One more in the gang of four

For those that have been following my blog over the last few weeks, you’ll have noticed I’ve spent some time promoting the four finalists in the Historical Novel Society Indie Award 2016. Why? Because these are very good books, historical fiction at its best – plus, of course, I’m one of the final judges. And I won the award last year, so I know just how much nail-biting goes on in secret among our four ladies.
Today, the turn has come to Alison Morton – the last of the four to be featured. Alison is a lady who lives in France, speaks French like a native and yet comes across as very English – with a whiff of the stern Roman. This is probably why she writes books set in a fictitious country called Roma Nova – Alison’s books fall in the alternate history category, which has its own challenges, primarily that of building a credible context. AURELIA is the fourth in the series – but it is also the first, at least chronologically. And for those who enjoy nail-biting, this is a one of those reads that has you doing just that – and staying up far too late. Anyway, let’s turn things over to Alison and hear what she has to say about her book!
Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind your book!
While I was drafting the first three Roma Nova thrillers, particularly SUCCESSIO, I became increasingly intrigued by the heroine Carina’s clever and no-nonsense grandmother, Aurelia. Her public role was well-known – head of a powerful family, senator, businesswoman, imperial advisor – but she gave out strong ‘keep out of my past’ signals. I wanted to know how her story tied up with that of Caius Tellus, the traitor who’d grabbed power in the Great Rebellion, and who was the mysterious man who turned up in SUCCESSIO with a red rose, a flower that Aurelia hated.The only way to answer these questions properly was to write Aurelia’s story as a young woman.
Did you know already from the beginning how the plot would progress, or did “things happen” as the story trundled along?
The antagonism between Aurelia and Caius Tellus was set up as historical backstory in the INCEPTIO, PERFIDITAS and SUCCESSIO, as was the shadowy history of the Tellus family and the Great Rebellion. Secondly, silver, its extraction, processing and selling was and is Roma Nova’s lifeblood; anybody or anything threatening that was threatening economic survival. The third factor was to dig into Aurelia’s military career, discover how she became a government spy and of course, to unearth the identity of her life-long love… Throw all those in the pot and the story worked itself out.
For me, it is with the re-write of the first draft that the story goes from black and white to technicolour – i.e. this is my favourite part of the writing process. Which is yours?
I sweat the first draft out with cursing, tea and backache. The story is more or less there, but the first self-edit is where it twists threads, wrings emotions, ramps up the action and makes life nearly unbearable for the protagonist. It’s also where I look at the lighter moments and bring in a few quips and quirks about the characters, so it’s more fun.
What was the most difficult scene to write in your novel?
When the heroine feared her small daughter had been abducted.
Describe your protagonist in maximum five words.
Tough, compassionate, impatient, intelligent, loyal
Are you planning any sequels to your book?
The sequel, INSURRECTIO, came out on 12 April – a few weeks ago! And I’m drafting the next (see curses, tea and backache above).
What were your main reasons for going down the indie route with this book?
As for the first of the series, INCEPTIO. Alternate history stories from a debut author were a little quirky for the mainstream when I started in 2010, although the Roma Nova series has now secured me a top agent for a number of my rights. I love the control over design, production and timing that indie authors enjoy, plus the ability to use my previously acquired business skills. Once an entrepreneur…
Going forward, do you see yourself as remaining an indie author? Which are the pros and cons?
We are extremely lucky to live during a publishing revolution, or is it evolution? I see myself as an author, full stop. Some rights I will retain and others I will sell for mainstream publishing if the occasion arises. But whatever choices I make, I will still be directing my own writing career. This is the essence of being indie.
Finally, what does it mean to be a finalist for the HNS Indie Award 2016?
When the email with the news pinged into my inbox, I stared at it, let out a whoop of joy, then danced round the office. Finally, I celebrated with champagne. More soberly(!), I am deeply honoured. The HNS indie review scheme is unique; AURELIA being selected as an Editor’s Choice was wonderful, being shortlisted as one of nine for the 2016 Indie Award was unbelievable and now being one of the final four is dizzying. If AURELIA goes no further, I will be thrilled out of my socks that she has come so far. Of course, I hope she may take the ultimate accolade…
Thank you, Alison, and I imagine all the finalists are hoping for that ultimate accolade 🙂 If you want to learn more about Alison and her Roma Nova world, visit her website. And for those curious about AURELIA, here’s the blurb:
Late 1960s Roma Nova, the last Roman colony that has survived into the 20th century. Aurelia Mitela is alone – her partner gone, her child sickly and her mother dead – and forced to give up her beloved career as a Praetorian officer.
But her country needs her unique skills. Somebody is smuggling silver – Roma Nova’s lifeblood – on an industrial scale. Sent to Berlin to investigate, she encounters the mysterious and attractive Miklós, a known smuggler who knows too much and Caius Tellus, a Roma Novan she has despised and feared since childhood.
Barely escaping a trap set by a gang boss intent on terminating her, she discovers that her old enemy is at the heart of all her troubles. She pursues him back home to Roma Nova desperate now he has struck at her most vulnerable point – her young daughter.
On Amazon US
On Amazon UK
The other finalists are Barbara Sjoholm, Maria Dziedzan and Lucienne Boyce