Rock, Paper, Swords! Podcast By Matthew Harffy & Steven A. McKay cover art

Rock, Paper, Swords!

Rock, Paper, Swords!

By: Matthew Harffy & Steven A. McKay
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The Historical Action and Adventure Podcast - making history come alive! Bestselling authors Matthew Harffy and Steven A. McKay chat about writing action and adventure stories, diving into some of the more quirky and unusual aspects of history, with a detour through music and its role in their process. Each episode covers different exciting themes, often with brilliant guests who help shed light on what Matthew and Steven have decided to talk about that week.Matthew Harffy & Steven A. McKay Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • The Man Who Stopped the Sultan: Gabriele Tadino and the Siege of Rhodes – Edoardo Albert

    The Man Who Stopped the Sultan: Gabriele Tadino and the Siege of Rhodes – Edoardo Albert
    Mar 20 2026

    In this episode of Rock Paper Swords, Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill are joined by historian and novelist Edoardo Albert to discuss his new book, The Man Who Stopped the Sultan.

    The book tells the dramatic story of Gabriele Tadino, a Renaissance military engineer whose expertise helped shape the defence of Rhodes during the Ottoman expansion under Suleiman the Magnificent. Along the way we discuss the Italian Wars, the revolution in gunpowder warfare, and the emergence of the professional military engineer.

    We also talk about Edoardo’s fiction writing and his 30-Second Histories YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/@30-SecondHistories

    Buy the book:
    https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781472869999

    Podcast links:
    https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

    Support the show on Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/c/RockPaperSwordsPodcast
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • Sophie Perinot on building a historical fiction career across two countries — and how publishing has changed along the way

    Sophie Perinot on building a historical fiction career across two countries — and how publishing has changed along the way
    Mar 6 2026

    In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, Justin Hill and Matthew Harffy are joined by historical novelist Sophie Perinot for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, research, and the realities of the modern book industry.

    We discuss:

    • Moving from the United States to the United Kingdom

    • Adapting to life in Britain, including experiences with the NHS

    • The importance of the Historical Novel Society conferences

    • How historical research has evolved in the digital age

    • Changing trends in historical fiction

    • What’s shifted in traditional publishing over the past decade

    • Navigating today’s historical fiction market

    This is an honest and thoughtful look at writing as a profession — community, craft, career longevity, and the changing landscape of historical publishing.

    🎧 Discover more episodes:
    https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

    ❤️ Support the podcast on Patreon:
    https://www.patreon.com/c/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

    #HistoricalFiction #PublishingIndustry #WritingLife #HistoricalNovelSociety
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Massacre, Resistance, and Love: Carolyn O’Brien on Peterloo and 1930s Britain

    Massacre, Resistance, and Love: Carolyn O’Brien on Peterloo and 1930s Britain
    Feb 20 2026

    In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, Justin Hill and Matthew Harffy talk with historical novelist Carolyn O’Brien about protest, power, and forgotten voices in British history.

    From the Peterloo Massacre to the rise of fascism in 1930s Britain, Carolyn explores how radical politics, women’s lives, and working-class resistance shape her fiction. We discuss writing politically engaged historical novels, the responsibilities of historical storytellers, and why history’s margins often hold its most urgent truths.

    🎧 Listen now and discover how history, fiction, and resistance collide.

    📚 The Song of Peterloo:
    https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781789550757

    🔗 More episodes & links:
    https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

    ❤️ Support the podcast:
    https://www.patreon.com/c/RockPaperSwordsPodcast
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 18 mins
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Imagine walking into a pub, waving to your two friends you were to met up with. Now these friends aren’t just ordinary people, nope Steven and Matthew are fantastic minds as well as best sellers of historical fiction. So sitting and chatting it up with them you not only get educated but feel awe inspired in their presence. Well I’d probably be nervous which in turn makes me overly chatty, to the extent one of the guys would be saying can I talk now please. I’m a big fan of them both and a horrible geek of history in general. So this podcast is on my follow list. Cheers to you both on your podcast long may it reign!

It’s like hanging out with two great authors.

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This was a really great podcast. Matthew and Steven asked great questions and received great answers from Jason Kingsley. All three have extensive backgrounds in Medieval History. As well as 2000 AD, British Comics and games. Will need to listen again to be sure I heard it all. Will also enjoy it a second time.

Really interesting interview!

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