What really happens at literary festivals?

In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, historical fiction authors Matthew Harffy (Bernicia Chronicles, A Time for Swords) and Justin Hill (Shieldwall, Viking Fire) sit down to talk about the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of literary festivals — from meeting readers and other writers to book signings, panels, and the chaos of travel and deadlines.

They share their experiences of festivals big and small across the UK and Europe, offer tips for authors attending their first event, and discuss what makes these gatherings so important for connecting books, writers, and audiences.

📲 All Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

https://www.patreon.com/c/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

🔥 In this episode:
✍️ What authors love (and dread!) about festivals
🎤 Behind-the-scenes stories from panels and signings
📚 Why literary festivals matter for writers and readers
✈️ How travel, networking, and book promotion all collide
🎭 The fun — and fatigue — of the literary life

#RockPaperSwordsPodcast #HistoricalFiction #WritingCommunity #LiteraryFestivals #AuthorLife #BookEvents #MatthewHarffy #JustinHill #WritersOnWriting #BookPodcast

Actor, writer, historian, and national treasure Sir Tony Robinson joins Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill on Rock, Paper, Swords! to talk about his first adult novel, House of Wolf — the opening volume in a bold new Anglo-Saxon trilogy.

From his fascination with King Alfred the Great to how a tragic loss reshaped his creative life, Sir Tony discusses storytelling, optimism, and finding new purpose in his late seventies.

📚 Buy House of Wolf: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781408731536

🔥 In this episode:
⚔️ Why King Alfred still captures our imagination
📖 How Tony lost — and rewrote — an entire novel by hand
❤️ Turning grief into creativity and renewal
🎭 Reflections on Blackadder, Time Team, and storytelling
🖋️ The joy of starting something new at 79

🎙️ Hosted by Matthew Harffy & Justin Hill
🔗 All podcast links: https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

#TonyRobinson #HouseOfWolf #KingAlfred #AngloSaxonHistory #HistoricalFiction #Blackadder #TimeTeam #RockPaperSwordsPodcast #WritingCommunity #AuthorInterview #HistoryPodcast

What did it really mean to face death in the Roman arena? 🏛️

In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, hosts Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill talk with historian and bestselling author Dr Harry Sidebottom about his new nonfiction book, Those Who Are About To Die: Gladiators and the Roman Mind.

Drawing on archaeology, ancient texts, and years of research, Harry reveals the brutal truth behind the Roman obsession with violence — and what gladiatorial combat tells us about their society, politics, and psyche.

🔥 In this episode:
⚔️ Who the gladiators really were — and what drove them to fight.
🏛️ How Rome’s arenas shaped identity, power, and the idea of civilisation.
📖 The difference between myth and reality in our understanding of gladiators.
🗡️ What modern audiences can learn from Rome’s fascination with death and spectacle.

If you’re fascinated by ancient Rome, gladiators, or the mindset of empire, this episode is essential listening.

📚 Get the book Those Who Are About To Die here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781529154009
🔗 All podcast links: https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords