The beautiful little medieval town of Visby is lit up for Jul, with Advent stars and candelabras in all the windows as we near the shortest day of the year. It is a time to count our blessings, and great amongst mine are my wonderful readers, and listeners. Thank you all for the reception given to Book Eleven, “To the Sun”; it is highly gratifying to see how you have enjoyed this volume in the Saga series – and enjoyed talking about it.
Speaking about talking: If you’d like to know what I really think about how Vikings are being depicted in contemporary culture, you might enjoy the latest podcast episode of “Shieldmaidens: Women of the Norse World”. Hosts KS Barton and Johanna Wittenberg hear about my love of Gotland – and my decided opinions of how the Viking world is typically being shown today. Have fun listening.
Looking ahead to 2025, I am excited about hosting a Medieval Week Saga Tour in August, in which readers will again join me here on Gotland – this time to relish the spectacle that is Visby’s famed celebration of all things medieval. This Tour is sold out, but I am planning two Saga Tours, quite distinct from each other, for 2026. If you’d like priority information about those, just drop me a line, and you shall be added to the advance list.
Finally, of course I am writing Book Twelve. Of course! My thanks, Saga Sisters and Brothers for your devotion to my work. May your holidays be blest with happiness.
wes thu hal (be whole and hearty, in Old English)
Octavia
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