Hodder takes four more adventures on the high seas from Stockwin

Hodder & Stoughton have signed four more books from Julian Stockwin for his classic maritime series starring Thomas Kydd.

Morgan Springett, Editor at Hodder & Stoughton, has acquired World English Language rights from Isobel Dixon, at the Blake Friedman Literary Agency.

With over half a million copies sold in the series to date, Stockwin is the undisputed master of the age of sail adventure. We are delighted that Hodder & Stoughton will continue to bring these books to readers all over the world, over 20 years since they published KYDD, the first book in the series. A number of titles have been translated into French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Japanese.

Stockwin’s series follows Thomas Kydd on his journey from pressed man to Admiral in the British Navy during the Great Age of Sail. It follows historical events incredibly closely, beginning in 1793, and is unusual in nautical fiction for the hero being an ordinary man forced into service, not an officer.

Springett says: ‘I’m hugely excited to work with Julian on his next four books. It’s an incredible achievement to have written such a long and exciting series. His fans are some of the most dedicated in publishing and have been following Kydd’s rise from pressed man to Captain for over 20 years now. I am thrilled to be able to continue the adventure.’

Stockwin says: ‘When I first began my working relationship with Hodder & Stoughton I doubt anyone, let alone myself, could envision the series growing to 29 titles with the signing of this latest contract. I am very privileged to be able to write about the glorious period in our sea history that so many are drawn to.’ 

Dixon says: ‘Julian Stockwin is a brilliant storyteller, bringing wonderful characters to life over this classic series. I know readers will be delighted that there is so much more to come for Kydd and his comrades – and adversaries! – and we look forward to working with the Hodder team and editor Morgan Springett on what lies ahead.’

About Julian Stockwin

Photo: Allan House

Author of the Thomas Kydd novels, a series of 25 volumes (to date) in which Kydd rises through the decks and his adventures take him around the world. Atmospheric, page-turning narrative, rich with action and great characterisation. Published in many countries around the world, this is the first series to highlight the common seaman in the greatest 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 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 YANKEE MISSION, the 25th book in the KYDD series, in October 2022, and Mobius Books will publish in North America on 24 January 2023. Stockwin is now writing BERMUDA STATION, the next book in the Kydd series.

Praise for the Kydd series

‘Very readable and enjoyable. I recommend that you go out, beg, borrow or buy, and enjoy.’ – Bernard Cornwell

‘Forrester, Kent, Pope, O'Brian all wrote outstanding tales around their commissioned heroes. From a unique starting point, Stockwin has become another member of the band of great naval fiction writers who have achieved the highest standards of storytelling.’ — Firetrench Reviews

‘The preeminent living historical naval fiction writer on either side of the Atlantic.’ – Quarterdeck

‘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

Like Julian’s page on Facebook

Follow Julian on Twitter

Julian on Pinterest

HODDER & STOUGHTON TO PUBLISH FOUR MORE BOOKS IN JULIAN STOCKWIN’S KYDD SERIES

Hodder & Stoughton have signed a deal to publish a further four books in the Kydd series by Julian Stockwin. The series tells the story of a young wigmaker’s son, Thomas Kydd, who is press-ganged to sea. As he rises through the decks, his adventures take him around the world. Published in many countries around the world, this is the first series to highlight the common seaman in the great age of fighting sail. 

The first of the four titles and book 22 in the series, TO THE EASTERN SEAS, will be published in hardback, e-book and audio in October 2019. The subsequent Kydd tales will then be released every nine months.

Breaking news for US fans: TYGER (Book 16) and INFERNO (Book 17) are now available to purchase in audio in the US too.

About the Author:

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.

Praise for Julian Stockwin:

‘The preeminent living historical naval fiction writer on either side of the Atlantic.’ — Quarterdeck

‘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 his official website

Like him on Facebook.

Julian on Twitter

Julian on Pinterest

Get ready for another thrilling adventure! Julian Stockwin’s THE BALTIC PRIZE out now in hardback

THE BALTIC PRIZE, the latest addition to the acclaimed KYDD series published by Hodder & Stoughton is now out in hardback. THE BALTIC PRIZE is the nineteenth instalment of the historical fiction series which the Daily Mail called ‘engrossing’.

1808. Parted from his new bride, Captain Sir Thomas Kydd is called away to join the Northern Expedition to Sweden, now Britain's only ally in the Baltic. Following the sudden declaration of war by Russia and with the consequent threat of the czar's great fleet in St Petersburg, the expedition must defend Britain's dearly-won freedom in those waters.

