Picture a British storyteller who swapped clay mines for high seas adventure—meet Christopher C Tubbs! A descendant of Dorset’s rugged clay miners, Tubbs spun his heritage and eclectic career into the thrilling 'Dorset Boy' series, blending historical fiction with swashbuckling naval tales. His late-blooming writing journey, sparked by arthritis and a lifelong love of sea stories, proves it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
The Making of Christopher C Tubbs
Born in Dorset’s clay mining country, Christopher C Tubbs grew up in a remote house on Furzebrook Road, surrounded by heath and woods. Descended from a 16th-century lineage of Purbeck miners, his early life was shaped by tales of hardship, like his father’s survival of a mine cave-in. Leaving school at 16 for an avionics apprenticeship, Tubbs later thrived as a public speaker and co-founded a successful games company in the 1990s. It wasn’t until his sixties, after moving to Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles, that arthritis sidelined his active lifestyle, nudging him to pen the stories swirling in his head.
Christopher C Tubbs’s Unforgettable Stories
Tubbs’s 'Dorset Boy' series, starting with 'A Talent for Trouble' (2018), follows Martin Stockley, a scrappy lad escaping Dorset’s mines for a naval career during the Napoleonic era. Inspired by sea authors like Patrick O’Brian and Alexander Kent, Tubbs crafts fast-paced tales of derring-do, blending historical accuracy with a touch of romance and humor. 'The Special Operations Flotilla' (2018) sees Martin, now a midshipman, tackling espionage and adventure, while 'Exile' (2021) weaves the Battle of Waterloo into his saga. Tubbs also dabbles in steampunk with 'Buddha’s Fist,' introducing Charlemagne Griffon in a lively alternate history. His self-professed 'write for myself' approach yields surprisingly universal stories, rich with authentic settings and feisty characters like Martin and Scarlett Browning of the 'Scarlet Fox' series.
Tubbs’s style is accessible yet vivid, prioritizing action and character over meticulous historical detail, unlike C.S. Forester’s technical precision. Themes of resilience, opportunity, and defiance—mirroring his own journey—run deep, with Dorset’s rugged landscapes and his dogs often sneaking into the narrative. His partnership with Lume Books in 2022 expanded his reach, while self-publishing on Amazon KDP keeps the 'Dorset Boy' series flowing.
Why Christopher C Tubbs Matters
Christopher C Tubbs’s impact lies in his knack for turning personal passion into captivating stories that resonate with historical fiction fans. His 'Dorset Boy' series, shortlisted for the SABA 2020 Fiction Book Award, brings the Napoleonic era to life for readers craving adventure without dense historical jargon. By writing for himself, Tubbs taps into universal themes of grit and reinvention, inspiring late bloomers and dreamers. His growing fanbase, evident in glowing Goodreads reviews, cherishes his ability to merge fact and fiction into page-turners that feel both fresh and timeless.
- Born: Dorset, UK, date undisclosed
- Key Works: 'A Talent for Trouble,' 'The Special Operations Flotilla,' 'Exile,' 'Buddha’s Fist'
- Awards: SABA 2020 Fiction Book Award shortlist
Snag 'A Talent for Trouble' and dive into Christopher C Tubbs’s thrilling world of naval adventure!