In “The Hounds of Heaven at My Heels,” Robert Waldron imagines the creation of the great late 19th century poem by Francis Thompson.
7 Tips for the Novice Historical Novel Writer — Learned the Hard Way
Writing a historical novel like ‘Brookhaven’ for the first time can be a challenge. Here are seven tips learned the hard way.
Holiday Gifts for the Poet in Your Life (or the Poet in You)
Our intrepid poetry reviewer offers some highly personal holiday gift suggestions — or the poet in your life or the poet in your heart.
Honeybees, Death, Grief, and Life: “The Honey Field” by Laura Boggess
“The Honey Field” by Laura Boggess is a story of death and grief, healing and recovery, life and love — and honeybees, of course.
“Hamnet”: Visualizing What Inspired Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
The novel and play “Hamnet” suggest that Shakespeare may have memorialized his son, who died in 1596, in the play “Hamlet.”
A TS Classic: “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde
A new edition of “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Sara Barkat, shows how the story still applies to our own time.
Poets and Poems: Tina Barry and “Beautiful Raft”
Poet Tina Barry discovers a forgotten woman, and tells her story in “Beautiful Raft,” a work of fiction written as prose poems.
The Old Victorian Inn, Alderson, West Virginia
Mildred’s Garden characters Mildred Ruffner and Cindy Newton wind up their bed and breakfast tour at Old Vic, the Old Victorian Inn, in Alderson, WV.
The Preston County Inn, Kingwood, West Virginia
Fictional characters Mildred and Cindy (from the novel Mildred’s Garden) continue their bed and breakfast tour, visiting the lovely Preston County Inn, in Kingwood, West Virginia.
Sitting in ‘Mildred’s Garden’ with Laura Boggess
“Mildred’s Garden” by Laura Boggess combines music, poetry, the beauty of West Virginia, and a refugee story into a delight of a novel.
The Beekeeper Inn, Helvetia, West Virginia
Fictional characters Mildred and Cindy (from the novel Mildred’s Garden) continue their bed and breakfast tour, visiting the charming Beekeeper Inn, in the Swiss-American community of Helvetia, West Virginia.
Forgotten Classics: “Cane” by Jean Toomer
“Cane” by Jean Toomer is considered a modernist classic, compared favorably and critically to the works of William Faulkner.
A Novel About Hughes and Plath: “Your Story, My Story” by Connie Palmen
In the novel “Your Story, My Story,” Dutch author Connie Palmen tells an unexpected story of the poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
Forgotten Classics: “The Moon Is Down” by John Steinbeck
“The Moon Is Down,” the 1942 short novel by John Steinbeck, was disliked by U.S. critics, but it had a large impact in occupied Europe.
Fiction Prompt: Chapter Four, Into the Gray with Campfire Pies
Our fiction series continues as Carter moves deeper into the gray, with campfire pies. Join author Callie Feyen for chapter 4.
Forgotten Classics: “Understood Betsy” by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
In “Understood Betsy,” Dorothy Canfield Fisher wrote a timeless children’s story about growing up and self-reliance.
Fiction Prompt: Chapter 3, Snowflake Lights, Shakespeare’s Sonnets, and Pumpkin-Spiced Whoopee Pies
Our fall into fiction series continues with snowflake lights, Shakespeare sonnets, and whoopee pies. Join author Callie Feyen for chapter 3.
Adjustments Excerpt: The Dinner Party
In this amusing excerpt from Will Willingham’s novel Adjustments, a man and his landlady invite dates for each other to a dinner party, and a ruckus ensues.
Poetry and Healing: “Waiting for Neruda’s Memoirs” by Laura Boggess
The novella “Waiting for Neruda’s Memoirs” by Laura Boggess tells a story of a woman haunted by voices and healed through the power of poetry.
A Poetic Novel to Turn You Upside Down: “Lanny” by Max Porter
In “Lanny,” British author Max Porter bends literary and artistic genres, creating a work that’s about art and its wonderful and fearsome effects.