G is for Giveaways & Getting to Know You; H is for Happy Blogiversary

Saturday, June 16, is the first anniversary of Through the Mists of Time. I have presents to give away, but more on that later (see end of post). I can’t believe a year has passed already! Thank you to everyone who continues to come around week after week and listen to me babble. Your support means more than I can say. Hopefully by this time next year I’ll be able to announce an agent and a publishing contract.

I’ve been wanting to get to know my readers for quite some time now and what better time than the one year blogiversary? Please tell me a little about yourself in the comments. You can answer any of the questions below or maybe tell me about where you live, how you found Through the Mists of Time, what keeps you coming back, what you like about Arthurian legend. What are your hobbies? Are you a writer, a reader, a history buff or something else? What topics do you want to hear about on this blog? The better I know you, the more I can tailor posts to your likes.

And because it’s only fair, I’ll answer some questions, too. Here’s a little Q&A – yes, I’m interviewing myself. Hey, it’s not any weirder than 99% of the other things that go on in my head. (These questions come from the New York Times Book Review column “By the Book.”)

What book is on your night stand now?

Insurgent by Veronica Roth, Angelology by Danielle Trussoni, Arthur’s Britain by Leslie Alcock and Imagine by Jonah Lehrer. And in my car’s CD player is the audio book Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill.

What was the last truly great book you read?

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. She’s an amazing writer with a rare gift to be able to truly transport you in time (through 500 years in this book) and space (several different countries). I learned a lot about recent and Medieval history while reading it and its a truly fascinating tale, based on the true story of a mysterious codex – which I didn’t know when I read it.

Do you consider yourself a fiction or a nonfiction person? What’s your favorite literary genre?

Both. Nonfiction: history and religion, some biographies. Fiction: historical fiction, fantasy (especially urban fantasy), YA (dystopian and paranormal), general fiction, cozy and regular mysteries (Sue Grafton is as hard-boiled as I get), and intellectual thrillers. As a general rule, I stay away from chick-lit and anything marketed as woman’s fiction.

What were your favorite books as a child?

I remember my mom reading a lot of Bearnstien Bears books to me as a child. Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High books were the books of my pre-teen and teen years. C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series shaped my love of fantasy and I still remember reading The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin in 6th grade. I won’t go into the books we had to read in school that permanently traumatized me (I’m looking at you, Where the Red Fern Grows).

If you could meet any writer, dead or alive, who would it be? 

Christopher Marlowe. I think I had a thing for him in a past life. I’d also love to know if there’s any truth to the conspiracy theory that he didn’t really die in a bar fight and that he was actually Shakespeare. I doubt it, but I like the idea.

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**GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I’m giving away a copy of The Art and Craft of Writing Historical Fiction by James Alexander Thom and the Mutefish CD On Draught. (Remember them from my Ireland travelogue? No, it’s not my CD. This one is still in the shrink wrap.) If you’re interested in either gift, let me know in the comments and I’ll pick names out of a hat (please include your email address so I can contact you). Because I’ve combined two posts, I’m keeping this one up for a week, so you have until June 20 to comment and qualify to win.

Even if you don’t want the gifts, please say hi and tell me a little about yourself. I look forward to getting to know you!

11 thoughts on “G is for Giveaways & Getting to Know You; H is for Happy Blogiversary

  1. I love Through The Mists of Time because I really like Arthurian legend and I can finally just go here and read about it and stuff. I’m writing a book currently about a woman living in Ireland who’s forced to marry (it’s set in 400s) and its got a lot of aspects of Arthurian legend. So my name’s Isy and I think I was born in the wrong era lol. I’d quite like to be entered in the giveaway, I’m interested in The Art and Craft Of Historical Fiction by James Alexander Thom and my email address is isysan@yahoo.co.uk

    • Hi Isy,

      Thank you for your comment and for reading my blog! I completely relate to feeling like you were born in the wrong era. I feel that way most of the time! I bet most historical fiction authors do. Your book sounds very interesting. How close are you to finishing it? Best of luck with your writing. I’ve got your name noted for the book giveway. I’ll let everyone know once I’ve picked a winner.

      • I’m probably a quarter of the way through my book, maybe a third. Thanks for asking 🙂 I hope your writing goes well too 🙂

  2. I found your website through my research on British History/Roman Britain. The novel that I am currently writing was supposed to be Historical fantasy…but you know how that goes! It is an epic fantasy now 🙂 I enjoy reading all of your blogs. I would like to be entered in your drawing for the The Art and Craft of Historical Fiction by James Alexander Thom. Thank you and keep writing! 🙂

    • Hi Lora,

      Thanks for your comment and for your enthusiasm about my blog and writing. I’ve got you entered into the book drawing. Thanks so much for your support!

  3. Hurray for historical fiction! I just found your blog, and I’m excited to read more of your posts. I’m a novelist in Portland, Oregon, and I’m working on a 19th century epic.

    I’m interested in the craft book. Thanks for hosting this giveaway!

    • Hi Laura,

      I’m so glad you stopped by. It’s always nice to meet a fellow writer. Best of luck to you on your novel. I’ve got your name in the drawing for the book.

  4. Hi Nicole,
    I just wanted to thank you for following our blog. I’m not the Susan who wrote about Scota, there are 2 of us 🙂 You don’t have to enter me in the drawing. Although, I would love to write historical fiction, I don’t think I have the imagination for it, so save the book for someone who does. Just wanted to say thanks and I’ll be back to check out your blog. I do love the Arthurian legend, my favorite versions being Lawhead, Mary Stewart, and of course Marion Zimmer Bradley. Thanks again for visiting.

    • Hi Susan,

      Sorry for the mix-up! I was very influenced by Marion Zimmer Bradley, too. Thanks for stopping by. I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog.

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