The year 2025 saw the release of Treasure, the 13th book in The Circle of Ceridwen Saga series. Officially numbered Book Twelve, this might be confusing, as the pre-quel to the series, Sidroc the Dane, bears no number. It would be highly convenient if I could have given Sidroc the distinction of being “Book Zero” but alas, no such designation is permitted. I began writing what became Book One in 1991, and Sidroc was not written until 2018. Needless to say it was always meant to serve as an alternate portal into the world of the Saga, dovetailing as it does into Book One at its end. But its lack of a number has always placed it as a disadvantage on retailers’ sites. Despite this the book has served as valued introduction to many readers to the entire series, particularly men.
Sidroc the Dane: A Circle of Ceridwen Saga Story |
The Circle of Ceridwen: Book One |
The book I am currently writing will then be subtitled Book Thirteen, despite being the 14th book about the same characters. It has ever been a source of real pride to me that so many of my readers re-read the books; in fact, I have adherents who have done so as many as eight times. The series is a multi-generational family saga with an admittedly large cast of characters in most of the books. That readers wish to re-engage with the Saga Folk – the characters – as they do truly brings me joy. For their part, readers consistently say that re-reading brings them to deeper understanding of motivations and events, and sometimes startling realizations of fore-shadowing which they could not or did not see several books earlier. Immersion brings insight and clarity.
So it was interesting for me, approaching the writing of Book Thirteen (it yet has to earn a title; often these do not come to me until the story is about 2/3rds or even ¾ way done), to begin by sitting down with my earliest books, One through Five, and actually re-reading them myself. I had never done this. Yes, I have certainly dipped into the books over the years since I finished them, to re-visit certain scenes; but to actually methodically read them all beginning to end as many readers do – that was a novel experience.
I needed this. Without risking spoilers, let me say that conclusions drawn in Treasure left me more than a bit breathless. For the very first time in a long time I had not been thinking of, and adding to, the story line for the next book, while I was writing the one to be released next. I was at a loss. The Saga Folk needed a rest from such heightened action in Book Twelve. I needed a rest, as well. Perhaps 2026 would be a year in which I would not release a book, but focus on a new path, the Saga Tours.
This new and exciting complement to the books began in 2023, when I held my first Saga Tour of Gotland. This Tour, announced in 2019 and meant to take place in the ill-fated year of 2020, sold out at once, so much so that I could fill a second Tour with readers eager to come here to my adopted island and see why I – and Ceridwen – had fallen in love with it. Both initial Tours took place at last in 2023, and were a great and happy success. I held a third Tour in August 2025, built around the exceptional medieval festival staged here in Visby each Summer, Medleltidsveckan (literally, “The Middle Ages Week”). For 2026 I planned to hold two Tours, one again over Medieval Week, the second a nine-day exploration of the island and the world of the Saga books, a deeper version of the 2023 Tours. Alas, political and economic uncertainly made this unfeasible. Now, in early 2026, we have our feet a bit more firmly underneath us, as rocky as the road is. What I do know is that my readers from North America and Australia do want to come here to Gotland, and in answer to this there will be two Saga Tours next year, 2027. I very much look forward to them both.
To circle round to Book Thirteen, I am now deeply immersed in the writing of this. Those many of you who have always begged me for “More Ceridwen! More Sidroc!” will, I promise, find your wish granted, and that is as much of a hint I will give.
Most of you know I am an Indie writer – what used to be known as “self-published”, a moniker almost laughably inaccurate, as no author obtains the kind of success the Saga books have enjoyed by doing it by “themselves”. My wonderful and talented colleagues include Michael Rohani of Design for Books, who has designed every cover, drawn all the maps, and beautifully formatted all the print interiors. My superb narrator for the audio books is London-based actor Nano Nagle, who I never tire as naming “the Voice of the Saga” as she brings alive every character from nine-year-old boys to aged women. I have a business manager/tech admin as well, greatly needed. And a small but dedicated raft of First Readers assures that each book goes out as typo- and usage-error free as possible. These readers are my stalwarts and I am immensely grateful to them for their feedback on the story as well as their sharp eyes.
Now, in the second month of 2026, I cannot predict when Book Thirteen will be in your hands. I would like to think that you might have it by the end of the year, but beg your indulgence if in fact it is a New Year’s child. What I can promise is I will do my best to continue to earn your trust, and be worthy of your valued attention. The Saga Folk are eager to meet you again.
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My book series, The Circle of Ceridwen Saga, is set in 9th century England and Gotland. Book One is free on octavia.net. Welcome to the adventure!
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