Tagged Special Extras

Alexia’s Clothes in the Parasol Protectorate (Special Extras) Victorian 1870s Attire

According to Pip, I once received a Bookie Award for best dressed character in the form of Alexia Tarabotti. I can’t seem to find any evidence of this online, Fashionable Reader, but I trust Pip for she was at Authors After Dark reporting in.

Upon learning of the win, Alexia was suitably honored, Ivy was crushed, and Lord Akeldama took all the credit for loaning Alexia Biffy during her rise to fashionable mavin of London society.

Above you can see a quintessentially Alexia dresses from 1874.  This is a French designed reception dress from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I always see Alexia gravitating towards darker colors. Although she would not have been allowed many of them by her mother.
Alexia is particularly fond of blue, stripes, and perch hats.

Below, is a collection of some of Alexia’s best moments present to you in the form of cover art, fan art, cosplay, and original fashion plate fodder.

I do hope you enjoy it!

Alexia in Soulless the Original (1873)

 The cover that wasn’t; the pose that wasn’t.

 

The Polish cover shows more of the dress

1883 Dinner Dress Charles Fredrick Worth The Kyoto Costume Institute for color inspiration

1873 fashion plate

Alexia’s first parasol.

Alexia in Soulless Volume 1, The Manga

First Manga

Manga cosplay

Emile Pingat, 1874

character sketch from the manga

1874 Fashion plate

1874 Striped dress

Amazing striped Swiss waist with matched bustle.

Alexia in Changeless (1874) & Omnibus Volume 1 & Soulless Manga Volume 2

Polish cover again, shows more of dress; self cosplay of cover.

 

Omnibus Vol. 1 cover

Alexia cosplay

Manga Soulless Vol. 2 cover art

inspiration for Alexia floating dress

1870  The Philadelphia Museum of Art color inspiration

1874 more diminished bustle

 Alexia walking dresses inspiration

 

 Dirigible floating dress inspiration from skirt tapes

 

Inspiration for the deck of the dirigible scenes.

The new parasol.

steampunk from NY Comic Con cosplay fake cover photo fun

Alexia in Blameless (1874)

Emile Pingat (1820–1901), Parisfor color inspiration

Highly modern French influenced walking dresses for Alexia to try.

Inspiration for the frilly dress Alexia is made to wear in Italy, 1874-5 wedding dress of white linen cambric with ivory ribbob and machine silk blonde lace.

More frills!

 

Alexia in Heartless (1874)

Alexia’s new more flowy choice of clothing

1874 Charles Fredrick Worth The Kyoto Costume Institute

Hungarian painter Szinyei Merse – The Lady in Purple

Day Dress France, ca. 1874 Silk taffeta Biffy has begun “Frenching-up” Alexia wardrobe.

Alexia in Timeless (1876) & The Omnibus Vol. 2

Alexia walking dress

 

summer day dress USA 1870-1874 Royal Ontario Museum

Alexia’s style has grown more relaxed and breezy under the drone’s tutelage. Although the fashions remain quite severe.

Evening dress, 1876-77 US

the Met Museum; day dress 1876

 1878-1880  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Matt Harrison fan art

The Parasol Protectorate mangaka-chan

womens-fashion-1876

 

I hope you enjoyed this fashionable trip down memory lane. Now you can play a rousing game of “spot that dress” if you read the books! Or reread them again.

One of the things I always tried to do, for example, was find time during copy edits to write in a small paragraph describing the dress Alexia wears on the cover within the text. (Excepting Soulless for obvious reasons.)

The scene for Changeless was particularly fun to write for various amusing Ivy-related hair styles.

And, of course, my hugely non-period German covers show up on stage in all editions of Timeless.

This post first appeared on Retro Rack.

Yours in frilly dresses,

Miss Gail (except Madame Lefoux, of course, no frills for her!).

  • Want more behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT MAY 18, 2019!

The 5th Gender (A Tinkered Stars Mystery as G. L. Carriger).

Preorder on Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Print and audio are coming, but will not be available for preorder. 

Sci-fi queer romance meets cozy mystery in which a hot space station cop meets the most adorable purple alien ever (lavender, pulease!) from a race with 5 genders.

