Turning tragedy into timeless romance.
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 →
In the Victorian era, courtship was a business. There was even a term for it: "the marriage mart." Dowries, lands, and titles served as motivators for selecting a life partner. A gentleman might ask, "Is her dowry large enough?" A lady might ask, "Is his title high enough?" a However, finding genuine love and affection... 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 →
Brooks Kohler, founder of Laptiast.com, was kind enough to write an article featuring my writing. As an author, it's always touching when someone finds your work praiseworthy. Especially with lines like this: "With an ability to craft a story in such a way it not only proves a pleasure to read but also forms a... Continue Reading →
The Victorians gobbled down some strange foods, from jellied eels to boiled calf's head. Times really have changed. We might cringe at the thought of eating some of the foods on this list, but more than a century ago, many of these dishes were considered treats and delicacies. a 1) Jellied Eels - Yep! You heard it.... 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 →
A dead lover returns to his still-alive fiance in the form of an apparition. He asks her to free him of their engagement or he's bound for hell (dramatic much?). That's essentially the gist of this English Ballad, which has many lyrical and musical variations. Of course, there's a push and pull between the ghost... Continue Reading →
