Something (actually, quite a lot) for those of us not at the conference this weekend
Yes, we all wish we were there – but the conference organisers have put together an absolutely wonderful set of interviews with the cast. There is a LOT here, so you might just want to take one or two at a time. But these pieces are full of verve and interest…
From one of them…
“Do you have an anecdote about a reading or fan interaction you’d like to share?
Well, I have had no fewer than three young ladies come up to me at book-signings, turn around and lower their pants enough for me to see that they had “Da mi basia mille” (“Give me a thousand kisses.” It’s a quote from Catullus, used in one of my books) tattooed on their rumpuses.”
But you’ll have to know your onions – or read them all – to know which author this was 🙂
Kate Quinn
June 17: Elizabeth C. Felt hosts Kate Quinn Kate is the acclaimed author of a number of historicals, including the soon-to-be-released THE SERPENT AND THE PEARL She will be participating in the panels Sex in Historical Fiction: How to Make It Hot and Historical Fiction Set in the Ancient World: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
June 16: Audra Friend hosts V. E. Ulett V.E. is the author of CAPTAIN BLACKWELL’S PRIZE, a novel inspired by eighteenth and nineteenth century journals and letters, and a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society. She is currently working on a sequel, and will be presenting a workshop titled Audiobook or Podcast.
Julianne Douglas hosts Susan McDuffie Susan is the author of the medieval Muirteach MacPhee mysteries, A MASS FOR THE DEAD, THE FAERIE HILLS , and A STUDY OF MURDER), inspired by stories of the McDuffie clan’s ancestral lands on Colonsay and their traditional role as “Keeper of the Records” for the Lord of the Isles. She will be speaking on the panel Historical Fiction: The Search for Research.
June 15: Kristina Makansi hosts Victoria Sutton Victoria is professor, lawyer and scientist. She writes fiction and nonfiction, including historical fiction typically involving biological or toxicological aspects. She will be presenting the workshop Poisoners and Poisonings Through History.
June 14: Audra Friend hosts Sharman Burson Ramsey Sharman is the author of SWIMMING WITH SERPENTS, a historical romance that takes place during the Creek Indian War 200 years ago. She will be speaking on the panel Historical Fiction: The American Experience.
Patricia Bracewell
Nancy Bilyeau hosts Patricia Bracewell Patricia is the author of debut novel SHADOW ON THE CROWN, the first book in a trilogy about Emma of Normandy, whose marriage to an English king set in motion a series of events that would lead, eventually, to the Norman Conquest of A.D. 1066. Patricia will be speaking on the panels Writing About Women in History: Animating Their Times and Voices and Making it to Mainstream – And What Comes After.
June 13: Margaret Cook hosts Julie K. Rose Julie is the award-winning author of THE PILGRIM GLASS and OLEANNA, both finalists in the Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition. Julie will be participating in the panel Off the Beaten Path: Reading and Writing Outside of the HF Mainstream.
June 12: Kim Rendfeld hosts Susan Spann Susan is a lawyer specializing in intellectual property, business and publishing contracts, and the author of soon-to-be-released debut novel, CLAWS OF THE CAT, about a 16th century ninja detective. She will be speaking on the panel Writing the HF Mystery.
Stella Duffy
June 11: Meg Wessell hosts Stella Duffy Stella is a stage performer, playwright and director, and authors of numerous novels, including THEODORA – ACTRESS, EMPRESS, WHORE. She will be participating in the panel Writing About Women in History: Animating Their Times and Voices.
June 10: Amanda Orr hosts Kristina Makansi Kristina is the author of ORACLES OF DELPHI and the founder of two publishing companies (Blank Slate Press & Treehouse Publishing Group). She will be participating in the panel Publishing Models: Indie Presses and Self-Publishing Pathways.
June 9: Kristina Makansi hosts Jack Woodville London Jack is an attorney, World War II historian and award-winning author of the novel series FRENCH LETTERS. He is currently working on a series focusing on writing advice, and will be participating in the panel Historical Fiction: The Search for Research.
