So begins an epic tale of early Virginia. It was the Company’s second shipment of the kind, begun two years before. But for William Micklewood and Margaret Withering -- Will and Maggie -- the Lord Mayor's order meant their journey had only just begun.
Publication of the work is being modeled on many novels of the 19th century that were published initially in serial form in newspapers or magazines and only later in book form. Here, individual chapters will be posted for reading online or as downloaded PDFs. Beginning next week, new chapters will be posted each Tuesday (one new chapter) and Friday (two more). Each chapter is targeted to be “byte-sized” for busy modern readers -- about 10 to 15 minutes of reading time per chapter.
As the story builds, however, a complete compilation of the tale up to that point will be posted regularly as well. Last, a printed edition of the entire work (both paper and as an e-book) will go on sale this spring via Amazon, Kindle Direct Publishing, or other platforms.
Note that maps and other background material will be posted as the story unfolds, for those who are interested. Check the "Maps, etc." tab for details.
Historical detail that underlies and binds the novel, together with commentary and references, will be posted online-only. The novel is fiction, of course. Characters have been invented, (although some share names of historically known figures). Ship names have been altered; the timeline condensed or expanded as needed; unfair personal characterizations may abound. It is a novel, not a documentary.
Still, the story has emerged from a simmering stew of historical fact, grainy manuscripts, published letters, court documents, testimony, sermons, archived broadsheets and who knows what. At times, dialogue has been taken nearly verbatim from a documentary speaker. Prices for servants, wives, shipping and tobacco are all copied from the (at times inconsistent) historical record.
Less has been invented than merely re-imagined and then repeated for the modern ear and eye.
Through it all, the author has sought to see this far distant and foreign world as it might have been seen by those who lived it -- and to give voice to those who have never been heard.
It is to their memory and in their honor that Jonathan's Seed is respectfully dedicated.
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Privy Council, 31 January 1620, on shipping obstinate children to Virginia (modern facsimile)