A violent, sexy thriller about a 14th century English knight and his Scottish prisoner, by bestselling writer Alex de Campi and with illustrations by Trungles.
1333. Edward III is at war with Scotland. 19-year-old West Country knight Sir Harry de Lyon yearns to prove himself in the war, and so jumps at the chance when a powerful English baron, William Montagu, invites him on a secret mission with a dozen elite knights. They ride north, to a crumbling Scottish keep, capturing the feral, half-starved boy within and putting the other inhabitants to the sword. And nobody knows, or nobody is saying, why the flower of English knighthood snuck over the border to capture a savage, dirty teenage boy. Montagu gives the boy to Harry as his squire, with only two rules: don't let him escape, and convert him to the English cause. The price of failure? Forfeiting his small, heavily indebted Devon estate to the Baron.
At first, it's hopeless. The Scottish boy is surly, violent, hoards sharp objects, and eats anything that isn't nailed down. Then Harry begins to notice things: that, as well as Gaelic, the boy speaks flawless French, with an accent much different from Harry's Norman one. That he can read the language – Latin, too. That he isn't small so much as desperately under-fed. That when Harry finally convinces the boy – Iain mac Maíl Coluim – to cut his filthy curtain of hair, the face revealed is the most beautiful thing Hary has ever seen.
With Iain as his squire, Harry wins tournament after tournament and becomes a favourite of the King. But underneath the pageantry smoulders twin secrets: Harry and Iain's growing passion for each other, and Iain's mysterious heritage. As England hurtles towards war once again, these secrets will destroy everything Harry holds dear.
The Scottish Boy is the debut prose novel of critically-acclaimed comics writer Alex de Campi (Smoke, No Mercy, Twisted Romance, Bad Girls), with black and white illustrations by Trungles (Twisted Romance, Adventure Time, Fauns & Flora) scattered throughout the book. It also has maps in it because look, if you open a book and find a map and don't do an internal squee of delight? I fear for your immortal soul, I really do.
STRETCH GOALS
All supporters will receive the rewards once the campaign hits these percentages:
125% GOAL: Digital art reward by Maichan and Tsuminoaru! Six full colour artworks illustrating various points in the story.
150% GOAL: Two more illustrations by Trungles in the book.
175% GOAL: 5,000+ word prologue story about Harry as a squire, that takes place before The Scottish Boy
200% GOAL: 5,000+ word epilogue story about Things Happening After The Book Ends!
Cover by Joey Hi-Fi
Illustration by Trungles
More information
Alex de Campi
Alex de Campi is a British-American writer of comic books and TV/film. Her most recent books include Bad Girls (Simon & Schuster), Dredd: Final Judgement (Rebellion / 2000AD), Ghost in the Shell: Global Neural Network (Kodansha) and Twisted Romance (Image Comics). She's been nominated for an Eisner award (for Smoke/Ashes) and a Bram Stoker award (for No Mercy). She lives in New York City with her daughter, a striped dog, and a spotted cat. She blames Howard Pyle's King Arthur books for her lifelong obsession with knights and medieval history.
How long will it take for my book to get dispatched?
For books in stock we usually dispatch orders within a few working days. You will receive a dispatch email when your order is on the way.
Where can I get my book delivered to?
We have temporarily stopped taking orders for published books going to EU destinations due to BREXIT restrictions, but we deliver to most other countries worldwide. Enter your delivery address during checkout and we'll display the shipping cost when we know where to send your book. If your country does not appear on the list we are not currently taking orders to that destination.
If I buy an ebook, when will I receive this?
Ebook files are sent via email after checkout, or you can download them from your Unbound account.
Where can I buy a copy if there's none available through the Unbound website?
The book should be available to order from most bookshops, or you can support your local bookshop online by ordering from bookshop.org.
Still have a question? Visit our Help Centre to find out more.
Hi everyone! Good news, I’ve finished recording the audiobook Monday! I estimate it will take me a week to edit it, and then it will be in your hands. Thank you for your patience.
I’ve been seeing lovely photos on social media of books arriving across the UK and in the US too, so if you are still waiting for your book it should be with you in the next few days. Thank you again for believing in…
25th May 2020Bonus Digital Art: Part 2 of 3!
Hey everyone! This past week has been wild; I launched a graphic novel project with a friend and it became wildly successful (mostly because he’s really well known and we have amazing artists) but it sort of ate my week. I also got the final poster art for The Scottish Boy from Nick Robles and my god, it’s so gorgeous. I’ll share it once we have the logos on it — hopefully later this week!
