My Cinematic Novel Just Got That Much Closer to Cinema

Devoted to the TV! 
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Seven Noble Knights (Indie preorder) (Amazon preorder) has made it into the quarterfinals of the Road to Development Contest. I won't mention the website hosting it because I'm including below the highlights of their feedback, which I think they would prefer to remain anonymous. But come on, so many nice things about my book! I have to share! 

The Road to Development Contest is just that, a competition to be picked for development into a movie or TV show. I always thought Seven Noble Knights would do well as a series, either for streaming or on a cable network, or even, in the best of all possible worlds, on Masterpiece Theatre. The contest seems to agree (see comments below). 

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There is no social component to this contest. Seven Noble Knights has made it this far on its own merit, which makes me proud. But it also stands to reason that if my dear readers shared this news and the book made it to the top of internet searches, such exposure could influence the judges. I would be ever so grateful for such sharing. 

Seven Noble Knights would be an expensive proposition, so from a practical standpoint, I'm not sure what chances it really has at this skint point in human history. But no one can deny that it would be really super awesome to have a Seven Noble Knights series! 

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Feedback

Primary Hook of Story

A story of betrayal and revenge similar to some of the occurrences of Game of Thrones.

Fanbase Potential

It could, especially those interested in medieval stories, with knights, gorgeous ladies, tragic love, and sword fights.

Awards Potential

If well adapted, it could manage to earn some technical accolades, since the story would have to recreate an entire period.

Lead Characters

Most of them are brave, but some are cunning, some horribly hot-headed and some simply honest and honorable, which means that they are different, complex and well-established in the narrative.

Uniqueness of Story

The story is very well-written and developed. With a top-notch adaptation, it could become a great TV series or film.

Possible Formats

Film - Studio, TV Series - Cable, TV Series - Limited Run / Mini-Series, TV Series - Streaming

Comments

The narrative is good and compelling, and the author has great writing skills, which makes the book interesting throughout most of the reading, no matter what character you are following. In fact, the structure is also very well-developed. By following different characters and getting to know their needs and aspirations, no matter which side of the main issue they are on, we learn more about their personalities and realize there is no one completely right or wrong in the matter. The ending is particularly good, creating a reflection about how many of these people's struggles, grudges, sorrows and acts of revenge are based on actions that cannot be undone and lives that can't be recovered, creating a spiral of violence that seems to have no valid origin or reason to exist. All these things could be very well explored in a miniseries, especially if it would use each chapter to follow one of the characters, more or less like the book does. 

30+ Multimedia Reasons to Read SEVEN NOBLE KNIGHTS

Seven Noble Knights is chock full of great historical tidbits. During the run-up to its new debut from Encircle Publications on December 11, I've been participating in lots of fun new multimedia experiences you can find links to in this post. I'll add new material as I do more cool events. I'll also include some oldies but goodies because Seven Noble Knights is nothing if not historical. 

Seven Noble Knights is available for Kindle preorder for only 99 cents. Grab it before the price goes up on December 11! It's also available for preorder in softcover. Order it now and it will probably arrive on release day. If you're trying to avoid the 'Zon, try directly from the publisher, or Bookshop.org, where you can order, and it will come to you from your favorite (or closest) indie bookstore. Or, if NetGalley is your groove, snag it there in exchange for a review. 

Perhaps the most important reason to read Seven Noble Knights is that it would make "a great TV series." 

Audio

• A short and sweet interview on Chat and Spin Radio about Seven Noble Knights and the importance of artists in trying times 

• An interview with All Classical Portland's book guru Ed Goldberg, crammed with noble knights, devious ladies, and ominous auguries! Check it out and download it at the station's site. Or try listening here, at the top of the page. 

• A lively chat about battles and authenticity with author friend and elegant narrator Seymour Hamilton 

Reviews

“Let Seven Noble Knights welcome you to historical fiction! …it’s a rich saga populated with characters you will grow to love (and a few you will love to hate). The ancient empires of Spain are a beautiful backdrop to the struggles of humankind across all generations of all lands: romance, revenge, war, and adventure.”

—Pushcart Prize nominee Reneé Bibby, The Writers Studio

• Seven Noble Knights is endorsed by a discerning reader in the Historical Novel Society Review. 

• Author Seymour Hamilton observes medieval bathing habits. 

• Author Kim Rendfeld discusses love and vengeance in medieval times. 

• A fan in Spain admires Seven Noble Knights. 

• Nancy at Goodreads says Seven Noble Knights kept her awake at night! 

• Grab it at NetGalley and review it yourself! 

About the Author

• A thrilling romp at Much Medieval Mayhem hosted by Anna Belfrage: The Princess Bride, Cantigas de Santa Maria, and the multicultural, multiethnic Middle Ages. 

• At Historical Fiction Blog: What's my writing process? What do I have in my refrigerator? 

• Writing Superheroes with Author Maria Grace: My surprising secret life, with polka dots. 

• At the Huffington Post with The Book Doctors: They mention a blog post about the Pitchapalooza where we met in person, and that's here. 

• At Unusual Historicals: Legends of medieval Spain, history, and fantasy. (Unfortunately, the giveaway mentioned is no longer active.) 

• An appearance in the St. Helens Chronicle gives my opinion on ebooks and the lure of historical fiction. 

