on June 28, 2020
We’re all on ZOOM these days, right? I ZOOM in from my home office, which unlike everyone else’s beautifully-bookshelfed office, is really not that attractive. (No, I’m not going to provide photographic proof!) So I often use the ZOOM virtual backdrop option and these are my favorite backgrounds so far: Since I didn’t have a… Read More
on February 14, 2020
The feast of Saint Valentine of Rome was designated in the year 496. The date? February 14th, of course. About 900 years later, Saint Valentine and his feast day (already celebrated with food, drink, jousting, poetry, singing, and dancing) somehow became associated with romance, passion, and love. And so began the need to send Saint… Read More
on February 5, 2020
The very kind and wonderful storyteller Suzanne Adair has invited me to share how to “hold history in your hands” in this week’s Relevant History blog. And…here’s Suzanne’s scoop on the FANNY NEWCOMB giveaway: “A big thanks to Ana Brazil! She’ll give away a packet of four reproduction postcards and one original postcard of Italian… Read More
on November 28, 2019
Since it’s Thanksgiving week, right now I’m thinking about FOOD—smoked turkey, oyster stuffing, and gravy; sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce; and, one of my very favorites, fluffy ambrosia. My food thoughts made me wonder what Fanny Newcomb and her friends (and even her enemies, since Fanny is hunting down the Irish Channel Ripper in 1889… Read More
on November 8, 2019
Yep, “Book Birthdays” are a real thing. FANNY NEWCOMB & THE IRISH CHANNEL RIPPER came out on November 1st, 2017 and in Fanny’s honor, my publisher is hosting a $.99 sale on Kindle. ALL. MONTH. LONG. If you haven’t read FANNY NEWCOMB, or if you’ve worn out your Kindle copy already, or if you’d like… Read More
on July 26, 2019
Thanks to Trisha Faye for featuring me in her Pages to the Past July 26 newsletter and for hosting a giveaway of FANNY NEWCOMB & THE IRISH CHANNEL RIPPER! An interview with me and all of the guidelines for the giveaway are located HERE. HINT: Drawing ends Wednesday, July 31st at midnight.
on December 16, 2018
Ever wanted to write a short story about New Orleans mischief and mayhem circa 1889 Christmas? Here are a few killer ideas to get your story started! HINT…these ideas might be used for any locale in any era.
on July 28, 2018
Although late 19th century New Orleans was renowned for the hookers of Storyville, the devastating hurricanes of the 1880s, and the elevation of Mardi Gras to a state holiday, there’s so much more to know about the Crescent City during this time! For starters, there was an assassination that was followed by lynchings (1890), an… Read More
on January 27, 2018
On January 28 I’ll be sharing ideas on “Writing a Killer First Chapter” with the Redwood Writers (a Branch of the California Writers Club) in Santa Rosa. Here are some links with more info…. For novels: • 10 Things Your Opening Chapter Should Do: A Check-List for Self-Editing • Finding the Perfect Place to Start… Read More
on December 9, 2017
For two days only (Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10), Fanny Newcomb & the Irish Channel Ripper for Kindle is on sale for 99 cents! ALSO this weekend….all SAND HILL REVIEW PRESS Kindle editions are available for 99 cents!