Salvete, historical fantasy lovers, and Romanophiles!
We have a very special announcement here on Writing the Past.
This week, we’re launching the newest title in the Eagles and Dragons Publishing catalogue, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Are you ready?
It’s called…
Saturnalia: A Tale of Wickedness and Redemption in Ancient Rome
We’re very excited about this novel. Here is the wonderful cover, designed by the incredibly-talented Laura Wright LaRoche at LLPix Designs…
So, what is Saturnalia all about?
Here is some background.
Every year before Christmas, I like to read an original, unabridged version of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. CLICK HERE for a free download of the e-book.
Most people are familiar with this classic tale, and for me, as a reader and author, I think it is perhaps one of the most perfectly executed and moving stories ever written.
I never tire of reading it, and every time I do read it, I take something new away with me.
Dickens’ tale of Ebenezer Scrooge is also one that has been told and retold myriad times over the years in fiction, musicals, theatre, and film. Even Matthew McConaughey and Barbie have their own versions of this story!
Which leads me to Saturnalia.
The last couple of times I read A Christmas Carol, I found myself thinking that this story, or something akin to it, would be amazing set in the world of ancient Rome, not during Christmas, but during Saturnalia, one of the most glorious festivals of ancient Rome.
So, inspired by the Republican era bust of Cato the Elder, I set out to write my own version of the story.
Cato the Elder
With Saturnalia, however, I didn’t just want to retell the story verbatim, but rather use the framework of Dickens’ tale to guide me as a sort of story architecture. It was important to me that I make my own, unique mark on the story. It was important to me that I set it firmly in the world and traditions of ancient Rome from a historically-accurate point of view, but also from the point of view of ancient belief and religious practices.
And I’m quite thrilled with the results!
Here is the full synopsis of Saturnalia: A Tale of Wickedness and Redemption in Ancient Rome…
Long before Ebenezer Scrooge, there was Catus Pompilius, the meanest man in Rome.
It is the time of Saturnalia, the most highly-anticipated festival across the whole of the Roman Empire.
In the ancient city of Rome, citizens and slaves are preparing to honour the gods and to enjoy a time of freedom and revelry among family and friends. Saturnalia truly is the best of days for all!
That is, for all except the wickedest landlord in Rome: Catus Pompilius.
With a blatant disregard for gods and men alike, Catus Pompilius moves through the streets of Rome spreading misery wherever he can, dousing the Saturnalian light of the world around him.
However, this Saturnalia, the gods have decided that Catus’ time has come. Judgment is upon him!
Will Catus Pompilius be able to redeem himself and prevail upon the gods’ mercy? Or will their divine wrath hurl him into the darkest depths of Tartarus for all eternity?
Read this dark tale of gods and men, wickedness and redemption, to find out!
Saturnalia isn’t just a tale for the holiday season, something to read by the side of a cozy fire. This story is something that fans of ancient Rome will, I hope, enjoy anytime of year.
And for fans of the Eagles and Dragons series, the time period and city of Rome will feel very familiar to you.
The book is available for pre-order in some stores now, but the official launch is on November 1st, 2018, and there will be special notice for Eagles and Dragons Publishing subscribers.
So, dear friends, do stay tuned and watch your in-boxes!
Thank you for reading, and we do hope that you enjoy this new and exciting journey into the world of ancient Rome!
