by Stephanie Dray | Jun 15, 2011 | Excerpts, For Readers, Miscellany, My Works, Song of the Nile
THE WEDDING They were all waiting for me. At the edges of the vast peristyle garden, guests found their seats beneath the columned porticos. In the torchlight, the emperor’s family gathered—the Julii and all their numerous friends and clients. Sitting apart was the...
by Stephanie Dray | Jun 14, 2011 | For Readers, Fun Stuff, Miscellany
As Song of the Nile is due to release in October, my time will be spent in the next few months setting up the promotional effort that will go into letting people know that the book exists. Part of this includes sending bookmarks to bookstores. I’ve never been...
by Stephanie Dray | May 20, 2011 | Cleopatra Selene, Daughters of the Nile, Lily of the Nile, Research, Song of the Nile
Many thanks to the Ancient World Mapping Center for giving me permission to post this map in anticipation of the release of Song of the Nile, my forthcoming novel about Cleopatra’s daughter. I’m delighted to be able to share it with readers.
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 | Mar 23, 2011 | Entertainment, Fun Stuff, Miscellany
I first came to admire Elizabeth Taylor for her definitive portrayal of Cleopatra in the 1963 production. She never won an award for it–those accolades would come from other movies–and Elizabeth Taylor’s antics, on and off the set, bankrupted a...
by Stephanie Dray | Mar 3, 2011 | Cleopatra Selene, Daughters of the Nile, For Readers, Heroines, Lily of the Nile, Research, Song of the Nile
The capital city of ancient Mauretania was Iol-Caesaria, which is located in modern day Cherchell, Algeria. It often helps me, when I’m writing, to have visual reminders of where my characters lived–to make the setting come alive. Frankly, very little of...
