Sunday, January 8, 2017

I noticed an interesting detail in this article on How Witches' Brews Helped Bring Modern Drugs to Market. We all know that witches ride broomsticks, right?



Also, witches liked to anoint themselves with psychoactive herbs: "witches applied the salve to their skin—either under the arms or (for the daring) on the genitalia." 

And:
A 1324 inquisitor’s account of a suspected witch, Lady Alice Kyteler, does paint an interesting image of the ointment in action:
In rifleing the closet of the ladie, they found a pipe of oynment, wherewith she greased a staffe, upon which she ambled and galloped through thick and thin.”
The missing datum is that in the Middle Ages, women did not wear underpants. Panties are a 19th Century invention. So if Lady Alice was greasing up a staff, and then "riding it," odds are she was absorbing her active ingredients through her, ah, lady bits.

(I'll leave it to you to decide whether the riding of the broomstick is accurately shown.)

No wonder they thought they were flying.

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Friday, June 15, 2012

I was delighted to hear from my publisher that he's sold German language rights to THE CIRCLE CAST to Urachhaus.

I wonder what the book will be called in German?

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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Sarah Johnson has a nice St. Patrick's day review of TCC on her blog READING THE PAST:
The Circle Cast also offers a sweeping picture of 5th-century Ireland, a place of woods and green meadows, warring clans, ancient pagan rites, and a young, new Christianity that inspires fierce devotion in its followers. There's plenty of ale and good storytelling to go 'round, too. Sláinte.

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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Library Lady quoth:

An intriguing and original take on a character that has appeared in legends and lore for centuries... Throughout the story, readers will find a lot to respect about Epstein’s version of Morgan, including her intelligence, bravery, and tenacity... thoroughly enjoyable.

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Sunday, December 25, 2011

My publisher wants to do a book trailer. 60-90 seconds. What should be in it? I have my own ideas, but what about yours?

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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Well, I seem to have cleared my advance on royalties! That's a nice feeling.

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Wednesday, November 30, 2011


Badges? We don't need no stinkin' ... oh. Er, thank you very much, actually.

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