now you see her...
Bestselling author of historical fiction and the Five Queendoms epic fantasy series (SCORPICA, ARCA, SESTIA).
Phew, enough about reviews for now. Interviews are more fun! And they don't come much more enjoyable than this one with Midwestern Gothic. I got to talk about my roots in the Midwest, how I feel about the idea that all writers need to move to New York City, and what writing across genres has taught me.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who writes an online review of one of my books, whether or not it's a positive review. Because reviews are one of the best ways for readers to find books -- they don't have to be five-star raves to serve a really valuable purpose. If you didn't like the book, obviously that's fine! Your opinion is your opinion! There's a way to express "it's not for me" that doesn't resort to "this book sucked" or the ever-non-informative "meh." Unfortunately, some reviewers seem to relish the chance to take the wind out of an author's sails, and when that happens, the best way to get our wind back, so to speak, is to laugh about it.
And so. Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, who write as a team, rounded up fellow authors to read our mean reviews onscreen, and this video was born. I shared a review of The Magician's Lie that I found, well, rather surprising. Honestly, as soon as they asked if I wanted to participate, I thought, "YES! I've got just the thing."
Plus, you can go to this Facebook page and follow the instructions to enter a great big giveaway for the latest book from every author in the video. (Deadline is June 30.) We promise, the books are MUCH better than these reviews make them sound. Enjoy!
Love this -- Bustle recommends your next read based on your childhood favorite. Guess what you should read if you loved Harriet the Spy? GIRL IN DISGUISE!
Read the whole list here. (I'm thinking Labyrinth Lost next.)
One of my favorite fellow historical fiction writers, Heather Webb, recently rounded up thoughts on failure from a group of successful writers for an article at Writer Unboxed.
Click here for wisdom from Stephanie Cowell, Eva Stachniak, Aimie Runyan and more (including me!)
If you're not familiar with Miss Demeanors, it's a fabulous site chock-full of writing advice. Their own description of the site is delightful: "a group of mystery and suspense writers who -- when not killing off characters -- let their better angels share tidbits about writing, reading and research." (If you've read GIRL IN DISGUISE, you'll know why "better angels" especially made me smile.)
I'm honored to have a guest post up on the site about my process for turning a real-life historical detective into the lead character in a detective novel. Click here to read it.
Had a great time putting together my advice on how to shape, start, end, and manage your chapters for Writers In the Storm. Fellow novelists, this one's for you!
The Kate Warne Awareness Campaign continues! I wrote a brief summary of Kate's exploits for the Women's Museum of California. You can read it here.
I love this new series on Creating Herstory celebrating fierce women of the past. And of course you know who my favorite fierce woman of the past is these days -- Kate Warne!
Love this idea from BookPage -- "historical fiction for your staycation." As all readers know, good books help you go places without leaving your favorite chair! And of course I'm thrilled that GIRL IN DISGUISE is included as a recommended way to travel to 1850s Chicago.
Plus, the writeup is stellar. "Greer Macallister’s take on the life of Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective, is a rollicking good time as well as an inspiring portrait of a forgotten American hero."
For most of my teenage years, my mother and I would pass the Bas Bleu catalog back and forth, circling gift ideas for Christmas and birthdays -- for ourselves and each other. I was delighted to call her two years ago when my Sourcebooks sales contact told me that Bas Bleu would carry my first novel, THE MAGICIAN'S LIE, in their catalog.
I was even more delighted to call her today to tell her that not only is GIRL IN DISGUISE in the catalog this time around, it's one of just 12 Summer Reading List selections. Merci, Bas Bleu!