“The Radiant Boy”: FINISHED!
And it only took me a year or so to get it done. This is the second book in my series of “Penny Dreadfuls”; format, layout and print will be the same as they were for “Lieutenant Samuel Blackwood (deceased)”.
Unlike “Samuel Blackwood”, “The Radiant Boy” has no erotic content. These are simply four old-fashioned ghost stories that could have happened in the Royal Navy of the 18th century. The stories cover four timeless themes of ghostly folk lore: Visitations, Harbingers of Death, Poltergeists and the classic Haunting.
THE RADIANT BOY
Hauntings in the Age of Sail
Georgian Royal Navy Ghost Stories
by Emma Collingwood
Illustrations by Amandine de Villeneuve
Edited by Timothy T. Tarbottom, Esq.
The Visitation:
“The Radiant Boy”
The Harbinger of Death:
“Crawford’s Casket”
The Poltergeist:
“The Last Journey of HMS Dover“
The Haunting:
“Last Service”
I’ll meet up with Mlle Amandine de Villeneuve one of the next weekends to discuss the cover and the illustrations. If everything works out according to our plans, pre-orders will start in May and the book should be out in June. Huzzah and cheers!
The third (and last) book in the “Penny Dreadful” series will be “Jackdaw”.
A big thank you, a presentation and some book news
Dear all
Both me and Mlle de Villeneuve would like to thank you for contributing to the success of our auction. The winners have received manuscript and drawing by now and are very happy with our work. Which, of course, makes us happy!
The secretary of the Lions Club in Morpeth has kindly provided us with a presentation showing the extend of the damage. It’s a *.pps and has been virus-checked, so feel free to click (hosted on my personal website).
As you can tell, the money really went where it’s needed. If you’d like to make a donation to the floods fund as well, you should now head to the
WEBSITE OF THE MORPETH LIONS CLUB
for further information. You’ll be helping people who help themselves and each other. That’s a rare thing to find these days. Hat tip from our part to the people of Morpeth, and kudos to you, dear friends, for your generosity.
I’ve put quill and ink aside and returned to my trusted friend with the keyboard. “The Radiant Boy” will be out soon, and there are an estimated 4093468049684906830 edits for “The Purser, The Surgeon, The Captain And His Lieutenant” waiting for me.
Oh, and before I forget: Readers of “Lieutenant Samuel Blackwood (deceased)” might be glad to hear that Mr. Leigh and Mr. Meadows will return next year for one more adventure.
Emma xx
PS: The online shop on my website is currently undergoing some changes. Should you encounter any problems, please drop me a line.
Reminder: Charity Auction Ends Today!
The charity auction on ebay for the Morpeth Lions Club Flood Fund will end today. There’s still time to place your bids! Many thanks to all those who have supported the auction.
Auction starts! Handwritten story by Emma Collingwood, illustration by Amandine de Villeneuve!
Today’s the 260th birthday of Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood. What better date to start a charity auction that will hopefully raise a bit of money for the Morpeth Lions Club Flood Fund? Morpeth was, after all, the place where he spent some of his happiest days. And we’re geeks. 
You have now the chance to bid on two unique items.
OUR WEBSITE WITH INFORMATION ON THE CHARITY
AUCTION I: ORIGINAL GEORGIAN ROYAL NAVY GHOST STORY BY EMMA COLLINGWOOD
Be the first person to read “Last Service”, one of four Georgian Royal Navy Ghost Stories from the upcoming book by Emma Collingwood! Not a printout, mind you – the tale comes handwritten (in ink, of course!) on 18th century-style, handmade, heavy cream-coloured paper (courtesy Museum for Paper, Writing and Printing). The paper alone has a value of ~ £ 30.00.
“Last Service”, set aboard HMS Victory, honours the tradition of the classic 18th and 19th century ghost stories as well as the memory of the men who served on her.
AUCTION II: ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATION BY AMANDINE DE VILLENEUVE
The drawing shows Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood and his dog “Bounce”. The technique is “ink and wash”; umbra-coloured, waterproof ink on heavy, cream-coloured handmade paper (60% cotton, 40% flax, ages well). This is the original illustration to go with “Last Service”.
Many people in Morpeth have to rebuild their lives from scratch. Every bit helps, so please, do spread the word, post a link to either the website or this entry here in communities where it fits, herald the news, shout it from the roof and/or the fighting top. Thank you so much in advance for your support!
