Durham, UK — October 2025 — Independent publisher Worms & Warriors Press, based in County Durham, has announced the launch of Forged in the North, a gripping new work of historical fiction set amidst rebellion and intrigue in 14th-century Northumberland. The novella will be released on 12 October 2025 for Kindle at £0.99, with paperback to follow.
Set in 1317, as the borderlands simmer with unrest, Forged in the North follows Walter de Selby, a seasoned soldier and reluctant rebel, as he navigates treacherous alliances, brutal warfare, and the uncertain fate of the north. Based on real events and historical figures, the book combines vivid storytelling with rigorous research to bring medieval northern England to life.
“This isn’t the Middle Ages of courtly love and shining knights,” says author Nick McLean.
“This is the north as it was: harsh, muddy, and on a knife’s edge. I wanted to tell a story that feels authentic to where we live, rooted in real history but told through unforgettable characters.”
Forged in the North is the first instalment of The Border Warriors, a planned series charting the turbulent years leading up to the Scottish wars of Edward III. It follows on from McLean’s critically praised non-fiction book A King’s Gamble: The Neville’s Cross Campaign (1346), which explored one of the most dramatic battles fought on northern soil. A free sample chapter is available by signing up to the author’s mailing list (nickmclean.co.uk).
McLean’s previous work has been described by readers as “spectacularly entertaining,” “an extraordinary achievement,” and “as good as Bernard Cornwell at his best.” With Forged in the North, his meticulous eye for historical detail is applied to fiction for the first time, with explosive results.
The book is available to pre-order now on Amazon Kindle (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FTY68M6W). It launches 12 October 2025, priced at £0.99 and free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
