by Stephanie Dray | Apr 25, 2011 | Fun Stuff
This Contest Is Now Closed. Congratulations June M! You’re the Winner! I’ve collected a fair number of historical novels, most of which I don’t have room for on my bookshelves. I hate to part with them, but I’ll happily give them away to a good...
by Stephanie Dray | Apr 25, 2011 | Articles, Cleopatra Selene, Daughters of the Nile, Lily of the Nile, Research, Song of the Nile
Cleopatra VII of Egypt was the most fashionable woman in the ancient world. Like a modern day celebrity, she set the trends. During her visit to Rome, she made such a sensation that Roman matrons imitated her hairstyles. It’s hard to believe that her daughter didn’t...
by Stephanie Dray | Apr 18, 2011 | For Writers, Historical Fiction Genre
When an author throws magical elements into a modern setting, its called paranormal romance or urban fantasy. But what about when an author injects magic into a historical setting? Usually we still just call it historical fiction. The use of magic in historical...
by Stephanie Dray | Apr 4, 2011 | Historical Fiction Genre, Miscellany
It may come as a surprise to most people, but the dominant historical setting in commercial fiction isn’t Tudor England. It’s Regency England–the godzilla of the romantic fiction world. I’d like to point out a surprising number of similarities...
by Stephanie Dray | Mar 27, 2011 | Historical Fiction Genre
Historical fiction exists in the sometimes murky world between literature and scholarship. As authors, we rely upon sources both in the public domain and out of it, both contemporary and ancient. Yet, no uniform procedures or system for recording and giving credit to...