I had such an exciting morning today, and I just had to share it with you wonderful readers!
Today I had the pleasure of meeting authors Robin Maxwell and Vicki León. Robin is the author of seven works of historical fiction, and her next novel O, Juliet releases 2/2/10 (you can read my interview with Robin Maxwell here). Vicki is the author of many nonfiction titles, including the Uppity Women series and her latest, Working IX to V.
Vicki and Robin were here in Manhattan to see their editors/agents/publishers and were kind enough to meet me for breakfast before they both set out for a day full of meetings. These ladies are two of the smartest, most interesting people I have ever met! We had such fun discussing everything from history, to blogging, to the publishing industry, and we shared many laughs over topics as varied as unique cover art to how the hunky Jonathan Rhys Meyers has played a hand in renewing readers’ interest in Henry VIII and his wives.
I had such a marvelous time with Robin and Vicki; I’ve not read Vicki’s Uppity Women series yet but I plan on doing so (the series’ name in and of itself already had my interest peaked, but after meeting Vicki in person and finding her to be such a lovely person, there is no question in my mind that I have got to read this highly intriguing series!) and Robin has always been a favorite author of mine ever since I first read The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn. Conducting author interviews and meeting/connecting with my favorite authors has been my favorite part of being a book blogger. One of the things Robin and Vicki could not stress enough was the significance of the role that book bloggers play in promoting an author’s books. These days, publishing houses do very little to market a writer’s work, especially with the bad economy and the limited advertising dollars allotted to them, so as Vicki put it, “book bloggers fill a very important void.”
And it’s one that I am more than happy to help fill!
You lucky, lucky girl!! I wish I could have been there too! Talk about a pleasant way to spend your morning..talking books, history, blogging- and all that with your favourite author-who could ask for better? Thanks for sharing Allie- I'm so happy for you:D
That is so AWESOME! I wish I had the opportunity to do that. What a great experience!
How exciting for you!! I was hooked on Robin Maxwell, I think her books on Anne Boleyn was the first I actually read about Anne Boleyn… I also read Uppity Women of Medieval Times…
That is so great! I have several of Robin Maxwell's books, but have not read yet. I really must get to reading one soon…she sounds like a great lady.
That sounds like so much fun! I wish I lived somewhere accessible like that!
"The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" was the first book of Maxwell's that I read, and I loved it!!"Working IX to V" is a great book title. Sounds like it would be a fun read as well as great reference material for writers. I'll have to pick up a copy.
How exciting!! I haven't read either of these authors, but I've been tempted to pick them up a number of times.Lezlie
You are so lucky. I love both Robin Maxwell and Vicki Leon's books, particularly her Uppity Series, and the one she wrote for kids called Outrageous Women. They've both inspired me in my research on Scandalous Women.
Allie, That is so cool that it all worked out and you were able to meet them both. Figures, I love Johnathan too! I mean who wouldn't. I am glad you had fun!
How lucky you are! I have yet to read Vicki Leon's books, but I hear they are excellent. I agree with Christine, "Working IX to V" is a terrific title! Utterly hysterical. And Robin Maxwell's "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn" is one of my favorite works of historical fiction. As a Shakespearean actress as well as an author, I'm very much looking forward to "O, Juliet."And I second, third, and fourth their remarks regarding the importance of book bloggers to our authors' community, especially to we historical fiction and historical nonfiction writers.Sorry, Lizzy, I adore you, but I can't stand Jonathan — at least not as Henry VIII. He gives me hives! And I don't think he could act his way out of a paper bag, let alone a leather doublet!
But if he somehow inspires people to read historical fiction, and to also become curious about the real stories behind the fictionalizations whether on paper or on screen (and The Tudors plays fast and loose with history, big-time), then that's all to the good for historical authors.
Hi Lucy
I wish you could have been there with us! It was truly an honor to sit in such inspirational company. I told Robin about our Round Table event (she already knew about it, which made me happy) and she thought it was so great to see how the seven of us, along with a few other regulars to each of our sites, are all so supportive of each other and that we all comment regularly on each others blogs. I agree with her; I love how the entire book blogging community is so warm and encouraging of everyone involved.Hi dolleygurl 
It was such a great morning! Meeting Robin was an amazing experience – she was everything I expected her to be and more. Aside from being an incredibly talented author, she is also a wonderful person.CelticLady, thanks for stopping by my blog! 