With the festive season just around the corner, this is a wonderful chance to get a very special present for that Age of Sail aficionado in your life.
Writing. Means: BY HAND. Ouch.
My respect for medieval monks and those of you who write their books by hand first before typing the final version on the computer has reached an unmeasurable level. I just finished “Last Service”, the story I’ll put up for auction for the Morpeth Flood Fund, and though it’s a short story, I feel as if I’d written a 100′000 words novel. Now I’m scouting the kitchen for chocolate; I deserve it.
I’m very happy with the outcome, though – writing with quill and ink on handmade paper adds a new perspective to the writing experience. As goofy as it might sound, it’s almost sensual.
THAT’S WHAT THE HANDWRITTEN STORY LOOKS LIKE
That’s the official auction information site, btw., so feel free to forward it and pass it on. Some fabulous news: Mlle Amandine de Villeneuve will donate her original illustration for the story, so there will be two auctions!
I’m very nervous – I wonder how that auction will go. The charity auction for the Christmas presents will be on in October. So much to do, so little time…
“The Radiant Boy” – Charity Drive!
Leaves are falling, and it’s time to announce the annual charity drive. This year the beneficiaries will be children from poor families in central Scotland, for whom I’ll try to provide Christmas presents, and the Morpeth Lions Club Flood Victims Appeal in Morpeth, Northumberland.
In favour of the charity drive, I’ve postponed the publication of “The Radiant Boy” for a few weeks. Why? Because two of the four stories, “The Radiant Boy” and “Last Service”, will be up for auction! But not just some cheap print-out – you will get the chance to win the
ORIGINAL STORY, HANDWRITTEN BY MYSELF WITH QUILL AND INK ON HANDMADE PAPER IN THE STYLE OF THE 18TH CENTURY IN MUSEUM QUALITY!
I’ve been to the Museum for Paper, Writing and Printing yesterday and picked up the paper. Feel and texture are amazing, writing on it is a fascinating experience. Special thanks to the master papermaker, a very friendly and helpful chap.
While I don’t want to give too much away, I can tell you that “Last Service” will be a story of special appeal to those among you who have a weak spot for HMS Victory, Nelson, Collingwood and the Age of Sail in general.
Despite being ghost stories, “The Radiant Boy” and “Last Service” are suitable for all audiences.
The auction will start on 26th September, the original publication date of the book. There might be even more goodies – more information will follow soon. I’d like to thank you all in advance for spreading the word.
“The Radiant Boy” will be out on 26th September 2008
Huzzah! We have a publication date for “The Radiant Boy”, dear readers!
26th SEPTEMBER 2008
“THE RADIANT BOY”
Four Georgian Royal Navy Ghost Stories
by Emma Collingwood
- “The Radiant Boy”
- “Crawford’s Casket”
- “Charlie”
- “Last Service”
The Penny, Dreadful & Tarbottom Series.
Illustrations: Mlle Amandine de Villeneuve
Editor: Timothy T. Tarbottom, Esq.
The book will be available first as an e-book (*.pdf download), later in printed form. While I can’t give you a date for the print version yet, I can promise that “The Radiant Boy” will be available just in time for the festive season!
Note: “The Radiant Boy” has no erotic content and is suitable for all age groups.
Coming soon…
After some switches and changes, I can now give you first details about the upcoming publications:
The Penny, Dreadful & Tarbottom Series
Georgian Naval Ghost Stories
Book 1: Lieutenant Samuel Blackwood (deceased) – published
A Georgian ghost story featuring a cursed ship, a vengeful ghost, a haunted captain and a very daring lieutenant.
Contains male/male romance.Book 2: The Radiant Boy
A collection of Georgian naval ghost stories: “The Radiant Boy”, “Bertie” and more.
Some of the stories will contain male/male romance.Book 3: The Jackdaw
More information to follow soon. Will contain male/male romance.
The Purser, The Surgeon, The Captain And His Lieutenant – next publication
A tricky and charming cross-time tale about the tangled lives of four very different men, from the Age of Sail to modern day London. Featuring bravery, treachery, star-crossed love, revenge, the power of magic and overrated movie directors.
Coming soon:
The Adventures of Colin Wood
Adventure, suspense and cabbage!
Serial novel, published online and for free.More information to follow soon.
