Guest blog by Rose Seiler Scott Even with my eyes closed, I would have known I was in my Oma’s house. The aroma of woodsmoke and sauerkraut permeated everything from the air to the brightly coloured afghans draped over the couches. When it was time to leave, it was rarely without a small gift--- multi-coloured... Continue Reading →
Woman’s Work(s): The Poetry of Louise Labé
Guest blog by Julianne Douglas In 1555, printer Jean de Tournes of Lyon published a small volume of poetry titled EVVRES (WORKS). This innocuous label belied the book’s audacity, for the collection—a proto-feminist dedicatory epistle, a lengthy dialogue between Love and Folly, three elegies, and twenty-four sonnets—was the first of its kind in France: a... Continue Reading →
Writing (and Publishing) a Novel is Doable – Here’s How I Did It
This week marked the release of my debut novel The Greenest Branch, based on the true story of Germany's first female physician. I won't lie - it has been been a long and challenging road. I started in earnest in the summer of 2011, after spending several months researching the life of Hildegard of Bingen,... Continue Reading →
The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer
I have confessed on this blog to being conservative when it comes to my historical fiction: I prefer it realistic and serious, no fantasy, parody, alternative histories, etc. Then I came across a synopsis of The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer. The setting of the novel – medieval Siena – had me sit up... Continue Reading →
I Wrote a Novel Because I Gave Myself Permission To Do It
Since I published The Greenest Branch, I have been asked by so many aspiring authors how I managed to write a novel from start to finish. They also want to do that - they say - but they don't have the time, or they don't feel competent, or they are afraid that it will fail,... Continue Reading →
“Unfashioned Creatures” Explores Madness and Genius in the Romantic Era
Guest blog by Lesley McDowell I first became interested in the real-life figure of Isabella Baxter Booth when I read what her friend, Mary Shelley, wrote about her in 1823: I have now renewed my acquaintance with the friend of my girlish days – she has been ill a long time, even disturbed in her... Continue Reading →
“Book of Colours” Brings Medieval Illuminations-and Their Makers-to Light
Guest post by Robyn Cadwallader London, 1321: In a small London shop, three people are drawn together around the creation of a magnificent illuminated prayer book. Even though the commission seems to answer the aspirations of each one of them, their secrets, desires and ambitions threaten its completion. As each struggles to see the book... Continue Reading →
Misfortune of Time Highlights Age-Old Dilemma of Abused Women
Guest blog by Christy Nicholas In Misfortune of Time, book #6 in The Druid’s Brooch series, the main character is Étaín, a grandmother who lives in 11th century Ireland in the shadow of a massive Christian abbey. Her husband is a priest, enamored of piety and asceticism, and she must hide her pagan magic in... Continue Reading →
Praise and Reviews of “The Greenest Branch”
This novel is packed with information about religious practices and the political intrigues of 12th century Europe . . . yet the plot moves along at a sprightly pace. The author emphasizes a young woman’s determination to use her intelligence and talent while negotiating already-outmoded medical and religious practices. - Paula Butterfield, author of La... Continue Reading →
“Escaping Ziegfeld” Evokes 1920s Revue Scene
Guest Post by DM Denton Read Escaping Ziegfeld by DM Denton and Help Rescue Animals My beautiful and talented maternal grandmother died long before I was born. She was a classically trained pianist, receiving “her entire musical education” at the Illinois College of Music, which was established in 1900. There, she “made an extensive study... Continue Reading →