November 2012

For her latest novel The Indelible Heart, Marianne K. Martin won the Gay & Lesbian Fiction category of the International Book Awards, from USA Book News. 

Marianne talked with Joan Opyr about alcoholism and comedy — and finding the comedy in tragedy. The Advocate listened in. To read the interview, click here. 

Jesse Blackadder has been earning great reviews for The Raven’s Heart. Amos Lassen describes her prose as “gorgeous.” Jerry Wheeler of Out in Print says it’s “sumptuous and expressive.” And for Lambda Literary, Sara Rauch writes that “Her prose is both sexy and chaste, ruthless and tender, bringing out these elements in all her characters.”

All the reviewers celebrate her deft handling of her research. Jerry Wheeler says, “I could almost feel the chill of coastal Scotland. But research would just be useless facts if she didn’t have the ability to meld the history with some amazing characters.” He adds that “her sense of place is marvelous — her descriptions are powerful but never overwhelm the action. And her pacing is a perfect blend of action and exposition that never drags or lags.“

Writing for the Historical Novel Review, Anita Davison said, “It is not often I say this about a book, but this one grabbed and held me from the first page.” The writer and blogger Kate Forsythe said “I thought this version of the famous events of the 1560s was thoughtful, original and unusual, and I really loved the book.” As did Jerry Wheeler, who describes The Raven’s Heart as “an engrossing read . . . sure to please both history buff and fiction lover.” And Lambda reckons that “Sarah Waters’ fans are sure to enjoy this new historical fiction.”

Jesse with Polari host Paul Burston (aka London’s Armistead Maupin)

Jesse was in London recently, where she was invited to read from The Raven’s Heart. At Polari, which the New York Times calls “London’s most theatrical literary salon”, she joined the stage with the poet Adam Lowe, multi-award winning writer Jonathan Harvey, New York’s Penny Arcade and drag queen Lola Lypsinka. And she was invited by the Historical Novel Society to contribute to one of its regular (who knew?) Saturday night sex readings.

Jesse was also interviewed recently by Kate Forsythe. To find out how she writes, where she writes, and what she thinks of writer’s block, click here.

Georgia prefers red wine

Readers mingled with authors — that’s Hilary, Sally, Georgia, Mari, and Marianne — and publishers — Kelly and Michele — at the Harbor Lounge. The Sage Inn hosted a new event on the Women’s Week calendar: readings by several authors, including our own. At the Fairbanks Inn, our authors treated the audience to readings from new work. And there was a full house for The Breakfast Club Readings at Napi’s Restaurant. The audience must have enjoyed themselves there: they renamed the event “Morning Glory with Bywater authors.”  

Later, there were plenty of readers joining us at Womencrafts for wine, cheese and authors signing their favorite books. Womencrafts has been hosting us for several years now, and the evening has its own reputation now — one we’re proud to keep up. 

Mari, Kate and some silver lamé

Mari quickly sold out of copies of her latest novel, Camptown Ladies. Later, she spoke to a packed house alongside Kate Clinton. At the Crown and Anchor, the two women took part in A COMICAL DISCUSSION: No Seriously — and the audience couldn’t get enough.   

 We’ll be going next year, of course. See you then!