I’m enjoying immersing myself in the writing of my second book, and very glad I don’t have to type it on one of these. An #historicalfiction novella this time, “Where The River Meanders” is set in and around #Stirling, Scotland, during the early twentieth century.

Charles Agnew was #bornonthisday 189 years ago, 24th September 1836, in County #Antrim. Son of James and Catherine Agnew, and brother to William and Harriet. The family home until 1865 was Cairncastle Lodge on the #Carnfunnock Estate (now Carnfunnock Country Park) near #Larne. #history

Chapter eighteen of Avarice of Empire recounts the opening of the Suez Canal in November 1869 from the perspective of George West, the British Vice Consul in Suez, and how a ship of the British Navy jumped the queue to be the first vessel through the new waterway. #historicalfiction #history

Heartfelt thanks to all the Avarice of Empire readers who’ve given the book 5-star reviews… #historicalfiction #histfic #booksky

Launched in 1866, HMS Serapis was one of five Euphrates-class troopships used primarily to transport British troops and their families to and from India. In 1873 she played a prominent role in Charles Agnew’s story, as depicted in chapters 28-30 of Avarice of Empire. #history #historicalfiction

Charles Agnew and the 16th Lancers reached Madras on the Golden Fleece 160 years ago this month and taken ashore by masula boats. These generated images give an impression of the scene that greeted them. Read the full story of the voyage in Avarice of Empire. #history #historicalfiction

The character of photographer Sophia Munro in Avarice of Empire was inspired, in part, by Lady Florence Caroline Dixie who was a Scottish feminist, writer, traveller and war correspondent. Read more about her here: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Fl... #history #feminism #nineteenthcentury

From Ireland to India, and Newfoundland to Egypt and Malta, Avarice of Empire tells the story of many adventurous journeys, some overland by train or on horseback, others across oceans by steamship. Follow them in the paperback or Kindle edition: www.amazon.co.uk/Avarice-Empi... #historicalfiction

After months of radio silence, last Friday I submitted my MA #History about 19C telegraphy and Malta’s role in British imperial comms. Like earlier essays, it was inspired by themes explored in ‘Avarice of Empire’. A new creative writing project is already sparking my imagination.

If you've read Avarice of Empire you'll remember an officer known as 'Carrin' Churchward. This carte de visite portrait was likely taken in Dover shortly before his leaving party at Kearnsey Abbey on 16th August 1865. #cartedevisite #photography #history #historicalfiction #booksky #histbookchat

Very pleased to see the connection between Strathallan Castle, the Drummond family, and Charles Agnew’s story being highlighted by The Scotsman. #strathallancastle #history #scottishhistory #histbookchat #booksky

Many thanks to Anne and everyone in the Historical Novel Society’s author interviews team for doing this Q&A with me. #historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #historicalnovelsociety #authorinterview #booksky

#DoTheWriteThing and sign the @societyofauthors.bsky.social petition to protect authors’ livelihoods from the unlicensed use of their work in AI training: www.change.org/p/protect-au...

Super little feature in the Belfast Newsletter about Charles Agnew’s family home on the estate that is now Carnfunnock Country Park near Larne. #historicalfiction #carnfunnock #larne #history #booksky

In chapter 33 of Avarice of Empire, Alec Innes has an important task to perform in Canterbury and walks into town from the cavalry barracks. #historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky #canterbury

Love these reviews of Avarice of Empire! #historicalfiction #histfic #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky

Following the book signing there last week, Blackwell’s in Exeter now have Avarice of Empire in the ‘Great New Reads’ 3 for 2 promotion. It’s fantastic to see my book rubbing spines with work by authors for whom I have so much admiration. #historicalfiction #histfic #history #booksky #blackwells

Reading from the prologue to Avarice of Empire, in which children from a local school visit Canterbury Cathedral and become intrigued by the memorial to Captain Charles Agnew of the 16th Lancers. #avariceofempire #cqturnstone #historicalfiction #history #hfchitchat #histfic #booksky

After paying my respects to Charles Agnew today, I had the chance to present a copy of Avarice of Empire to Ian Osterloh of the Canterbury Historical and Archaeological Society, and to spend some time discussing the research behind the story. #historicalfiction #history #histfic #booksky

Today is the 152nd anniversary of the death of Charles Agnew “by the hand of an assassin” in Egypt on 22nd March 1873, and I’ve been commemorating the day at Canterbury Cathedral where he’s memorialised in the south aisle. #history #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky

Huge thanks to Blackwell’s Exeter for hosting the first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing event today and to everyone who came along to show their support and buy copies of the book! There was laughter, great chat, surprise appearances and even Champagne. #historicalfiction #blackwells #booksky

Some of the wonderful friends and colleagues who came along to Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter earlier today to support my first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing event. #historicalfiction #booksky #hfchitchat #histbookchat #blackwells

I’ve been looking forward to doing this for a very long time… signing copies of Avarice of Empire to send out to the many people who helped during the research process or offered feedback on the first full draft. #historicalfiction #hfchitchat #histbookchat #booksky

This 20 para coin, equivalent to a halfpenny, was minted in Egypt in 1860/1 and in use during the period depicted in Avarice of Empire. A special ‘happy publication’ gift from the wonderful @emmalucycole.bsky.social Fun to imagine one of the characters travelling through Egypt carrying it.

