Writing Life and Readers Questions

Hello, it’s me again. We’ve just finished the Imaginales Festival in France. I’m on my way back later today. Here are five important points from the Imaginales Festival. Easily the most important, we had cheese with every meal. It was fantastic. I know there’s such a thing as egg-bound. If there’s such a thing as cheese bound, I am cheese bound, but it’s been absolutely fabulous. The food here is...

This interview was recorded in France with Isabelle Chopin who discovered Jodi Taylor’s books at The London Book Fair and decided to publish the French editions. HC Editions Get full access to Jodi Taylor Books at www.joditaylorbooks.com/subscribe

Imagine if you could travel back to the Cretaceous period to investigate dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Velociraptor and Triceratops. That's exactly what historian Dr Madeleine Maxwell did. Find out how she fared in Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor. Available in paperback, ebook and audiobook. Jodi Taylor Books is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and su...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility. The reign of Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt during the 18th Dynasty from around 1479 to 1458 BC, is one of the most fascinating periods in ancient Egyptian history. Known for her ambitious building projects and trade expeditions, Hatshepsut’s time on the throne was marked by a remarkable expansion in the arts and industry. One of her reign’s...

Get full access to Jodi Taylor Books at www.joditaylorbooks.com/subscribe

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility. The Battle of Bannockburn, fought on 23rd and 24th June 1314, was a defining moment in Scottish history, securing Scotland’s independence from English rule. This battle, led by King Robert the Bruce against the forces of King Edward II of England, was one of the most significant victories in Scotland’s struggle for independence during the First...

Please note: AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility Harold Godwinson (c. 1022 – 14 October 1066), often known as Harold II, was England's last crowned Anglo-Saxon king. His reign, though short-lived, marked a pivotal moment in English history, culminating in the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which saw the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of Norman dominance. Both political intr...

Hello, everybody. I'd like to wish you all a very, very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I've been allowed to stop writing long enough to don my Christmas jumper, the last word in restrained good taste. I think everyone will agree. I'd like to thank you all for the love and good wishes that you've sent me all this year. It's been greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. I hope you're all rea...

It all begins when the Time Police hold their first Children's Christmas Party. Their most dangerous mission yet . . . No good deed ever goes unpunished. Lt Grint succumbs to his softer side and soon lives to regret it. The combination of bubble universes, candy floss, a small boy, a toad named Mr Fluffy, Mount Fanboten, £6.5 million, and a love-struck Officer Lockland are all hard enough to belie...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility Battersea Power Station, an enduring symbol of London's industrial heritage, has captivated imaginations for decades with its imposing Art Deco architecture and storied history. In recent years, it has found new fame as the fictional headquarters of the Time Police in Jodi Taylor's bestselling Time Police series. This fusion of real-world history...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility Ah, Christmas in Britain! The time of year when the air is filled with the smell of mince pies, the sound of Slade blaring from every shop, and the sight of jumpers that are equal parts festive and ridiculous. Whether you're a fan of the season or just in it for the food, there's something undeniably special about the way Brits celebrate Christma...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility. In When a Child is Born by Jodi Taylor, Max and the team from St Mary’s travel back to 1066 to witness the disruption of William the Conquerer's coronation. In this History Briefing, we explore the political circumstances that caused this. The coronation of William the Conqueror on Christmas Day in 1066 was a moment of historic significance, mar...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility. So, you’ve finished writing your book (amazing!), and now you’re ready to get it out into the world. But as you dive into the publishing world, you realize there’s more than one route to seeing your name in print. One of the most popular alternatives to traditional publishing is self-publishing. If you're wondering what self-publishing is all ab...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility In " And Now For Something Completely Different " by Jodi Taylor the team from St Mary's travel to Mars. In this history briefing, we explore the mystery of lost Martian spacecraft. Mars, the enigmatic Red Planet, has captivated the imagination of scientists, astronomers, and the public for centuries. As our closest planetary neighbour in the sol...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility. In Christmas Pie by Jodi Taylor the team from St Mary’s jump back to Restoration London to discover an authentic recipe for mince pies. In this History Briefing we explore the history of this British Christmas treat and provide a recipe for you to create your own. Mince pies are a quintessential part of British Christmas traditions, evoking nost...

Helen of Troy is one of the most iconic figures in Greek mythology, often referred to as the "face that launched a thousand ships". Her story is surrounded by numerous myths and interpretations, making her one of the most intriguing characters in classical literature. Though largely mythological, Helen's tale is filled with themes of love, beauty, betrayal, and divine intervention, deeply embedded...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility. British slang is a blend of history, humour, and culture, rich with quirky phrases that paint a colourful picture of everyday life. With its curious expressions and peculiar vocabulary, British English has plenty of phrases that leave Americans scratching their heads. Which of these are new to you? 1. “That’s pants.” No, we’re not talking about...

When we think of Halloween, many of us picture trick-or-treaters in spooky costumes, pumpkins with grinning faces, and perhaps the odd black cat slinking across a moonlit street. While Halloween may seem like an American import, the truth is that many of its traditions and spooky stories have deep roots right here in the UK. Halloween in Britain is a fascinating mix of history, myth, and modern-da...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility. So, you’ve finished your manuscript (or are almost there) and are ready to share your work with the world. Congratulations! Now, unless you plan to self-publish, comes the next step: finding a literary agent to help get your book onto the shelves of major bookstores. But wait, do you even need a literary agent? What exactly do they do? And how o...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility. On January 24, 1536, King Henry VIII of England suffered a serious jousting accident that would profoundly affect his reign and his life. The accident, which took place at Greenwich Palace, left Henry unconscious for two hours and is widely regarded as a pivotal moment that contributed to his physical decline, growing health problems, and increa...

AI-generated audio has been added for accessibility. The sacking of Persepolis in 330 BC was one of the most infamous acts of Alexander the Great's conquest of the Persian Empire. While the city’s destruction symbolized the fall of the Achaemenid dynasty, it also highlighted the cultural and political tensions between the Persian and Greek civilizations. This History Briefing gives the background...

An AI-generated voiceover has been added for accessibility. In The Steam Pump Jump , Markham relates the events at Raglan Castle when they go to investigate if Edward, Lord Herbert, son of Henry Somerset, built a "water commanding machine" in the Great Tower, which used steam to pump a huge spout of water high into the air. In this history briefing, we examine the history of Raglan Castle, which r...

AI- generated audio has been added for accessibility. One of the most enduring legends about King Alfred the Great is the story of him burning cakes. In My Name Is Markham he, along with fellow disaster-magnets Peterson and Maxwell, is despatched to Anglo-Saxon England to discover the truth about Alfred and the cakes. King Alfred the Great (849–899) was the king of Wessex and ruled from 871 to 899...

AI generated audio has been added for accessibility. The Battle of Stamford Bridge, fought on September 25, 1066, was a significant and decisive conflict that marked the end of Viking invasions in England. This battle saw the forces of the Anglo-Saxon king, Harold Godwinson, triumph over an invading Norwegian army led by King Harald Hardrada. Though overshadowed by the Battle of Hastings, which fo...

An AI generated voiceover has been added for accessibility. Stonehenge, one of the most iconic and enigmatic monuments in the world, stands on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. This prehistoric stone circle has fascinated people for centuries, inspiring numerous theories about its purpose, construction, and the people who built it. Dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, Stonehenge...