I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this! (LOTR, folks). Precious! I’ve been hearing about this book for some months now – a writers’ guide to food and drink in fantasy and steampunk, something I sorely need for my writing, and also tickling the fancy of the history buff in me – and I thought the day would never arrive! But it has, published with Tyche Press, and now it is here:
“What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank” by Krista D. Ball is now, FINALLY, available on amazon, and will also be available on the other online stores and in print soon. 🙂
I have read it, and let me tell you, it’s so much fun! It’s for everyone interested in fantasy and history, not only writers. Krista pulls of a historical book in a personal, tongue-in-cheek voice that will have you laughing out loud. *DO NOT READ IN PUBLIC PLACES!!!*
Seriously. This is the most fun I’ve ever had with a historical book – and it’s also full of advice for writers and amazing recipes. Fried cod tongues and seal flipper anyone? :p
Look at this gorgeous cover:
Link to author’s website where the links to other retailers will be posted soon
What is the book exactly about? Here:
Equal parts writer’s guide, comedy, and historical cookbook, fantasy author Krista D. Ball takes readers on a journey into the depths of epic fantasy’s obsession with rabbit stew and teaches them how to catch the blasted creatures, how to move armies across enemy territories without anyone starving to death, and what a medieval pantry should look like when your heroine is seducing the hero.
Learn how long to cook a salted cow tongue, how best to serve salt fish, what a “brewis” is (hint: it isn’t beer), how an airship captain would make breakfast, how to preserve just about anything, and why those dairy maids all have ample hips.
What Kings Ate will give writers of historical and fantastical genres the tools to create new conflicts in their stories, as well as add authenticity to their worlds, all the while giving food history lovers a taste of the past with original recipes and historical notes.
About the author, Krista D. Ball:
Krista was born and raised in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, where she learned how to use a chainsaw, chop wood,and make raspberry jam. After obtaining a B.A. in British History from Mount Allison University, Krista moved to Edmonton, AB where she currently lives. Somehow, she’s picked up an engineer, two kids, six cats, and a very understanding corgi off ebay. Her credit card has been since taken away. Like any good writer, Krista has had an eclectic array of jobs throughout her life, including strawberry picker, pub bathroom cleaner, oil spill cleaner upper and soup-kitchen coordinator. You can find her causing trouble at http://kristadball.com