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Ralph Jackman was born in Norfolk in 1981. He holds a first class honours degree in Classics from King’s College, London, and a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Essex, where he was tutored by Marina Warner.
Ralph’s work draws on his lifelong interest in history.
Ralph's first novel, 'Actium's Wake' will be published by Knox Robinson Publishing in 2014.
'Injustice', a historical short story, was published in the new online magazine of the Historical Novel Society in 2012.
'Apprentice Pillar', having been longlisted in the 2011/12 Fish Publishing International Short Story competition, was runner-up in the 2014 Words With Jam Short Story competition and is published in the anthology, 'An Earthless Melting Pot'.
'Last Chance Saloon' was published in an anthology, 'Crime: Unleashed' by Chapter One Promotions in June 2013.
Ralph is currently working on the first of a historical trilogy, 'The Olive Tree', which was a finalist in the Chapter One Promotions 2010 Novel Competition.
Ralph has also completed a novella, 'Portraits of Rome'.
In 2010, Ralph wrote the lyrics of 'A Destiny Revealed', the opening track to the movie score, 'Henri 4'.
Ralph continues to produce short stories for competitions alongside his work on his novel – and the day job with the police.
Reviewed by Eileen Johnson for Readers' Favorite
In Actium’s Wake, Ralph Jackman uses the voice of Roman senator and soldier Marcus Rutilius Crispus to tell the story of the events following the battle at Actium. In this battle, Octavian - son of Julius Caesar - defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra, leading to their escape into Egypt and their eventual deaths. The story opens with Rutilius waking up after disobeying orders and being wounded in the battle at Actium. The rest of the story details his attempts at returning to Octavian’s favor, while learning to despise the man who has become the most powerful man in the world, moving Rome from a democratic Republic to a monarchy. As his fortune and wife are taken from him, Rutilius’ hatred for Octavian grows.
Ralph Jackman has done an amazing job at making Actium’s Wake a book that transports you to Rome and Egypt during this historical period. Weaving actual historical figures such as Octavian, Antony, and Cleopatra into the story with fictional characters, Jackman gives us a feeling for what was happening as seen through the eyes of a fictional Roman soldier and senator. Rutilius witnesses and participates in the activities that changed the government of Rome and the known world and elevated Octavian to a king. In Actium’s Wake, Ralph Jackman has created a wonderful historical fiction novel which brings to life the intrigues of the Roman Empire. A good read that I highly recommend!
