Season 7 is right around the corner, but first..... we welcome back Martyn Whittock to the podcast to discuss his latest book "Vikings in the East - From Vladimir the Great to Vladimir Putin - The Origins of a Contested Legacy in Russia and Ukraine."

This book examines both the Viking history that both nations share, as well as how that history affects the modern day political and military objectives of both countries in what Martyn Whittock refers to as their 'deep stories.'

During our discussion we talk about the lesser-known exploits of those Norse who travelled east and south instead of westward. How far did they actually travel? Were there Vikings riding on camels in Bagdad? Were Vikings sailing their ships in the Persian Gulf? Did they manage to travel as far China?

As well, was Asgarðr (Asgard) based on a real place? How pivotal was Vladimir the Great's baptism in 988? And why is Vladimir Putin suddenly interested in promoting the 'Rus' origin story for the Russian Federation? Some of Martyn's answers might surprise you!

If you're interested in purchasing Martyn Whittock's latest book, which is out right now, then you can find it wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher's website here: https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/vikings-in-the-east

Regarding the Viking Story podcast, please don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

My "Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" novel is currently available on Amazon as a paperback or e-book and you can find it by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

"Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" is also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

Thank you for listening!

Season 6 is a wrap!

It's been fun conducting interviews and sharing them with my..... Viking Raiders?

What's in store for the Viking Story podcast? When will my second novel, "Bloodsword Saga - Welcome to Valhöll," be published? These answers and a few more to boot in this short wrap-up to Season 6.

Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

My "Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" novel is currently available on Amazon as a paperback or e-book and you can find it by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

"Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" is also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

Thank you for listening!

The final episode of the Interview Series focuses on myself and a Canadian book club who ask me various questions about my book and the associated Viking history that it contains. So join me as I take on 1000s of questions thrown at me, with no preparation from my side whatsoever, during the middle of my night, and listen as I try to answer each and every question off-the-cuff as insightfully and thoughtfully as possible!

Actually, I'm quite proud of how this interview went and it was a lot of fun being the guest rather than the host for once! So, if you want to know more about everyday Viking life for men, women and children, the religion of the Vikings, if Borgavirki is a real place or not, and so much more, then this is the episode for you!

Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

My "Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" novel is currently available on Amazon as a paperback or e-book and you can find it by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

"Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" is also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

It's time for an Icelandic perspective!

This week the Viking Story podcast brings you unique insight into what it's like growing up in Iceland and living there today. Find out from Örn Arnarson what it means to be Icelandic, what some of the differences are between Icelanders and other Scandinavians, and what's behind the Icelandic mantra of "Þetta Reddast."

Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

My "Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" novel is currently available on Amazon as a paperback or e-book and you can find it by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

"Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" is also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

In this week's interview I get to sit down and speak to Riccardo Polacci, another historical fiction author who sets his narratives in the Viking Age. We talk about the spiritual episode that lead to Riccardo's writing of "Born a Viking: Blót," why he chose such a young character as his protagonist and about some of the decisions he had to make when writing his novel.

There is also a healthy discussion on Old Norse and in particular some of the Old Norse vocabulary that Riccardo uses in his series.

If you'd like to purchase "Born a Viking: Blót" then the following link may be helpful: https://mybook.to/rp-bornavikingblot

Alternatively, all of the information regarding Riccardo's newsletter, sample chapters, and even the second book in his series "Born a Viking: Berserkr," which is also now available for purchase, can be found through his website: riccardopolacci.com

Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

My "Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" novel is currently available on Amazon as a paperback or e-book and you can find it by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

"Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" is also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

It is a delight to welcome Andrea Westfall to the Viking Story podcast this week. She shares her experiences and insight as it relates to Medieval and Nordic studies, and by throwing out off-the-cuff lines like "I love languages - the deader the better" you really can't help but be entertained by Andrea's personality as well!

In this interview we discuss everything from natural phenomena during the Viking Age to modern Icelandic and Nordic culture, plus a whole lot more!

So sit back, relax, and join us as we discuss all things Iceland/Viking/Scandinavian!

Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

My "Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" novel is currently available on Amazon as a paperback or e-book and you can find it by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

"Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" is also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Follow St. Clair Publications on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/stclairpublications

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

Welcome to Season 6! The interviews will start in August but first we take a quick look at what makes this podcast unique. And is it actually the longest running Viking podcast on the interwebs??

This episode sets up the rest of the season nicely and also introduces a new tag-line!

Don’t forget to rate, review, and help spread the word! You can reach me via e-mail at: vikingstoryfaq@outlook.com

My "Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" novel is currently available on Amazon as a paperback or e-book and you can find it by searching for my name: Alan Laycock-Fuchs

"Bloodsword Saga - Fear The North" is also available from the St. Clair Publications website: https://stclairpublications.com/shop/ols/categories/alan-laycock-fuchs

Follow St. Clair Publications on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/stclairpublications

Music rights courtesy of: https://freemusicarchive.org

VIKING STORY SUMMER SCHEDULE:

New interview episodes every Monday in August!