castles | Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

Bibliophile Collective Tuesday – Big News – Rython Prequel to be Published in 2023

January 31, 2023
mandyevebarnett

I am excited to announce that the prequel to my fantasy series, Malgraf’s Dawning, will be published by Dream Write Publishing later in 2023. I have already contracted a book cover designer and will work with her to create an apt cover for this dark tale of a witch in the making, from childhood to adulthood.

The fantasy series began with The Rython Kingdom and was followed by the reader requested sequel, Rython Legacy. Set in medieval England these novellas are full of tales of kings, castles, sorcery and mystery.

Both books are available as print or e-book on all purchase sites. In several bookstores (Daisy Chain, Edmonton, The Bookworm, Sherwood Park & Shelf Life Books, Calgary) and also several libraries. (Sherwood Park, Jasper, and Spruce Grove)

Currently the first draft of the prequel is around 16,000 words and Malgraf is obtaining her dark powers and spells daily. Delving into the psyche of the villain in a story has its struggles, but can also be fun, as a writer it allows you to go to dark places with permission. As a Gemini, I find this easier than maybe other writers! Read into that as you will…ha,ha.

Famous Literary Homes – Which One Would You Live In..?

June 11, 2014
mandyevebarnett

Today’s re-blog feature lists famous literary homes, created as settings for the story to take place.

I have been privileged to visit a great number of castles and historic homes in the UK and each has its own character and atmosphere. One of these is Highclere Castle, which is now known for the setting of Downton Abbey (TV series). This magnificent building was literally down the road from where I used to live and we visited it for events regularly.

In writing the actual setting is a character all of its own and requires careful description to enable our readers to ‘picture’ it.

Have you created a home for your narrative?

What inspired you to create it in the way you did?

Which one of these dwellings is your favorite?

Read the full article here:

http://flavorwire.com/456790/the-25-greatest-homes-in-literature/

Eleemosynary – What a Word..!

November 27, 2013
mandyevebarnett

Eleemosynary – definition: 1. of or for charity; charitable; 2. given in charity; having the nature of alms; 3. supported by or dependent on charity.

Don’t you just love this word? I do.

When I lived in England I used to travel the country visiting castles, historic houses and ancient archaeological sites. Among the many places I saw were Alms houses. These buildings were built to house the poor, old and distressed people and were often funded by Christian institutions. The first Almshouses were established in the tenth century in Britain. King Athelstan (a personal favorite) founded the first recorded Almshouse in York, England. The Hospital of St. Cross in Winchester is the oldest still in existence, dating from about 1132.

There are Almshouses in other countries. One was established in Stavanger, Norway in 1269 or 1270. Almshouses were introduced to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by it’s founder William Penn. In Maryland the legislature created almshouses in Anne Arundel County, which were financed by property taxes on landowners. Another state with a long tradition of almshouses is Massachusetts. The aid was available in the United States mainly for the elderly and disabled, and for children that had to sleep in the same rooms as adults. Non-governmental organizations provided this care due to the scandalous limited care available. This system began in the eighteenth century.

The photo above is Almshouses in Stratford upon Avon, England and the ones below are Trowbridge and Chipping Norton, England.