Guest author: Jennifer C. Wilson and her Kindred Spirits - by Alex Marchant


One thing I’ve discovered, over the past couple of years since I first planned to self-publish my books, is just what a fantastic bunch of people authors generally are. Supportive, nurturing, helpful – and just downright friendly.

Over recent months, I’ve widened the circle of authors I ‘know’ (‘know’, in quotes, because most I’ve ‘met’ online via social media rather than in person) and the variety of genres in which they write too, ranging across historical fiction, thrillers, children’s picture books, queer fiction, YA, romance, fantasy and all points betwixt and between. But the original core of authors I first encountered online are firmly rooted in my own current ‘genre’, if such it is: Ricardian fiction. That is, writing inspired by King Richard III.



I’m not sure there is any other English monarch who has his or her own particular brand of fiction, which in fact spans many more regular ‘genres’ – from the more obvious – historical fiction and romance – to the perhaps less obvious, such as time-slip, detective and paranormal fictions, and even opera. And we all have a single aim – to bring the story of the real Richard III to the wider public, to help restore his reputation after the damage inflicted by William Shakespeare and various writers who preceded him, all working under the Tudor dynasty founded by the man who usurped his throne.
This wide spectrum of genres means that this story can be brought to a wide spectrum of readers too, which is great for furthering the message. You don’t fancy romance? Try a straight historical take, with some brutal battles and politicking at its centre. Prefer a lighter read, with a three-sentence summary of the complexities of the Wars of the Roses? Why not check out the children’s/YA version. Looking for something just a little different? That’s where my guest today comes in.
I first ‘met’ Jennifer C. Wilson when two of our books were about to share a publication day – 2nd October, King Richard’s birthday. But Jen was way ahead of me, having already published the first two of her Kindred Spirits tales – the first set in the Tower of London, the second on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile – revelling in the (after)lives of the communities of ghosts who just might inhabit those iconic places because of connections during their lifetimes. A third Kindred Spirits followed soon after, based at Westminster Abbey, although the October launch was of a time-slip romance, The Last Plantagenet?



There’s a thread running through most of these books, the clue being in that last title. And here’s Jen to tell you a little about her latest publication, Kindred Spirits: York, and her work in progress...

Jennifer C. Wilson says:

Hi Alex, and thanks for letting me share your blog space today. Although we haven’t met (yet), I feel we’ve a lot in common, especially when it comes to our leading man, and, dare I say it without sounding cliched, our muse? I could probably write this entire post without mentioning his name, but then what would the search engines think of us!
I know I’m a latecomer to the Richard III writing community, but it is such a lovely group to be part of. I’m so glad I managed to get a foot in the door, and be part of a group which is bringing this maligned monarch to new audiences with every release. For me, I couldn’t find a ‘way in’ to writing a traditional historical fiction approach to Richard’s story, however hard I tried. It wasn’t until the Kindred Spirits idea struck me that I finally got there. Why did it have to be a traditional historical fiction approach after all? Others were already great at that, so why not do something different? After all, surely having a range of ‘responses’ to Richard III could only be a good thing?

Following the discovery of Richard’s skeleton in Leicester, and his reburial, there had been a real surge in the already-turning tide of opinion, and being part of that has been nothing but a joy. I’ve also found that, weirdly, I’m struggling to write when he isn’t part of the cast now. In my most-recent release, Kindred Spirits: York, I jumped at the chance to have Richard come back to a city which clearly meant a lot to him. What would he think of the Richard III Experience, for example, or of the Henry VII one, for that matter? He doesn’t necessarily hang around for the whole book, but having him there even for part of it made the words flow so much more easily.

