Marketa B. Linden W. is a British-Czech businesswoman, broadcaster, author, film producer with a penchant for languages, sport and history. Her unique worldview stems from an innate curiosity – she is bilingual as well as she is conversant in four languages and classical Latin, and has field experience in the media industry as sport journalist and ice hockey commentator. Her writing is shaped and inspired by her background in History Psychology and Economics, and her encounters in broadcast media and sports journalism. She belongs to academic British historians. Her dissertation work has been based on economical – historical background of medieval town Unicov, long term research work in the archive with documents written in Latin and German language, out in May 2000. It gained her first degree from history. As as little girl she won competition called Young Historian, she studied science branch of the college as well as she gained other master degree from economics, shares similar background as historian Norwich and Fraser and has skills of Ada Lovelace. Her favourite historian is Mary Beard (plus beards). She was academic as well as sporty during her studies and she was a profi athlete – a swimmer. Marketa B. Linden W. has published poems in the Czech called “Intersections of Life”. She has also dabbled in film and scriptwriting, and has produced and written a WWII documentary about naval battle between USA and Japan (2016) as well as documentary about historical coffee houses in Central Europe (2015). Her first book, Queen Margot, was released in mid-2015. The filming of her new historical documentary about Blitz in industrial zones of UK will start in April 2017, her second historical book Royal Love and Lust is out on May 29, 2017.
We recently interview Marketa B. Linden W. who is a British-Czech businesswoman, broadcaster, author & film producer.
Check out the interview :
Tention Free : Tell us a little bit about your book ?
Marketa B. Linden W.
My name is Marketa B. Linden W. and I have just penned my second book. Royal Love and Lust is historical popular book about female royals or women linked with the royalty and their real lives stories. The reader finds stories about 110 interesting women. The royal marriage was not always a fairytale but more arranged union based on the politics and other aspects, there were also some love matches, some tragedies, some scheming shrews. Everyone heard of Elizabeth I or Cleopatra, but there are dozens of impressive women from Asia, Africa as well as Europe who slipped under the radar. And their stories are so interesting to be heard.
Tention Free : We been hearing a lot about you, and your historical book, so we notice your starting to gain a lot of attention how does it feel?
Marketa B. Linden W.
It depends on the kind of attention you gain. I think I got good reviews for the first book, it was selling well and it can be put for sale again. People liked the book, the feedback was perfect. I have uni degree from history and it has always been my hobby, also visiting historical monuments in any country, but I gain attention often for something else and it is not my brain or the work. I guess a lot of people assume you need to be a dorky type with greasy hair, look of Ugly Betty with thick specs and nose in the books to be seen as historian or intelligent for certain people, the same expectations apply on business matter. I am not exactly a type for show at Champs-Élysées, more for flying under the radar in Latin Quater and last weeks in my life reminded more mockery of Barbara Cartland silly romance from history and drama with the uncle who is married to the author of historical books telling to the tabloid editor about cold rooms, heating and logs at the location where Downtown Abbey was filmed, that’s why I am not happy to gain any spotlight based on private matter. History and sport are good they are based on exact facts, the people try to trick you. The tabloids like stories from my life than writing about the work or books. I has ben happier to be known by the name as ice hockey commentator on the radio for years than gaining attention after Olympics finals between Canada and USA in Vancouver. The attention and popularity has two faces, I am quite shy and private person. Certainly increased interest about my book or just general knowledge of people about me that I like history and horse riding is great and flattering. It is good to have known name for getting good table in the restaurant, I don’t think getting too much attention or trolling in Cyberville is pleasant experience.
Tention Free : How would you describe your this book ?
Marketa B. Linden W.
As condensed look on royal love and marriage. Whatever it means. And it means all different sort of the things. Readers can pick up any portrait of any interesting woman and see what she was about, how she lived, what was her life path. They should be in the spotlight. They were winners, victims, warriors, lovers, haters, survivors and villains, all interesting stories written by history. It is written as popular historical book full of the facts but also those less known historical juicy gossips, that’s why it is easy to digest and read. And learn.
Tention Free : At what point did you decided to become an author ?
Marketa B. Linden W.
It happens by mistake when you decide you want to write a book just for a fun. It was my case. You type something but it takes months in preparation when it comes to historical research for a serious book or just a historical novel. I think the book created an author and it is big difference being an author and being a writer.
Tention Free : When and where do you write ?
Marketa B. Linden W.
Anytime and anywhere. I am not exactly demaning drama queen and I am not full time author. I think Mozart was so brilliant because he was able to produce a masterpiece in the night or on the walk.
Tention Free : What motivates you to do your best work as a author / writer ?
Marketa B. Linden W.
I think it is a moment when you have clear vision what you want to produce, when you end the final draft and when the book is out. It is amazing feeling. All those things are an engine to move me ahead. Any nice compliment boost my drive to write again. Margaret Beuafort is the next.
Tention Free : What’s your advice to an aspiring novelist / author?
Marketa B. Linden W.
Write about the things you know or you like. Also keep some schedule but creative outlet has to be open. Beware it is not easy smooth ride but a journey with the bumps and pittholes on the road and it is a labour of the love. You see it when you finish the manuscript and you do extra work such as formatting and marketing. And it requires creativity as well as discipline to write and produce. And it does not make you rich or it does not convert into full time job in many cases.
Tention Free : Everybody needs time out. What do you do in your free time?
Marketa B. Linden W.
I try to relax more. I put my work on auto pilot, I am not chained to the office desk on daily basic anymore and I try to explore. From my old sport activities to the reading, seeing historical monument, cycling again to do more things and stuff I like when I have more time now. Say baking although I have no sweet tooth.
Tention Free : Are you an author that interacts a great deal with your readers?
Marketa B. Linden W.
I have participated in call in radio live show and it was a very good interaction with the listeners. I try to do historical talks, last one about navy battles between USA and Japan, with donations to US poor pupils as I also helped to produced web education series. I think giving extra knowledge about history such as talks about the interesting stuff is good promotion for the book as well as making history popular. The book signing is good for creating bond with the readers and certainly updates about the creation of the book to the final product, but I try to limit my online presence to minimum. I like meeting face to face with the readers hearing the feedback or their stories and I have found call in morning radio show as amazing experience how get in touch with the readers and history buffs.
Tention Free : How can people find you/your book online and get updates about it ?
Marketa B. Linden W.
My book is out in the end of May 2017 and available on Amazon and other big ebook platforms as well as smaller indie ones. The book’s offical website will be prepared two weeks ahead of release on my official website.
