Claire Heywood
LightNews LightNews
banner
claireheywood.bsky.social
Claire Heywood
@claireheywood.bsky.social
1.3K followers 900 following 74 posts
Author | DAUGHTERS OF SPARTA (2021), THE SHADOW OF PERSEUS (2023), THE WANDERING QUEEN (coming 2026) | Only Connect alumna and quiz enthusiast | Interested in classics, archaeology, mythology, writing, books, films, games
Website: claireheywood.info
Posts Replies Media Videos
claireheywood.bsky.social
Starting to see some really lovely early reviews for my upcoming novel, THE WANDERING QUEEN - out next February. Always a relief when you're putting new work out into the world! It's available for preorder if you'd like to treat your future self.
The USA hardback cover for THE WANDERING QUEEN by Claire Heywood, on a warm orange background with mosaic borders at the top and bottom. Around the cover are annotations reading: 'Inspired by Virgil's poem The Aeneid', 'Untold story of Queen Dido', 'An impossible choice between power and love', 'For readers of feminist mythological retellings', 'From national bestselling author of Daughters of Sparta'.
October 23, 2025 at 4:50 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Going back through my photos from Athens, and thought I would share this beautiful Mycenaean object from the National Archaeological Museum 🏺

Label: 'Bronze dagger with inlaid decoration. A Nilotic landscape with felines chasing aquatic birds among papyrus flowers is depicted on the blade.'
October 15, 2025 at 3:28 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
My new novel, THE WANDERING QUEEN, is one of the chosen titles in the Waterstones 25% off preorder sale. Preorder using code OCTOBER25 between now and Friday, and get a juicy 25% off!
#WPreorder

THE WANDERING QUEEN is a Dido retelling, out in February 2026
Waterstones 25% off 2026 new titles. Preorder now with code: OCTOBER25. 14-17 October, online only. Selected titles only.
October 14, 2025 at 11:18 AM
claireheywood.bsky.social
There's a giveaway running over on Goodreads for advance copies of my new novel, THE WANDERING QUEEN! If you're based in the US you can enter for a chance to win 1 of 10 copies. Open until 29th September. Good luck! 🤞

www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Cover for THE WANDERING QUEEN by Claire Heywood, a novel of Dido, with a sticker reading 'Goodreads GIVEAWAY!' The background is an inky swirl of blue, purple and pink.
September 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
claireheywood.bsky.social
There's a replica Spanish galleon in Bristol harbour? Say no more.
The front of a large wooden galleon taken from the dock. Me stood on the deck with my hand on the mast and the wheel behind me.
July 19, 2025 at 4:22 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
I have a new book coming out next year! THE WANDERING QUEEN is a historical fiction retelling of the legendary Queen Dido. Cover reveal for the UK hardback edition:
'The Wandering Queen' by Claire Heywood, March 2026. The cover is deep purple with gold flowers and leaves around the edge. In the centre a woman's face radiates like a sun and beneath her waves crash against each other.
July 7, 2025 at 3:23 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
The museum labels for further info:
'Grave offerings of the Early Cycladic II period from Chalandriani, on Syros, 2800-2300 BC' 'Unique zoomorphic clay vase, hollow inside. It has been characterised as 'bear', but judging from the painted decoration on its back it is probably a hedgehog. It holds a bowl with opening towards the body of the animal.'
May 5, 2025 at 8:21 AM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Every museum had a perfect little zoomorphic guy, and this is the one from the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. A hedgehog? 2800-2300 BC 🏺
A small terracotta pot, with black line decoration, in the shape of an animal sitting and holding a bowl. Photos by me. A side view of the same pot, where we can see the hatched patterning on the back of the animal, possibly representing the spines of a hedgehog.
May 5, 2025 at 8:17 AM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Ten years in the making and I finally made it to Mycenae! I set half of my first novel, DAUGHTERS OF SPARTA, here and have been desperate to see the site with my own eyes ever since. Surreal and special experience 🏺
Me stood in front on the so called 'Treasury of Atreus', a Bronze Age 'beehive' tomb outside the citadel of Mycenae Me at the northern/postern gate of Mycenae, with an impressive hilly landscape behind
May 2, 2025 at 2:06 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Did I buy an intaglio amethyst necklace so I could feel like a Roman lady? Yes I did. Would I recommend it? Yes I would.
A necklace held in the hand. Gold oval with window of translucent amethyst engraved with a dove.
April 2, 2025 at 11:39 AM
claireheywood.bsky.social
More from my garden
A cluster of pale pink cherry blossom with a bee investigating A beautiful bright pink camelia flower
March 21, 2025 at 12:33 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
A thing that makes me happy: spring flowers
Daffodils, red tulips, and small pink flowers beneath them
March 21, 2025 at 12:27 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Was great to watch this production of Medea at the Loft theatre in Leamington Spa! Still on until Saturday
Theatre poster for the show. 'Euripides Medea: a new version by Ben Power.' Directed by Craig Shelton. Wed 22 Jan - Sat 1 Feb
January 28, 2025 at 2:23 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 20/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
December 30, 2024 at 2:44 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 19/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
The Awakening by Kate Chopin.
December 29, 2024 at 5:23 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 18/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
The Bacchae and Other Plays by Euripides. Penguin Classics edition.
December 28, 2024 at 3:16 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 17/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
Birdcage Walk by Helen Dunmore
December 27, 2024 at 5:50 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 16/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
December 24, 2024 at 1:06 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 15/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman.
December 20, 2024 at 4:39 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 14/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
December 19, 2024 at 2:51 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Saturnalia presents from me to me! Thanks to @flaroh.bsky.social for her wonderful designs
A notepad with border in the style of Pompeii wall paintings, a gorgon key ring, and three bookmarks illustrated with themes of the Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid
December 19, 2024 at 2:23 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 13/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
Beloved by Toni Morrison
December 18, 2024 at 3:54 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 12/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
December 17, 2024 at 2:51 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 11/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
December 16, 2024 at 6:03 PM
claireheywood.bsky.social
Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 10/20

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge
The Letters of the Younger Pliny
December 15, 2024 at 2:34 PM