Name: Mary Anne Yarde
What attracts you to the genre in which you write?
I grew up surrounded by the rolling Mendip Hills in Somerset — the famous town of Glastonbury was a mere 15 minutes from my childhood home. Glastonbury is a little bit unique in the sense that it screams Arthurian Legend. Even the road sign that welcomes you into Glastonbury says:
“Welcome to Glastonbury. The Ancient Isle of Avalon.”
How could I grow up in such a place and not be influenced by King Arthur and his Knights?
I loved history from a very early age, and this passion has grown rather than diminish. I wasn’t ever going to write anything other than historical fiction. I love the research and the romance of bringing a time long gone back to life.
What piece of writing advice do you wish you’d known when you started your writing adventures?
Be patient and be prepared to make a lot of mistakes, particularly when it comes to marketing. It really is a huge learning curve, and there are always new things to learn. Writing a book and publishing it is a marathon, it is not a sprint.
If you could have dinner with any famous person or character, who would you choose?
Just one? Oh no, if we are going to do this, then we are going to do it right. I would host a party and invite everyone!
Who has been the greatest influence on your own work?
That is a difficult question to answer. I am not sure. I think I was fortunate growing up where I did. History and legends surrounded me. Would I have written an Arthurian series if I had not grown up where I had? I am not too sure.
Do you think the e-book revolution will do away with print?
I think there will always be room for both. Personally, I favour ebooks. For the most part, they are not as expensive, and they don’t take up so much room.
Which 3 books would you take to a desert island and why?
Only three?
I am going to have to choose carefully. Let me think…
The first book that I would take is surprisingly not a work of historical fiction. I would take The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans. I love this book. The Horse Whisperer is a very emotional book. It is a story about love, loss and hope.
The second book I would take would be Jane Austen’s, Mansfield Park. Mansfield Park has always been a firm favourite. I am not too sure why I just like the story.
I would also try and sneak a series into my backpack if I could, and that would be Bernard Cornwall’s Sharp series. This is my all-time favourite series. The narrative is so rich, and the story is brilliant.
Author bio and book synopsis
Please introduce yourself (250 words or so):
Mary Anne Yarde is the multi-award-winning author of the International Bestselling Series — The Du Lac Chronicles. Set a generation after the fall of King Arthur, The Du Lac Chronicles takes you on a journey through Dark Age Briton and Brittany, where you will meet new friends and terrifying foes. Based on legends and historical fact, The Du Lac Chronicles is a series not to be missed.
Born in Bath, England, Mary Anne Yarde grew up in the southwest of England, surrounded and influenced by centuries of history and mythology. Glastonbury — the fabled Isle of Avalon — was a mere fifteen-minute drive from her home, and tales of King Arthur and his knights were part of her childhood.
Tell us about your book(s) – title, genre etc. (short)
The Du Lac Prophecy (Book 4 of The Du Lac Chronicles) By Mary Anne Yarde
Historical Fiction
Blurb:
Two Prophesies. Two Noble Households. One Throne.
Distrust and greed threaten to destroy the House of du Lac. Mordred Pendragon strengthens his hold on Brittany and the surrounding kingdoms while Alan, Mordred’s cousin, embarks on a desperate quest to find Arthur’s lost knights. Without the knights and the relics they hold in trust, they cannot defeat Arthur’s only son – but finding the knights is only half of the battle. Convincing them to fight on the side of the Du Lac’s, their sworn enemy, will not be easy.
If Alden, King of Cerniw, cannot bring unity there will be no need for Arthur’s knights. With Budic threatening to invade Alden’s Kingdom, Merton putting love before duty, and Garren disappearing to goodness knows where, what hope does Alden have? If Alden cannot get his House in order, Mordred will destroy them all.
Links
Social media
Website/Blog: https://maryanneyarde.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryanneyarde/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/maryanneyarde
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Anne-Yarde/e/B01C1WFATA/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15018472.Mary_Anne_Yarde
