In my mind, she had been abused and violated – I wanted to tell her story and give her a voice.

Sam Davey – 3 June 2025

The Back Flap

Igraine, destined mother of King Arthur, takes center stage for a powerful, feminist retelling of Camelot.

The stories of Camelot do not begin with the sword in the stone—but rather with a twisted chain of murder, magic, and deceit.

Igraine is happily married to Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall, even though his withdrawal from the Mysteries and the Goddess have created a strain between them, as well as friction between her and her mentor, the Lady of the Lake. While they are visiting Uther Pendragon, King of Britain, at his castle, Uther makes it obvious to the entire court that he desires Igraine to be his queen. Later, he grabs her in the hall, and when Igraine informs Gorlois of what happened, he gathers his people and abruptly leaves the festivities, later declaring war on Uther. England has only recently found peace, and Merlin pleads with Gorlois to pledge allegiance to Uther. But Gorlois’ pride will keep him bent toward war, no matter the cost to his people.

Igraine bravely assumes the role of leader at Tintagel Castle, encouraging the women left behind to continue working the fields to show their devotion to the Goddess and instructing her two daughters to harness their own powers. She plans a grand summer solstice celebration, inviting their allies. On the eve of the solstice, Gorlois unexpectedly returns to Tintagel. But it is only after she lies with who she thinks is her beloved husband that Igraine learns the full extent of the devious plot of Merlin and the Lady of the Lake.

Igraine is chosen by the Goddess, by the Lady of the Lake, by Merlin, by Uther Pendragon . . . but in the end, she will choose her own fate.

About the book

What is the book about?

The book tells the story of the origins of Camelot –  the tale of Arthur’s mother, Igraine, Raised on the Lake Isle of Avalon, and an initiate in the mysteries, she is married at a young age to Gorlois, Duke of Cornwall – an arranged marriage, but one in which she finds love.

Ancient prophecies have revealed that Igraine’s child will be a great leader, destined to wield the mighty sword known to many as Excalibur, and unite the British Isles, but when Gorlois begins to forsake the ancient magics, Merlin and Vivian plot to destroy Gorlois, and to create a union between Igraine and the High King Uther Pendragon.

This leads to bloodshed and civil war, culminating in a terrible deception, the death of Gorlois and the conception of Arthur. Igraine, despite being abused, deceived and denigrated, refuses to submit, ultimately, choosing her own destiny and in doing so, inadvertently setting in train the blood-feud that will become the canker at the heart of Camelot.

When did you start writing the book?

I have been interested in Igraine and her story for nearly twenty years, but only seriously began to write the book about five years ago.  I spent some time in the West of England – in Glastonbury and in Cornwall – specifically Tintagel – and her story began to take shape. I could not stop thinking about what she had been through – the lies, the deception, the physical abuse – and how this just seemed to have been side-lined and down-played in every other version of the story that I had read.

In my mind, she had been abused and violated – I wanted to tell her story and give her a voice.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took about two and a half years to write – I work full time, so have to carve out time and space for writing. I love to write – but that does not mean I always find it easy.

Sometimes I can wait for several hours before I am able to feel the words begin to flow – on other occasions, they almost shape themselves.

Where did you get the idea from?

I love the tales of Camelot – but I had become rather bored with the stories of battles and quests. I wanted to think about the people – the men and women, what happened to them, what drove them, the politics, the power and the personalities.

Every story seemed to begin in pretty much the same place – the sword in the stone – and I wanted to go much, much further back.

How and why was this child conceived?

It wasn’t an accident, it was a very deliberate act of violence and control – the deception of Igraine, the death of Gorlois, the triumph of Uther – and then the birth of this little boy, who is hidden away from the world.

Why? What lay behind it – and what were the implications of these actions, not just on the primary actors, but on the three young children – Igraine’s daughters Morgause and Morgan – and on the boy Arthur – destined to become the Once and Future King.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Working out the politics took a bit of doing – creating a clear agenda to drive both Vivian and Merlin – one that was credible and also reasonably aligned with canonical texts.

I also found the scenes where Uther betrays Igraine very complex to write. Any reader who knows the legend knows what is about to happen – but Igraine, my protagonist, does not. She is engaging with a man she believes to be her husband – and everything he says and does must align with that – but the reader knows that this is another man, wearing Gorlois’ face and speaking with his words – and will read this additional level into everything that is unfolding.

What came easily?

