By Mary Jo and the rest of the Wenchly Crew
Has it really been thirteen years since we cautiously launched the Word Wenches blog? Indeed yes, and so much has changed in the world, in publishing, and in us. We've lost beloved Wench sisters Edith Layton and Jo Beverley, entered into new genres and new forms of publishing, and we've expanded to having Wenches from Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US so we can truly say that the sun never sets on the Wench Empire!
Here is the very first Word Wench blog post, also written by me. (I thought I was better at not volunteering!) Here is also a link for the first month of blogs, as we felt our way into this new enterprise and learned how to use the blog site's tools.
And we're still here, musing three times a week on books, history, travel, and other intriguing topics. Blogging is work even if we each only write one about every two weeks. When on deadline, there can be a mad scramble to swap dates, whip off something very quickly, or republish an older post. But we've kept blogging all these years because, basically, we like doing this.
We like connecting with our readers. We like being able to do quick, low stakes riffs on things that catch our attention. We LOVE telling readers about our new books, or new authors we've discovered.
For our first anniversary, we did a three part series on Getting Naked With the Wenches, and very popular it was! Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Now we're more relaxed about our anniversaries. Because this blog has always been about books, readers, history (and sometimes food--ice cream, anyone? <G>), we're celebrating this year's Wenchiversary by each talking about a favorite book we've written. (Not THE favorite, that would be impossible, but A favorite.)
And we're also giving books away to commenters! So read, enjoy, post a comment by midnight Saturday (and we're not fussy about time zones) and maybe win a favorite Wench book!:
Now over to Patricia Rice
As the wenches mused over the miracle of still remaining friends over thirteen marvelous years of blogging together, I thought back over the three dozen books I’ve written during that time. When we first started, I had just published Magic Man, a book I thought ended my journey of magical Malcolms and scientific Ives. Back then, I had editors and market realities forcing me into a narrow niche. One of my first blogs waved a flag of defiance on head-hopping.
My editor wanted more traditional Regencies, and Aidan’s book sat lonely for a while the rest of the series went out of print. In order for my Magic Man to sit on shelves with the rest of his brethren, I had the rights to the series returned and re-published the books independently. That decision eventually started me down a whole new path as I realized I could write more Malcolms and Ives without need of New York!
What strikes me most about these last thirteen years is the extraordinary freedom I’ve felt writing my non-traditional books, thanks to the immense amount of support I received from our tag team of wenches. Even though I’ve ventured from imaginary demon worlds through magical families in Regency England to a supernatural town in California, the wenches and our readers have cheered me on. How often does anyone get that kind of caring support? Virtual hugs and kisses to everyone!
Since the Magical Malcolm series is in the hands of a new publisher and no longer in print, I’ll offer an e-copy of my independently published Magic in the Stars, the next in the Malcolm/Ives tradition, to a randomly selected commenter. Hugs to all of you!
Nicola Cornick:
I can’t believe that we Wenches are now entering our teenage years! I joined up after the blog had been going for a few years, having admired it from afar. It was such a thrill to be invited! As we reach our 13th anniversary I am so grateful for the friendships I forged with the group and the readers who support our writing and share their lives with us. It’s a wonderful community!
During the years I’ve blogged with the Wenches I’ve moved from writing historical (mainly Regency) romance, to dual-time novels with (I hope!) strong romantic elements. This was a huge leap for me; I still love historical romance and would like to write it again (never say never!) but I had a hankering to do timeslip for many years and, apart from discovering how difficult it is for a pantser like me to interweave several different timelines, it’s been brilliant fun.
It seems appropriate to offer a copy of my first timeslip book, House of Shadows, to a commenter on the post as the Wenches and readers saw me through the transition with their support and encouragement. Thank you all!
Anne Gracie speaks!
It's not quite 13 years for me — I joined the Wenches in 2008. I was a wenchly reader almost from the very start, though I hardly ever commented -- I was worried they'd think I was trying to promote myself.
