Review of The Monsters We Defy, by Leslye Penelope
Here’s my review of Lesley Penelope’s engaging fantasy set in Washington, D.C. in 1925 that incorporates Black folk traditions of magic.
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Judith Starkston
Judith Starkston has spent too much time exploring the remains of the ancient worlds of the Greeks and Hittites. Their myths and clashes inspire her fiction and open gates to magical realms. She has degrees in Classics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and Cornell. She loves myths and telling stories, and her novels imbue fantasy with the richness of ancient worlds. The first book in her Trojan Threads Series, Hand of Fire was a semi-finalist for the M.M. Bennett’s Award for Historical Fiction. Priestess of Ishana, the first in her historical fantasy Tesha series, won the San Diego State University Conference Choice Award. Judith is represented by Richard Curtis.
Griffin Warrior Tomb at Pylos
I’ve written before about the Griffin Warrior tomb, a fabulous unrobbed Mycenaean find at Pylos. But I can’t resist sharing this pleasant write up and photos in National Geographic. The “Griffin Warrior” tomb stands out as one of the great finds of this generation.
Review of What Should Be Wild by Julia Fine
My review of Julia Fine’s What Should Be Wild, a fairytale-like novel of a wild wood and several generations of magical women who live there. Both dark and dryly humorous.
Briseis off to Cyprus? Hala Sultan Tekke Report
One of these not-so-far-off days, I’ll write the follow up book to Hand of Fire, my novel set in the Trojan War with Briseis as the main character. She might go to the island of Cyprus, perhaps even to the Bronze Age city that is now the archaeological site called Hala Sultan Tekke
Let Me Tell You My Origin Story
I wrote my origin story for Donis Casey’s regular series “Let Me Tell You My Story.” I don’t have the usual writer’s tale.
Medicinal Mummies
This week’s post takes a step into the macabre with a medieval cure made of ground-up mummy. And that wasn’t the end of the mummy abuse.
Interview about Royal Blood with Simon Rose
On my blog, an interview with Simon Rose about Royal Blood, 2nd bk in his Stone of the Seer series, historical fantasy for young adults.
Life of Egyptian Pyramid Builders: Not What You Think
What comes to mind when you think of ancient Egyptian pyramid builders? Not a life full of high status responsibilities and good food. And yet, the papyrus logbooks indicate these surprising aspects. Read on.
Review of The Undertakers by Nicole Glover
Nicole Glover’s The Undertakers, in her Black speculative fiction Murder and Magic series, features husband and wife magical practitioners who operate as both undertakers and detectives in post-Civil War Philadelphia. My review of this entertaining mix of historical and magical mystery.
Writing Better Dialogue Workshop
The Writer’s Connection at Desert Foothills Library is hosting me to teach a dialogue workshop (on Zoom) July 1, 1-3 pm Arizona time. It’s free and open to everyone. Writing dialogue well has never come easily to me, but there are good techniques that anyone can learn.