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Dana Stabenow discusses Disappearance of a Scribe

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In conversation with Barbara Peters, founder of The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, Dana Stabenow discusses her new book, Disappearance of a Scribe, the second installment in the “Eye of Isis”, the trilogy of Ancient Egyptian crime novels that began with Death of an Eye. The event was both enlightening and entertaining, filled with fascinating insights into Dana’s writing process and the historical backdrop of her series.

During the conversation, Dana highlighted the beauty of physical books, especially those from her British publisher, which featured stunning maps and intricate cover designs. She also gave us a sneak peek into her writing journey and shared her inspiration for the series, set during the time of Cleopatra’s reign in Egypt and the transition to Roman rule.

Dana and her Barbara traveled to Egypt and discussed its historical significance, its transition from a fertile province to a desert country, and its complex political landscape during Cleopatra’s time. They touched on how her characters navigate this world, with a special focus on the series’ protagonist, Tetisheri, Cleopatra’s personal investigator.

Dana’s deep research and personal experiences in Egypt shone through as she discussed various aspects of her novels, from murder methods involving Rhakotis sandals to the importance of historical records like tax and property filings, the importance of the Great Library of Alexandria in the plot, or her research on ancient construction materials.

The audience engaged with Dana in a lively Q&A session, covering topics ranging from Cleopatra’s psychology before her suicide and the strategic errors that led to her defeat at the Battle of Actium, to the historical accuracy of descriptions of food and beverage popular in Egypt, such as beans, citrus, fish, and bread.

The event was an enlightening and engaging event for history and mystery lovers alike. If you enjoyed this recap, share it on social media, and stay tuned for more exciting events by subscribing to our newsletter.

Kristen Ashley discusses Dream Keeper

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In a fantastic event hosted by John Charles, The Poisoned Pen welcomed a favorite local author, Kristen Ashley, to discuss her latest book in theDream Team series, Dream Keeper.

Kristen, known for her captivating romance novels, shared insights into her journey from a charity executive to a prolific romance novelist with over 80 published books. She humorously recalled her early days, when she knew “precisely” what she wanted to be, “but couldn’t get published.” Her determination and love for romance eventually led her to success.

Ashley shared her experience with indie publishing and how a government-subsidized program in England helped her get started. Being a hybrid author, publishing both independently and with traditional publishers, gives her the opportunity to collaborate with professionals while also maintaining creative control.

Dream Keeper is the fourth installment in the Dream Team series, blending characters from her Rock Chick and Dream Man series. Kristen explained, “It’s a younger generation. A lot of my readers wanted stories about the kids of the heroes and heroines from the past.” This series explores the lives of strippers and commandos, making for an intriguing read. Ashley shared her passion for music and how it influences her writing process. She talked about the songs that inspired Dream Keeper and the connection between music and emotions in her stories.

One of the hallmarks of Kristen’s books is the sense of sisterhood and empowerment they convey. She noted, “My brand is really about sisterhood and supporting each other, even if you don’t know that person”, as her stories inspired real-life sisterhoods among her readers.

When asked about writing series, Kristen revealed that it’s often organic. “You go in thinking something’s going to be one way, and it surprises you.” She emphasized her dedication to her craft, writing up to 20,000 words a day during a creative burst.

She also talked about her experience with audiobooks and how she collaborates with narrators to bring her books to life in audio format and reach a broader audience.

With regard to social media and the impact on her journey as an author, Kristen referred to the importance of connecting with readers on social media. She mentioned she prefers Facebook and Instagram, and humorously admitted to struggling with Twitter’s cleverness. She also touched on her passion for food, intricately woven into her books, and mentioned her cookbook, Dream Bites, and how the royalties from its sales go to women’s charities through her organization, the Rock Chick Nation.

Finally, Ashley shared exciting plans for the future, including a trip to Paris to connect with author friends and hints at upcoming projects, including a surprise release in January and the next book in her River Rain and Fantasyland series.

If you enjoyed this author event, please share it on social media and spread the book love. And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more exciting author events and book news.

Susanna Kearsley and Diana Gabaldon at The Poisoned Pen

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In this captivating virtual event hosted by The Poisoned Pen’s Barbara Peters, renowned authors Susanna Kearsley and Diana Gabaldon share their insights on Kearsley’s The Vanished Days, in an insightful discussion that delves deep into the world of historical fiction. 

The authors discuss various aspects of their writing process – Diana’s kaleidoscope approach and Susanna’s puzzle-like method, that allows her to “find inspiration in the hidden corners of history”. Her words echo the charm that permeates The Vanished Days, a tale that bridges time and imagination and can be considered a prequel or companion book to Kearsley’s The Winter Sea.

They both agree that characters drive the plot, and they often let them dictate where the story goes. Kearsley emphasizes how historical characters can present challenges since there are gaps in their stories, but highlights that research helps fill in those gaps. They both acknowledge the need for historical accuracy and the importance of crafting a cohesive narrative, where each character and plot point fit together to create a compelling story.

Best-selling author Diana Gabaldon, renowned for the ‘Outlander’ series underscored “Susanna’s ability to blend history with emotion” which she described as “unparalleled.” As the conversation unfolds, they discuss the characters who navigate through history’s twists and turns. “Books like ‘The Vanished Days’ ensure that history lives on,” Susanna emphasizes, while Diana adds, “It’s like whispering to the past and the future simultaneously.”

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And if you’re eager to explore more literary wonders and connect with fellow historical fiction and mystery enthusiasts,  join The Poisoned Pen’s Historical Fiction book club to discover great books curated by our founder Barbara Peters.