Mary Shelley was just eighteen when the idea for Frankenstein came to life—and in doing so, she may have invented modern science fiction. For Frankenstein Day, let’s look at the young woman behind the monster, the rainy summer that started it all, and the women who have been writing SF ever since.
The Mother of Science Fiction Was Eighteen Years Old Read More »
Kiss and Make Up Day sounds perfect for romance readers. Except it reminds me of those romances—the ones where 200 pages of angst could be eliminated by one five-minute conversation. Do those books still exist? And how quickly do you give up when you realize nobody is ever going to just TALK?
Kiss and Make Up Already! Read More »
Book Lover’s Day is the perfect excuse to slow down and spend time with a good book. Whether you revisit an old favourite, browse your local library, or simply carve out an uninterrupted hour to read, here are a few simple ways to celebrate the stories that stay with us long after we’ve turned the final page.
Book Lover’s Day: An Excuse to Spend the Day with a Good Book Read More »
History has a habit of changing its mind. Japan’s women warriors were long known in English as onna-bugeisha, but historians increasingly use the more accurate term onna-musha—women who actually fought. Discover the remarkable story of Nakano Takeko, the fearless warrior who led a band of women into one of the final battles of the samurai era, and learn how a simple change in terminology reflects a deeper understanding of Japan’s past.
The Onna-Musha: Japan’s Forgotten Women Warriors Read More »
What does “All or Nothing” mean to you? For me, it sparked an unexpected question: has anyone actually read every single one of my books? With more than 200 titles across multiple pen names, I’m curious to know if there are any complete collectors out there. If that’s you—or you’re getting close—I’d love to hear from you.
After twelve novels and a novella, Camlann has finally arrived. I’m thrilled, a little astonished, and just a bit heartbroken to be saying goodbye to the world of Once and Future Hearts. Come celebrate the final chapter—and discover a behind-the-scenes secret about the author’s note that waited years to be written.
Camlann Is Here…and Suddenly, It’s the End Read More »
Hollywood saw a beautiful woman. Hedy Lamarr was also an inventor whose wartime work helped point the way toward modern wireless communications. Her history is far more fascinating than the movie-star image suggests.
The Most Beautiful Woman in the World Was Bored Read More »
Why have some older posts disappeared while others suddenly have new illustrations? It turns out that maintaining a website that has existed since 1999 is very different today than it was twenty-five years ago. From changing copyright expectations to AI-powered search and the surprising discovery that images can become “musty,” here’s why the archive is getting a thorough spring clean.
Why Many Older Posts Have Disappeared Read More »
Gone With the Wind turns ninety tomorrow, yet it still feels astonishingly modern. I first encountered the novel—not the famous film—as a teenager borrowing it from my high school library, and it has stayed with me ever since. Looking back at it through the eyes of a novelist, I think I’ve finally figured out why Margaret Mitchell’s epic continues to captivate readers after all these decades.
Gone With the Wind at Ninety: Why It Still Feels Modern Read More »
History remembers Cleopatra. It should remember Zenobia. While Rome staggered through one of the most chaotic periods in its history, the Queen of Palmyra seized the opportunity to build an empire of her own. Through military brilliance, political savvy, and a masterful understanding of reputation, she conquered vast territories and came astonishingly close to permanently splitting the Roman Empire. For a brief moment, the outcome of history was genuinely uncertain.
Zenobia: The Queen Who Took On Rome and Almost Won Read More »