Gillian Bagwell
June 8: Kim Rendfeld hosts Gillian Bagwell Gillian is the author of three historical novels set in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century England. Her latest release, VENUS IN WINTER, will be available pre-lease at HNS 2013. Gillian will participate in three panels– The Feisty Heroine Sold into Marriage Who Hates Bear Baiting: Clichés in HF and How to Avoid Them, Making it to Mainstream – And What Comes After, and Foreign Language, Slang and Dialect in Historical Fiction–and will be emceeing the Costume Pageant.
June 7: Audra of Unabridged Chick hosts Marci Jefferson Marci is a registered nurse and author of debut novel, THE DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, A NOVEL OF FRANCES STUART, which comes out in early 2014. She will appear with the agent, Kevan Lyon, in a talk titled Author/Agent Talk: The Inside Scoop.
June 6: Margaret Cook hosts Steve Weigenstein Steve is the author of SLANT OF LIGHT, runner-up for the 2012 Langum Prize for American Historical Fiction. He has also served as publisher for the Ozark Review, and has written a considerable amount of short fiction. He will be speaking on the panel Publishing Models: Indie Presses and Self-Publishing Pathways.
June 5: Meg Wessell at A Bookish Affair hosts Frederick Ramsay Frederick is a retired clergyman and the author of several scientific and general articles, tracts, theses, and of course, novels. His latest historical, HOLY SMOKE, is set in 29 CE in Jerusalem. Frederick is speaking on the panel Four X’s – and a Y – Mark the Spot: The Hidden Treasures of Historical Mystery.
June 4: Amanda Orr hosts Jodi Daynard Jodi is a writer of fiction, essays, and criticism and served for seven years as Fiction Editor at Boston Review. Her debut historical novel, THE MIDWIFE’S REVOLT, is set during the founding days of America. She will be speaking on the panel The American Experience.
June 3: Stephanie Renee dos Santos hosts Susan Higginbotham Susan is the author of 5 novels set in medieval England and the Tudor era. At present she is completing a novel about Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox. She will be speaking on the panel The Feisty Heroine Sold into Marriage Who Hates Bear Baiting: Clichés in HF and How to Avoid Them.
June 2: Audra at Unabridged Chick hosts Mary Hart Perry Mary, also known as Kathryn Johnson, has published more than 40 novels for both young and adult readers, under several pennames. She is the founder of Write by You and will be speaking on the panel Location, Location: Transporting Readers to Historical Settings.
June 1: Elizabeth Felt hosts Ann Weisgarber Ann is the author of American historicals THE PROMISE and THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF RACHEL DUPREE, and is on the selection committee for the Langum Prize in American Fiction. She is currently working on a novel set in Utah during the late 1800s, and will be speaking on the panel Historical Fiction: The American Experience.
May 31: Erika Mailman hosts Annamaria Alfieri Annamaria is a historical mystery novelist a noted author of non-fiction books on business. Her third book of fiction, BLOOD TANGO, launches next month from St. Martin’s Press. Annamaria will be speaking on the panel Four X’s – and a Y – Mark the Spot: The Hidden Treasures of Historical Mystery.
May 30: Julianne Douglas hosts Denise DiFulco Denise is a freelance writer and editor whose articles have appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, and Ladies Home Journal. She is currently working on her first historical novel and will be speaking on the panel Historical Fiction: The Search for Research.
May 29: Stephanie Renee dos Santos hosts Erika Mailman Erika is the author of THE WITCH’S TRINITY, inspired by an ancestor who herself was a witch, and WOMAN OF ILL FAME, and a Yaddo fellow. She will speaking on the panel The Witchcraft Window: Scrying the Past.
Nancy Bilyeau
Sophie Perinot interviews Nancy Bilyeau Nancy is the acclaimed author historical thrillers THE CROWN and THE CHALICE, which follow the adventures of novice nun, Joanna Stafford, as she seeks to survive and thrive in Henry VIII’s England. Nancy will be participating on the panel Making it to Mainstream–And What Comes After.
May 28: Elizabeth Felt hosts Stephanie Barko Stephanie is a literary publicist who works with traditional publishers and their authors, small presses,and independently published writers in historical fiction and non-fiction. She will be presenting the workshop titled Building an Effective Platform for your Historical.
May 27: Daphne at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books hosts Suzy Witten Suzy is an author, filmmaker, screenwriter, story analyst, and editor for film and television. THE AFFLICTED GIRLS, her debut novel, won the 2010 IPPY Silver Medal for Historical/Military Fiction. She will be speaking on the panel The Witchcraft Window: Scrying the Past.
