She is passionate about authenticity in historical fiction and her novels are all set in real history: A Scottish trilogy focusing on a notorious clan feud called the Ayrshire Vendetta and a two-book, fictionalized biography of Katharina von Bora, the escaped nun who married the reformer Martin Luther. Growing up in the violence of “ The Troubles” in Northern Ireland, much of her writing is concerned with living within conflict, and the pressures that places on families, relationships, and on personal integrity. Margaret Skea is a multi-award-winning historical novelist and accomplished speaker, workshop presenter and creative writing tutor. This session will provide practical tips and techniques for researching and examining history to show how approaching it from differing angles will bring vitality and authenticity to the story breathe life into the characters, both historic and fictional and above all, provide a rooted, immersive, ‘you are there’ experience for the reader. HISTORY IN HISTORICAL FICTION: MAIN INGREDIENT OR ICING ON THE CAKE?Īn illustrated exploration of the relevance of history to historical fiction, considering the role history plays as Inspiration, Context, providing Plot, infusing Colour, acting as a Constraint and as a Prism through which to view our 21st century world.

He is also the creator of the Bronte Stones project, four monumental stones situated in the landscape between the birthplace and the parsonage, inscribed with poems by Kate Bush, Carol Ann Duffy, Jeannette Winterson and Jackie Kay.

His next book, Walking the Invisible, a hybrid memoir about the Brontes’ lives and landscapes, will be published in July 2021. His latest novel, Ill Will: The Untold Story of Heathcliff was inspired by Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights. Other books include Couples, Cafe Assassin and Mr. Michael Stewart’s debut novel, King Crow was the winner of the Guardian’s Not-the-Booker Award.

Captives by Emily E.K. Murdoch