• 10 Questions in 10 Words with Author Linda Sands: Seven Noble Knights as well as Boston, The Invisible Library, and a sweet roll with Nutella. 

History and Legend

• "My Characters Lived in Tenth-Century Spain" at Historical Fiction Reader: The complexities of tenth-century life couldn't help but produce a legend. 

• "How the Seven Noble Knights Survived One Millennium ... and Counting" with Author Kristin Gleeson: A story so good, you can't tell it just once! 

• "A Medieval Ritual of Rebirth" with Author Kim Rendfeld's Outtakes of a Historical Novelist with an excerpt sure to squeeze the breath out of you 

• "Fertile Fields, Fields of Blood": Exploring the site of the novel's big, bad battle 

• A different version of Seven Noble Knights from the 1800s 

• "The Seven Noble Knights in Modern Life": Living with the legend in my characters' hometowns today 

Characters: Inspirations and Interviews

• That time I stumbled upon my characters near their hometown  

• "Salas de los Infantes, Where the Seven Noble Knights Lived": A delightful visit to Salas de los Infantes to share a copy of Seven Noble Knights and see the casket inside the Romanesque-Gothic transition church 

Lambra: The Villainess

• “Vengeful Ladies and Bloody Cucumbers: J. K. Knauss on Seven Noble Knights” with Author J. L. Gribble and the pivotal bloody cucumber scene! 

• “When Does a Blood-Soaked Cucumber Solve Your Problems? J. K. Knauss interviews Doña Lambra, Villainess of Seven Noble Knights” with Author A. J. Culey 

• Meet the Villains 

• Blanca Flor, Lambra's daughter 

• Long-Suffering Justa, Lambra's maid 

Heroes

• Meet Gonzalo González, the youngest of seven noble knights.  

• Meet Mudarra, the conflicted hero of Part Two.

• “J. K. Knauss Interviews Mudarra González ibn Zaida, Hero of Seven Noble Knights” at History Imagined with the shocking ending of a medieval game of chess.

• “Every Hero Needs a Sidekick: Mudarra and Yusuf” with Author Cara McKinnon

Book Clubability

Seven Noble Knights was the official February 2017 pick of the St. Helens Literary Divas Book Club. The author made a special appearance and good times were had! Contact the author to arrange a virtual or in-person visit for your book club.

Virtual Events and Video

A release day message to my readers! 

Your truly and some engaged readers celebrated Seven Noble Knights with this entertaining virtual launch experience! We talked about men, women, monuments, cucumbers, honor, and the writing process. Catch the recording here or in the box above. 

Many thanks to Susan Wands of the NYC Historical Novel Society for making this possible. 

Lands of Legend: On December 5, 2020, I gave a photo- and excerpt-filled a virtual tour of Spain, medieval and modern, courtesy of the New York Public Library. The event was well-attended and the audience was engaged and asked thoughtful, interesting questions. There was no recording, but a special encore presentation has been recorded in four parts. 

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Facebook page 

On May 3, 2017, I gave a reading of Seven Noble Knights and did a book signing at the Harvard Book Store, fulfilling a lifelong dream. 

Check out this intimate reading of Part One, Chapter I. 

Watch the colorful trailer with art by Ayal Pinkus.

In October, I joined the other wonderful authors of We All Fall Down to talk about hope in hard times. 

Excerpts

• The siege of Zamora (at the bottom of the page)

• A very tense wedding, with DelSheree Gladden

• When you can't kill 'em, throw a blood-soaked cucumber at 'em, with J. L. Gribble. 

• "Fertile Fields, Fields of Blood"

• Think chess is a slow, intellectual game? Check this excerpt out and think again, at History Imagined. 

• The hero is almost literally reborn, with Kim Rendfeld. 

The World of Seven Noble Knights

Research and sudden dramatic transport from the 21st century to the tenth:

Weddings • Mozarabic Art • Pre-Romanesque Art in the Middle of Nowhere • Battles • The Traitor Countess • The Bloody Cucumber • Visigoths in Palencia • A Recipe for Blancmanger • Bullfighting • More Mozarabic Art • Coins • Source Materials • Spain as a Great Melting Pot • Medieval Spanish Male Names • Medieval Spanish Female Names 

Lands of Legend: The New York Public Library Invites You

We all miss those magical times when we could travel. Now you have a chance to travel without leaving the safety of home. 

If you missed this event, scroll down for links to the special video replay of the content. 

Thanks to the generosity of the New York Public Library, you can join yours truly, author of Seven Noble Knights, on a Google Meet virtual tour of medieval and modern Spain. You'll learn the legend of the seven noble knights, see the places where it all happened, and learn the ways Spanish people today celebrate this legend. Photographs, anecdotes and excerpts bring this fascinating country alive. I'll also answer your burning questions!

Register at the bottom of the page linked here, under the book cover and my photo, to receive a link to this program with a reminder 10 minutes before event. 

You can preorder Seven Noble Knights so that you'll receive it on release day, December 11. 

Or, if you're a NetGalley member, you can pick up your review copy right now and ask questions about the story on December 5! 

Lands of Legend await you! 

This event went really well, with lots of engaged audience members. I've recorded a special replay of the content for those of you who couldn't make it on the day, available in four parts: 

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Facebook page

Enjoy!