May 26: Audra at Unabridged Chick hosts jay Dixon jay has over 30 years of experience in editing fiction and non-fiction manuscripts, is a scout for Accent Press, specialising in women’s fiction, crime and, her first love, historical fiction, and authored THE ROMANCE FICTION OF MILLS & BOON 1909-1990s. She will be speaking on Colour in Historical Novels.
May 25: Julianne Douglas hosts Donald M. Platt Donald is the author of ROCAMORA and HOUSE OF ROCAMORA, as well as several nonfiction and television works, and is currently working on a novel set in the 9th century, and another during WWII. He will be speaking on the panel Foreign Language, Slang and Dialect in Historical Fiction.
May 24: Erika Mailman hosts Julianne Douglas Julianne specializes in the literature of the sixteenth century and blogs avidly about sixteenth century history and culture, reviews of historical novels, author interviews, and musings on the novelist’s craft. She will be moderating the panel Virtual Salon: The Historical Fiction Blog.
Anne Easter Smith
May 23: Elizabeth Felt hosts Anne Easter Smith Anne is the author of a number of highly acclaimed historical novels. Her recently-released ROYAL MISTRESS is the story of Jane Shore, the final mistress of King Edward IV of England. Anne will be speaking on the panel To Trump or Trumpet: the History Police.
May 22: Julianne Douglas hosts Lev Raphael Lev is the author of twenty-four books, among them ROSEDALE IN LOVE: A GILDED AGE NOVEL. He has been resident book reviewer for two NPR stations in Michigan and blogs about books and culture for The Huffington Post. Lev will be presenting a workshop Saturday morning session How to do a Killer Reading.
May 21: Stephanie Renee dos Santos hosts Alison McMahan Alison is a filmmaker and president of Homunculus Productions and the author of debut historical fiction novel THE ROAD TO SANTIAGO, set in 10th century Spain. She will be co-presenting the workshop Book Trailers: From PowerPoint to iPad Apps with Mary F. Burns.
May 20: Daphne at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books hosts Heather Domin Heather is the author of mixed-genre novels, including THE SOLDIER OF RAETIA, that combine romance with action and adventure. She will be speaking on the panel Off the Beaten Path: Reading and Writing Outside of the HF Mainstream.
May 19: Stephanie Lehmann hosts Joanne Lewis Joanne is the author of THE LANTERN, which won first place in the Royal Palm Literary Award for Historical Fiction, and is about a girl from 15th century Florence who dared to enter the competition to build the lantern on top of Brunelleschi’s dome. She will be speaking on the panel Publishing Models: Indie Presses and Self-Publishing Pathways.
May 18: Julianne Douglas hosts Teralyn Pilgrim Teralyn is a historical novelist seeking representation for SACRED FIRE, a novel about a vestal virgin in ancient Rome who had to perform a miracle to escape execution. She will be speaking on the panel Depicting Religion in Historical Fiction.
Diana Gabaldon
May 17: Erika Mailman hosts Diana Gabaldon Diana is the author of the award-winning, best-selling OUTLANDER novels,and emcee’d the fabulous Late Night Sex Scene Readings at the San Diego conference in 2011. Luckily for us, she will be reprising this scandalous event againfor HNS 2013!
May 16: Audra at Unabridged Chick hosts Stephanie Cowell Stephanie is the award-winning author of a number of historical fiction novels, including MARRYING MOZART and CLAUDE & CAMILLE: A NOVEL OF MONET. She will be speaking on the panel To Trump or Trumpet the History Police.
C W Gortner
May 15: Julianne Douglas hosts INVITED SPEAKER C.W. Gortner We’re very pleased to announce that C.W. Gortner, bestselling author of four historical novels, including THE QUEEN’S VOW and THE TUDOR SECRET, will be our featured speaker at the Saturday luncheon. He will be speaking on the panels To Trump or Trumpet the History Police and Sex in HF: How to Make It Hot.
May 14: Elizabeth Felt hosts Kathleen Kent Kathleen is the author of the bestselling novels, THE HERETIC’S DAUGHTER and THE TRAITOR’S WIFE, and was awarded the David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction. She will be speaking on the panel The Witchcraft Window: Scrying the Past.
