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.

Crafting Emotion, Pompeii’s Revelations, Accessing Asclepius

November 27, 2020November 27, 2020

How to write deep, engaging emotions. In archaeology news, Pompeii’s latest finds and disability ramps at the temple of Asclepius

Griffin Novella, Bronze Age Sword & Iron Age Fort

November 20, 2020November 19, 2020

I’m drafting a novella set in the land of griffins. In archaeology news, read about an ornate sword found in a forest and in Israel basalt fortifications with evocative horned figures.

Review, Underwater Egypt, Purple

November 13, 2020November 13, 2020

Review of Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen. In archaeology news, sunken city of Thonis-Heracleion surfaces in Egypt and murex dye shows function of ancient settlement

Historical Mystery, Dogs & Mesopotamian PTSD

November 6, 2020November 6, 2020

Find free historical mysteries to read. In archaeology news, dog genome unveils the history of man’s best friend and Assyrian soldiers spoke of PTSD-like symptoms in 1300 BCE

Madrid Memoir, Original Conflict, Mirrors to Self

October 30, 2020October 16, 2023

My review of Without a Second Thought by Diane Benitez. In archaeology news, the role of shellfish in human settlement and ancient mirrors.

book cover images of A Bend in the River and Of Kings and Griffins

Book Showtime & Melting Archaeology

October 23, 2020April 24, 2023

Watch “A conversation with Judith Starkston” on Second Sunday Books. In archaeology news, the shrinking alpine glaciers reveal fragile archaeology.

Of Kings and Griffins book cover art as ebook and paperback

Book Birthday & Ancient Clothing

October 16, 2020October 17, 2020

In celebration of my book launch, a favorite review, Of Kings and Griffins. In archaeology, ancient clothing, fabrics and “bling.”

Of Kings and Griffins Ready for Launch; Copper & Mummies

October 9, 2020October 9, 2020

The latest release in the Tesha series, Of Kings and Griffins is ready for publication on Oct 15. In archaeology, ancient trade secrets in copper production and the excavation of more painted sarcophagi in Egypt.