Avatar for Maria Herring

Maria Herring

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Last week's position: 1161

first registered 23.02.10

last online 7 days ago

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about me

It would be awesome to have a lovely long list of writing credentials, but...
Writing became a passion for me after a 3-year Business degree which took me to China as an English language teacher. Tolkien and Terry Pratchett didn't exist over there meaning I had nothing to read so I decided to write my own stories. I'm still writing my own stories, even though I moved to France and now have the option to buy English books. Teaching English as a foreign language, while it pays the bills and keeps me moving, isn't as awesome as spending huge chunks of the day in wholly other worlds.

Some really personal stuff, then. After entirely misspending the decade of my tweens, turning thirty turned me into a non-smoking, teetotal vegan. Now I can run up the stairs, remember doing it, then feast voraciously without feeling guilty.
I live in a little apartment in Lyon, and spend most of my time day-dreaming, and bumping into things.

I've taken down my old book because it's currently under consideration with a publisher - hooray! I've put up a second; it's an alternate history set in Iron-Age Britain three hundred years after Boudica defeated the Romans. I've always wondered what home would be like if that had really happened... Thing is, I wrote the book last year and put it away to simmer; but when I came back to it, it wasn't as good as the book as I had in my head *sigh*
If there are any pre-historians out there who can help me with details, perhaps know of any great reference books I can add to my collection and so improve my book, I'd really appreciate your help. Thank you!

The book cover was created by my award-winning graphic designer of a boyfriend, Fabrice Mazat, and I love it! Thanks Fab *grin*

favourite books

Ever since I stumbled across Tolkien's The Hobbit when I was seven, I've been a devout Fantasy fan. As an older and wiser person, you'd think my tastes and horizons would broaden, but they haven't.
All of Tolkien's works I hold dear, but most especially The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Series.
Terry Pratchett's Discworld Series.
Robert Rankin's Armageddon Trilogy and Brentford Trilogy.
Trudi Canavan's Black Magician Trilogy.
Karen Miller's Godspeaker Trliogy.
Celia Friedman's Feast of Souls.
Susanna Clark's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell.
Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Trilogy.
Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game.
Murakami's A Wild Sheep Chase.
Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth.
The list is inexhaustible...

my websites

    

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my books

Legacy of a Warrior Queen

Maria Herring

In 60 CE, Boudica set out to defeat the Roman invaders. She did; and left behind a legacy that changed history.


Samhain eve, three hundred years after the goddess Boudica sent the Roman armies scurrying back to their own lands; in saving another, Arawn of Atrebates kills his sister. In an era dominated by women, there is no man more despised than a sister-slayer. He flees to Gaul and is initiated by the Bagaudas, a rebel group who support Rome's new one true God by killing pagans, and discovers his destiny is to lead them to Rome and bring the priests back to Brython and rid it forever of Boudica's legacy.


Sulis, Warrior-Queen of Cantiaci, a tribe hated by all others for welcoming Julius Caesar onto their lands, fights to unite the tribes to create a single peaceful nation. But she faces fierce opposition, not only from neighbouring tribes, but from among her own people.


Heddgwyn, Arch Druid of Cantiaci, intends to claim the lands for the Druids and reclaim them for the old gods, and for men.


In the shadow of the Blood Moon, the fate of all Brython will be decided.

 

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latest

A G Chaudhuri wrote 8 days ago

Dear Maria, Words can’t express my gratitude. Because of your unwav....

Tamria wrote 11 days ago

Hello! I see you're a fellow fantasy writer. Would you be interested ....

Davidmauriceware wrote 12 days ago

I would like to personally invite you to come read my creation. If yo....

scoz512 wrote 30 days ago

Thank you for the backing! I will give a return read soon! Sara

A G Chaudhuri wrote 30 days ago

Dear Maria, Thank you for backing Shining Dawn. I'm honoured that m....

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my comments

latest

I wrote 109 days ago

Hi Phil, I realised when I came back here that I've read, starred and backed your book before! My memory is so rubbish. I can't remember if I commented, but if I did it probably went something like this: This is a cracking read. It's got all the elements of a classic fantasy tale but told with a... view book

I wrote 125 days ago

Hi Ashley, Thanks for your message. I realise you asked me to have a look at your book on the strength of someone else's review, but I feel compelled to mention that I haven't had any experience in writing for younger readers and I may have totally read all of the above as an adult! But here goes... view book

I wrote 125 days ago

Hi David, me again! Your first chapter is SO much better! I love the contrast between (I know it's not, but I'm going to call it the) prologue and the first paragraph 10,000 years later - fighting / dancing, weapons clashing / musical intruments playing; much better, and it sounds like such a mar... view book

I wrote 129 days ago

Hi David, This has the potential to be a fabulous epic quest fantasy - exactly my cup of tea actually! - and there's no doubt that you have the epic imagination to match it. I did feel, though, that it started a little too quickly. I enjoyed the prologue-esque opening where we see the destruction... view book

I wrote 236 days ago

This is GREAT! I always knew Henges were magical places, I just knew it! What a fantastic premise for a children's story -is there really a Henge in the Phillipines?- but grown-ups like me will love it too. I'm not a great critiquer but I thought the first chapter was excellent; you make it clear th... view book

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