I particularly loved building the relationships between Igraine and her children. This is the first of a series of novels which will look at the lives and destinies of Igraine’s children, and I very much wanted to create a detailed origin story, fully exploring the relationship they have with each other and with their mother, as this will be at the heart of the blood-tragedy that is to play out.

Imagining and building these relationships was deeply enjoyable and very satisfying, as was the work around the magic, the mysteries and the ancient world – all of which caught me up in a lot of detailed and very enjoyable research and exploration. For example, the flowers or herbs I use in the rituals I describe need to not only be the right plants for the relevant nostrums and magics, they also need to be plants that would have been available to Igraine, Bennath and Elaine in the kitchen garden in 5th Century Tintagel. Recent archeological discoveries in Cornwall have uncovered a far more multi-cultural, internationally influenced culture – even after the end of the Roman occupation of Britain, and I have made use of these discoveries in creating the castle, court and life-style described in The Chosen Queen.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

My characters are entirely fictitious, but I did borrow from observation of the real world in the creation and development of the character of Morgan.

Morgan, Igraine’s youngest daughter, is a very particular and special child, who is destined to be a powerful enchantress and who bears within her the seeds of Camelot’s destruction.

I wanted to create Morgan as a fay child, beautiful and hugely talented, and yet with atypical emotional/neurological behaviours. I based much of Morgan’s very precise and particular characteristics and behaviours on a young woman I have known since her early childhood –  and am very grateful to her for this inspiration.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I am a very active member of a writer’s group – and I must say that being part of a community of creative challenge and support has really helped me to develop my craft and my confidence as a writer. I am also an inveterate reader – books have always been one of my greatest delights, and there is nothing like the sheer pleasure of losing yourself in a captivating story.

I love reading – across multiple genres – but would not feel comfortable singling out any particular writer. However, I think the biggest factor in terms of influence is about integrity of character and narrative – the story you tell should be one that you passionately believe needs to be told – and one that you are passionately determined to tell.

Do you have a target reader?

My target reader is interested in both fantasy and social justice – and sees no contradiction in so being.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I am fairly disciplined – and if I set aside time for writing, I will make use of it – although I can’t always guarantee the muse will play ball.

I begin by visualizing what I hope to achieve in the time I have allotted, and roughly how I will structure my time to help me to get there. I will make a note of particular goals I have set myself (e.g “I will write 3000 words today”, “I will resolve the problem with XX scene today”, “I will fully understand how character x will feel about so-and-so today”.) I try not to have more than a couple of these as active goals for the session in hand.

I always begin by reading through my last chapter- not just for editing, but to get me back into the right headspace. I also talk to myself whilst I’m planning and frequently read aloud what I am writing, to hear the rhythm and cadence.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I have a high-level outline for the book that defines what needs to happen by when – and I plan in rather more detail about 4-5 chapters in advance. This won’t be a huge amount of detail, but I will have defined what needs to have happened, who needs to have met who etc. by the end of the chapter if I’m going to keep aligned to the top-level plan.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Edit as I go – but it is a constant and iterative process. It also does you good to leave it alone for a while – I find it helps me see more clearly if I haven’t read something for a couple of months – it freshens my perspective.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I haven’t hired a professional editor – but I have had very helpful beta-readers.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I work best in silence.

I do love music though and am fortunate to work at the Royal Opera House in London where I get the opportunity to frequently hear the most remarkable music. In addition to classical, I love gypsy-folk and old-style country blues.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

My first book was entirely indie, my second – The Chosen Queen, part of the Pendragon Prophecies – has been supported with the help of an agent.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

More of a gradual process – to be honest, what I want to write is not necessarily mainstream – I think it is about what seems to fit.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The cover for The Chosen Queen was designed for me.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have been fortunate in getting support with my marketing plan.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Believe in yourself. Don’t stop writing – if you have a story to tell, keep going until you have told it. Don’t expect everyone to like you – and do it for love and passion, not money!

About You

Where did you grow up?

My parents had itchy feet – I went to six different schools and lived in 12 different houses before I was eighteen years old.

Where do you live now?

By the sea in a small town on the South-East coast of England

What would you like readers to know about you?

My home has always been within the pages of a book – and that is still the place I feel safest – whether I am reading or writing.

What are you working on now?

The next novel in the Pendragon Prophecies – which starts twenty years after the end of The Chosen Queen, when Morgause, Morgan and Arthur are all adults – and their destinies await.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of The Chosen Queen from Amazon US.