Please welcome J.P. Reedman to my blog. Good morning, Janet. I’m happy to have you on my blog today. Shall we get started?
Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.
I’m J.P. Reedman, and I am a full-time writer of historical fiction and historical fantasy. I was born in Canada, daughter of a Canadian soldier and an English war-bride who met in WWII but have lived in the UK for over 30 years. Home is a few miles from Stonehenge. There is a missing queen buried in my local town; her grave lost in time. Historical inspiration lies all around me!
Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book?
I began writing very young—age five. The first story was a typical adventure tale, but that was quickly followed by one on Cleopatra, which stunned my grade 1 teacher. I seem to have been born with an innate love of historical subjects; this deep passion showed up by the age of four. I began writing book length stories in my teens. At that time, I wrote mainly high fantasy. However, in 1992 I moved from Canada to the U.K. and for about 10 years wrote very little. I began writing again after a serious illness that left me partly sighted for around 3 months. It was a wake-up call for me that if you truly want to do something, you cannot keep putting it off saying ‘maybe tomorrow.’
How difficult was it writing your first book?
My first published book was called STONE LORD, and it is a historical fantasy set at the time of Stonehenge. I worked at Stonehenge at the time and the story was not terribly difficult to write as I had daily inspiration! I knew what it was like out at the Stones in rain, mist and sun. I saw solstices and burning sunsets and walked in the stones at dusk. I even found a buried human tooth!
Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you?
I never wanted to give up, but as I mentioned, I stopped writing for quite a while. I was busy with other things, travel and photography mainly. I must admit I had become a bit disillusioned in the late 80’s after sending out a large fantasy manuscript many times. ‘Classic’ fantasy wasn’t so popular at that time (it’s come back again, hurrah!) and it was costing loads querying and sending out sample chapters to the big Trad publishers (all before email was used so it had to be sent by snail mail.) When indie publishing became popular, it was like a whole new world of opportunities opened. It was now a case of ‘talent wills out.’
Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?
All my friends have always been extremely supportive, but it is my partner Dan who is my rock. He listens to all my writing (and selling) woes and drives me to various events and historical places connected with my books (so I can film them—and to just get ‘the vibes’.)
Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Just that I am glad of their support. They helped me achieve what at one time seemed an impossible dream—to write full-time. I hope they’ll stick with me!
What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?
When I still lived in Canada, I was a member of a Science Fiction group. They published short stories in their zine, and that was where my first published work appeared. One chap, Garth, gave me some criticisms. I did not take umbrage at in the least—for I realized his critique was right. Too many adjectives! I do have a descriptive style, and reviewers have said that ‘visual imagery’ is a strong point in my books, but I learned to ‘hold back’ and edit out what wasn’t necessary.
What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel targets that audience?
My target audience for my main two series is anyone who enjoys historical fiction set in medieval times. The first series, I, Richard Plantagenet, is about the Wars of the Roses and Richard III, told in 1st person from Richard’s viewpoint. It seems to appeal to both men and women; it’s not ‘romancy’ and it doesn’t shy away from battles, though it does have some dry, sometimes black, humour.
My other series, Medieval Babes (yes, deliberately something of a joke title!) is a collection of 12 titles (and growing) biographical fiction about lesser-known medieval queens and nobles. It is popular with the same readership as Philippa Gregory, Jean Plaidy etc.
Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?
My covers are a mix. Sometimes I purchase them and sometimes I create them myself. It is quite hard to get ready-made covers which have images on them that resemble the historical figures I write about.
What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?
My current book, late but coming soon, is ‘The Melancholy of Winter.’ It is about Richard III’s older brother, the little-known Edmund, who was killed at the Battle of Wakefield, aged just 17.
Here’s an excerpt from the book. Edmund and his older brother Edward (future King Edward IV) are in Ireland as young boys: ‘St Brigid’s procession swirled by the drums and the pipe and the singing gradually fading away.
The rain stopped and a huge rainbow, the sky behind it black as pitch, arched across Dublin town, while the heavens brightened in the west, and burning golden light splashed over the walls and towers of monasteries and churches, wiping the dirt and dung from the damp, streaming cobbles and dancing off the crenels of the castle.
Dublin was indeed a strange and wondrous place, I decided, as our chariot rolled stolidly through the golden glare of storm-light to the castle’s gate, gaping a wide welcome beneath the banner of the Falcon and Fetterlock.
It might not be for long, but for now, this place, this sturdy fortress beside the Black Pool, was our home.’
Any last words before we wrap things up?
Advice for new writers—believe in what you are doing and don’t give up. If someone gives you a critique, don’t feel crushed. Try to look at it dispassionately and see if something can be learned from it. Also, remember, different books appeal to different people. Not everyone will like what you write—it doesn’t mean you are not a good writer.
BIO: J.P. Reedman lives in Wiltshire near to Stonehenge. Born in Canada, she has had a lifelong interest in ancient and medieval history, and is often found lurking around prehistoric sites, ruined castles and abbeys, and interesting churches with camera in hand. She became a full-time writer in 2018. Series include I, Richard Plantagenet, 5 books chronicling Richard’s life from childhood to Bosworth, and Medieval Babes, a set of standalone novels about lesser-known medieval queens and noblewomen. Her most recent release is Princess in the Police Station, the tale of little Anne Mowbray, wife of the younger ‘Prince in the Tower’ whose grave was unexpectedly found in the 1960’s. The next book to be released will be The Melancholy of Winter, which is about Edmund of Rutland, Richard’s tragic elder brother.
BOOK I AM PROMOTING: Medieval Babes 12: THE PRINCESS IN THE POLICE STATION: A TALE OF LITTLE ANNE MOWBRAY
LINK TO BOOK: https://mybook.to/annemowbray
Social media links:
Amazon: http://author.to/ReedmanRichardII
Twitter/X: https://x.com/stonehenge2500
https://www.facebook.com/Eleanor.TheLostQueen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IRichardPlantagenet
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@janetreedman8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jpreedmanhistoricalfiction
When Angels Fly 