(above: the proofs for King Arthur, alongside my previous translation of Gawain)
Dear supporter,
Apologies if this email reaches you and you received a similar one from me yesterday. If it has, that's because you are already a patron of my translation of the Alliterative Morte Arthure (c. 1402, otherwise known as King Arthur's Death) - for which I thank you greatly. If, on the other hand, you are a past patron of my translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and have not yet decided to support my new translation, please read on...
Yesterday the postman arrived with the page proofs for King Arthur's Death; this means that (once I have proof-read them), the manuscript enters its final stage: to become a book itself. It will publish in September (this is to give Unbound enough time to promote the book into the global booktrade).
The team at Unbound has done a magnificent job in bringing this together. With the cover design, illuminated letters, linocut illustrations - not to mention the poem itself, historical introduction, glossary and notes, the result will be magnificent!
The attached photographs at the end of this update give you a flavour of what to expect - should you wish to support the book - when it comes through your door with YOUR name in the back as one of its patrons. Remember, as a patron, every copy of the book will have your name printed in the back, wherever in the world someone buys it - fame indeed! (To be a patron of Arthur, and a member of his new Round Table, click here)
In the poem, when telling the emissaries of Rome about the food they are about to receive, King Arthur says in true self-deprecating style,
"Sirs, be knightly of countenance and comfort yourselves;
We know naught in this country of curious meats,
In these barren lands breeds no such thing,
So without feigning pleasure, please force this food down
And feed yourselves with such feeble fare as you find before you"
In much the same humour, I hope that you will support this new book too and will find this translation so much more than how it might first appear. Opening your eyes to a unique understanding of the poem and its world, this book is a journey into the minds of the fourteenth century like no other. I hope you enjoy each and every mouthful of this magnificent poem. You helped make it happen!
Once again, thank you for supporting my work - and do please spread the message to anyone who you think might like to have their name in the back.
For Arthur!
Kind regards,
Michael Smith
Author, Translator, Printmaker
PS. Don't forget there is a wide range of pledge options to choos from - for example, as well as the book on its own, you can receive a signed version or even a double signed option where I will sign both copies of the book and each book will carry your name and the name of a friend or loved on in the patrons list - an ideal surprise gift. There is also a wide range of original linocut prints to choose from too, including orginal illustrations from the book - check the list on the main King Arthur page here! (please click the link)
(Above: Title Pages - a colour version of Arthur and Mordred fighting is also available as a pledge option)
(Above: how the illuminated letters appear in the final version - large scale originals of these letters are also available as a pledge option)
(Above: Title Page plus a sample page with illustration - one of many linocut illustrations produced for the book)
(Above: more sample pages - here we see the Giant of Mont Saint Michel peeping menacingly at you from the pages!)
(Above: the magnificent cover!)