Book Research with a Side of City Life
Hi there! I'm Mae. I write things. Some of you probably know me from A Small Press Life, which I started in December 2011. My favorite blogging subjects are old books, dead writers, classic movies, tea, and random musings about whatever catches my fancy. Two months ago, I started a colossal real-world project: researching and … Continue reading Writing a Life Not My Own
Last Thursday, 2 February, I paid a visit to my friend Tiff over at the eclectic Wanderlust Studio. Her shop is more than just a place to sell cool locally made items. She hosts wonderful events out of her neighborhood space--yoga classes, open mic nights, dance parties, Saturday markets--and does it with her signature brand … Continue reading [Podcast Appearance] AntmanVS Austen House Books
I am entering month three of mapping every branch and twig of J’s family tree. I’ve traced her dad’s forebears back as far as possible, which is much further than is strictly necessary. Four hundred-plus years of knowledge will be condensed into a few paragraphs, at most. However, this information is fundamental in underpinning the … Continue reading Research Notes: Catching Up
Thanks for following my irregularly documented research adventures. I appreciate each one of you. May 2023 bring all that you desire for yourselves and your loved ones. This page is from J's kindergarten scrapbook. It dates from January 1906. She was five.
15 November 1926: Much like we are this week, Americans, although gearing up for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, already had one eye gazing longingly towards Christmas. Newspapers were bursting with enticing ads for seasonal sales and festive activities. True crime dominated the headlines of New York City-area newspapers, but the current salacious obsession was anything … Continue reading 15 November 1926: O Wedded Bliss!
I guess I am just continuing the tradition of writers owning bookstores. INTRODUCING AUSTEN HOUSE BOOKS
"There is no real ending. It's just the place where you stop the story." I feel as if this applies to biography as well as fiction. It is something that is always at the back of my mind, even if I am still in the early stages (after almost two years!) of research.
On this fine day in 1933, J was preparing to appear in Victor Herbert's "Naughty Marietta" to be presented the following week at the Overton Park Amphitheatre in her hometown of Memphis, TN, for a run of six days. The operetta was, of course, produced by her husband R. She assisted as well as starred. … Continue reading J on This Day: 20 July 1933
1920 was momentous for J...she left her teen years, met her future husband, AND made her professional debut in a tour of De Koven's Robin Hood. In honor of that special time in J's life, I've compiled this 1920-themed gallery. BONUS LINK: A delicious decade: The food of 1910-1920 (The Seattle Times)
One hundred years ago today, J was appearing in a production of the John Philip Sousa operetta El Capitan at Fontaine Ferry Park in Louisville, Kentucky. She performed the role of Estrelda (Cazarro's Daughter). The original debuted in Boston in 1896, before transferring to Broadway for 112 performances. It starred De Wolf Hopper (future father … Continue reading J on This Day: 27 June 1922
My long-time creative collaborator and I have been working on a cool video for my Ko-Fi page! I cannot wait to share it here. Look for it sometime in July. It's definitely going to be an
Alternative Muses 