Tag: A Day of Fire
An October Reminder–Not all Historical Facts are Fixed In Stone
One thing it is vital to keep in mind whether you are writing historical fiction, reading it, or studying history—what we “know” for certain in history often changes. New studies, new information, new scholarship and interpretation can challenge and change accepted facts, and undercut theories that have stood for decades or even longer.
I have an example from A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii.” For many years the eruption of Vesuvius was set down as having happened in August of 79 A.D. The prolific and influential historian Mary Beard subscribed to this date as did pretty much every historian specializing in ancient Rome. Then new analysis was done and new physical evidence unearthed—including:
Autumnal fruits including pomegranates, (which ripen in late September and October in Italy)as well as dried dates, prunes, and figs, typically harvested in late summer during new excavations;
Jars with fermenting wine, indicating that the grapes had been harvested and wine production was well underway at the time Vesuvius blew.
AND—the most compelling evidence—a Roman coin minted after September 7 or 8 of the year 79 CE found in a stratification that ruled out the possibility that it was dropped at the site later by looters or investigators
SO, based on that evidence —presto change—the date of the destruction of Pompeii was moved from August to late September. THEN MOVED AGAIN, when FURTHER EXCAVATIONS AT THE CITE UNEARTHED GRAFFITI DATED IN OCTOBER OF 79 CE
LAST TIME I CHECKED the date of Pompeii’s destruction is considered to be in late OCTOBER. But you know that could shift further as more artifacts are uncovered.
THAT’S JUST ONE fascinating reminder that we ought not be too sanguine about what we know to be “the truth.”
[This post was taken from part of a biannual University lecture that I give]
Laurie Reads About Ancient Pompeii (#CatsWhoRead Continues)
Laurie is well known as an adventurer but this version of “the floor is Lava” may be one step too far 😉
Laurie LOVED our six-author novel—A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii—though he was disappointed that no cats were featured. I explained to him that very few cat remains were found in the excavation of Pompeii. He replied that just means cats were smart enough to get out. So we did a little searching and here is the link to an interesting blob post speculating on “Why no cat remains were found during the excavations in Pompeii.” Below you will find a description of A Day of Fire.
🔥🔥A DAY OF FIRE 🔥🔥
Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain’s wrath . . . Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each other’s path during Pompeii’s fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?
UK Readers, Meet Me at the Roman Festival in York
On the 23d and 24th, a collection of authors–myself included–will be occupying (not in an armed sense) tents in the Museum Garden. I am talking historical writers like my good friend Simon James Atkinson Turney, Simon Elliott (also an archaeologist) and Alex Gough. . .you get the idea. So historical fiction lovers in Yorkshire please stop by to chat, and pick up a book or two.
Get Away from it All
Does our modern madness have you feeling down? Is “news avoidance” part of your current plan for getting a decent night’s sleep? What you need is some time travel. And that’s where my novels come in.
Whether you want to hang out in 18th century France and get some advice from the women of the French Revolution, or you are interested in a mystery with a twist of Great Fire of London history, I have a book for that!
More Progress on a Limited TV Series of A Day of Fire
WOW, wow, wow. We have an executive producer for the limited series based on our collaborative novel A DAY OF FIRE 
Of course we can’t be 100% sure it will go forward until it is filming, but I am still crossing toes and fingers that I and my co-authors — Kate Quinn Eliza Knight Ben Kane Victoria Alvear and Stephanie Dray, — get to see the characters we lived and breathed through while creating the novel come to life on TV screen!
From “The Wrap” article . . .
A Day of Fire Might Be Coming to A Screen Near You
Hello all!
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but I have something really special to share!
The TV rights to A DAY OF FIRE, the brilliant collaborative novel that I co-wrote with a super-star author team (Kate Quinn, Eliza Knight, Ben Kane, Stephanie Dray and Vicky Alvear) has been acquired by Amazon / MGM Studios UK!!!
That means—fingers crossed—we are hoping to see it as a TV series! Is it wrong that I am daydreaming of seeing my heiress, Aemilia, sweep across a screen? Of watching Sabinus, a man I love for his honorable character, risk himself for others in keeping with his strong sense of right and wrong?
I will certainly keep you updated as the situation progresses. Meanwhile, if you haven’t read AND BY FIRE, or haven’t read it lately. Pick up a copy and get started! Between the covers you will find the tale of the last days of Pompeii—a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire.
When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain’s wrath . . . and A DAY OF FIRE tells their stories:
A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii’s flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.
A priestess and a prostitute seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried.
The six of us brought to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each other’s paths during Pompeii’s fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?
You’ll have to finish the book to find out 😉
Co-Writing Historical Fiction & The Dramatic Destruction of Pompeii
Had a marvelous discussion with fellow historical novelist Ryan Byrnes about the recent re-release of A DAY OF FIRE, the first continuity novel in the historical fiction genre. Take a watch and learn about the tricky and exciting process of 6 authors co-writing a novel together, as well as what I personally think tales set in the past allow modern readers to do.
Award Winning “A Day of Fire” Re-releases with a Stunning New Cover
In 2014, six top historical novelists made history with the first collaborative novel in the genre. Today A Day of Fire reissues with a stunning new cover. Come with us to Pompeii in its last days, minutes, and hours . . .
Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain’s wrath . . . and these are their stories:
A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii’s flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.
A priestess and a whore seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried.
Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each others’ path during Pompeii’s fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?
Come Out and See Me at Newburyport Literary Festival
Hey New England Historical Fiction Fans! The weather will be GORGEOUS this weekend and you don’t really want to do that yard-work. Come out and see Heather Webb and me on a panel moderated by Anne Easter Smith. We will be discussing the hot new trend in historical fiction: collaborative works, from anthologies to high-concept multi-author novels. I PROMISE we will be more entertaining than cutting the grass.
The Festival opens on Friday but our panel will be Saturday afternoon. Here are the details:
“Collaborative Historical Fiction: It’s All About Teamwork”
2:30 PM Saturday, April 29
at the First Religious Society
Unitarian Universalist Church
26 Pleasant Street
My First Podcast: Have A Listen!
How long have I known Mindy McInnis, Edgar Award-winning author of YA fiction? Too long for me to fess up. But let’s just say we knew each other before we were agented let alone published!
Mindy runs an awesome blog for aspiring writers called Writer, Writer Pants on Fire, and a pod-cast of the same name which features interviews established authors taking about the nitty-gritty of the road to publication. TODAY I AM HONORED TO BE HER FIRST “ADULT” AUTHOR ON THE PODCAST (though I am not sure the label adult is entirely apt for me 100% of the time).
Interested in how I landed my agent, what my submission process was really like, why I tend to hop around from era to era when writing? Have a listen!!!
