Paper Lantern Writers

FRIDAY FREEBEE!

on May 30, 2025

HAPPY FRIDAY!   Today’s PLW FREEBEE short story is my own tale, Miss Evelyn Nesbit Presents. Here’s the story… “In 1914, Evelyn Nesbit is a celebrated beauty who, as a teenager, was raped and ruined by a famous architect. Her mentally unstable and physically abusive millionaire husband has recently discarded both Evelyn and her young… Read More


Meet me Saturday in Sacramento!

on May 28, 2025

Looking forward to being at the Paper Lantern Writers table & at the 2:20pm panel on historical fiction. THIS SATURDAY MAY 31ST! See you there!  


Bye-bye Historical Fiction Writing Myths!

on May 16, 2025

Come along with my favorite War of the Roses author C.V. Lee as she quizzes me and my fellow Paper Lantern Writers about Myths About Writing Historical Fiction You Should Stop Believing. And then leave those myths in the past!  


The Gilded Age ~ A Historical Fiction+ Link List

on May 9, 2025

Come away today to the land of The Gilded Age…where women sport bustles, men sock away their money, and children…well, if you’re a reader of Caleb Carr or Jacob Riis, you’ll know that Gilded Age children of any class didn’t fare too well.   But, nevertheless!   Today at Paper Lantern Writers, I present a… Read More


Publication Day!

on May 1, 2025

Congrats to my fellow Paper Lantern Writers on the launch of our Crafting Stories from the Past ~ A How-To Guide for Writing Historical Fiction! Crafting Stories is an incredible collection of historical fiction writing how-tos, including how-to write about horses, use non-western story structures, tame the messy middle, and fictionalize your family history. My… Read More


Distractingly Gorgeous Libraries – A Link List

on April 11, 2025

Welcome to National Library Week, April 6-12 in the U.S. I hope you’ve taken a few moments this week to appreciate the wonderful, wonderful world that is a library and, of course, thank a librarian! While the collection and the library staff always top my “what makes a library great” list, the appearance of the… Read More


Which Romantic Couple in Historical Fiction has Intrigued You Most?

on February 21, 2025

In February’s PLW Q&A, C.V.Lee asked us, “Which Romantic Couple in Historical Fiction has Intrigued You Most?” Mari A. Christie, author of The Sailing Home Series, Anne M. Beggs, author of the Dahlquin Series, C.V Lee, author of The de Carteret Chronicles: Legacy of Rebels, and I shared some of our favs.


New Historical Fiction Craft Book Coming Soon!

on February 18, 2025

Coming May 1st, a historical fiction craft book from the Paper Lantern Writers! If you’ve ever wondered how to tackle something in your fiction, we have the answers. My own chapters include information on how to research a location when you can’t visit it (ie, when COVID locks you in place for months), and how… Read More


BIG LOVE: Historical Fiction Romantic Subplots Rule!

on February 11, 2025

I may read and write historical mysteries, but I’m also a dedicated historical romance reader! In honor of Valentine’s week, I shared a few of my BIG LOVE historical fiction mystery series duos on the Paper Lantern Writers blog.Or as Veronica Speedwell would declare, Excelsior!


Crafting Stories from the Past is coming your way!

on February 4, 2025

Have you dreamed of writing a novel? If you want to try your hand at historical fiction, or if you want to hone your skill, Crafting Stories from the Past is for you. Coming May 1st from Paper Lantern Writers, and yes, I’ve got two chapters in it! Preorder now (a PLW affiliate link).