Julie A Gates

I live near Bramber castle in West Sussex and became, shall I say obsessed, with the de Braose family who owned it along with many other castles in the Welsh marches during the medieval period and, particularly during the reign of king John. In effect, the rise and fall of the family struck a cord in my heart and I was frequently found plodding what is left of the old motte and bailey. As for what motivated me to become an author it was the overwhelming feeling that the story would not stop haunting me until it had been told in my own words through the eyes of the character Ailith, central to the unfolding of the story, and possessed of her own insights.

Smashwords has been an invaluable platform enabling me to pursue my creativity and publish my novel with success. Smashwords offers channels by which an author, like myself, can reach the public independently. The reader becomes the novels greatest critique, and therefore, the most valuable and important commodity behind the author's success. Thank you Smashwords!