Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are there in the Artamon series?
The Tears of Artamon is a trilogy, so there are three.
Please could you send me an autograph / signed photo?
I'm really sorry but right now it's not possible. Watch the site for future developments. And do come and see me to say 'hallo' when I'm doing signings!
Would you read my story / novel and tell me what you think?
Again I'm really sorry, but I can't offer a critiquing service. It would only be my opinion anyway and I might not tell you the things you'd need - or want - to hear! There are some great books of advice out there (especially those from Writer's Digest) on how to learn to edit your own stuff. Try them. They may well work for you.
Could you give me a full biography?
Ah, these school projects... Brief facts. I was born in Bath, Somerset in 1950 and went to Bath High School. I studied music at New Hall, Cambridge and did a teacher training at Homerton College, Cambridge. After that I lived in London, Wales, Normandy (France_ and Beckenham, Kent. I've taught music off and on all my life and for the last ten years, I've been running a primary school library. I'm married, have two grown-up sons, a daughter-in-law and a lovely little granddaughter. And there's more on the Author page. Howzat?
How are the Azhkendi names pronounced in the Artamon series?
In 'Azhkendir', the 'A' is as in 'apple', the 'zh' sound is like 'je' in French, 'ken' is 'ken' and 'dir' is 'dear'.
Druzhina = 'Droo' - 'je' - 'eena'Drakhaon = 'Dra' - (as in 'apple') 'ka-on'. (The 'a' sound is as in apple in all the names, whether Astasia, or Gavril).
Volkh - the 'o' is as in 'on'. The 'h' is silent.