Many of us came to a love of the classics after reading historical fiction set in the ancient world. Unfortunately, most modern publishers are seeking the next big dystopia like Hunger Games or fantasy like Harry Potter. That why I'm asking those who have read my book--Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii--and enjoyed it, to consider voting for it via this survey for the Teen … [Read more...] about Fiction Set in Ancient Rome
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TV Land, Hades and More
Last week was pretty exciting--I was on a local TV show to talk about my latest book, held a storytelling event in honor of Hades, and started editing the next in the series, Thor Speaks! Here's the link to the interview: http://archive.11alive.com/atlanta_and_company_story.aspx?storyid=325308 I didn't tell anyone about my appearance because I didn't want to be nervous. … [Read more...] about TV Land, Hades and More
Even Gladiators Would’ve Changed the Redskins Name
The Daily Show's bit on the meeting of die-hard Redskins fans with Native Americans who oppose the use of the epithet as a football team's name was disappointingly tame. Where were the high emotions, the tears, and the outrage of those poor beleaguered fans who found themselves "ambushed" by those who find the name deeply hurtful and insulting? Where was the woman who called … [Read more...] about Even Gladiators Would’ve Changed the Redskins Name
Six Authors…One Amazing Book
Imagine six different historical fiction writers getting together and deciding to "play" with story-telling. What if we all focused on a single famous event? What if characters from each others' stories wove in and out of everyone's tales? What if we each took a period before, during and after an explosive event, but kept them connected to the very end? What if we inspired each … [Read more...] about Six Authors…One Amazing Book
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!