However Kydd finds his popular fame as a frigate captain is a poisoned chalice; in the face of jealousy and envy from his fellow captains, the distrust of the commander-in-chief and the betrayal of friendship by a former brother-in-arms now made his subordinate, can he redeem his reputation?

In an entirely hostile sea Tyger ranges from the frozen north to the deadly confines of the Danish Sound - and plays a pivotal role in the situation ensuing after the czar's sudden attack on Finland. This climaxes in the first clash of fleets between Great Britain and Russia in history. To the victor will be the prize of the Baltic!

Julian will be attending a variety of events and book-signings around the UK this month to coincide with the book’s release.

The action-packed KYDD series has been published in seven countries including France, Japan and Russia.

About the Author

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 development of merchant shipping.

He is also the author of the MOMENTS IN HISTORY series (UK, Allison & Busby) - gripping historical fiction which examines and re-imagines turning points of the past. THE POWDER OF DEATH, the second book in the series, tells the story of the re-discovery of gunpowder, after an envoy to China and an English scholar vow to take the deadly secret to their graves. When Edward III uses it to his advantage at the Battle of Crecy, the first full-scale battle at which guns are deployed in the field, the nature of warfare is changed forever.

Find out more about Julian on the Blake Friedmann website and on Julian’s website.

Follow Julian on Twitter here.

Praise for Julian Stockwin and the KYDD series

‘I was soon turning over the pages almost indecently fast’ – The Independent

‘His vantage point of a common sailor gives the nautical novel a fresh twist. In [Stockwin’s] hands … the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world.’ — The Guardian

‘As a historical fiction writer you have to keep your history in proper shape while combining it with a narrative that someone actually wants to read. Score two out of two for Julian Stockwin...It is engrossing.’ – The Daily Mail

'Stockwin’s eye for authentic detail is faultless.’ — Pennant

‘From the very first novel KYDD Stockwin climbed the dizzy heights of the bestseller lists and has stayed there ever since.’ – Craig Cabell, Book Collector and Magazine

'Stockwin writes brilliantly, bringing wonderful characters to life in a wholly realistic setting exploring history and times in thoroughly researched detail.’ — Alan Eggleston, Booksville

SIR THOMAS KYDD STRIKES AGAIN! JULIAN STOCKWINS’ PERSEPHONE AND INFERNO OUT TOMORROW

‘The preeminent living historical naval fiction writer on either side of the Atlantic.’ – George Jepson, Quartedeck

Sir Thomas Kydd once again takes to the seas in PERSEPHONE, the eighteenth novel in Julian Stockwin's KYDD series, to be published by Hodder & Stoughton in hardback on 18 May 2017 and will be released alongside the paperback version of INFERNO, the seventeenth novel in the series.

Julian will be signing copies of these two books at several events around the UK.

With heart-pounding action, and astonishing historical accuracy, the critically acclaimed series has been published in seven countries including France, Japan and Russia.

PERSEPHONE. November 1807. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd must sail to Lisbon to aid the Portuguese Royal Family’s evacuation in the face of Napoleon’s ruthless advance through Iberia. In the chaos of the threatened city an old passion is reawakened when he meets Persephone Lockwood, a beautiful and determined admiral’s daughter from his past. However, Kydd soon becomes aware that Persephone has another suitor and he decides to throw himself into the only thing that still matters: The Royal Navy.

INFERNO. 1807. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd has salvaged the remains of his reputation and is the hero of the hour aboard the Tyger once more. The British Navy is still imperious at sea however Napoleon Bonaparte is steadily dominating mainland Europe. In an attempt to prevent the French from taking control of Denmark's navy, Kydd's great friend Nicholas Renzi - now Lord Farndon - is sent on a desperate diplomatic mission to persuade the Danes to give up their fleet to Britain. But the Danes are caught between two implacable forces and will not yield, opting instead for the inferno of battle.

About the Author

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 development of merchant shipping.

He is also the author of the MOMENTS IN HISTORY series (UK, Allison & Busby) - gripping historical fiction which examines and re-imagines turning points of the past. THE POWDER OF DEATH, the second book in the series, tells the story of the re-discovery of gunpowder, after an envoy to China and an English scholar vow to take the deadly secret to their graves. When Edward III uses it to his advantage at the Battle of Crecy, the first full-scale battle at which guns are deployed in the field, the nature of warfare is changed forever.

