I just put “The Field of Reeds,” the fourth, and final novel
in a series of science fiction stories about the ancient Egyptian architect,
scribe and physician Imhotep, on Amazon’s Kindle catalog. The other books are,
in order, “Imhotep,” “The Buried Pyramid,” and “The Forest of Myrrh.”
I tried to accurately describe the food, dress, religion and
daily life in ancient Egypt, both in the Third Dynasty under King Djoser and,
later, in the 18th dynasty under Pharaohs Hatshepsut and Thutmose
III. I watched documentaries on chariot construction, consulted way too many
maps, and poured over dozens of websites dealing with ancient Egypt. At times I
felt that I was as covered with sand as the characters in the stories.
The books were written, with a few interruptions for other novels — “Kaleidoscope” and “The Earth Is My Witness” — over a 10-year stretch. I lost myself in ancient Egypt while living in Camp Hill, PA, in Cary, NC, in Myrtle Beach and, later, Hilton Head, SC, and for the past two years in Florida.
I did a word count today and found that the four books
contain 652,135 words. While that is a lot — the average novel is between
75,000 and 100,000 words — my four novels combined are barely half the length
of Marcel Proust’s “Remembrance of Things Past,” which contains 1,267,069
glorious words.
Thanks Jerry for the whole "Imhotep" series. I just picked up "The Field of Reeds" from Amazon Kindle Books and can't wait to get started.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeffrey. I hope you enjoy "The Field of Reeds," I had a great time writing it.
DeleteI've just finished your final book for the imhotep series and I have to say what a pleasure it's been to read them! Thank you so much for your hard work and know that I will be rereading them for years to come x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leanne. I have started work on another book based in ancient Egypt. The working title is "The Broken Staff." It picks up the story of Pharaoh Thutmose III a few days after the Battle of Megiddo. I'm tangled up in the plots and subplots right now. I think it will be fun to write. Cheers!
DeleteMr. Dubs I finished "The Field of Reeds" and want to thank you for a great 4 book journey into the life of Tim Hope and Imhotep. I read a lot and think that your work in these books is some of the most entertaining reading I have experienced in a long time. I feel that I am in Egypt and can feel the sun, smell the smells and see the faces of the characters. I am also going to take you up on that beer you promised me in an earlier post! THANK YOU for a great story!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chip. I get lost in the story while I am writing. It is great to know that it translates to the reader. As far as the beer ... my wife and I are heading out in mid December for North Carolina. Be sure and drop me a line if you get down this way before then. CHeers!
DeleteWhat a great set of books the 'Imhotep' series are. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI just had to say how very much I have enjoyed all four of the books in your "Imhotep" series - have read them all through three times now - and cannot believe that it has come to an end. Thank you for such well researched and thoroughly engrossing books and do hope you will keep on writing whilst enjoying your new, freer lifestyle
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah. I do plan to continue writing. I am about 100 pages into another novel set in ancient Egypt. I was thinking about the ending of The Field of Reeds and was struck by how Pharaoh Thutmose would have viewed the disappearance of his pregnant wife. After thinking about it for a few weeks, I decided to tie up all the loose ends I left behind. The working title in The Broken Staff.
DeleteI have just finished reading "Imhotep" and am looking forward to immersing myself in Kemet in the other books of the series. Thank you for writing such an interesting and enjoyable story. As a lover of all ancient history, I appreciate the amount of research which went into this book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. The research was fun. I lug a few books around, type up lots of notes and have dozens of sites bookmarked to help refresh my memory. I found a wonderful video about recreating the chariot used by Pharaoh Thutmose and stumbled across the mystery of the Alabaster Sarcophagus. So it has been a blast. (I'm not sure my patient wife would describe it the same way.) I hope you enjoy the rest of the books.
ReplyDeleteJust binge read all four of the Tim Hope/Imhotep series. It was a blast!! Enjoyed every moment!!
ReplyDeleteThat was some serious ready. I hope you have eye drops handy!
ReplyDeleteBut, seriously, thank you for taking a look at my work and for letting me know you enjoyed it.
I finished and very much enjoyed Imhotep. When can I find it in paperback format. Hard to get you to sign a kindle.
ReplyDeleteImhotep had me at time travel and ancient Egypt. I adored the series. I read them via Kindle Unlimited but will buy the set because I know I will read them again. I was so sad for the story to end. I want more.
ReplyDeleteHi Janice. Thanks for the kind words. I am about 90% finished with another book set in ancient Egypt. Although Imhotep is not a character in this book, it picks up the story of ancient Egypt at the time of Imhotep's departure. Imhotep to have it ready for publication in another month or two.
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