The…
18th May 2020Digital art part 1 of 3! Bookplates! Books IN THE MAIL!
HI EVERYONE IT IS ALL HAPPENING! Your books are IN THE MAIL! Here’s a pic of the bookplates while I was mid-signing:
You will all be getting your books very soon. We’ll send a link to the audio version (for those backers that wanted one) in about 10 days (I’m still recording it.) I hope you enjoy them! If you want to recommend it to your friends, here is a link for the UK and here is a link…
3rd May 2020Just finished making the history ‘zine...
...and I feel this is vindication for all of you who were like “we want it to be digital” because... after having put in a ton of colour images and maps and manuscript illustrations, I’ve realized that yes, you were right, it works best as digital because then you can see all those lovely images clearly and easily.
It also turned into a 65-page A5 book, because; lots of images, and I used a fairly…
27th April 2020Delivery plans!
Hello all! Sorry to have been quiet for a bit, *gestures at apocalypse*, but also I’ve had a weirdly incredibly busy 2020 with three huge graphic novel projects due at the end of May and then revisions on my second prose novel (Heartbreak Incorporated, out next year from Rebellion / Solaris) to begin straight after that. Plus a new, side financial editing gig that I am extremely grateful for as it…
22nd November 2019One week left until the subscriber list closes! (And what that means)
Hey everyone! The Scottish Boy is all ready for print — I spent October correcting the laid-out prooffs and we finalised the subscriber-only cover with Joey Hi-Fi — and the backer list closes on December 6th!
What does that mean? Well, your ability to buy the subscriber-only hardback with its special cover ENDS on December 6th. So does your ability to have your name (or alias) listed in the back…
25th September 2019Final Designs!!!!
Hey everyone -- sorry for the slow updates. I was away on a remote island most of the summer, doing an adaptation that I didn't technically have time for, but I really really enjoyed. Since we last spoke, the Scottish Boy MS went through final edits and copyedits. I have to say how wonderful the whole Unbound editorial team has been. Both my main editor (Scott) and my copyeditor (Tamsin) have made…
14th March 2019Revising! Drawing!
Hi everyone — just a quick note to say I’m in the middle of the (thankfully fairly light) revisions to The Scottish Boy’s MS that my editor has suggested! I even have help. Look at all the help she gives.
I’ve also got a new drawing for Chapter 2 from Trung (who’s at ECCC this weekend; if you’re in Seattle, say hi!). Here’s Iain in his cage:
This morning, as well as playing the Russian…
9th February 2019EXCITING STRETCH FUNDING GOALS!!!
Hi everyone! Sorry for the radio silence, I've been busy catching up on other deadlines and also doing the second revisions on the manuscript -- just finished going through my own paper MS like "ugh can I even English" and next week I start incorporating Editor Scott's notes. (Scroll down to bottom to see what a 500-page paper MS looks like.)
Here's a funny story about that, before I get to the…
11th January 2019FUNDED!!!
We did it!!!! Thank you all SO MUCH!!!
(you’ll have to imagine all the party-horn emojis because Unbound is too classy to let me post them)
(SO MANY PARTY HORN EMOJIS)
What happens from here? Well, the funding page says “Writing in progress” but actually the book is completely written. I just sent the latest, tweaked copy of the MS to my editor and we’ll be making it clean(er) and nice(er…
3rd January 201990% funded! And a new excerpt!
I can't believe it, we've only 10% to go and we're funded! Keep sharing,
In celebration, I'm posting an excerpt from Chapter 2... in which Iain is very much Iain.
* * * *
The next morning, Montagu, Ufford and the rest of the Galloway Dozen break south, direct to Carlyle, leaving Harry at a small crossroads with Montagu's man-at-arms, a hired local guide, and a boy in a cage. They're to take…
19th December 2018HOME STRETCH! 75% there! New update! New writing masterclass / editing offer!
Hello everyone! As of this morning we are 75% funded -- 3/4 of the way to The Scottish Boy being *snif* a real book that you can hold in your hands and others can buy in actual bookstores! Before we get to this update's new excerpt, a couple things. As you know, the book is already completely written. The reason it's got such a big funding target is it's LONG: 135,000 words is approximately 530 pages…
13th December 2018Excerpt: The Black Knight
Hello all! Now that I've posted the lovely art of the Black Knight from Trungles in the last update, I thought I'd give you an excerpt (spoiler-free) from a later chapter where the Black Knight features. I think one of the benefits of coming back to prose writing after a lengthy sojourn in comics is it's made me quite good at blocking out action scenes and keeping them dramatic and suspenseful…
4th December 2018New art! Over the hump! So much squee!
