Publication day Q&A for When the Earth Wakes

Today is publication day for When the Earth Wakes. Join me for a short Q&A about the book.

Q: Where and when is the book set?
A: It’s set on the Greek Island of Zakynthos, one of the Ionian island and it’s set in 1953.

Q: What is the story about?
A: It's about an English archaeologist and a Greek archaeology student who travel to Zakynthos to work on an archaeological project. During the project, Zakynthos is hit by a series of devastating earthquakes. With an island in ruins, Humphrey and Phoebe are faced with having to save themselves and what remains of the island's history, that’s become so important to them. 

Q: Who are the main characters?
A: Humphrey Lancaster and Phoebe Konstantinou are the main characters but they're also joined by several other characters called Yianni, Babis and their respective Zakynthian families.

Q: Is the book based on real events?
A: It’s a work of fiction, but the earthquakes in the story are a real event that occurred in 1953 called the Great Ionian Earthquake. The places mentioned in the book are also real. I’ve just created fictional characters and weaved it all together into a unique story.

Q: Why did you write the book?
A: I’ve spent ten years working on a history book about Zakynthos and written about the Great Ionian Earthquake in the past for the Zakynthos Informer. I’ve wanted to write this story for years, but due to the highly sensitive nature of what happened, I wanted to ensure I could write something that would be respectful to the island and those who were involved at the time. I hope I’ve done it justice.

Q: Where is the book available?
A: It’s available in eBook and Paperback on Amazon and through booksellers. 

Buy or borrow When the Earth Wakes here!

Book description:
Can they save themselves and the history that’s become so important to them?

It’s the summer of 1953. English archaeologist, Humphrey Lancaster, and Greek archaeological student, Phoebe Konstantinou, are travelling to Zakynthos to complete an archaeological survey of the island’s historical sites.

Phoebe is excited to join the survey to show her family that Greek women can have careers, despite traditional expectations. Humphrey is looking forward to discovering more about his ancestors, who lived on Zakynthos – a place he’s only ever read about in books.

Assisted by Zakynthian locals, the archaeologists start work on their project. With Humphrey’s ancestor’s diary to guide them, they explore historical sites, documenting them for future generations.

Until a natural disaster strikes.

With Zakynthos in ruins, and no one to rescue them, Humphrey and Phoebe are forced to save themselves along with the island’s history that’s become so important to them.

When the Earth Wakes is a fictional story based on the real events of the Great Ionian Earthquake that affected the Ionian island in 1953.