Then I met Mary Jo and Pat and Jo Beverley at a couple of small US conferences. It was not long after they'd gone from blogging every day to three days a week and I remember telling them I really missed having a fresh wenchly blog every morning with my coffee. I suspect there was a bit of mental eye-rolling at that point (though not to my face) because obviously I had no idea back then how much work goes into a blog.
I can't imagine blogging every week. I sometimes think of that when I suddenly realize it's my turn to blog. "Already?" I moan. "But I only blogged a few days ago." Nope, it was a fortnight ago. I was delighted when back in 2008 Mary Jo emailed me to do an interview with me, and then, when shortly afterwards she invited me to join the wenches I was thrilled to bits.
At that time there were only two other Australians published in mainstream historical romance in the USA and it wasn't long before I realized that the wenches offered not only a blogging venue, but friendship, support, career wisdom and much more. We "talk" all the time on email, sharing laughs and moans, frustration and celebrations. We toss ideas around, chat, and often those chats lead to something fresh on the blog.
We haven't all met in person, but that doesn't seem to matter — we're still friends. Mary Jo has asked us to talk about a favorite book — and of course, it's impossible to pick a favorite. Our books are a bit like children in that sense. But my first title for Berkley was pretty special for me. I'd written several books for Harlequin, but they had a strict word length and I'd always had to cut between 10,000 and 40,000 words to fit it. I'd written The Perfect Rake and was facing the prospect of cutting 30,000 words, and I just didn't want to. It hadn't been contracted yet, so I contacted an agent who'd offered to represent me, and she sold it to Berkley. The Perfect Rake became a reader favorite, and is often the title readers recommend to people who've never read my books. Because of that, The Perfect Rake is still in print -- still in paperback -- for which I'm very grateful.
I'll give a book to someone who leaves a comment — either a copy of The Perfect Rake, or an advance reader copy of my new book, Marry In Secret.
Andrea Penrose/Cara Elliot:
Are we really 13? Well, as the old adage goes, time flies when you’re having fun! And we do have fun, despite the angst and vicissitudes of a constantly changing publishing world. First of all, having you—our Wenchly world of book lovers and avid readers—makes it a joy to post our musings all the arcane little things that catch our fancy. Whatever we talk about, you always have such interesting comments and stories of you own, which I think is a special part of why we've lasted this long.
The Wenches have changed a bit since the original group formed. I was invited to join in 2009, and I still remember the goose bumps that prickled down my spine when I got the call from Mary Jo. I was incredibly nervous about doing my first post—I researched it for days and laboriously crafted a 2000-words essay (even though Mary Jo had told me to keep it at 1000 max) because I wanted to make sure I met the lofty Wench standards. It was on gunpowder.
Thankfully the other Wenches all tolerated my overkill and it didn’t blow up in my face! I knew from the very start that I was incredibly lucky to be part of this wonderful group—but I didn’t realize how lucky. We’ve all come to be very close friends, despite the fact that we’re literally scattered around the globe and don’t often get to meet face to face. We talk every day on our e-mail loop, sharing highs and lows, helping each other with plotting and Beta reads. In a profession that’s ultimately a very solitary one, having this camaraderie and support is special beyond words.
So . . . a favorite book that I’ve written? That’s pretty impossible. Each one is special in its own way. Writing is such a journey and you learn new things about craft, character and your own writing process with each one. But I’ll highlight two of them. The Defiant Governess was my very first book. It’s a traditional Regency romance and was published by Signet. While I think I’ve become a MUCH better writer since then, it’s still very special to me because it reminds that I dared to buck up my courage, sit down and see if I could write a book.
I stayed in the historical romance genre for many years, and while I loved writing them, I also wanted to explore characters in ways that didn’t quite fit the romance trope. I found I was adding more mystery to my plots, because it allowed me to present different challenges to my protagonists.
