Derek Birks

Derek was born in Hampshire in England but spent his teenage years in Auckland, New Zealand, where he still has strong family ties. He now lives in Dorset.

For many years he taught history in a secondary school but took early retirement to concentrate on writing. Apart from his writing, he spends his time gardening, travelling, and walking. 

Derek is interested in a wide range of historical themes, but at the start of his writing career he focused on the late medieval period. He writes action-packed fiction which is rooted in accurate history. His debut historical novel, Feud, is set in the period of the Wars of the Roses and is the first of a series entitled Rebels & Brothers which follows the fortunes of the fictional Elder family. A second series, The Craft of Kings, followed

Since Derek’s interest in the Wars of the Roses period goes beyond fiction, he has produced almost fifty non-fiction podcasts about the subject for those who want to explore what really happened.

Derek’s most recent series starts with The Last of the Romans, an Amazon bestseller and a change of time period and setting. It is set in turbulent fifth century Europe and centres upon the shadowy historical figure of Ambrosius Aurelianus. The sequel, Britannia: World’s End, is out now and a third book is in the pipeline.