About the Book: Vetted by Roman experts and a Latin teacher, the novel tells the story of two teens in alternating voices: Lucia, the daughter of the owner of a struggling gladiatorial school, and Tages, a medical slave in her father’s school. Concerned by strange signs in the natural world around her, Lucia dreams about discussing them with the naturalist Pliny, who lives … [Read more...] about Excerpts from Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii
Curses and Smoke
The Surprising Sexual Reason Pompeii’s Lead is a Slave
I was deep into writing my young adult novel set in Pompeii, Curses and Smoke (Scholastic, May 2014), when my editor sent me a message that would've made any writer's blood turn to ice. "Turns out there's a movie being made about Pompeii," she wrote. "And it too features a male slave as the love interest." After dropping several f-bombs that nearly made my dog's ears bleed, I … [Read more...] about The Surprising Sexual Reason Pompeii’s Lead is a Slave
My Review of Pompeii
Several weeks ago, thanks to VaniaStoyanova, I caught a sneak preview of Pompeii, which opens in theaters, February 21. Interestingly, the experience of attending the early screening was almost more entertaining than the film itself. In the lobby, we were directed to a table manned by several tough-guys dressed in black suits. It looked like a convention of mobsters. No … [Read more...] about My Review of Pompeii
I’m Getting a Sneak Peek at Pompeii!
Miracle worker and photographer Vania Stoyanova of VLC productions got me passes to the screening of POMPEII! That's right, I'm getting a sneak preview. Tonight. Here's the thing, though. There are no reviews anywhere (even on Rotten Tomatoes), which does not bode well. If movie marketers are worried that the movie is a dud, they often keep reviewers away from it for as long … [Read more...] about I’m Getting a Sneak Peek at Pompeii!
Pompeii Movie–Who’s Planning to See it?
I have to see it, of course. I found out the movie was being made when I was deep into writing Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii. I'm very curious about the creative decisions they've made. I cannot wait. Anybody with me? It opens February 21st. Until then, there's this: And, of course, this: … [Read more...] about Pompeii Movie–Who’s Planning to See it?
