Very disappointed to read in the Sunday Times that literary editors don’t recognise you? I experienced something similar when I mentioned your name at a recent archaeological dig at Conisbrough castle.
My wife and I went along earlier this year to watch the diggers who were explaining that they had reached the original ground level and what it would have been like to walk on. I mentioned that I was reading one of your novels (last Kingdom) and that you explained the conditions in great detail, at which point the two diggers looked at each other and sniggered.
I took this to be very dissrespectfull of yourself (putting it mildly) and we walked away. Dont these academics realise that its authors like you who make history interesting to plebs such as me. I have learned such alot by reading your novels and long may they continue.
Thank you very much on behalf of my neighbour and myself who love your work.
Kind regards and Mery Christmas to you all.
Steve