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Not All Ghost Stories are Frightening

 This was not exactly the blog that we planned to write. We were going to share a post about our Ghost Story Competition  (which this still is), but it has suddenly become very pertinent and personal. On Saturday, only a day after sharing our Puplishing  blog, we lost our founding publisher, Orlando. We are all utterly devastated, and Crowvus HQ has become very quiet. It is truly strange not to see him at the bottom of the stairs, or not to have him sitting at my feet while I write this. It is the little, everyday, routine  things where his death is most acutely felt. Nine years ago, in our first ever Ghost Story Competition , we received a story entitled Black Dog . I admit, I had preconceived ideas about this one, based on its title, thinking about baying hounds and the Black Shuck. Nothing was further from the truth. A. J. Black's beautiful story was a journey of grief, a coming to terms with a loss of more than life, but of a companion. I remember reading it and ...
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#HistFicThursdays - Introducing this 2026's #HistFicMay Prompts

 It's back for another year...

Welcome to this year's #HistFicMay!

I know a number of writers like to have these prompt in advance so that you can line up a few answers, so it seemed like a good time to share them. Of course, the aim of #HistFicMay is to celebrate both the fantastic network of historical fiction writers and their books, so even if you don't use the prompts, hopefully you can use the hashtag on your social media to discover fabulous authors and writings.

And here they are:

  1. Introduce yourself and your writing
  2. Who inspired you to become a writer?
  3. Standalone or series?
  4. Do you always/ever write happy ever afters?
  5. One time period or dual (or more!) timeline?
  6. What is your favourite era to write about?
  7. What is your favourite era to read about?

    Let's talk about research...
  8. What has been your greatest research discovery?
  9. Which source do you always go back to?
  10. What's your strangest rabbit hole?
  11. Has research ever driven you mad?
  12. If you could time travel, when would you go to?

    Now for your main character...
  13. Introduce your MC.
  14. What is their drive and goal?
  15. What's their favourite colour?
  16. Who plays your MC in the movie?
  17. What do other characters think of your MC?
  18. Is you MC based on anyone?
  19. What superpower does your MC wish they had?

    Share your words...
  20. What's your opening line?
  21. Best description.
  22. Favourite quote.
  23. Last word (END doesn't count!).

    Just for fun!
  24. Your characters come to dinner - what do you serve?
  25. What's your historical Mastermind topic?
  26. Which of your characters is your "phone a friend"?
  27. What song always makes you think about your book?
  28. To whom is your book dedicated?
  29. Who's your ideal collaborator for writing?
  30. What's the honest tagline for your book?
  31. Tell your story in emojis.
It's only the month after next and I can't wait! Make sure you download the graphic at the top of this post and spread the word! Let's make this #HistFicMay the biggest yet!

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