Paper Lantern Writers

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!


Cheers! It’s DESTINY COMES DUE Pub Day!

on November 1, 2024

It’s Publication Day for DESTINY COMES DUE, the Paper Lantern Writers’ third historical fiction anthology, which includes my latest story, The Widow Morgan Don’t Take No Moonshine. “Within this fast-paced anthology of historical short stories and novelettes, each protagonist must face their own day of reckoning: a day when decisions must be made and action… Read More


Big Paper Lantern Writers Giveaway!

on October 31, 2024

TODAY ONLY! (That’s Thursday October 31st…Halloween, folks!) Today you can win all the stuff PLUS a mug! (And I’ve got my own mug and IT’S GREAT!) As our giveaway progresses, the prize package gets bigger! Join Paper Lantern Readers FB to enter!


Destiny Comes Due for my latest heroine!

on October 25, 2024

Almost every writer I know has a tagline, and mine is “Writing historic crime fiction celebrating bodacious American heroines”. On November 1st, you can meet my latest bodacious American heroine, the Widow Ida Morgan.   After her husband is killed in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, grief-stricken Ida Morgan confronts the brash Washington City… Read More


Happy Anniversary to Paper Lantern Writers!

on October 19, 2024

It seems like it was only yesterday, but it was actually FIVE years ago that the “Founding Five” PLW members first met as a group on October 19, 2019 in San Mateo, CA. Well done, my fellow Founding Five…Edie Cay, C. V. Lee, Kathryn Pritchett, and Linda Ulleseit! Long may we all read, write, and… Read More