Monthly Archives: July 2012
Austen’s Transition to Modern Adaptations
Jane Austen’s works are often classified as “romances.” The assumption comes from the premise that if the heroine meets a handsome man in Chapter One, he must be the hero. Fitzwilliam Darcy is the romantic hero of Pride and Prejudice, … Continue reading
Ed Gein: The Real-Life Norman Bates
Of late, I’ve spent a lot of research hours on grave robbing, especially as it was practiced during the early 1800s. The need for medical schools to rob graves of “fresh” corpses to use as cadavers is common knowledge, but … Continue reading
Henry VII, the First of the Tudors
Henry VII came to the throne of England after defeating Richard III at Bosworth in 1485. With his accedence, England came into a long period of “National Pride.” The War of the Roses had weakened the nobility to the point … Continue reading
What Does Your eBook Reader Tell Publishers About Your Reading Habits?
IT TAKES THE AVERAGE READER JUST SEVEN HOURS TO READ THE FINAL BOOK IN SUZANNE COLLINS’S “HUNGER GAMES” TRILOGY ON THE KOBO E-READER—ABOUT 57 PAGES AN HOUR. NEARLY 18,000 KINDLE READERS HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE SAME LINE FROM THE SECOND BOOK … Continue reading
10 Lessons on Publishing for Women Readers from “Fifty Shades of Grey”
It may be the season for blue skies and sunshine, but the color scheme for books this summer has one shade: grey. British writer E.L. James’ erotic trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed has surged up like a publishing … Continue reading
Think Twice Before You Self Publish
If there’s a common flaw in self-publishing, it’s that too many books are published too soon. Experienced voices across the publishing world continually advise self-publishers to get help with editing, and not just copyediting but story editing too. It’s difficult, … Continue reading
Of Water Nymphs and Mermaids – Have You Heard of These UK Legends?
Fairy maidens inhabiting the oceans, rivers, springs, meadows, woods, and wells are collectively known as nymphs. Nymphs resemble humans in height and overall appearance, but they are known for their enchanting beauty and seductive charms. According to most legends, water nymphs are … Continue reading
A Resurgence of Jane Austen
Several people believe that Colin Firth’s stellar two-year “flirt” with Oscar’s fame – first with a spectacular performance in “A Single Man” and then in “The King’s Speech” – has led to a resurgence of Jane Austen’s popularity. In the … Continue reading
The Movie “Becoming Jane” and Hidden References to Austen’s Novels
By Regina Jeffers Becoming Jane is an imaginative, romantic tale that captures Jane Austen’s spirit, while playing with the truth. Many of us who delve in Austen-inspired literature have written our own “what if” stories, but one must be able to … Continue reading
The Real Murder Behind William Boyd’s “Any Human Heart”
In 1943 the richest man in the Bahamas was bludgeoned to death. Who was the murderer and what was the involvement of the Duke of Windsor? Intrigued by the case, William Boyd included it in his novel Any Human Heart, … Continue reading
