historical fiction writer, amateur photographer, retired computer guru and math geek
They say editing is the hardest part of writing. I would disagree. If you are an indie writer like me, the hardest part of writing is getting your book publishing-ready. This means formatting the interior and cover according to the rules set forth by the company that will print and distribute it. It seems each … Continue reading Published!
No, this isn't a story about my Thanksgiving feast. Although there was lots of good food--and dessert--no "humble pie" was served. Nevertheless, I might have eaten a little bit of it, the night before. We'll start with this question for you, dear reader: How many times have you found yourself reading a book and *tsk-tsking* … Continue reading Humble Pie
I spent two years on the twisted road of writing. There were roadblocks and switchbacks. Ice, snow, rain. (uphill both ways?) At first I didn't really know where I was going, only that the journey must be undertaken. I had to tell this story, but how? How could I take a bunch of letters, over … Continue reading To the Finish Line!
The Psychological Landscape of the Civil War - an Editorial Review of Nostalgia from the Historical Fiction Company, By DK Marley Susannah Willey's "Nostalgia" is an enlightening historical novel that promises early a lasting impression. It uses the Civil War as both a setting and a psychological landscape where the battlefield is not only a … Continue reading Another Five-Star Review!
The Witches of Riegersburg, an historical novel by Julie Anne Stratton begins in the castle for which it is named. Located in southeastern Syria, Riegersburg castle is the site of the witch trials conducted between 1673-1675. It is 1664, and Baroness Elisabeth von Galler, the owner of the castle, is preparing for the celebration of … Continue reading Book Review–“The Witches of Riegersburg”, by Julie Anne Stratton
For those of you who wonder where I've been the past few weeks (Hell-o-o-o! Anybody?) I'm hard at work trying to finish a solid draft of Nostalgia and send it out to my beta readers. I promise I'll be back soon. If you'd by chance like to be a beta reader (that means you read … Continue reading Hiatus
I enjoy reading (and writing) historical fiction and, although I don't have the chops to write mystery, I love a good who-done-it. The Heron Legacy, by Leona Francombe is an exceptional example of both. As a teenager, Charles de la Fontaine loves spending summers with his uncle Theodore, a noted teacher and historian, at Antioch … Continue reading Book Review: “The Heron Legacy,” by Leona Francombe
Yes, Napoleon is a character in Nostalgia. Yes, he was my ancestor. An yes, that was his name. Go figure. In Nostalgia, Napoleon is Jim's cousin (in real life they were not related) The fictional Napoleon lives next door to Jim. His father, Isaac, is a veteran of the Mexican Wars and a raging alcoholic, … Continue reading Napoleon Bonaparte Drown
I am way overdue for a Nostalgia teaser, so let's talk about Peleg. Captain/Major Peleg Anthony is Jim's nemesis, and he represents the larger antagonistic force of the US Military in the Civil War which refused to recognize PTSD--what they called "nostalgia"--as a legitimate disorder. Back then, men who exhibited signs of "battle fatigue", both … Continue reading “Nostalgia” update
Okay, I admit it. I wouldn’t have read The Circle of Ceridwen if I hadn't seen it offered as a freebie. But I downloaded it, and I read it, and now I'm hooked. Only eleven more books in the series! Of course I am an historical fiction freak, and I do especially love British historical … Continue reading Book Review: “The Circle of Ceridwen” by Octavia Randolph
Susannah Willey Writes 