May 13: Daphne at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books hosts Mary Sharratt Mary is an award-winning novelist who focuses on writing women back into history. Her latest novel, ILLUMINATIONS, was widely acclaimed. Mary will be speaking on the panels Depicting Religion in Historical Fiction; Is ‘Genre’ a Dirty Word? Commercial v. Literary HF; and The Witchcraft Window: Scrying the Past.
May 12: Julianne Douglas hosts Donna Russo Morin Donna is the author of four historical novels, “most recently of THE KING’S AGENT (Kensington, 2012), which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. She will be speaking on the conference panel Sex in Historical Fiction: How to Make It Hot.
May 11: Audra at Unabridged Chick hosts Stephanie Dray Stephanie is an award-winning author of historical fiction and fantasy set in the ancient world. She will be speaking on the following panels: Depicting Religion in Historical Fiction; Location, Location: Transporting Readers to Historical Settings; and HF Set in the Ancient World: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Anne Perry
May 10: Erika Mailman hosts GUEST OF HONOR Anne Perry Anne is an internationally-known and bestselling writer whose award-winning work has never been out of print–she has over 26 million books in print world-wide. We are thrilled to have her speaking as our Guest of Honor for the opening ceremonies on Friday night!
May 9: Elizabeth Felt hosts Heather Webb Heather will be speaking on the panel Virtual Salon: Historical Fiction Blogs. She is a blogger extraordinaire and a novelist whose debut historical, BECOMING JOSEPHINE will be published by Plume/Penguin in January 2014.
May 8: Stephanie Renee dos Santos hosts Jeanne MacKin Jeanne is the author of several historical novels and, writing as Anna Maclean, a trio of mysteries featuring Louisa May Alcott as an amateur sleuth. She will be giving a presentation on Writing the Cinematic Novel.
Steve Berry
May 7: Stephanie Lehmann hosts GUEST OF HONOR Steve Berry Steve is a New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of eight Cotton Malone adventures, four stand-alone thrillers, and four short-story originals. His books have been translated into 40 languages with more than 15 million printed copies in 51 countries. We are lucky to have him speaking at our Saturday night banquet as our Guest of Honor!
May 6: Daphne at Tanzanite’s Castle Full of Books hosts David Blixt David is an author and a playwright whose novels span the early Roman Empire (the COLOSSUS series) to early Renaissance Italy (the STAR-CROSS’D series) up through the Elizabethan era (his espionage comedy HER MAJESTY’S WILL, starring Will Shakespeare and Kit Marlowe as inept spies). He will be conducting the Combat Workshop:The History of Weaponry & Practical Skills.
May 5: Judith Starkston hosts Kris Waldherr Kris is an author, illustrator, and designer whose art has been exhibited in the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Her upcoming publications include her debut novel THE LILY MAID, and she will be speaking on the panel Is ‘Genre’ a Dirty Word? Commercial v. Literary HF.
May 4: Stephanie Lehmann hosts Maryka Biaggio Maryka will be speaking on the panel Writing About Women in History: Animating Their Times and Voices. Her novel PARLOR GAMES, based on the true story of a gilded-age baroness who tangled with the Pinkertons, was published by Doubleday in January 2013.
May 3: Judith Starkston hosts Deborah Swift Deborah is a novelist and poet from a small village on the edge of the English Lake District. She has written novels THE LADY’S SLIPPER and THE GILDED LILY, and will be speaking on the panels Virtual Salon: The Historical Fiction Blog and Making it to Mainstream – And What Comes After.
May 2: Stephanie Lehmann hosts Michelle Cameron Michelle Cameron is the author of novels THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS and IN THE SHADOW OF THE GLOBE, and is currently completing a novel about the Babylonian exile of the Judean people. She will be speaking on the panel Is ‘Genre’ a Dirty Word? Commercial v. Literary HF.
May 1: Judith Starkston hosts Mitchell J. Kaplan Mitchell will be speaking on the panel Is ‘Genre’ a Dirty Word? Commercial v. Literary HF. His historical novel BY FIRE, BY WATER has won numerous awards and he is hard at work on his next novel, which deals with the conflict between the Roman Empire and Judea.