I love Robin's take on Anne Boleyn not only because she portrays her in a sympathetic light, but also because of the fresh story lines in both of her Anne Boleyn novels. I was pleasantly surprised to encounter one of my favorite characters from historical fiction, Leonardo da Vinci, in Mademoiselle Boleyn! I’ve heard great things about the entire Uppity Women series. I look forward to reading it for myself.thetruebookaddict, thanks for commenting 
I've read The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn, Mademoiselle Boleyn and Signora da Vinci (which I reviewed here). I loved each of them! I love how each of her books give a take on different mysteries from history. Her premises are always very unique and unlike anything another historical fiction author has done before. I admire her for presenting alternative, relatively unexplored points of view rather than following the norm. Marg – Living in NYC certainly does have its advantages, although I've heard many, many good things about living in your neck of the woods too! 
I really need to visit Australia some day; I have a friend who lived there for 6 months and absolutely fell in love with everything…from the friendliness of the people to the beauty of the landscape. The grass is always greener, huh?! We could always do a vacation home swap, although you'd probably feel quite claustrophobic in my teeny tiny NYC pad! 
Christine, so glad to hear you loved Secret Diary as much as I did. I'm always interested to learn what titles hist-fic authors recommend and are enthusiastic about, outside of their own work. Similarly to the book blogging community, it is so nice to see that authors are so supportive of each other and to hear about when one author enjoys another author's book. What's even better than Vicki's title of her latest book is its extended title! The full title reads: Working IX to V: Orgy Planners, Funeral Clowns, and Other Prized Professions of the Ancient World. So clever!Hi Lezlie! I think you would love Robin Maxwell's books, I’ve read three of them (see my response to thetruebookaddict above), each which is not to be missed. And although I have not read Vicki's books yet for myself, I have heard wonderful things from other bloggers. Elizabeth, that is so great to hear that you take inspiration from these two incredible women. I, too, find that Robin’s work inspires me in my own writing. Vicki has an amazing home library, one that, by her description, I would do just about anything to take a peek into someday!Lizzy – Thanks doll! I had such a good time, as I told you all about the moment I got home! Jonathan sure does make for some very appealing eye candy!!
Leslie, I think there were other characters in The Tudors that were cast much more fittingly than JRM. Namely, Sam Neil as Wolsey. Seeing as the two of us love to analyze and giggle over casting in period dramas/films, I knew the mention of JRM as Henry VIII would get your blood boiling! I actually posted a review of The Tudors when I first started my blog. And I’ve always said that if throwing Jonny Boy into a doublet and breeches is what it takes to get people talking about Henry VIII and his wives, so be it!
Lucky girl! Ditto what Lucy said. A Fantastic morning!I've got the Uppity women of medieval times as well, my husband said that oen is perfect for me. LOL
Hello ladies! Robin Maxwell here (back in California, though not home yet). Tomorrow (Sunday) I have the pleasure of moderating an historical fiction panel at the WEST HOLLYWOOD BOOK FAIR with two of my dearest friends and brilliant authors– Michelle Moran and Christopher (C.W.)Gortner — and Jeri Westerson, whom I've never met but feel will soon become a friend. The panel is about what is truth and what is fiction in our genre, and by my audacious questions (and what I expect to be some very uppity answers) I am sure it's going to be a VERY spirited conversation.Vicki and I had a wonderful time with Allie in NY. I only wish I could meet every one of you in person. At the meeting I had right after the one with our very own histficchick, I met with my publisher, editors and agents, publicists and marketing people and that is where I sang the praises of not only the bloggers but everyone of you that comments on reviews, interviews and guest posts, and enters giveaways. All of them, even the publisher (top dog), was in full agreement with the importance of YOU! What I told Allie at our meeting about getting little support from publishers for promoting my books totally went out the window with that meeting. For the first time in my career I feel like a have a real TEAM behind me and this novel.So now, just before I start working on the agenda for tomorrow, I'm going to finish up the most exciting plans I've ever made (except for writing an actual book)– the details of my "O, JULIET LOVE GAMES" that will begin by the end of the month. There will be everything from lotteries to a poetry competition, to a research challenge, to a prose contest — all with prizes, all in honor of Romeo and Juliet and all in the name of LOVE.Thank you again for your wonderful support. You'll be hearing from me soon. And I do encourage you to dip into Vicki Leon's world. I always say that if we all had teachers who taught history as excitingly and humorously as Vicki, it would have been our favorite subject.Warm regards,Robin