Discover more about When the Earth Wakes
When the Earth Wakes is currently being edited, and the book will be availble to readers in 2026.
It will be perfect for readers of historical fiction and historical suspense/adventure.
It will be perfect for readers of historical fiction and historical suspense/adventure.
Book Description
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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 |
When the Earth Wakes Interview
Q: Can you tell us anything about characters or locations in When the Earth Wakes?
A: I can tell you that the two main characters are called Humphrey and Phoebe. It’s not set in the UK, but at the moment I don’t want to give too much away. The story has an archaeological / historical theme to it and it’s based around the real events of the tragedy of the Great Ionian Earthquake of 1953.
Q: Chrissie, what inspired you to write When the Earth Wakes?
A: When the Earth Wakes was inspired by a history book I’ve been co-writing with my colleague Louise Morfis, and my love of history. I wanted to set a story around this specific event to show readers what happened during it, so that the event, and history surrounding it, is never forgotten.
Q: What research was involved in writing When the Earth Wakes?
A: There’s been lots of research. My courses in Archaeology have helped a lot, but I’ve also used online records, personal accounts, photos and old documents too. Because the event occurred in 1953, there are also records of the relief effort which helped a lot too.
Q: Which one of your characters from When the Earth Wakes would you go travelling with?
A: There are lots of characters I haven’t shared yet. I do admit that I would love to go travelling with Phoebe though. She is smart, sassy, and says exactly what she thinks!
Q: Do you have a favourite or special story you’d like to share about the journey to write When the Earth Wakes?
A: The book only took me 3 months to write. Much of it was handwritten in a notebook, out on my local canal. Lots of people thought I was actually sketching pictures of swans, ducks and various canal views! I had to explain I was writing a book.
Q: What did you enjoy the most about writing the book?
A: I enjoyed discovering who the characters were, the reasons they were in the story and where the story took me. The special thing about this story was being able to weave my fictional characters and the real events together, into something that readers would enjoy reading but also learn something from, whilst ensuring the story remained respectful of the tragic events.
Q: And finally, as a reader what should we expect from When the Earth Wakes when it’s released?
A: The story is quite unique, with an emotionally, delicate, subject. It’s going to [hopefully] be a powerful story, with characters that readers will love and identify with. It will also be a story that will sink readers directly into a real event, where they can learn and understand more about it and why it happened. It will also be perfect for those who love the Greek island of Zakynthos!
A: I can tell you that the two main characters are called Humphrey and Phoebe. It’s not set in the UK, but at the moment I don’t want to give too much away. The story has an archaeological / historical theme to it and it’s based around the real events of the tragedy of the Great Ionian Earthquake of 1953.
Q: Chrissie, what inspired you to write When the Earth Wakes?
A: When the Earth Wakes was inspired by a history book I’ve been co-writing with my colleague Louise Morfis, and my love of history. I wanted to set a story around this specific event to show readers what happened during it, so that the event, and history surrounding it, is never forgotten.
Q: What research was involved in writing When the Earth Wakes?
A: There’s been lots of research. My courses in Archaeology have helped a lot, but I’ve also used online records, personal accounts, photos and old documents too. Because the event occurred in 1953, there are also records of the relief effort which helped a lot too.
Q: Which one of your characters from When the Earth Wakes would you go travelling with?
A: There are lots of characters I haven’t shared yet. I do admit that I would love to go travelling with Phoebe though. She is smart, sassy, and says exactly what she thinks!
Q: Do you have a favourite or special story you’d like to share about the journey to write When the Earth Wakes?
A: The book only took me 3 months to write. Much of it was handwritten in a notebook, out on my local canal. Lots of people thought I was actually sketching pictures of swans, ducks and various canal views! I had to explain I was writing a book.
Q: What did you enjoy the most about writing the book?
A: I enjoyed discovering who the characters were, the reasons they were in the story and where the story took me. The special thing about this story was being able to weave my fictional characters and the real events together, into something that readers would enjoy reading but also learn something from, whilst ensuring the story remained respectful of the tragic events.
Q: And finally, as a reader what should we expect from When the Earth Wakes when it’s released?
A: The story is quite unique, with an emotionally, delicate, subject. It’s going to [hopefully] be a powerful story, with characters that readers will love and identify with. It will also be a story that will sink readers directly into a real event, where they can learn and understand more about it and why it happened. It will also be perfect for those who love the Greek island of Zakynthos!
On location!
Below are some of the research photos of Zakynthos locations and events, that are featured in the book.
The Castle in Bochali
1953 earthquake damage, Zakynthos
Mount Skopos
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Zakynthos Town
1953 earthquake damage, Zakynthos
Zakynthos Town
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Sarakina Mansion
1953 earthquake damage, Zakynthos
Agios Andreas Monastery
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