Costuming the Author, and the Reader

Fall is in the air, and Halloween is coming!  Already I'm seeing advertisements for masquerades and costume contests.  Marissa has posted in the past about the types of costumes our nineteenth century lads and lasses might have worn.  They enjoyed playing dress up.  Today’s author of nineteenth century romance is not immune, and, I'm betting, neither is her readers.  So, to get you thinking about how you might design your own outfit, here are some examples from my sister romance authors.

You can, of course, pay a seamstress to design you a costume.  I am so envious of these amazing gowns worn by the talented Collette Cameron and the wonderful Ella Quinn.  Looking good, ladies!

Or, you might be handy with a sewing machine yourself.  Several patterns are available these days.  Immediately below is acclaimed Regency author April Kihlstrom in a fetching red gown. And farther down is Golden Heart Award winner Kristi Ann Hunter in one she and her mother made together.

Then again, you might find a costume awaiting you in your favorite thrift store.  Doesn’t the delightful Georgie Lee look festive in her frugal find? 

Finally, some fashions from earlier years can be readily adapted to “faux Regency.”  When I wear this one with the flocked orange roses next to Marissa in her seamstress’s creation, I always say I must be the poor relation.  J

But then again, I have another costume I much prefer.  That's Sir Reginald with the regal Marjorie Allen.  

What do you think?  Any of these approaches appeal to you?

Many thanks to my models, most of whom are members of my beloved Beau Monde Chapter of Romance Writers of America.^TM

Blogging from National 2012, Part 1

Well, here Regina and I are at the Romance Writers of America’s annual National Conference! This year we’re in Anaheim, California for what we’ve come to call our “annual sleepover”--as I live in Massachusetts and Regina lives in Washington State, this is our chance to get together each year, sitting up in our jammies and talking, talking, talking…oh, yes, and doing official conference stuff, too.

So our sleepover started late Tuesday afternoon when we both arrived in time for a pleasant dinner together (with lots of talking). We’d planned on a early night as we knew Wednesday would be busy…but before turning in we were treated to an evening fireworks display from Disneyland, just a few blocks away. Just like our trip to Orlando a few years back, we lucked out in having a hotel room that happened to face the right way!

On Wednesday it was time to divide and conquer: Regina was busy with the one-day conference sponsored by the Beau Monde (Regency RWA chapter), of which she’s been president this past year, and I was busy with the Young Adult chapter, on whose board I sit and which was also holding a one-day conference. Both events, I am happy to report, went very well…and then it was time for the huge Literacy Signing with 400 other authors

I was signing Courtship and Curses (yes, it’s not out for another couple of weeks, but don’t tell), and Regina had The Captain’s Courtship and The Rogue’s Reform…and we were delighted when Nineteenteen reader Rose de Guzman stopped by to say hi. There she is, with Regina!

Next stop was the Greater Detroit Chapter’s Book Buyer’s Best Award reception, as Regina had been nominated for the Inspirational Romance category…and then a quick dash up to our room to prepare for the entrance of a Very Important Gentleman…Sir Reginald Scott!


Let me tell you, that Sir Reginald is quite the heartbreaker. He flirted outrageously with all the ladies--especially those wearing conspicuously rich jewelry--and danced elegantly at the Beau Monde’s Annual Soiree…and I, his poor exhausted valet, still operating on Eastern time, trundled back to our room to collapse.

Can you tell we’re having fun?