Dear Supporter

I am writing with some exciting news! Unbound has commissioned me to write the third in my series of Mediaeval alliterative poems and this one is really special – the story of William and the Werewolf.

First written in France in the twelfth century and then transcribed into English in the first half of the fourteenth century, William and the Werewolf (also known as William of Palerne) is a magical mediaeval adventure story combining romance, chivalry, adventure – and a werewolf!

This will be my most ambitious Middle English translation to date, with over 5500 lines of wonderful alliterative poetry, a detailed introduction, glossary, notes and, as you will expect from my work by now, lots of lovely linocuts.

A fabulous adventure romance

The book tells the story of two mediaeval princes tells the story of a young Sicilian prince who is kidnapped by a werewolf. But not all is as it seems – the werewolf is the Spanish prince Alphonse whose stepmother had transformed him so that her son could inherit the kingdom. As for William, he would have been killed or imprisoned by his own wicked uncle were it not for the werewolf…

The story is a parallel adventure following both William and Alphonse as they unravel these injustices and eventually find redemption. Along the way, William falls in love and elopes with the headstrong Melior and it is their relationships that makes this poem truly enchanting. Some of the descriptions of the exquisite pain of first love are still as vivid and realistic today as they would have been 800 years ago.

Do help the book become reality

If you like mediaeval stories, romance, knights in armour and books with a happy ending – this book is for you. It has been a pleasure to write and to illustrate and now it needs your support to help make it reality.

As a supporter, you will not only have your name published in the back as a patron, but you can also choose from a wide range of special pledge rewards  – including some which are UNIQUE. I do hope you like them and that you will support me in my quest to see book three in this very special series to be published.

I do hope you will support the book – I really think you’ll like it! Please support the book here

Thank you so much for all your support with my work.

 

Michael Smith

PS – GOOD NEWS TOO ABOUT KING ARTHUR

You are receiving this email because you have also pledged for King Arthur’s Death, book two in my series. Well, today I have some special news too. As you will know, the book was due to be published this month but its publication was put back to February due to Covid-19. Today I’ve been given the great news that pledgers should receive their copies before Christmas. Today is a double good news day! Thank you once again - King Arthur willl be with you soon.