I’ve just returned home from a wonderful few days in the United Kingdom, where I attended the annual meeting of the Historical Novel Society. This event was fantastic on so many levels: the chance to explore Oxford; the opportunity to learn from my historical novelist colleagues; and the joy of hugging my friends in person–especially those I rarely see or have only met virtually. Here are just a few highlights of a fun-filled weekend:
Exploring Oxford
The town of Oxford took my breath away… The architecture is so impressive!
The Conference
The Bodleian Library
A Particular Type of Costume Party
Leave it to the historical novelists to come up with a very specific kind of costume party! Attendees were invited to come dressed as a character from a historical novel, even one of their own! Now put this into context. We writers are by and large introverts… for 364 days a year. On day 365, we come out of our caves, don ridiculous costumes, and parade across a stage in front of 300 people!

Author Margaret George as the brave Celtic warrior Boudica

Cross-dressing isn’t part of my normal routine, but I played the role of a 15th-century gondolier for the costume pageant. And guess what? I won second place–ha ha! (Maybe I should do it more often?) Can you see the resemblance? (Vittore Carpaccio, Detail from the Miracles of the True Cross, ca. 1490, Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice.)
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