As you know, over the weekend my translation of William and the Werewolf hit 100% funding and will now definitely be published! This could not have happened withoout your help and generosity; in writing this brief update I wanted to thank you for your support for the book and to tell you what will happen next. 

Firstly, I will be completing the outstanding linocut illustrations I have been preparing for the book, some of which have been made available for pledge options during the fundraising process.

This work will include scenes from the romance in addition to the last few illuminated letters whiich, as in my translations of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the alliterative King Arthur's Death (the Alliterative Morte Arthure), replicate those used by mediaeval scribes to create breaks in their texts. As with the Morte Arthure, these will be based on those in the Macclesfield Psalter of the 1330s.

Secondly, the main translation is complete; I am now working through this to verify it once more against the extant Middle English text to be sure of textual accuracy. A small section of the original poem was lost in the mists of time so, for this part, I am reverting to the Old French and will be translating from that to fill the lacunae.

Once complete, I will then write the introduction to the poem. As with my other works, the introduction will explain the context of the romance, its source, patronage and history - as well as the story of the survival of the manuscript itself. William and the Werewolf is particularly interesting in this regard, shedding light on the part played by Humphrey de Bohun in the creation of books in mediaeval England.

Publishing Timetable - I am hoping to supply all these elements to Unbound by the end of July. Once they have the material, they will be able to advise on the design and production schedule and I will be able to share that with you in more detail when I know more. 

Your part in creating a real first edition!

Once again, I would like to thank you for supporting my work. In doing so, you have helped support what I believe is the first ever published English translation of this major Middle English poem; in effect you have contributed to the creation of what is truly a "first edition" - and your name will be in the back of it!  

If you know of others who would like to share this joy and support the book, please do pass on this update to them and encourage them to be part of this unique story. I think its going to be a super book and I am indebted to you for all your support along the way. 

Kind regards

 

Michael Smith

Author, Translator, Printmaker

PS. Don't forget, if you'd like to own one of the original illustrations from the book, you can upgrade your pledge at any time to secure one for yourself, hand printed by me in my print workshop!