This week, we finally managed to install our new (not new ) item of furniture - a mid-18th Century grandfather clock. It's not bright and shiny like more modern ones, but a dark oak with a warm patina which the beeswax polish is drawing out. In order to set it up, we had to do a certain amount of research - how to hang the pendulum, where the weight went on the endless chain - and it got me thinking... where and when did certain divisions of time come from? The time periods which I have written either had household clocks or didn't, I have not written novels from the time of their invention. Clocks have been around for a long time, and the obsession with measuring time in an ordered fashion dates back to at least the ancient Sumerians. It was they who established a circular reading of time and, I imagine, the sixty seconds/minutes came about as much because it was an easy way to divide a circle as anything else. But it wasn't until much later that the precision of seconds ...
Last weekend, historical writers around the globe came together for an online book fair. I've been a part of other virtual book fairs since Covid arrived on the scene, but this was the first genre-specific one I've done.
#HistoryWritersDay was the brainchild of Simon (@Books2Cover). Despite its hashtag, the event was actually two days and, over those two days, I fell even deeper in love with the fantastic world of historical fiction and non-fiction writers. Writers and publishers were offering discounts, signed copies and giveaways, welcoming and including stalwarts as well as newbies to the many realms of history.
As well as fabulous new friends, the weekend also provided a few sales along the way - most people buying The Year We Lived which continues to be a mystery as well as an adventure for readers! And I'm looking forward to hearing the feedback and reviews from these sales, and making connections there too.
The benefit of being a part of the Historical Fiction community of writers is just phenomenal. There is genuine support available as well as just enough niches to make every book beautifully individual.
Planning ahead, Simon has already announced the 2022 event on 26th-27th November 2022. It's already on my computer calendar. Hopefully, after reading this, it should be on yours too!
Just one more thing! As part of the event, I ran a giveaway for any of my historical fiction books. I'm thrilled to announce the winner was Annie Whitehead! Congratulations, Annie, and I hope you enjoy your book!
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