So for me, So for me, Murder on Black Swan Lane, the first book of my Wrexford & Sloane Regency mystery series, is also a special book because it allowed me move into a niche that feels “right" for my voice. I still have a strong romantic element is my books, but I feel have more room to develop complex relationships, especially as it’s an ongoing series, where the characters get to grow. I’ll be giving away a copy of Murder on Black Swan Lane to a reader who leaves a comment here
Susan King/Susan Fraser King:
Thirteen years ago I was one of the founding Word Wenches, and the only one of us writing Scottish and medieval then. I was also just beginning the research and writing of my first mainstream historical, Lady Macbeth, set in the 11th century; that, and its sequel Queen Hereafter, took years along a slightly different path than my historical romances. I felt a bit of an odd writing duck in the midst of the accomplished Wenches, masters of the wide range of Regency romance, which I wasn't well versed in myself!
Years later, our Wench roster has changed some, and we've written scores more books between us, including two anthologies published as the Wenches, a first for any author blog (and I’ve even tried my hand a bit at the Regency era). And 13 years later, we're still here! Friendship is the secret to our long life as a group blog, the glue that holds the blog together and has helped all of us to grow and develop as writers and women. The respect and love we have for each other is a gift we hadn't expected from the experience.
And it's not our only secret—we all tend to be laid back and flexible, and none of us sweat the details on the blog if a ball is dropped and goes bouncing away. We do our best and we’re happy with that. We hope you are too. And 13 years into this blogging thing, we're very grateful to our Wenchly readers for sticking with us!
We're each choosing a favorite book to share—and whether it's books, kids, cats, or desserts, it feels a bit disloyal to try to pick a favorite. One of the books that I'll always treasure is The Stone Maiden, set in the 12th century Highlands. Alainna is a gifted stone carver, and a clan chief responsible for her small clan's survival. Sebastien is a Norman knight who arrives with others to claim Scottish land. The Norman infiltration threatens the culture Alainna so desperately works to preserve—so when she must marry Sebastien to protect her clan, she demands that he take her surname.
These two strong and stubborn forces of Nature clash at first--which one will give in first? I especially loved writing their story, loved the fascinating research, the deep dive into Celtic culture, the chance to write strong, passionate characters and find a way to resolve and merge their opposing stories. And I loved the original cover (and the later e-book cover!).
It was icing on the cake when The Stone Maiden was nominated for a RITA award. I also loved that years later, friends used Alainna and Sebastien's wedding vows in their own wedding ceremony. This book holds a special place in my heart. I'd be happy to give a copy of Stone Maiden, or another of my books, to a reader chosen at random who leaves a comment. We hope you enjoy sharing our Wench anniversary reminiscences!
Susanna Kearsley:
I’m a pack rat, as anyone who knows me well will tell you, so I’ve printed off and saved the email I received June 24th, three years ago, from Nicola, inviting me to join the Wenches here. Of course I said yes immediately, although admittedly my joy at being asked was tempered by my sadness at the reason why there was an opening. As I said in my first post, back in July, 2016:
“It needs to be said there will never be anyone to fill Jo Beverley’s shoes. She just isn’t replaceable. Although I only met her in person a couple of times, they were times that I’ll remember (and I’ll always pronounce ‘duke’ properly because of her). While I’m honored and thrilled to be joining the Wenchery, I’m not attempting to fill the place left by Jo’s passing, but rather to take the seat next to hers, leaving hers here at the table in case she has need of it."
But oh, what a wonderful three years it’s been. I can’t tell you how much this community means to me—both you, the readers, whose names are now all like the names of good friends to me—and my fellow Wenches, who have cheered me through the daily ups and downs of life and carried me through harder times and been the best support group I have ever had.
I have a few favorites among my novels, but my most recent—Bellewether—was the first one that I wrote and finished as a Word Wench, with the advice and love and help and support of everyone here, and for that reason alone it will always be special to me. So I’m giving away a paperback copy of Bellewether to one random reader who comments below (and I’ll mail it anywhere, internationally).
Thanks for being part of our anniversary celebrations!
