Greg Howes is a Writer, Redsmith and Historical Researcher based in Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK. Greg has lived in South West Wales for the last 35 years. He has deep English, Welsh and Irish roots, and grew up in Thame, Oxfordshire, England, UK.
Greg’s work as a researcher has seen him present (and research for) family history programmes on television for both the BBC and ITV channels. He has taught family history (and horticulture, in his younger days) and featured on national and local radio stations, answering questions and giving advice on family history, the historical landscape and writing.
He has written many articles for various magazines on subjects as diverse as local history, dating and archiving old photographs, and the history of woodland and ancient trees in the landscape. He is a member of the “Tree Register of UK and Ireland,” “The Woodland Trust” and the “Ancient Yew Group.”
He has studied, “Local History,” “Ritual and Religion in Prehistory,” “Who are the Celts,” “Vikings, Raiders, Traders and Settlers,” and “Ancient Egypt,” through Oxford University.
Greg is also a Redsmith, specialising in creating unique copper, brass and pewter jewellery/figurines, inspired by prehistory, ancient history and the natural world. You can find his work online, under the name of “The Demetae Forge.”
His pastimes include, running a podcast called “Crack with Crackwillow,” which explores history, music and the natural world. Walking, listening to music, exploring ancient sites, reading, appreciating art/crafts and watching motorcycle speedway.
Greg's first novel “The Man Behind the Glass" is based around a character called Septimus Blackwood, a Victorian photographer with a difference. The story is set in London’s East end in the year 1860. It is predominantly a mystery adventure story, based on uncovering the hidden secrets of life and death and a quest for a missing legacy buried deep amongst the forgotten rivers and cellars beneath old London. It is also a race against time, Septimus not only finds himself competing against the tide, he is also at odds with the twin evils of Joseph Bazalgette’s new sewage system and the formation of what was to become known as London’s underground train network.
It takes the reader on a supernatural journey of intrigue, horror and unexpected fantastical explorations. Mid Victorian London, was a place and time unlike any other; it was a time of expansion, vision, exploration and experiment. It was also a time of great contrasts, in wealth, health and opportunities. This intriguing voyage of discovery combined with the highly satirical characters found therein takes you to the edge of your seat and beyond...
The idea for the novel was conceived in part when the author’s mother Jennie Howes asked members of the family to write a short ghostly/supernatural tale for Christmas Eve 2007, little did she, or indeed the author know what kind of a monster idea it would turn out to be. As a family history researcher Greg spent much of his time trawling through the 19th century so a book seemed a fitting companion to the research. Another source of inspiration came way back in 1968 when he was taken to see the newly released film Oliver Twist the musical at the tender age of four in London. Greg’s grandparents both lived in the centre of London at that time and he expected to see Fagin or the artful dodger around every corner, it remains today one of his favourite films.
Greg's second novel "The Movement of Light" is a sequel (though it can be read as a stand alone novel) to "The Man Behind the Glass," and sees Septimus Blackwood rise out of the ashes of his own ambitions. Photographer Septimus Blackwood is on a quest to rebuild and rise out of the ashes of his own ambitions. Along the way he encounters many unforeseen obstacles. These obstacles include the mysterious inhabitants of a long abandoned theatre, a nefarious foe and an elusive nocturnal gang. Also there are unseen forces at large here; those that hide under, slate, silk and stone. An old map is unearthed, its woven threads tell of a lost island and forbidden fruit.
As the luminescence of gas lamps stretches across a dark city, a power struggle ensues. Who will be the bringer of light to Victorian London? Amongst the mayhem is Rick Best, a reporter turned detective with an obsession to track down one of London’s most notorious villains. Spring Heeled Jack has eluded justice for decades. Is his time now up? Will Septimus sacrifice everything in pursuit of his goal?
In 2019 Greg released, "A Sense of the Other, and other strange tales. This publication contains three separate stories. The first (and title) is a novella called "A Sense of the other‘ is an exotic mystery tale;
of flowers and insects, beauty and beasts. Of a boy who chased a butterfly, and a man’s affinity with nature.
Behind the mask, however, he harbours a secret fear. He believes something is following him – attached - hiding in the background. Hitherto it has lain almost beyond his perception, but now. As he struggles to contain his inner fears, the village
where he lives is awash with anxiety and intrigue. A spate of mysterious deaths has turned neighbour against neighbour. The police are unable to explain the deaths, or catch the perpetrator. One possible suspect is a man called Jemmet. A murderer who has broken out of jail; a local felon who harbours many a grudge.
Could it be the work of just one man?
Also encased in this publication are two peculiar tales from the coast. “The Swimmer” features an individual who cannot resist the call of the sea. And “To Each His Own,” a story about three friends who set out for a day fishing, only to find that their journey takes a very different course from the one they expected.
Greg's third novel, published late in 2025, is "The Beast of Carew Castle." It is a Gothic, historical adventure, which culminates in the wonderful, and romantic ruin, Carew Castle.
New to Carew Village, Jack encounters a ghostly figure in the millpond. The figure Rhiannon, leads him to an astonishing discovery within the castle walls; a secret hidden for centuries. It appears to be the memoirs of one "Raven Rhys." The legendary 16th century, Pembroke born, pirate, smuggler and survivor of Drake's Great Voyage; known throughout Wales as the notorious, "Sea Crow."
Many secrets lay within the hoard. His liaisons with the Irish "Pirate Queen" Grace O'Malley, the elusive Welsh "Thief of the Sea" John Callis, and the mysterious Cattica, They tell of a shipwreck, and a quest deep into South America. A ring of stones and a circle to be completed.
A man haunted by his past, a "Ghost Ship," and the face of his dead mother. Will Raven find his real father and Drake's hidden treasure? Four people and a creature's fate, are bound by a seer's prophecy.
Jack's life is transformed by the find, but there is a cost. Rhiannon wants something in return for the discovery. Is it a fool's errand, or the start of a new life?
Greg's other offering is a short, illustrated Gothic Romantic tale called, "The Maidenswell Folly." This is a story of a young woman’s search for identity. Haunted by childhood dreams and dissatisfied by her present situation Constance sets herself a quest to solve the mystery of her family’s origin. The journey takes her from her pastoral Oxfordshire home to an old Mansion House and a beguiling pleasure Garden deep within the primitive heart of West Wales.
Once there she finds herself in the thrall of an enigma. Was her ancestral home re-awakening long forgotten or hidden childhood memories from yesteryear, or was the estate itself calling her back further still into the deeper darker waters of its own ancient history?
Some of Greg's highly emotive poetry has featured in "The Yellow Booke," published by "Oldstyle Tales Press." These compendiums feature original horror stories (some written in the vein of classic supernaturalists such as M. R. James, J. S. Le Fanu, H. P. Lovecraft, Ambrose Bierce, and William Hope Hodgson, whilst others are written to push, test, and redefine the boundaries of the postmodern horror tale).
His favourite authors include - Algernon Blackwood, Arthur Conan Doyle, Arthur Machen, Peter Ackroyd, David Gemmell, Jack London, Charles Dickens, Bernard Cornwell, Henry Mayhew, Mary Stewart, Jack Vance, Robin Hobb, Edgar Allan Poe, Oliver Rackham, Charles Baudelaire, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Mary Shelley, H.P Lovecraft, Daphne Du Maurier, Bram Stoker, Garry J Shaw, Sheridan Le Fanu, M.R James, Barry Cunnlife, Chris Gosden, Ronald Hutton, Bettany Hughes, Nathen Amin and Conn Iggulden.
Read more
Read less
