library book talk and ARCs for review…

I will be doing a book talk at the Kingston Public Library next Monday, July 13 at 6 p.m. I plan to read an excerpt from The King’s Rose, then talk a bit about my writing process and how I came to be published. I’m looking forward to it – I just hope I have an audience (hint, hint).

The book tour has gradually wound down – though I’m still visiting blogs! I love guest-blogging. My current task is to write a blog entry debunking some common misconceptions about Catherine, for example: that she was notoriously dim-witted. Perhaps I’m too close to my subject matter, but I have some actual historical texts to back up my admittedly sympathetic argument. Speaking of blogs…if anyone reading this maintains a book review blog and you’re interested in reviewing The King’s Rose, contact me. I may have an ARC for you, if you’re interested.

[Pause: I just watched Roxanne get stuck under her dog blanket. I don't know how she managed this. I tried to get a photo - mean! I know - but she escaped in time to save her precious dignity.]

I’ve been floating around between projects as of late, distracting myself with reading copious books and baking copious cookies (oh, and polynesian-style meatballs). There are worse things to do while not writing. I’ve been taking note of things in what I hope is a writerly way: the glossy amber slugs scattered in couplets across the wet sidewalk, the train window silvered with raindrops…(yes, it’s still raining). But I know I have to get back to it, for real. Even though this new project isn’t clicking just yet, I think it deserves a little more effort. And Tom has requested that I calm down on the cookie baking, for the sake of our collective health.

Before I turn to my fussily highlighted outline, let me introduce you to the Queen Elizabeth:

 

In honor of the ghost of Catherine Howard

Greetings to all!

 

I am so excited to see my second book, The King’s Rose on Amazon! And available for pre-order no less: http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Rose-Alisa-Libby/dp/0525479708/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231460380&sr=1-1

 

It seems fitting to write a message about Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII and the subject The King’s Rose, so close to Halloween. According to legend, after her execution in 1542 Catherine began haunting a gallery in Hampton Court. She first ran down this gallery upon her arrest at Hampton, shouting her husband’s name as the guards dragged her back to her chambers. Needless to say, the king did not respond to Catherine’s call, and her ghost has continued to traverse this hallway, shouting “Henry! Henry! Henry!” to whoever will listen.

 

I’ve never had much luck hunting ghosts, but I did travel to England to visit Hampton Court, Westminster, the Tower of London, and other places where Catherine lived. To read my travel journal and view some photos from my trip, please visit these links:

 

England – Windsor

England – Hampton Court

England – Tower of London

 

Though I didn’t see her ghost, I definitely sensed Catherine’s presence – particularly in the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula at the Tower of London, where she is buried next to her cousin, Anne Boleyn.

 

Happy Halloween to all,

Alisa