Sapere Books awards six writers publishing contracts for historical fiction series

Sapere Books has awarded six writers with publishing contracts to write a series of historical fiction novels. 

The digital press set up a scheme last year to find writers to join the list who are interested in briefs set by the publishing house. Each chosen author wins a five-book contract to work on a series, covering everything from Jane Austen to Tudor maids.  

Natalie Linh Bolderston, assistant editor, said: "I loved how surprising and innovative some of the entrants’ interpretations of the competition briefs were. The winners’ passion for history and their understanding of their characters were already evident in the short samples we read. I’m excited to see how these new series develop."  

Screenwriter Richard Kurti won The Medici Murder Mystery series brief. Matilda Richards, assistant editor, said: “Richard’s gripping plots and historical knowledge of the era really impressed us and we are delighted to welcome him to Sapere Books.” 

The Second World War Aviation Thriller series brief was won by debut author Patrick Larsimont. He said: “Lockdown got me writing and I’m really delighted that Sapere Books saw that I might have some talent. I look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration.” 

Established romance author Laura Martin scooped the Jane Austen Detective series brief with her "brilliantly authentic" submission that matches Austen’s wits with an intriguing crime plot, while ghost-writer Bob Robertson snapped up the Age of Sail brief with the start of a series set during the English Stuart period. 

Academic author Neil Denby scooped the Ancient Rome Historical thriller series with his action-packed submission featuring a young legionary forced into the Roman army, while American author Rachel McDonough won the Tudor Maid Diaries series brief with a submission that seeks to draw more attention to disabled and LGBT+ representation in the Tudor period. 

Amy Durant, editorial director and co-founder, said: “The entries were so high that we have also awarded honourable mentions in nearly all of the categories and we are speaking to shortlisted authors about writing other historical series for us based in the time period of their submission."

The shortlisted authors are Donna Gowland, Leann McKinley, Daniel Colter, Ava McKevitt, David Bailey, David Mackenzie, Tony Rea, Suzanne Parsons, Kate MacCarthy, Alice Campbell, Angela Ranson, Katharine Edgar, Valerie Boyd and Maria Hoey. 

Following the success of the first competition Sapere Books hopes to run it again in 2022 with a different set of writing briefs.