Hodder & Stoughton have signed four more books from Julian Stockwin for his classic maritime series starring Thomas Kydd.
Morgan Springett, Editor at Hodder & Stoughton, has acquired World English Language rights from Isobel Dixon, at the Blake Friedman Literary Agency.
With over half a million copies sold in the series to date, Stockwin is the undisputed master of the age of sail adventure. We are delighted that Hodder & Stoughton will continue to bring these books to readers all over the world, over 20 years since they published KYDD, the first book in the series. A number of titles have been translated into French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Japanese.
Stockwin’s series follows Thomas Kydd on his journey from pressed man to Admiral in the British Navy during the Great Age of Sail. It follows historical events incredibly closely, beginning in 1793, and is unusual in nautical fiction for the hero being an ordinary man forced into service, not an officer.
Springett says: ‘I’m hugely excited to work with Julian on his next four books. It’s an incredible achievement to have written such a long and exciting series. His fans are some of the most dedicated in publishing and have been following Kydd’s rise from pressed man to Captain for over 20 years now. I am thrilled to be able to continue the adventure.’
Stockwin says: ‘When I first began my working relationship with Hodder & Stoughton I doubt anyone, let alone myself, could envision the series growing to 29 titles with the signing of this latest contract. I am very privileged to be able to write about the glorious period in our sea history that so many are drawn to.’
Dixon says: ‘Julian Stockwin is a brilliant storyteller, bringing wonderful characters to life over this classic series. I know readers will be delighted that there is so much more to come for Kydd and his comrades – and adversaries! – and we look forward to working with the Hodder team and editor Morgan Springett on what lies ahead.’
About Julian Stockwin
Photo: Allan House
Author of the Thomas Kydd novels, a series of 25 volumes (to date) in which Kydd rises through the decks and his adventures take him around the world. Atmospheric, page-turning narrative, rich with action and great characterisation. Published in many countries around the world, this is the first series to highlight the common seaman in the greatest age of fighting sail.
At 14 Stockwin joined a tough sea-training school, followed by the Royal Navy, transferring to the Royal Australian Navy when his family emigrated. He saw active service in the Far East, the Antarctic, the South Seas and Vietnam, and was on board the Melbourne at the time of its disastrous peace time collision with the Voyager. Later he worked for NATO on the strategic deployment of merchant shipping.
Stockwin is also author of two novels in the Moments of History series, depicting important turning points in history. The first, THE SILK TREE, tells the dramatic story of how the secret of silk was brought from China to the West. This was followed by POWDER OF DEATH, which shows how the nature of warfare was changed forever by the discovery of gunpowder.
Hodder published YANKEE MISSION, the 25th book in the KYDD series, in October 2022, and Mobius Books will publish in North America on 24 January 2023. Stockwin is now writing BERMUDA STATION, the next book in the Kydd series.
Praise for the Kydd series
‘Very readable and enjoyable. I recommend that you go out, beg, borrow or buy, and enjoy.’ – Bernard Cornwell
‘Forrester, Kent, Pope, O'Brian all wrote outstanding tales around their commissioned heroes. From a unique starting point, Stockwin has become another member of the band of great naval fiction writers who have achieved the highest standards of storytelling.’ — Firetrench Reviews
‘The preeminent living historical naval fiction writer on either side of the Atlantic.’ – Quarterdeck
‘Stockwin, a career navy man, writes of the nautical life with vivid authority.’ – Kirkus Review
‘A master teller of grand historical fiction tales. Pick one, any one, and you will be highly entertained… He writes brilliantly, bringing wonderful characters to life.’ – Booksville
‘In his hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world.’ – The Guardian