Find out more about Julian on the Blake Friedmann website and on Julian’s website.

Follow Julian on Twitter here.

Praise for Julian Stockwin and the KYDD series

‘I was soon turning over the pages almost indecently fast’ – The Independent

‘His vantage point of a common sailor gives the nautical novel a fresh twist. In [Stockwin’s] hands … the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world.’ — The Guardian

 ‘As a historical fiction writer you have to keep your history in proper shape while combining it with a narrative that someone actually wants to read. Score two out of two for Julian Stockwin...It is engrossing.’ – The Daily Mail

'Stockwin’s eye for authentic detail is faultless.’ — Pennant

‘From the very first novel KYDD Stockwin climbed the dizzy heights of the bestseller lists and has stayed there ever since.’ – Craig Cabell, Book Collector and Magazine

'Stockwin writes brilliantly, bringing wonderful characters to life in a wholly realistic setting exploring history and times in thoroughly researched detail.’ — Alan Eggleston, Booksville

Team Stockwin and The Silk Tree

Julian Stockwin is the author of the Kydd Naval series and his latest novel, THE SILK TREE, will be published in late 2014 by Allison & Busby and is now available for preorder here. Julian's partner, Kathy, has become an integral part of the writing process. Below, the author explains the creative development behind THE SILK TREE, where planning and research are the essential ingredients for a compelling story and great writing. 

Team Stockwin!

THE SILK TREE is a new departure for me, a stand-alone historical adventure fiction that is not maritime at its heart.  Its genesis was my wife Kathy’s discovery of a rather lovely silk scarf in the ancient Kapali Carsi, the Grand Bazaar, in Istanbul during a recent research trip to Turkey.  While she was chatting with the merchant I idly wondered just how silk had been brought from China to the West. Intrigued, I did some research and the creative juices started flowing – I knew I had a story I had to tell.

So we got to work, drafting up a list of topics to investigate; a very pleasant task over a meze of various delicious morsels – then on to kepab – all in the name of research, of course...

As usual, local museums and libraries were a major resource. I always travel with a small pocket dictaphone and a compact camera that can take high-quality images of textual material. At the end of the day it’s our strict rule to go through the photos and notate each one. I also transcribe the notes I took verbally and Kathy and I work up any changes to our itinerary as a result of the day’s research.

Of all the iconic architecture in modern Istanbul, Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace are the most memorable.  At the time of THE SILK TREE the former was a Christian shrine but Topkapi was yet to be built. Part of the task of a writer of historical fiction is to recreate city landscapes of the past in his mind’s eye and for THE SILK TREE this meant  sixth century Constantinople (as it was called then).

Back in the UK Kathy and I flow-charted the basic story on a large white board that we find invaluable at this stage.  Then we had a number of sessions working up the personalities of the main characters, Nicander and Marius. Once this was done we developed sub-plots around the main story – the quest for the secret of silk. Kathy thought we should have a love story element in the book and we had to find a way to bring two people of very different cultures to mutual respect then a deep attraction. But I don’t want to give the game away as to how this happened...

I’m a firm believer in the old saying that no life experience is wasted for the writer and for THE SILK TREE I was able to call upon my admiration of Chinese calligraphy which goes back to the time I lived and worked in the Far East. And all those hours of dry study of ancient Greek and Latin at grammar school came in handy, too!

When we were satisfied with our planning for THE SILK TREE a detailed synopsis was created, and I wrote the first three chapters, which I sent off to Carole Blake. She loved the idea and I then set out to write the rest of the book.

Kathy is a very integral part of my writing process. Once we have agreed on a strong beginning and a satisfying end, along with the thrust of the middle of the book, we walk and talk segments, making sure the right elements of tension, stakes, detail etc. are there before I write.

Kathy is also my live-in ‘blue pencil’, fine-tuning my writing with her very considerable editing skills as I go along. At the end of the process she does what she calls her helicopter editing, looking at the work as a whole.  Then we both go through the manuscript very, very carefully a number of times before it’s ready to submit.

I realise I am very privileged to be able to earn my living as a full-time writer – and to be able to work so closely with my life partner in this is a wonderful thing indeed!

The Anatolian Plateau, the last stage for the great camel caravans of the Silk Road.

Hagia Sophia at dusk