Paper Lantern Writers

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).


February Historical Fiction Giveaway!

on February 1, 2025

It’s February and that brings another batch of free books! Fifty-One free historical fiction novels or short stories, to be exact. None of mine are included this month, but there are some excellent stories from my PLW historical fiction pals C. V. Lee, Mari Anne Christie, Alina Rubin, Anne M. Beggs, and Jonathan Posner. Enjoy!


Whatcha reading in 2025?

on January 17, 2025

I’ll share my historical fiction picks for 2025 if you share yours…. Thanks to Paper Lantern Writer Anne M. Beggs for posing the question!      


Ana Recommends: 25+ Historical Fiction Newsletters & Substacks

on January 10, 2025

QUESTION: What do Alison Epstein, Cryssa Bazos, George Saunders, and Laurie King have in common? ANSWER: They all share their love of historical fiction through entertaining newsletters or Substacks. Get the links to these (and many more) fabulous historical fiction authors in my first Link List of 2025: 25+ Historical Fiction Newsletters & Substacks.


January Historical Fiction Freebees!

on January 5, 2025

Just in time for I-wanna-stay-inside-and-read January, it’s FREE HISTORICAL FICTION, courtesy of the Paper Lantern Writers’ promo on Bookfunnel. We’ve got an incredible cast of characters this month—including dukes, druids, governesses, horse-lovers, wallflowers, highlanders, dragon lords, and yes, even a sassenach! Check out the thirty-one novels and short stories here, before January 31st, of course!