Sophie Keetch has a BA in English Literature from Cardiff University, which included the study of Arthurian legend. She is Welsh and lives with her husband and son in South Wales.

B: Hello Sophie, and welcome to the Fantasy Hive!

For anyone unfamiliar with your work, your first book Morgan is my Name is coming out in paperback today, and then the sequel Le Fay is coming out 18th July, what can you tell us about them, what can they expect?

S: The Morgan le Fay trilogy is a feminist retelling of Arthurian legend from the point of view of Morgan le Fay. She’s most famously a villainess, and the antagonist to King Arthur and Camelot. The trilogy encompasses her entire life from her birth in Morgan is my Name to the end of the Arthurian story.

Morgan is my Name covers her early years, from her childhood in Tintagel Castle, through her young adult life and up to the era of Camelot.

B: And now what can we expect in store for Morgan in Le Fay?

S: Le Fay starts with Morgan in Camelot, exploring her time there and how things start to change. She’s doesn’t like having her freedom restricted, and now she’s in this court which is full of rules, protocol, and ideals. A face from her past reappears, and she has to make some serious decisions about her future that will have dramatic consequences for her life and reputation.

B: There are a few women in the Arthurian legends, so why in particular did you go for Morgan le Fay? What made you want to tell her story?

S: I was drawn to Morgan in particular because of her complications, her shades of light and dark, and the way her character was twisted into villainy as she developed in the legend. When I was reading through some of my medieval Arthurian texts one day (for fun!), I happened upon a particular scene where Morgan le Fay is doing something very bad (no spoilers as it’s in Le Fay) and her voice just leapt out at me in all her charm and fierceness and gave me the spark of an idea. When I explored more deeply the lesser known events of her life, her character began to resonate even more, and I saw her as a woman whose actions and desires are far more complex than simple antagonism. I wanted to hear her story told in her own voice.

B: That’s brilliant. And of course, obviously angry intelligent women always then become villains, don’t they?

S: Of course they do, yes, and I’m obsessed with so-called ‘difficult women’, in literature and throughout time, and how they tend to get villainised. The themes that came up in this story still felt very modern in many ways.

B: Yes, and this ties in quite nicely then with my next question about Arthurian legends; they’re having a recent resurgence, but they’ve always held importance; going back centuries to Henry VIII, famously, he was quite enamoured of King Arthur and he wanted to emulate him. So what is it about the stories that keep us coming back to them and why are they so important to us?

S: As with any mythology, the most famous tales often feel archetypal. The Arthurian tradition gives us stories with universal themes such as love, power, betrayal, sadness — all things we deeply recognise as humans, and are timeless experiences. Arthurian legend is complex, absurd, funny, romantic, dramatic, and tragic. Nobody is perfect, even if they are trying to be. Even King Arthur and some of the greatest Arthurian figures have flaws — they perform great feats and also make mistakes. I feel like that’s very easy for people to identify with, despite the extraordinary and fantastical elements (that we also love!).

B: So going forward, that’s always going to be something that people can relate to, isn’t it?

S: Absolutely, yes. Obviously it’s woven into our culture so much, it’s something that’s always going to be here, and the stories will remain compelling.

B: Speaking of the stories themselves then, do you have a favourite? You spoke of the scene where Morgan jumped out at you, but is there a legend that is one of your favourites? 

S: It’s extremely hard to choose — there are so many wonderful characters and brilliant stories in the legend. But if I had to pick, my favourite is probably The Knight of the Cart by Chrétien de Troyes.

B: Ok, so on the back of that one then, are there any other characters’ stories you’d like to explore? Are there any other that have jumped out to you?

S: I’ve got quite a few ideas, and so many Arthurian stories I’d love to explore. However, I’m a bit superstitious, so I’m going to keep any specifics a secret until I’ve decided where my writing is heading after the Morgan trilogy is finished. All things are possible!

B: So watch this space! 

There have been many retellings and adaptations over the years. Do you have a favourite of those? So rather than perhaps an original text that you would have studied, a retelling?

In terms of writers of retellings, Madeline Miller is a huge inspiration of mine. The Song of Achilles showed me that it’s possible to take a huge epic story and extraordinary characters, and make it human and personal, and tap into the emotional element of these stories to brilliant effect.

In terms of Arthurian legend, my ultimate retelling isThe Once and Future King by TH White. It’s a masterpiece, and it changed my life when I read it. It’s wild and beautiful, romantic and sometimes absurd. It draws on all of the complexity and strangeness of Arthurian legend and creates something incredible. I’m always somewhere in the process of rereading it.

B: On the publication of Morgan is my Name, you took her down to Tintagel! Are you taking Le Fay anywhere?

S: I do have plans… which I’m also keeping to myself for now! All I will say is it’s in Wales, and somewhere I’ve always considered as having a very Camelot vibe.

B: I’m going to ask you a question now that Nils suggested, because I think it’s quite fun: Which Arthurian character would you have to a dinner party and what’s the first question you’d ask them?

S: Now, I thought long and hard about it, because as you can tell, I take this very seriously! It would be one of my personal favourites — Sir Kay, Arthur’s adoptive brother and Seneschal. He’s not many people’s favourite, but I adore him and think he’s misunderstood! He’s sharp and sarcastic, and he would know all of the gossip about everybody. So I think he would be fantasic at a dinner party.

The question I would ask him would just be a simple “What do you think of Lancelot?” because they do not get along. Then I would sit back and wait for him to spill all the Camelot tea! 

[Dissolves into laughter]

B: That is the perfect answer

S: Now I’m kind of sad that that could never happen in real life, because I would love it! 

B: To wrap up then, what is one thing that you hope readers take away from your writing? 

S: I hope they take away how much I love writing — in general, and in creating these stories in particular. Most of all, I hope my appreciation for Arthurian legend and the characters is what comes through.

Morgan is my Name is available in paperback now, you can order your copy HERE
Le Fay, the sequel, is due for release 18th July and you can pre-order your copy HERE