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

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

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:
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❤️ Support the podcast:
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In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, Justin Hill and Matthew Harffy speak with historian Sharon Bennett Connolly about medieval princesses, royal daughters, and women’s power in the Early Middle Ages.

Drawing on Princesses of the Early Middle Ages, Sharon explores how women shaped dynasties through marriage, diplomacy, and inheritance, and why their influence has often been overlooked in traditional histories of the Norman Conquest.

A fascinating conversation for anyone interested in medieval history, women’s history, and the realities behind popular myths.

🔗 https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

Buy the book, Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781399091022

In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, Justin Hill and Matthew Harffy are joined by bestselling author Vaseem Khan to discuss historical crime fiction, empire, and his novel The Edge of Darkness.

Vaseem talks about writing crime stories set in post-colonial India, the challenges of research and authenticity, and how history, setting, and action combine to create gripping fiction. The conversation explores violence, pacing, power, and the responsibility of writing about the British Empire with honesty and nuance.

A must-listen for fans of historical fiction, crime novels, and action-driven storytelling.

🔗 https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

In this episode of Rock Paper Swords, Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill speak with novelist Essie Fox about her latest book, Catherine – a Gothic retelling of Wuthering Heights told from Catherine Earnshaw’s perspective.

Essie explores the enduring power of Emily Brontë’s novel, the risks and rewards of retelling a literary classic, and why writing Catherine as a ghost opened up new emotional and thematic depth. The conversation also dives into unreliable narrators, Gothic tradition, historical language, and how writers balance authenticity with accessibility.

A must-listen for fans of Gothic fiction, classic literature, and historical storytelling.

🔗 https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

Buy the book, Catherine: A Retelling of Wuthering Heights: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781917764421

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

Essie Fox's website: www.essiefox.com

In this end-of-year bonus episode, Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill reflect on the past year of reading, writing, and podcasting — and look ahead to what’s coming next.

They discuss the books that shaped their thinking, Bernard Cornwell’s The Winter King, Tolkien, Roman history, Churchill biographies, audiobooks, and the reality of trying to finish novels before Christmas.

A thoughtful, funny, and honest conversation for readers, writers, and anyone who loves historical fiction and historical adventure.

🔗 Follow & support the podcast:
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A Christmas Mystery with a Twist! 🎄In this festive episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, hosts Justin Hill and Matthew Harffy sit down with author Gareth Rubin to discuss his unique "You Solve the Crime" novel, Murder at Christmas!

Gareth dives into what it’s like to write a modern-day, Poirot-style mystery where the reader is tasked with solving the case. He also reveals the fascinating structural challenges behind his novel The Waterfall (a story within a story within a story) and shares his thoughts on the significant impact of AI on authors and the publishing world.

Plus, hear the hosts' latest writing updates (first drafts, word counts, and editor emails) and their festive plans, including Christmas menus (goose and suckling pig!).

Episode Highlights:

• Gareth Rubin on his "You Solve the Crime" murder mystery.

• The discussion on job losses for translators and illustrators due to AI.

• The secret behind the magician's disappearing box murder mystery.

• Matthew Harffy's experience at the Hans Zimmer and Gladiator live orchestra concerts.

Links:

• Buy Gareth Rubin's book, Murder at Christmas: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781398543485

• All Rock, Paper, Swords! Links: https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

• Support the Podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

• Leave a Tip on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords

Keywords & Hashtags:#GarethRubin #MurderAtChristmas #YouSolveTheCrime #RockPaperSwords #HistoricalFiction #JustinHill #MatthewHarffy #WritingTips #AIMurderMystery #ChristmasBooks #NewRelease #HistoricalPodcast #AuthorInterview