Turning tragedy into timeless romance.
The United Kingdom has a rich and extensive history. This might not be more apparent than in the country’s legal history, with strange laws spanning from not wearing armor into the House of Parliament to ladies not eating chocolate on public transportation. Some laws are still enforced, but others are not. While this is definitely... Continue Reading →
In the Victorian era, insane asylums were a tool utilized by a patriarchal society in the oppression of women. While there were signs of feminism and women’s rights taking hold in the 19th century (i.e. bluestockings, feminist writers, women’s colleges, etc.), progression was slow. Women’s suffragettes, in England, wouldn’t see the fruits of their labor... Continue Reading →
Beau Brummell took Regency England by storm with his devious good looks, witticism, and fashion sense. He was an ideal dandy, meaning a man who placed importance in his appearance, pursued his passions to the utmost, and adhered to romantic ideals. Beau took these beliefs to heart, taking great pains with his wardrobe. He disdained... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite things to do is to dig into the English annals and discover really weird stories. I’ve covered some strange and deranged stories on this blog, from Lady Caroline Lamb sending her bloody pubes to Lord Byron to one of life’s most baffling questions—was Jack the Ripper a woman? This month I... Continue Reading →
What images come to mind for the Victorian era? Maybe corsets, tea, and large country homes come to mind. Maybe the values of the time: wealth, family, morality, and strict gender roles (like divorce as a rare occurrence and society's obsession with virginity). The last thing you might think of is a crazy sex cult... Continue Reading →
Is Minsden Chapel haunted by a ghostly monk that clanks around in spectral shackles? Ok, maybe I took a little bit of creative license with the shackle part, but a monk has been alleged to wander through the crumbling ruins. a Built in the 14th century, Minsden Chapel was in use through the 18th century.... Continue Reading →
Before the "Adult" section on Craigslist or hookup sites, there was Harris's List of Covent Garden Ladies. Printed annually between 1757 and 1795, this pocket-sized guidebook acted as a directory to Georgian London's prostitutes. a a Each issue featured 120-190 prostitutes who worked in or near Covent Gardens, often giving erotic details and reviews on the... Continue Reading →
My latest story came out in the first issue (April 2020) of Periwinkle Literary Magazine! What makes Periwinkle so special? "The goal of this magazine is the create a space for writers to succeed without it being considered academically correct." "Life After Regret" was a bit of a misfit story, because the setup is different... Continue Reading →
On the night of November 13, 1885, a buggy rolled up to the Chatham Hill Gaol under the cover of darkness. Out leaped 18 year-old Mollie Downes, her brother, and a minister. What was this young woman about to do? Marry a prisoner, of course. a a Her beloved, James Fauntleroy, was in the Virginian... Continue Reading →
Please check out my latest publication! "Do You Hear the Coffin Bell?", a Victorian short story filled with suspense, was republished in Suspense Magazine's Winter 2019 issue. Suspense Magazine's Winter 2019 issue can be accessed here. Between interviews with the likes of Dean Koontz and Janet Evanovich in this issue, you can find little, ol'... Continue Reading →
