The Dreaded A-Word

August 7, 2015March 9, 2016 Mari Biella9 Comments

Consider these three different scenarios: 1. The hero of a Regency romance stalks into a drawing-room and greets his bewildered valet with the words “What’s up, dude?” 2. A generally well-researched novel set in Mediaeval Europe has a scene in which the protagonist gets out of bed and puts on his underpants. (Underpants, so I’m… Continue reading The Dreaded A-Word

Publishing

Whatever Happened to the Mid-list?: Part 1

February 28, 2014March 8, 2016 Mari Biella10 Comments

During a recent trip to the supermarket, I stopped to glance at the book aisle. I do, sometimes; what better or more enjoyable way to improve my Italian than with some relatively undemanding fiction? The selection, however, was not exactly inspiring. Dan Brown’s latest opus was much in evidence, as were books by Grisham, King,… Continue reading Whatever Happened to the Mid-list?: Part 1