Travis interviews fantasy author Daniel E. Olesen about the historical details writers get wrong about medieval Europe, how to properly research and portray cultures outside one’s own experience, and misconceptions many people have about the vikings and Norse mythology.
History Books Mentioned
About Daniel E. Olesen
Daniel E. Olesen is a Danish writer holding a master’s degree in Comparative Literature. When not searching for inspiration in musty tomes, he travels around Europe looking for castles to explore and calling it research. Besides writing, he works as a translator and editor, often with focus on historical accuracy in fantasy works. His first novel, The Eagle’s Flight, is available for free from his site, which also includes extensive background information on the setting of his stories.
To stay alive, Jawad must succeed where all others have failed: he must catch the Prince of Cats. More legend than man, the Prince is draped in rumours. He can steal the silver teeth from your mouth in the blink of a smile. He is a ghost to walls and vaults, he laughs at locks, and Jawad must capture him before powerful people lose their patience and send the young rogue to the scaffold.
Ever the opportunist, Jawad begins his hunt while carrying out his own schemes. He pits the factions of the city against each other, lining his own pockets in the process and using the Prince as a scapegoat. This is made easy as nobody knows when or where the Prince will strike, or even why.
As plots collide, Jawad finds himself pressured from all sides. Aristocrats, cutthroats, and the Prince himself is breathing down his neck. Unless Jawad wants a knife in his back or an appointment with the executioner, he must answer three questions: Who is the Prince of Cats, what is his true purpose, and how can he be stopped?
Transcript:
We will post a full episode transcript as soon as one is available.
