This has really been an exciting year for me! If any of you readers are aspiring writers, or are currently pitching a manuscript that hasn’t sold, you know how frustrating those rejection letters are. (Mine started long ago in high school when I wrote short stories.) Even though some agents/editors take the time to write comments or make suggestions, those letters still say “no†quite clearly. So when a time-travel manuscript was returned to me, I almost didn’t read the accompanying letter that asked to see a complete copy of Camelot’s Destiny. And my first comment when the editor called was “Pardon me?†So if you’re writing, don’t give up.
The Arthurian Legends have always been a love of mine. I think because I was so horse-crazy as a child, the story of Princess Gwenhwyfar riding on a fine white horse to meet King Arthur was what really intrigued me. However, as soon as I was old enough to realize boys really weren’t icky, the ultimate Bad Boy, Lancelot, intrigued me more. What is it with Bad Boys? Even when I was teaching Julius Caesar in high school, I found it hard to present the “correct†theme of the tragic hero, Brutus. The Epicurean, Marc Antony, was always my man!
I have collected well over three hundred books on the Arthurian legends, ranging from non-fiction to historical fiction to the science-fiction/paranormal/time-travels take-offs on the stories. Too often, I have been disappointed in how Lancelot is portrayed. The traditional view is that he betrayed his best friend and king and caused the destruction of the fellowship of the Round Table. Some books have presented him as arrogant and self-centered while others have described him as some sort of wimp who is so besotted by Gwenhwyfar that he follows her around like a lonesome puppy. One book (I kid you not!) took the twist that Lancelot was a woman and Gwenhwyfar a lesbian.
So part of the reason I wrote Camelot’s Destiny was because I wanted to show that Lancelot is really not such a Bad Boy after all. He is a man of strength and valor, deeply torn between his loyalty to Arthur and his love for Gwenhwyfar. I’d love to hear from readers to know if I’ve succeeded!
Camelot’s Destiny is the first book of an intended trilogy. Fate of Camelot is the sequel in which Arthur returns from Avalon, Galahad takes up the Grail quest, and Lancelot must duel with Cernunnos, the horned god of the Wild Hunt, to rescue Gwenhwyfar from her entrapment in the Land of Faerie. Prelude to Camelot is an intentional prequel that describes the lives of Arthur, Gwenhwyfar, and Lancelot as children and takes them to the point where destiny brings them all together. Since neither of these two books is yet under contract, I’d appreciate any comments readers would like to make. I can then pass those on to my editor.
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Happy Reading!
I started reading your book thinking, oh no, what am I in for now. What kind of retelling will this be. But I am impressed. There are some variations you took that ultimately were impressive.
I’ve been a King Arthur fan since childhood. And my to favorites are John Steinbecks and Marion Zimmer Bradley. You’ve done a great job, you kept my attention, threw a few curveballs, and yet stuck to the essence of the original stories.
Did you research the Mabinogean too? I wondered with the references to Anwyl and Pryderi and Rhiannon. Then you threw in Morrigan, I knew who she was the minute you described what she was doing! Very good read. Thanks so much and I would love to read the two following books.
Hey, even if a publisher doesn’t buy, I still want to read, please. Maybe you could do independent publishing if no one picks them up. But surely they will. Really good job. I always enjoy and am relieved when the traditions and the mixed beliefs of the time are respected and incorporated. Many seem to want to make the tales purely Christian in nature, when the tales do go back to the Mabinogian and the Welsh Gods and Goddess (my fave is Manannan Mac Lir – more the Irish version than the welsh).
Please keep them coming. You have a reader here!
Michelle Wood
I read your book and loved it. I really want to know what happens in the next book, so please publish it soon.
I absolutely LOVE your book! I must know what happens in the next book! I have no doubt that it will be published, and I will be waiting!
Hi Cynthia, just find your site and the excerpts sound great. Will add the books to my wishlist.
Hi Cynthia, a friend told me about your web site and loaned me her book. I am looking forward to reading it. I enjoyed your site and reading the excerpts.