News from Judith Starkston May 13-22

My usual round up of interesting web posts is going to be on temporary hiatus. Instead I’ll try to keep everyone posted about my travels off and on this spring. By the way, you might have noticed, my website got a technical update and some new style from Kästle Olson, web designer. There’s a few odd bits she’s still working on like my email subscription, but the transition went way more smoothly than either of us had feared, given the agedness of my original wordpress theme. I love my new digs. Familiar, but definitely spruced up! (There were a lot of internal issues you couldn’t see that needed updating and they are all splendid now.)

But before I start my travel notes, I have to share an exciting milepost in my life as an author. As a reviewer, I’ve had the pleasure of hearing an author say I “got” his or her book. But being on the receiving end of this project is even more delightful. Nassem Al-Mehairi, to whom I’d sent review copy for his blog Seize the Moment, posted this initial response to my book on my Facebook page, “I had always been interested in Achilles, in his half-immortal existence, forcing himself to quell his rage. The book was really great, one that shows this time period accurately, and uses a beautiful pairing of fantasy and true history.” I can’t tell you how incredibly great it makes me feel to hear a smart reader “getting” my book: my understanding of Achilles and the blend of history and fantasy I worked so hard on. Thank you, Nassem. You made my day!

The first leg of several journeys was to the RT Booklovers Conference in New Orleans. Here I found 2500 or so eager readers, mostly of romance. This is a wild event with a lot of partying and celebrating. I found an excited slice of this world that loves historical books and I hope they’ll keep those bookmarks I saw them slide into their current read until September when they can order Hand of Fire. I also met with bloggers, magazine editors and publicity experts in my gradual build up to Hand of Fire’s launch. I participated on a panel about writing challenged characters, in my case a blind woman in my current work in progress. I was so appreciative of the warm and positive response the audience gave all of us on the panel. The blind woman in the front row gave me a strong vote of support for the direction I’ve been going. Very encouraging.

Best of all in New Orleans, however, was celebrating with Nancy Bilyeau as she won RT’s Best Historical Mystery. We live far apart so it was especially good to share some excellent food and conversation together (and a bottle of champagne….). Congrats to Nancy for a more than well-deserved win. If you haven’t read the first two in her Tudor period series, The Crown and The Chalice, do find a copy. I’ve read parts of the third book as I helped with some critiquing and you don’t want to miss these books. Nancy and I enjoyed her somewhat ironic win at a romance conference. Her main character is a nun.

My bags are packed for the next stage of the journey. Coming up next: exploring Cyprus, including Bronze Age ruins, vineyards, sea and cedars.