Author Archives: Vanessa in France

History People # 7: Jane Bwye asks “What is History?”

It’s a great pleasure for me to welcome an old friend, Jane Bwye, to the blog today. This is a special day for Jane. Grass Shoots, the sequel to her bestselling novel Breath of Africa, set in Kenya, launches today. I’m helping with her launch party on Facebook – and you can win some terrificContinue reading “History People # 7: Jane Bwye asks “What is History?””

The story behind the story – Vanessa Couchman’s new Corsica-based novel

Originally posted on Katys Writing Coffee Shop:
Today I’m thrilled to see Vanessa Couchman in the coffee shop. I love stories about houses which give up their longheld secrets so The House at Zaronza which is set in Corsica was right up my street and am eagerly awaiting her next book. Hello Vanessa, what can…

Rolling in the Aisles: 10 Tips for Doing an Author Talk

Doing an author talk and reading or a public book launch can be intimidating if you don’t have much experience. And public speaking generally is daunting unless you’re one of life’s extroverts, which I’m not. I have done quite a lot of it in past incarnations, sometimes to hostile audiences, but it still makes meContinue reading “Rolling in the Aisles: 10 Tips for Doing an Author Talk”

History People #6: Carol Maginn, Lured by History

Next up in my series about people who write historical fiction is Carol Maginn, who shares with us her journey into history and its influence on her writing. She also tells us how she avoids the pitfalls of historical research – and I know from my own experience what those are!

Magic and the Supernatural in Corsica

The Corsican people have always held strong beliefs in the supernatural and magic, which predate the modern Catholic religion by a long way. The spirit world was, Corsicans believed, never very far from ours and the two coincided at certain times. The dead had to be appeased and bad omens banished with spells to avertContinue reading “Magic and the Supernatural in Corsica”

History People #5: Sue Barnard, Random and Retrospective?

Sue Barnard is not only a friend and fellow Crooked Cat author, but she’s also my editor! Today, she’s here with her author hat on, though, to tell us about her approach to the history she includes in her own books. Take it away, Sue.

History People #4: Nancy Jardine, fascinated by Roman Britain

A big welcome back to the blog to Crooked Cat colleague Nancy Jardine, the latest of my history people. Nancy’s enthusiasm for her subject leaps off the page! Read on and you’ll see what I mean.

Researching #Corsica: yes, but which one?

  You’ve no doubt heard of Google alerts. They’re a useful way of keeping abreast of new items on a topic that interests you, without having to scroll through search engine pages to find them. You can try different keywords and set the alert to varying frequencies and in several languages.

History People #3: Cathie Dunn, a Medieval History Fan

I’m delighted to welcome back author Cathie Dunn to the blog today, who continues my series about writers of historical fiction. Thank you, Vanessa, for hosting me today. I love talking about history and research, and I’m grateful for the offer to do so again.