Credit: Allan House
We are thrilled to announce that naval expert and author of the landmark KYDD series Julian Stockwin has written a new non-fiction book, STOCKWIN’S GUIDE TO NELSON’S ENGLAND, for maritime publishers McBooks. Brittany Stoner acquired World English rights in the book from Isobel Dixon, for publication in Autumn 2025.
Written for the nautical fiction reader or the naval history aficionado, this traveler’s companion is the perfect guide to the must-see Georgian naval locations in the United Kingdom, from historic ships to monuments to museums. Travelers and armchair sailors alike will delight in walking in the historic footsteps of Admiral Horatio Nelson and tracing the fictional journey of Julian Stockwin’s beloved series hero Thomas Kydd.
‘We are fortunate in Great Britain to have many attractions celebrating Nelson’s life and times. I'm delighted that this guide is be published by McBooks Press, giving readers an enriched appreciation of England’s greatest hero,’ says Julian.
‘I fell in love with naval fiction at a young age, and it is an honor to now have the opportunity to work with one of the genre’s greatest writers,’ said Brittany Stoner on behalf of McBooks. ‘I look forward to helping readers take a deeper dive into the rich history of Nelson’s world.’
Isobel adds: ‘Julian Stockwin is a master storyteller, the world’s most eminent living writer of maritime historical fiction, and it’s a pleasure to have in prospect such fascinating sights and journeys with this book – enriched with Julian’s great treasure store of experience – as our guide.’
About Julian Stockwin
Author of the Thomas Kydd novels (a series of 26 volumes to date) in which Kydd rises through the decks as his adventures take him around the world. Atmospheric, page-turning narrative, rich with action and great characterisation and published in many countries around the world, this is the first series to highlight the common seaman in the age of fighting sail.
At 14 Stockwin joined a tough sea-training school, followed by the Royal Navy, transferring to the Royal Australian Navy when his family emigrated. He saw active service in the Far East, the Antarctic, the South Seas and Vietnam, and was on board the Melbourne at the time of its disastrous peace time collision with the Voyager. Later he worked for NATO on the strategic deployment of merchant shipping.
Stockwin is also author of two novels from Allison and Busby in the ‘Moments of History’ series, depicting important turning points in history. The first, THE SILK TREE, tells the dramatic story of how the secret of silk was brought from China to the West. This was followed by POWDER OF DEATH, which shows how the nature of warfare was changed forever by the discovery of gunpowder.
Hodder published SEA OF TREASON, the 26th book in the KYDD series, in October 2023, and Mobius published in North America in January 2024. The 27th instalment, ADMIRAL, will follow in the UK in October 2024.
Praise for the KYDD series
‘Very readable and enjoyable. I recommend that you go out, beg, borrow or buy, and enjoy.’ –Bernard Cornwell
‘The preeminent living historical naval fiction writer on either side of the Atlantic.’ – Quarterdeck: Maritime Literature & Art Review
‘Stockwin, a career navy man, writes of the nautical life with vivid authority.’ – Kirkus Review
‘A master teller of grand historical fiction tales. Pick one, any one, and you will be highly entertained… He writes brilliantly, bringing wonderful characters to life.’ – Booksville
‘In his hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world.’ – The Guardian
Visit Julian’s official website