Author

Simon Batsman is the author of the Sarsen series. Much of his inspirations are drawn from his knowledge and experience in cultural heritage, having graduated from the University of Winchester with a First Class degree in Archaeology and working in the industry since 2017.

From a young age, his creative outlet was writing, though not in the form of literature. Songwriting, instead, was Simon’s main passion as he emulated his favourite artists with a guitar or piano, composing a vast catalogue of music during a period of nearly 20 years.

When living in Oxford, he became a regular fixture at several small venues across the city and nearby towns, sitting behind a piano and entertaining Friday night audiences with an electric set of popular covers and impassioned originals.

In 2020, Simon relocated with his now-wife to Worcestershire, settling down in Droitwich for a couple of years.

They now live on the edge of the Cotswolds, happily married and parents to a young son and baby daughter.

It was during their time in Droitwich that Simon had half an idea for a story. This half idea — which later became the plot for the character Marseiha in his upcoming debut novel — quickly evolved into an intricate world, overflowing with compelling characters whose own stories, Simon carefully wove together.

In practically a year to the day, Simon had filled a notebook with his ideas and the first draft of his 180,000 word manuscript was complete. He spent a further eighteen months editing until, in September 2023, his submission was selected for publication by Cranthorpe Millner.

It was quickly decided that Simon’s manuscript would be better received if divided into two separate books. Fortunately, the story had already been written in three parts according to natural cadences in the narrative, and so producing two books was an easy task.

Part 1 became Book 1: The Curiosities of Perciville Harper.

Parts 2 and 3 became Book 2: In The Heart of a Soulless Vessel.