A Successful Book Launch Week

Events, Podcasts, Signed Books and Steak.

What an excellent week it has been celebrating the launch of ‘Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor’. I have loved seeing the response to the book, which I feel is a much-needed work to help us understand who the Tudors were and how they became kings and queens in the first place. Many have been sharing their purchases online, not just in the UK but overseas as well, and most seem happy with the work – it’s always a concern when you release a new book whether the reader will like the book or not.

So, the book was released last Monday and I marked it with two book launches, one on Wednesday night at London Welsh Centre and another in Southwark Cathedral. I gave an overview on the book’s content, explaining how a nest of Welsh rebels became English kings, and happily signed many books thereafter. There is nothing better in this game than signing a book for someone and answering reader questions in person – it never gets old.

To coincide with the launch of the book, two podcasts have been released where I discuss the book, its concept, and the general rise of the Tudors. The first is ‘The Medieval Tudors’ I recorded with Matthew Lewis for History Hit’s Gone Medieval Podcast and the second is ‘The Rise of Henry VII’ for History with Jackson - click the links to listen or find them wherever you podcast. I have also been interviewed by the excellent Tudor Places magazine, covering my writing career, my favourite Tudor places, and how I research my work - if you’re a subscriber, keep an eye out. If you’re not, why not?

Of course, when a book is released, its always fun to go check it out in an actual bookshop, and there’s fewer more prestigious than Hatchards in Piccadilly. Hatchards was founded in 1797 by John Hatchard, moving to its present location in 1801. It is London’s, and probably the UK’s, oldest bookshop and holds no less than three royal warrants. It was said to be Oscar Wilde’s favourite bookshop, and its easy to see when you enter. I was taken to a small table and signed five copies of Son of Prophecy plus House of Beaufort and Tudor Wales, so if you’re passing by, pop in!

Finally, to round off the week, I was taken out to a lovely meal to celebrate. Gaucho in Canary Wharf know how to produce good steak, and the sunny views of the Thames were a joy. I am glad that the Welsh bards’ hopes that Henry Tudor would make the Thames run red with blood were never realised, for that would have been a mood-killer.

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Where can I buy Son of Prophecy from?

‘Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor’ is widely available in the UK and be purchased from your book retailer of choice, though it’s always nice to support an independent!

For US and the Rest of the world, Son of Prophecy is released around the world on 14 November, BUT a UK bookseller called Blackwell Books ships WORLDWIDE for free of charge. So to get your copy early, head HERE