Unashamedly proud and excited to see Avarice of Empire on a shelf in a bookshop for the first time! Here it is, in splendid company, at Blackwell’s in Exeter where I’ll be doing a book signing next Tuesday. #histbookchat #hfchitchat #historicalfiction #blackwells

⭐️ BOOK SIGNING ⭐️ Blackwell’s University Bookshop in Exeter will be hosting the very first ‘Avarice of Empire’ book signing with me next Tuesday, 18th March, from 11am to 1pm. Copies of the book will be available to buy on the day. #historicalfiction #histfic #histbookchat @exeter.ac.uk

🎉 PUBLICATION DAY! 🎉 After nearly 10 years since first becoming acquainted with the name Charles Agnew, today I’m excited and incredibly proud to finally be able to share his story and celebrate the publication of my debut novel. #historicalfiction #histfic #histbookchat #hfchitchat #worldbookday

In advance of publication day on Thursday, the @exeter.ac.uk press office has written an article about 'Avarice of Empire' and the background to the story. #booknews #historicalfiction

In the last chapter of his memoirs published online, my grandfather Bill Hamilton spends a year in Iceland, where he's reunited with an old friend from 20 Squadron, before flying home to England, Thelma and demobilisation. #history #rafhistory #ww2history #icelandhistory

With only a week to go until the release of Avarice of Empire in ebook and paperback on 6th March, I thought I’d share a recent interview with my publisher about the story and my approach to research and writing. #historicalfiction

In chapter 7 of his memoirs (1942-1943), my grandfather Bill Hamilton says farewell to India, sails to New York via Cape Town, and enjoys the good life at Fort Slocum before returning to England and falling in love with a W.A.A.F called Thelma. #history #rafhistory #waafhistory #fortslocum

Enjoyed a fabulous lunch with @emmalucycole.bsky.social and fellow Brindle Books author @sophiamoseley.bsky.social today at The Lyme Bay Cafe overlooking the crashing sea at #LymeRegis. #fiction #historicalfiction

Two weeks to go! Avarice of Empire will be released on Thursday 6th March. (Kindle edition available to preorder now.) #historicalfiction

Chapter 6 of Bill Hamilton's memoirs sees him back in Bangalore in 1942. He receives an uncoded message about the fall of Singapore, witnesses an Indian independence protest, and camps in the race course grandstand (frequented by Charles Agnew 75 years earlier.) #history #rafhistory #ww2

No, Trump's Coercive Use of Tariffs Isn't New

Of all my grandfather's RAF stories, those from his time in the North West Frontier of British India were the most vivid. With the same content warning as before, chapter 5 of Bill Hamilton's memoirs features the outbreak of war, the Khyber Pass and trouble in Waziristan. #history #rafhistory

My author’s proof copy of Avarice of Empire arrived today. After nearly 10 years in the making, it’s quite a moment to finally have the finished book in my hands (and it looks fantastic!) #historicalfiction

Four weeks today until publication on 6th March. The Kindle edition of Avarice of Empire is available to pre-order. #history #historicalfiction

After a long train journey from Bombay in May 1938, Bill Hamilton reaches Peshawar in what was then the North West Frontier Province and joins 20 Squadron of the RAF. Be aware that this chapter includes examples of cultural naivety, colonial stereotyping, and casual racism. #history #rafhistory

Very grateful to @emmalucycole.bsky.social for the gift of Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart. Long overdue discovering why it’s acclaimed so highly. #literaryfiction #shuggiebain #bookerprize

Very pleased to see that the March release of Avarice of Empire has been highlighted in the latest edition of the superb @histnovsoc.bsky.social magazine. My thanks to Sarah Johnson for including me. #historicalfiction #historicalnovelsociety

It's May 1938 and in chapter three of his memoirs Bill Hamilton is boarding a troopship bound for Bombay via Marseilles and the Suez Canal. #history #rafhistory

Auschwitz was at the end of a long process. It did not start from gas chambers. This hatred was gradually developed by humans. From ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder. Auschwitz took time.

The Kindle edition of Avarice of Empire is now available to pre-order for delivery to your device on 6th March. #historicalfiction #histbookchat

With six weeks to go until the publication of Avarice of Empire, today I’m thrilled to be able to reveal the book’s stunning front cover design. I hope you’ll agree that Dean Harmer and his talented creative team have produced a really incredible piece of work. #historicalfiction #histbookchat

Only 12 hours to go until the cover reveal for Avarice of Empire. Can’t wait to share it! #historicalfiction

Pleased to see @histnovsoc.bsky.social have joined Bluesky. #historicalfiction

In chapter two of his memoirs, it’s 1935 and Bill Hamilton is accepting the King’s Shilling to join the Royal Air Force. #history #rafhistory