From Joanna Bourne:
Having no memory to speak of, I had to go back and look at my very first posting on Word Wenches. What momentous topic had I chosen to write about? This was in the summer of 2010, I’d been invited to join Word Wenches, and I was tickled pink. I’d followed them as a reader for years.
I was a fairly new and untried writer in 2010. I’d completed the third of my Spymaster books at that point, The Forbidden Rose. It was just settling down on bookstore shelves, tucking its edges in neatly.
Three data points is enough to define a plane figure but three books is not so much a career as a writer. I was a very uncertain puppy in those early months.
My first post was about Walking Sticks and Canes. I began:
“Howdy. Brand new Wench Joanna here. I'm just right this minute finding a desk in a quiet corner of the library, laying out my quills, all freshly trimmed, and unstoppering the inkwell. This is my first posting.”
The rest is history. At least, I mostly posted about history. Why canes? My Spymaster series regular Adrian Hawker carries one and hits folks over the head from time to time.
Being a Word Wench has brought me great joy. I go to the Wenches for good advice. Good times. Friendship. Comfort in adversity. Sympathetic ears to listen to me nattering on about the annoyances of life.
My favorite book? Oh, dear. I’m afraid the Work in Progress tends to be my favorite. My mind is so full of it. If not that one, then whatever I’ve finished most recently. That’s Beauty Like the Night. It’s my Next Generation book, the last and latest in the series. A chance to look in and see how my folks are doing when we leave their stories behind.
So I’m giving away a print copy of Beauty Like the Night to a random commenter below. (Or really, I’ll zip off any of my other books you’d like, including my 1963 Regency Her Ladyship’s Companion or the two Word Wench collections.) Has to be US addresses for me, though.
Mary Jo Putney here:
We haven't totaled up the number of books Wenches has published since this blog was established, though it has to be quite a few! But I want to talk about the second Word Wench Christmas anthology, The Last Chance Christmas Ball. For our first anthology, Mischief and Mistletoe,we had a couple of general guidelines: an unruly wench heroine, an inn, and I think that was about it.
But for The Last Chance Christmas Ball, our editor, Alicia Condon of Kensington, suggested that we might all write stories around a single event, like a holiday ball. We all thought that was a fine idea, which it was, but I don't think any of us recognized how much work it would be to have characters from different stories interacting!
We spent quite a bit of time creating our setting. Susan wanted it to be close to Scotland, so we went to far northeastern England. Pat wanted a town so we created a town rather than a mere village.
I needed it to be the Christmas of 1815 for my Waterloo veteran, and it turns out that a couple other of our heroes were veterans of that battle. I also wanted a tower so my wounded soldier could hide away from everyone. Presto! Our house acquired a tower. <G>
We came up with a general floor plan and created a family to live in the house. In order to keep all the details straight, Jo Beverley created an online wiki so we could record things like servants' names and rooms and household customs. We also needed a timeline for a number of the characters: what time did the husband of the daughter of the house arrive? And much, much more!
Then we were off to spin our tales! Looking at the stories that make up the anthology, I was amused by how much we all wrote what we always write. <G> Our hardwired interests and themes fueled our creative fires. Susan writes Scotland, and her snowbound characters never even made it to the ball--but they had a lot of fun discovering each other!
Jo Bourne writes novels about crafty English and French spies, and her story featured two crafty spies of English and Swiss origin. Anne Gracie and Pat Rice often include children in their stories and yes! Children! Bonus points for Anne who spent many years at a teacher for having her heroine heading off to teach.
The family had two sons and a daughter, and Andrea, Nicola and I wrote stories for each of them. Andrea and I probably did the most work because our brothers' stories were rather intertwined. The only person who worked harder that we did was our editor, who had to fit the pieces together and tell us when something had to be changed.
Yes, it was a lot of work, but I love the results and the anthology is a tribute to our Wenchly community. Therefore, I will give away a copy of The Last Chance Christmas Ball to one person who comments between now and Saturday night. This offer is good worldwide.
So celebrate with the Wenches and maybe win book! Because aren't we all about The Book?
Mary Jo