Hey everyone! Trungles has sent in his second illustration for the book -- here it is! We're hard at work designing the third.
SO PRETTY, yeah? This is the Chevalier de la Mort, the Black Knight, whose group of soldiers bedevils the English army as it sits on the borders of France, waiting for Philip of Valois to engage. He comes near the end of the book, but he's one of my favourite characters…
27th November 2018New excerpt (Harry's first tournament) & a special upgrade offer!
Hey everyone! We are SO CLOSE to 50%, aaugh. As such, I wanted to extend to you an offer I'd made over the weekend to new backers: if you are in the USA, and upgrade your pledge to the physical book ($35) level or higher before December 1, I will mail you a small collection of comic books I've written! You'll get a trade paperback or graphic novel, and a couple single issues, all signed. If you've…
8th November 2018Crossbows, siege warfare and regifted handbags: the tumultuous 14th century
One of the most fun things about The Scottish Boy for me was making it as historically accurate as possible. Those who know my other work probably know that I'm a complete research hog -- nothing makes me happier than burying myself in a pile of nonfiction books. So you're not getting some weird, sanitized, make-believe 14th Century in The Scottish Boy -- you're getting real historical characters…
2nd November 20181/3 of the way there! WOW! Thank you. Have another excerpt, and some history
Hey everyone! Wow, the end of our first week and we're already 1/3 of the way there. Thank you. THANK YOU. My anxiety thanks you, too. I've got some really cool updates coming up in the next week or two (a map! more Trungles art! mmmaybe a bookplate design!) but for the moment I thought you'd like another excerpt... plus a note on life in 1333 and a note on my very non-English inspiration for the…
Rachel Bellwoar asked:
I'm not familiar with Unbound and am not sure how comparable it is to Kickstarter but is there be any chance of the Drunk History Zine becoming available as an add-on item for a lower tier? Thanks!
Alex de Campi replied:
At the moment, I don’t think so, because I’m in the process of revising and expanding it and it actually costs quite a lot to make a ‘zine! But I’ll ask if we can do add-ons.
Rachel Bellwoar asked:
Just saw the new book & zine option! Thank you so much for adding this, and best of luck with the rest of the campaign.
Alex de Campi replied:
Not to worry! It’s super valuable when folks speak up and say “I’d like this, can you do it” because the answer is usually “YES, we’d love to, and sorry we didn’t think of it earlier”
Rachael Mannie asked:
The Drunk History Zine sounds amazing! Are you able to make it available as a digital version (maybe as a new tier with the ebook)? I'll definitely pledge for the ebook, but unfortunately I can't afford the full book and zine (plus shipping). Thank you :)
Alex de Campi replied:
I can’t make it digital! It has to be an old-fashioned paper ‘zine because I am totally guerilla-ing it with some of the images used in it :/
Lesley Gardner asked:
I've not used Unbound before, so please excuse me if this is a silly question. Should we have received the digital artwork for the 125%stretch goal or does that get sent the same time as the other rewards?
Alex de Campi replied:
That’s coming May 15th! I’d hoped to get it out a bit earlier but everything is moving slowly due to the pandemic. You’re reading my mind, however — I was just going to post an update today to go over all delivery dates!
Jamie Andreassen asked:
I backed this book on 03/11/2018 at the Tier that was for the following: Signed book & digital bundle, with two Trungles art prints. I noticed recently that the price listed for that is different than the price I paid. Was the price of that tier adjusted at a later day? I want to be clear, this is not a compliment, I just wanted to confirm that I am still at that Tier.
Alex de Campi replied:
Yes, you absolutely are! Because the projecct is based in the UK and the prices are set in £, it means US$ prices fluctuate slightly with the exchange rate. You’re still in that tier, and we’ve just sent the art prints off to press!
Jacquelyn Narsing asked:
Hello!
I just found out that my book was lost by FedEx, is there anyway you can or someone can contact me so that I can be sent another copy? FedEx says they will pay for it, but that you need to use the tracking number they gave me. Thank you for your time!
Alex de Campi replied:
Hi Jacquelyn! Oh no! I don’t physically have books but you should be able to click the chat logo (bottom right of screen) to chat with Unbound support and they’ll dispatch another copy. If that doesn’t work, let me know
Jacquelyn Narsing asked:
Hello Alex! I had a problem with the shipment of my copy of The Scottish Boy, how can I get ahold of you or the person in charge of shipments?
Unbound replied:
Hi Jacquelyn, We're sorry you've had issues with delivery. Please email us via support@unbound.com and we can look into this for you.
Thanks!
