A North Tyneside author is preparing to publish her debut historical novel set in the latter half of Robert the Bruce’s reign.
Emma Felling, 34, who volunteers as a reenactor at Newcastle Castle, has been working on her debut novel ‘Fight Not For Glory’ since 2001. After deciding to go down the independent publishing route, Emma, from Shiremoor, will host her first book launch later this month followed by the publication of her book.
Fight Not For Glory focuses on the lives of four main characters and their search for the truths of their pasts.
She said: “Sadly it is really hard to get an agent these days so started to go down the independent publishing route.
“It has gone brilliantly. The best thing is you have a lot of control over it. I got to see all the inside workings of a publisher.”
Emma, who will have been seen by visitors to Newcastle Castle in the role of Robert the Bruce’s sister Mary, has been interested in history from a young age.
She said: “I had history from a young age. I spent my childhood caravanning around the UK so I got to visit a lot of castles and historic sites. My parents were keen not to diminish it in me so encouraged me to go to museums and things like that. I have been an avid reader since I could read.”
The book cover
(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)
Emma said the publication of her first novel has been “surreal”, adding: “On New Year’s eve it kind of hit me that it would be out in 28 days.
“Even though I had been doing all the prep for it, it still didn’t hit until that moment. It probably won’t feel real until I get a physical copy in my hands.”
Emma says the novel offers a unique insight and shows the turmoil of a lesser-known historical period but in an approachable manner.
She added: “Scottish focused historic fiction focuses on big battles, well-known political intrigue, or wholly romance. I wanted to show the turmoil of a little-discussed historical period in an approachable manner that would interest readers both inside and outside those genres.
“That is why I chose the latter half of Robert the Bruce’s reign and why I focused on the intricacies of everyday Scottish medieval life.
“I wanted to be as accurate as possible in my portrayal of the period, so I researched heavily. It was, at times, a hair-pulling experience but also greatly rewarding, leaving me with a deeper respect for Scotland’s history.”
The book will be published on January 28. Ahead of the publication, Emma will be holding a book launch at Newcastle Castle on January 18.
Emma added: “It has been a brilliant process. The castle has kindly worked really closely with me to prepare it where it is not just a book launch, we are having castle tours, having reenactors in, I’m doing a talk on Robert the Bruce himself, just to encourage people to come.
“Book launches can be very niche but when you bring in other things it broadens it.”
For more information and tickets click here.