chat about that book as well as what Matthew is working on right now, and what's to come for us both in the coming months (including an EXCLUSIVE reveal of Steven's new Forest Lord novella's title). Join us on Patreon for monthly bonus episodes, a FREE copy of our book Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel, and more perks. patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

Support us on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠ Hailing from Staffordshire, James Wright has been involved with the world of archaeology for over twenty years. Both Archaeologist and conservation stonemason, James combined both disciplines as Archaeological and Historic Buildings Assistant at Nottinghamshire County Council between 2004-2010, where he ran the Castles of Nottinghamshire Project. James then moved on to work as a buildings archaeologist and historic stone specialist for the Museum of London Archaeology until the autumn of 2016. He has worked in several areas of the heritage sector but his principle interest is buildings archaeology and he has experience of working on properties from the eleventh to twentieth century. In 2020, James began writing the Mediaeval Mythbusting Blog which investigates and debunks commonly believed and repeated stories about ancient buildings. This project has subsequently been picked up as a book option – Historic Building Mythbusting – by The History Press and will be released on 6 June 2024. Welcome to RPS, James Wright. Useful links: https://triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast and X https://twitter.com/rock_swords  If you enjoy the show please leave us a 5 star review where you can, and spread the word!

Historical Novel Society Conference 2024! I don't think Diana Gabaldon needs much of an introduction! We were lucky enough to sit down with her at the conference for an interview. Author of the Outlander novels which have also been made into the HUGELY successful Starz TV show, Diana was funny, friendly, generous with her time, and gave us probably the best answer EVER to the question, "What do you listen to when you write?" Do NOT miss this interview! We talked about her planned novel Red Ant's Head, how her lead female character guided her to create the Outlander series, and, of course, Dwarf Metal! https://www.dianagabaldon.com/ Windrose - "Diggy Diggy Hole" -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34CZjsEI1yU Join us on Patreon for monthly bonus episodes, a FREE copy of our book Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel, and more perks. patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Find out more about the Historical Novel Society (and become a member) here - https://historicalnovelsociety.org/

HNS 2024! The last of our roving interviews, we have three brilliant authors for you here, give the episode a listen and check out their work! Patricia Bracewell Elizabeth R Andersen Jan Foster Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes, and a FREE copy of our book Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel: How we sold over 750,000 books! ⁠patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠

Welcome to the second part of our "roving interviews" series from the Historical Novel Society Conference 2024. In this episode we speak with Michael Jecks, Christopher M. Cevasco, Kelly Urgan, and Victoria Hopkins. Apologies for the audio, we hope you enjoy the interviews! Find out more about our guests at the links below. ⁠MICHAEL JECKS⁠ ⁠CHRISTOPHER M. CEVASCO⁠ ⁠KELLY URGAN⁠ ⁠VICTORIA HOPKINS⁠ Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes, and a FREE copy of our book Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel: How we sold over 750,000 books! ⁠patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠

HNS 2024! While we were at the Conference we conducted some roving interviews - in the grounds of Dartington Hall, or even in the White Hart pub! Check out the first three of them, collected here in one short bonus episode. They are also available on our YouTube channel is videos. AD Rhine are a pair of friends who write novels about the Trojan War. CC Humphreys is an actor, playwright and novelist. He's appeared in The Bill and Coronation St which will impress our fellow Brits! His books look superb too! Tracey Warr is a novelist and she also organised the Conference so we owe her a huge THANK YOU for inviting us and making all these interviews possible. Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes, and a FREE copy of our book Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel: How we sold over 750,000 books! patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

HNS Conference 2024! Kate Quinn, Alison Morton, and Ruth Downie dressed in Roman garb and delivered a superb talk at the Conference. We grabbed them for a quick interview in the grounds of Dartington Hall which we can share with you now. (Please forgive the audio, we were talking to them outside using little handheld microphones.)

Historical Novel Society Conference 2024! In this episode we chat with Jane Johnson. Novelist, editor, even publisher of the likes of George RR Martin, Raymond E. Feist, and Tolkien! She also worked on the Lord of the Rings movies. A really interesting guest we're sure you'll agree! https://www.janejohnsonbooks.com/ Join us on Patreon for monthly bonus episodes, a FREE copy of our book Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel, and more perks. patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Find out more about the Historical Novel Society (and become a member) here - https://historicalnovelsociety.org/

Historical Novel Society Conference 2024! In this episode we had a chance to sit down with Elizabeth Chadwick for a quick chat. Her new novel The Royal Rebel is out now, be sure to check it out! https://elizabethchadwick.com/ Join us on Patreon for monthly bonus episodes, a FREE copy of our book Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel, and more perks. patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Find out more about the Historical Novel Society (and become a member) here - https://historicalnovelsociety.org/

Historical Novel Society Conference 2024! David Gilman has been on the show before but we got to sit down with him in person for this interview. David is a superb writer and a genuinely lovely guy and any time we get to spend with him is always a privilege. His latest book To Kill A King is out now! https://davidgilman.com/ Join us on Patreon for monthly bonus episodes, a FREE copy of our book Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel, and more perks. patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Find out more about the Historical Novel Society (and become a member) here - https://historicalnovelsociety.org/

Historical Novel Society Conference 2024! MJ Porter has written around 60 books in the past decade. Yes, sixty! And they're good too! Hear us chat with her in this new episode we recorded at the HNS Conference. We spent a bit of time with her while we were there and she was great company. https://mjporterauthor.blog/ Join us on Patreon for monthly bonus episodes, a FREE copy of our book Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel, and more perks. patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Find out more about the Historical Novel Society (and become a member) here - https://historicalnovelsociety.org/