Meredith Downing asked:
Hi Alex! I got the digital bundle, and I’m wondering if the audiobook should be available for download in my profile. Thanks!
Alex de Campi replied:
Hey Meredith! I recorded the audiobook in June but STILL haven’t edited it — my entire autumn got knocked out by three big projects / deadlines. As soon as I turn in second novel revisions (next week!) I’m on it, and I’m truly sorry it’s taken so long for me to finish it.
Vinita Shamnarain asked:
Hi! I recently discovered this book,and loved it!! I bought the digital on Amazon and wanted to purchase a physical copy. Amazon has the paperback available but I see here there's an extra epilogue? Is that in the paperback on Amazon or is that separate? I'd like to get whichever version includes the epilogue. Thank you!!
Alex de Campi replied:
Both editions are the same — none of the readers claimed the epilogue! But I get more money from here rather than Amazon so if it’s the same with you, perhPa consider buying it here!
Melanie Kimble asked:
Any updates on the audiobook?
Alex de Campi replied:
I’m starting to edit it this week. I’m sorry for the awful delay, I overcommitted to projects last year and only recently have been able to breathe again.
I'm not familiar with Unbound and am not sure how comparable it is to Kickstarter but is there be any chance of the Drunk History Zine becoming available as an add-on item for a lower tier? Thanks!
At the moment, I don’t think so, because I’m in the process of revising and expanding it and it actually costs quite a lot to make a ‘zine! But I’ll ask if we can do add-ons.
Just saw the new book & zine option! Thank you so much for adding this, and best of luck with the rest of the campaign.
Not to worry! It’s super valuable when folks speak up and say “I’d like this, can you do it” because the answer is usually “YES, we’d love to, and sorry we didn’t think of it earlier”
The Drunk History Zine sounds amazing! Are you able to make it available as a digital version (maybe as a new tier with the ebook)? I'll definitely pledge for the ebook, but unfortunately I can't afford the full book and zine (plus shipping). Thank you :)
I can’t make it digital! It has to be an old-fashioned paper ‘zine because I am totally guerilla-ing it with some of the images used in it :/
I've not used Unbound before, so please excuse me if this is a silly question. Should we have received the digital artwork for the 125%stretch goal or does that get sent the same time as the other rewards?
That’s coming May 15th! I’d hoped to get it out a bit earlier but everything is moving slowly due to the pandemic. You’re reading my mind, however — I was just going to post an update today to go over all delivery dates!
I backed this book on 03/11/2018 at the Tier that was for the following: Signed book & digital bundle, with two Trungles art prints. I noticed recently that the price listed for that is different than the price I paid. Was the price of that tier adjusted at a later day? I want to be clear, this is not a compliment, I just wanted to confirm that I am still at that Tier.
Yes, you absolutely are! Because the projecct is based in the UK and the prices are set in £, it means US$ prices fluctuate slightly with the exchange rate. You’re still in that tier, and we’ve just sent the art prints off to press!
Hello! I just found out that my book was lost by FedEx, is there anyway you can or someone can contact me so that I can be sent another copy? FedEx says they will pay for it, but that you need to use the tracking number they gave me. Thank you for your time!
Hi Jacquelyn! Oh no! I don’t physically have books but you should be able to click the chat logo (bottom right of screen) to chat with Unbound support and they’ll dispatch another copy. If that doesn’t work, let me know
Hello Alex! I had a problem with the shipment of my copy of The Scottish Boy, how can I get ahold of you or the person in charge of shipments?
Hi Jacquelyn, We're sorry you've had issues with delivery. Please email us via support@unbound.com and we can look into this for you. Thanks!
Hi Alex! I got the digital bundle, and I’m wondering if the audiobook should be available for download in my profile. Thanks!
Hey Meredith! I recorded the audiobook in June but STILL haven’t edited it — my entire autumn got knocked out by three big projects / deadlines. As soon as I turn in second novel revisions (next week!) I’m on it, and I’m truly sorry it’s taken so long for me to finish it.
Hi! I recently discovered this book,and loved it!! I bought the digital on Amazon and wanted to purchase a physical copy. Amazon has the paperback available but I see here there's an extra epilogue? Is that in the paperback on Amazon or is that separate? I'd like to get whichever version includes the epilogue. Thank you!!
Both editions are the same — none of the readers claimed the epilogue! But I get more money from here rather than Amazon so if it’s the same with you, perhPa consider buying it here!
Any updates on the audiobook?
I’m starting to edit it this week. I’m sorry for the awful delay, I overcommitted to projects last year and only recently have been able to breathe again.