In this episode, we sit down with James Arnett, acclaimed author of The Monmouth Manifesto and Bean Fate, two gripping works of historical fiction. Arnett opens up about the deeply personal inspirations behind his novels and how his legal career shaped the complex worlds he creates. From intense research to navigating the road to publication, Arnett shares the passion and process behind his writing. Don’t miss this fascinating conversation—and find out why these books belong on your must-read list.

The Monmouth Manifesto” delves into the American Revolution through the eyes of Loyalists, revealing a gripping tale of two New Jersey farmers turned soldiers. Their daring exploits against the Patriots lead to deadly reprisals, shattering lives and igniting international tensions in a struggle for survival on the wrong side of history.

• Congratulations on The Monmouth Manifesto! Can you give us a synopsis of this book and tell us what drew you to this story.
• The book really dives into loyalty and moral dilemmas. How do you want readers to think differently about those ideas, especially when it comes to understanding people on both sides of a conflict?
• How much research did you do for this book and your first?
• Talk about the difficulty that you encountered in writing the dialogue for this book. It’s set 250 years ago. And obviously English today is very different.
• Are there any historical figures or hidden truths from the Revolution that you wish more people knew about? Did you include any of those in your story?
• Can you tell us about your first book, Bean Fate? What inspired you to write it, and how was the experience of getting started.
• As a Canadian, what attracted you to telling stories about American History?You’ve had this impressive career in law and business. What made you decide to pivot to writing after retiring? What was the spark that motivated you to start storytelling?
• What was your road to getting the book published? Did you face any surprises along the way?
• What does your typical day look like as a writer/author?
• What is something, as an author, that you learned the hard way?

SOURCES & LINKS

James’ Website: https://www.jamesarnett.ca/

Buy Link: https://www.jamesarnett.ca/the-monmouth-manifesto

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

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