David Gilman

Master of War New series

2012-04-22T08:44:26+00:00

My agent posted this press release - which is exciting news - and I'm in the final stages of writing/rewriting the first book WOLF SWORD. This is a great start to the proposed series. There are going to be three books to start with, but there are stories stretching across the horizon! Press Release: Deals Done David Gilman's Master Of War Historical Adventure Series To Head Of Zeus Posted at 12:21PM Monday 16 Apr 2012 I'm thrilled to announce a three-book deal with Nic Cheetham of Head of Zeus, for a new historical adventure series by David Gilman. WOLF SWORD, the first title in the MASTER OF WAR series, will be a lead title in Spring 2013. Nic Cheetham describes it as follows: 'Amid the carnage of the bloodiest conflict in medieval warfare, a young Englishman rises from longbowman to knight. David Gilman's MASTER OF WAR launches a blockbusting series in a bestselling genre and will be a lead title for our Spring 2013 list.' David Gilman has had an enormously impressive variety of jobs – from firefighter to professional photographer, from soldier in the Parachute Regiment's Reconnaissance Platoon to a Marketing Manager for Penguin South Africa. He is also a successful television screenwriter and was principal writer on A Touch of Frost. He has lived and travelled around the world and is now based in Devon. The DANGER ZONE children's adventure series, featuring plucky hero Max Gordon, was David's first foray into fiction, and sold in 12 countries, but he has found a new metier in MASTER of WAR, the 14th century story of Thomas Blackstone and his epic journey through the violence and political intrigue of the 100 Years War. Isobel Dixon says: 'David Gilman's meticulous research and gift for skilful plotting brings history vividly, breathtakingly to life. From the first pages of MASTER OF WAR I knew Thomas Blackstone was a hero that many readers will come to love. From hair-raising battle scenes to subtle political insights to the emotional journey Thomas makes from stonemason to longbowman to renowned knight and Master of War, David Gilman knows how to grip the reader at every stage. I can't wait for publication and for the series to unfold, with its action ranging from England to France to Italy, and look forward to selling MASTER OF WAR to many more publishers.' For more on David see his website: http://www.davidgilman.com/

A Quiet Madness

2012-03-22T10:43:38+00:00

I came across a fairly well known quote the other day from George Orwell - and it reminded me of why we are what we are and do what we do. "All writers are vain, selfish and lazy, and at the very bottom of their motives there lies a mystery. Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon which one can neither resist nor understand…" But there are days when the words flow, and the pages appear like magic! And there's your story. Perhaps that makes up for the rest.

New Year

2011-12-29T18:48:08+00:00

May the joy of a year end, and the hope of a new one dawning - cheer you.

Cat Nap Christmas

2011-12-22T11:27:33+00:00

It's been one of those years! Books, screenplay, house move and a dodgy computer. I visited my family in the USA a few years ago and straight after the lunch I went to bed. I slept for 2 weeks. I'm not quite that tired this year but having a Cat Nap isn't a bad idea. Be safe and be happy, Enjoy this wonderful time!

Fairfax County Public Schools, VA - Kim Dare

2011-12-20T13:42:18+00:00

Blood Sun - and its fabulous USA cover - is about to be launched and advanced reviews are already being published. Authors often work in isolation from their readers - we know you're out there but who are you? - so it's always a pleasure to hear from you. It also help this writer to hear comments from School Librarians - there's a moment when it's as if we're in that library with you - and to know you share the joy of reading my books with your students is very encouraging. Thanks, then, to Kim Dare for reviewing Blood Sun. Have a great holiday everyone. http://www.davidgilman.com/reviews/entry/blood-sun-usa1/

Bambalela-Never Give Up

2011-11-19T15:41:44+00:00

To celebrate Life on Earth there was a Flashmob around the world. This is one where I live. Bambalela! http://youtu.be/_6vWOX3FCuM

Back to Zero?

2011-10-26T16:49:56+00:00

When I wrote Blood Sun, I sent my hero, Max Gordon deep into the Mayan jungle. Part of my research at the time was to study the Mayan civilisation and, of course, the popular theory that because their calendar ended in 2012 then our world would also be finito. But, I have just come across some of my notes and I see that there's an alternative End-of-the-World date. You'd better check your things-to-do, because it's soonish. The Mayans had two concepts of time - linear, recorded by their Long Count calendar and cyclical time, known as the Tzolkin calendar, which expresses cyclical patterns in human experience. So, yes their linear time runs out of ... well, time, on the 12th December 2012 but the other one, which spans everything from the beginnings of the universe to the progress of mankind (discuss) in evolutionary terms, that has a sell-by-date of 28th October 2011. Maybe the Mayans had a point. World economy is down the tubes, there are uprisings, protests, global warming and now there's Comet Elenin, that's been nudged our way by a gust of solar wind. Let's hope he/she/it doesn't flounder on this rocky outcrop to which we cling and that we call home. So, never mind putting the clocks back an hour here in the UK at the end of October, we should just re-set the odometer and start again. Wipe the slate clean. My mortgage provider won't be happy but I have wood to barter and sea shells to trade.

Survival

2011-09-20T16:07:11+00:00

When I wrote The Devil's Breath, an element of the story was about the Kalahari Bushmen's water supply being contaminated. In the real world they have been denied the right to even get water. For those who might have seen my early journal entries, and my invitation a few years ago to meet Bushmen representatives - there's a link here - the long battle by Survival International on their behalf, has yet again met with success. Here's their story: Borehole Breakthrough for Botwana's Bushmen

Never too old

2011-09-02T18:28:03+00:00

Had a welcome comment from Doug Stever in Canada recently. He writes - Hello David Just finished reading an Advanced Reader's Copy of Blood Sun. Ah! the perks of working in a bookstore. I've read and totally raved about Devil's Breath Ice Claw to customers in our store. Blood Sun was just amazing in every way. I was so thrilled to see that Max has yet another adventure. Max's adventures aren't just for teens. I'm 57 and they are all lined up on my Book Shelf. I dropped a note of appreciation back with thanks for waving the flag, (Maple leaf that is). Enthusiastic booksellers keep the joy and excitement of reading alive and I certainly won't hold his age against him. I'm very lucky with the Danger Zone series because they attract a broad readership. My youngest is nine and the oldest that I know about is seventy-five. In between are Dads and sons, and a firm following of girls, who, I suspect, fancy Max Gordon and identify with the strong girl characters in the books. So, my thanks again to Doug,- And Rave On!

Shelter Box

2011-08-23T11:16:43+00:00

When disaster strikes around the world there's one charity that goes directly to the heart of the problem - Shelter Box. This amazing charity gets the essentials for families to survive in the worst possible conditions imagineable. During the recent festivities at the Dragon Boat Race I met two of the local representatives and saw what was in this life-saving box. At the heart of the box is a family tent made to withstand extreme temperatures, intense UV light, high winds and heavy rainfall. Each tent has privacy partitions that allow families to divide the space that suits themselves. For those who support their charity there's a unique reference number so that donors can find out where and when their box has been sent. We can reach out to those whose lives have been devastated. Here's a link to their website which gives a marvellous breakdown of all their work - support them if you can - we live in a fragile world. http://www.shelterbox.org/ There's also a section for young people.http://www.youngshelterbox.org/ which is excellent source material for teachers and students. Everyone can get involved in this.