Annie's Book Stop of Worcester

Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester is very happy to shine our Friday spotlight on Author Kit Marlowe. No, not Christopher Marlowe of the Elizabethan era, but Kit Marlowe, who in her words is “a writer of historical fiction with humour and usually fantasy.” Kit also writes fiction under other names, such as K.A. Laity and Graham Wynd.

 

The first question I asked her was, where can people find your work? (Besides Annie’s Book Stop of Worcester–though they should totally check here first!)

 

 

Kit-Marlowe.com and I have a Facebook page, too: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKitMarlowe/

How can we follow your work and share your awesomeness?

 

 

The Facebook page is usually good for updates but the website has links to everything that’s out as it comes out. The Mangrove Legacy will be out very soon!

For readers unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe what you write?  What can readers expect from The Mangrove Legacy?

 

 

THE MANGROVE LEGACY: A gothic novel of mystery, romance — and pockets!

Mysterious deaths, highwaymen, ghosts, pirates—and a surprising variety of cheeses!

Kidnapped from Lord Mangrove’s funeral cortege, cousins Alice and Lizzie get spirited away by masked criminals, then sold to nefarious seamen until they’re captured by pirates without so much as an improving book to read! The two intrepid young women discover romance, heartache, mysteries, and the vital importance of pockets.

I also write an ongoing series of ‘Absolute Twaddle’ which is just nonsense poetry. Just being silly; most of it inspired by odd image I find in the British Library.

 

What was the inspiration for The Mangrove Legacy? What were the steps you took to bring it from initial inspiration to the finished book?

 

I originally wrote this as a serial at a time when life was terrible and I worried that I wouldn’t have enough time to write fun things. I was wrong. There is always time for fun. Make time for your own fun.

 

What draws you to the particular genre or style that you write? What do you think draws readers to these kinds of books?

 

I have always loved spooky stories. Since childhood I was fascinated with ghosts. Reading gothic stories as an adult made me realise there was a whole genre that was fun but sometimes so over the top you had to make fun of it, too. Like Jane Austen did with Northhanger Abbey.

 

What else can we expect from you in the near future?

 

In the coming months I am relaunching the Medieval Adventure series which is based on actual medieval tales. The first couple are based on tales by Marie de France, who despite that name was (probably) living in the court of Henry II. In the Middle Ages ‘romance’ meant adventure. These are fast paced fun stories, not weighty tomes. I do love a weighty tome, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes you want something more breezy. Actual medieval tales tend to be compact.

 

Do you have any favorite foods or drinks that must be in the vicinity (or must be avoided) while you’re writing or editing a piece of work?

 

Tea is a must. I am so lucky that my beloved understands and supports this habit, often bringing me tea while I am writing which is a wonderful way of saying ‘I love you.’

 

What is the greatest lesson you’ve learned, thus far, in your writing career?

 

Write to please and entertain yourself. That way at least one person is happy. You really can’t do anything about the rest of the world. It’s all a spin of the roulette wheel as to whether anyone else cares. We’re living in particularly perilous times but as a medievalist I can say history shows us many perilous times even worse than this. Protect the ones you love, stay hopeful and laugh as much as you can.

 

Thanks for answering all our questions, Kit. Good luck with your writing in the future!