At the moment, I’m reworking a border reiver romance, which I had always imagined as being set in the 1530s. But the words just weren’t flowing, and I’d been floundering for weeks. Then, in a flash of inspiration, I had it: Richard had been Warden of the West March in the early 1470s. So, although it will mean a bit more research to get some of the details right, I’m now moving the book back sixty years or so, to when Richard would have been active in the area. He won’t be a major part of the plot, he may not even actually appear ‘on page’, I haven’t decided yet. But strangely, although I’ve not yet started the rewriting, I’m already feeling a lot more excited than I was previously.
I guess that shows me who I need to be writing about going forward. Now, I just need to work out how to write him into my contemporary romance…

About Kindred Spirits

In the Kindred Spirits series, we meet the ghosts of historical characters, in a range of contemporary settings. Have you ever wondered what Richard III and Anne Boleyn might have in common, what Mary, Queen of Scots is getting up to now, or what happens when the visitors leave some of the most popular attractions in the country? Well, here’s your chance!
In the fourth of the series, we’re heading to York, and a whole new community of ghosts are ready to greet us, including some visiting favourites, taking advantage of a much speedier transport system than they were ever used to…

Kindred Spirits: York

In the ancient city of York, something sinister is stirring...
What do a highwayman, an infamous traitor, and two hardened soldiers have in common? Centuries of friendship, a duty to the town, and a sense of mischief – until they realise that someone is trying to bring chaos to their home.
Joining forces with local Vikings, the four friends keep an eye on the situation, but then, disaster strikes.
Can peace be restored both inside and out of the city walls?



Published by Crooked Cat Books, 31 January 2019

Praise for the Kindred Spirits series

“A light hearted, humorous, and at times tender read which you'll enjoy whether you like history or not.”
“This light-hearted, imaginative read is a new take on historical fiction but make no mistake, this is not only a fun read but an educational tool.”
“A brilliantly unique idea from a distinctive new voice in fiction.”
“A darn good read.”

Praise for Kindred Spirits: York

Another joyous ghostly romp from the pen of Jennifer C. Wilson. The nightly ghost walks around the ancient city of York will never seem the same again after you read this – with its tales of kings and queens, saints and sinners (Dick Turpin and Guy Fawkes anyone?), spending their afterlives among the iconic streets and sites of the town they frequented in life. But this is no sleepy existence: unruly spirits are disrupting the lives of both the living and the dead. With Romans, Vikings, medieval warriors and traitors to the Crown never the most natural of companions, it takes little to stir them up to wreak some light-hearted ghostly havoc – until, that is, events take a shocking turn....
With early special guest appearances from some of my own favourite Yorkists (and a less-agreeable Tudor hanger-on) visiting a city they once loved, the book offers another sparkling cast of the dearly (not-quite) departed. What’s not to like? Except thinking once again ‘I wish I’d had that idea!’ – Alex Marchant, author of The Order of the White Boar.

I love this series and it’s going from strength to strength. This one was great, the author has created a little gem. From Richard III taking a day trip to Harry Hotspur, Dick Turpin and Guy Fawkes protecting their city, this is probably my favourite so far. Really looking forward to seeing where the author has us visiting next. – Amazon Reviewer.

About Jennifer

Jennifer C. Wilson is a marine biologist by training, who developed an equal passion for history and historical fiction whilst stalking Mary, Queen of Scots on childhood holidays (she has since moved on to Richard III). Enrolling on an adult education workshop on her return to the north-east of England for work reignited her pastime of creative writing, and she has been filling notebooks ever since.
In 2014, Jennifer won the Story Tyne short story competition, and has been working on a number of projects since, including co-hosting the North Tyneside Writers’ Circle. Her Kindred Spirits novels are published by Crooked Cat Books and her time-slip novella, The Last Plantagenet?, by Ocelot Press.
She lives in North Tyneside, and is very proud of her approximately 2-inch sea view.





Website:              https://jennifercwilsonwriter.wordpress.com/
Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/jennifercwilsonwriter/
Twitter:               https://twitter.com/inkjunkie1984

Alex Marchant is the author of two books telling the story of King Richard III for younger readers: The Order of the White Boar and The King's Man, and editor of an anthology of short fiction inspired by him: Grant Me the Carving of My Name.



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