The Kydd series is popular in libraries and schools around the world. Many readers have told Julian they discovered Thomas Kydd and Nicholas Renzi on the shelves of their local library and have subsequently become great fans. Julian now ranks in the very top band of the PLR (Public Lending Rate) statistics of the UK so we know the books are not gathering dust...

We have designed a special Library Display Pack, (the display on the left was mounted at the Matamata Library in New Zealand) and is available to teachers and librarians free of charge on request to Admin@JulianStockwin.com. The contents include material on Julian and his books, bookmarks, postcards and information about the Great Age of Fighting Sail in general. Some libraries and schools run a contest in conjunction with a display; we would be happy to donate a prize of a signed copy of one of Julian’s books.

The latest display (right) was put up in Stratford Library, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

We look forward to this section of the website growing with input from librarians and book borrowers. Please email Julian with your comments and suggestions.

Interviewed for the newsletter of the Bexley Libraries, in Kent, England, Julian spoke about the appeal of historical fiction:

“Trends in books come and go, but I believe this genre will always have a strong appeal, transporting readers back in time to vicariously experience the lives of people in times past.

In my Thomas Kydd series, I have tried to go beyond the myths that the eighteenth century seaman was a mere cipher, with a life that was brutish and dark. It was a hard existence, there is no doubt about that, but there was a rich and unique culture on the lower deck and a level of seamanship that in large part was responsible for making Britain master of the sea.”

Julian has given talks at a number of UK libraries since the Kydd series was launched in 2001 and requests for bookings may be arranged with his publicist at Hodder & Stoughton Ms Katie Davison. Julian enjoys talking about his love of the sea with all who share his passion; and it seems age is no barrier to interest in Neptune’s realm as Julian’s audiences have ranged in age from eight to eighty at libraries all around the UK.

Left, Kydd fan Grace Allan takes a sniff of the piece of two hundred year old tarred hemp rope that Julian passes around during his talks, and which still smells so evocatively of the sea. 

Right, he is presenting certificates to youngsters at a nautical activities morning in Ivybridge Library.  As this was very much a hands‑on event Julian brought along some of the genuine eighteenth century sea artefacts from his collection, including a 10‑inch rigging block, a sea service cutlass and a half fathom of cable-laid rigging.  With the assistance of Sea Cadets,  he also gave the children the opportunity to learn sea skills such as tying a bowline, boxing the compass and lookout directions for strange sail.