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Fan Service Omnibus, October 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1878 pierre auguste renoir (1841-1919) the parasol

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Frozen Victorian Garments Arranged into a Larger than Life Bouquet by Nicole Dextras

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

7 Reasons Book Signings are Better than Concerts

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Male and female writers’ media coverage reveals ‘marked bias’

Book News:

“It takes an awful lot of time to not write a book.”

~ Douglas Adams

Quote of the Day:

Your Moment of Gail

 

“I suspect it may be like the difference between a drinker and an alcoholic; the one merely reads books, the other needs books to make it through the day.”

(Interview with The Booklovers blog, September 2010)” ~ Gail Carriger

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

The Great Parasolverse Read Along ~ Blameless Special Extras (Parasol Protectorate)

The Great Parasolverse read along continues with Blameless the first major challenge book (for me). I had a big rewrite on this book from my editor, which was warranted but still, Blameless with live in my memory as my first encounter with that side of author-doom.

4/8-4/21

Blameless

released in September of 2010 (same year as Changeless)

Here are some fun blog posts and resources that tie to this book: Research and amusement on the subject of the Victorian relationship to Italy and France, not to mention the Knights Templar.

Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires – and they’re armed with pesto.

Blameless was a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestseller, and a #1 Locus bestseller.

Author Thoughts On This Book

  • It’s a parody of a Victorian travel novel.
  • Yes the Etruscan site they visit is based on one I worked on as an archaeologist.

My creative process with the Templars ties to the world building begin the God Breaker plague, which you can read about in the Changeless Extras blog post.

You see, I always suspected King Henry broke with the Catholic Church over use of supernaturals in his army and intelligence, and that the divorce thing was just a front. This meant that Catholic Europe (particularly Italy) would be very anti-supernatural. Also they probably had some issues with vampires trying to take over the Papacy at some point or another. (I’m looking at you, Borgias). A secret Catholic society designed to hunt supernaturals seems quite logical under those circumstances. But I wanted to borrow an existing term, the Hospilaters would be more ironic, but the Templars are more iconic, so I went with them.

Blameless Japanese translation (not the manga)

Things Pertaining To This Book

I hope you enjoyed this special extra!

Yours in red cover art,

Miss Gail

  • Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT MAY 18, 2019!

The 5th Gender (A Tinkered Stars Mystery as G. L. Carriger).

Preorder on Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Print and audio are coming, but will not be available for preorder. 

Sci-fi queer romance meets cozy mystery in which a hot space station cop meets the most adorable purple alien ever (lavender, pulease!) from a race with 5 genders.

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Fan Service Omnibus, October 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Francisco Miralles Y Gallup (Spanish, 1848-1901)

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

My love affair with red.

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Book News:

“A successful book is not made of what is in it, but what is left out of it.”

~ Mark Twain

Quote of the Day:

“The greatest unwritten law of the supernatural set was that one simply didn’t steal someone else’s human.”

~ Blameless

The Great Parasolverse Read Along ~ Changeless Extras (Parasol Protectorate Special)

The Great Parasolverse read along continues with Changeless the very first of my books to make the New York Times Bestseller list, which pretty much changed the course of my career and eventually my life.

3/25-4/7

Changeless

Released in April of 2010

Here are some fun blog posts and resources that tie to this book. Research I did, chattering and amusement on the subject of hitting the New York Times for the first time, and having a cliff hanger ending.

Even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, Alexia is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only a soulless can.

Changeless was my first book to hit the New York Times. Soulless eventually would during a sale years later, but Changeless was first.

Hitting the Times

I was living with my popster at the time (in between stints of advanced education, as you do) and had recently started dating the AB. My agent and editor surprise called me to let me know (we found out the Weds following the release). I really did not expect it, I didn’t even know there was the possibility that my weird silly books would ever make the NYT. I didn’t even know there was a Mass Market Listing, frankly. So far as I knew it was for hard cover literary types.

But I always pick up a 212 number (New York).

So I picked it up, and they told me what had happened. I don’t recall directly after in detail. Shock, I suppose. I remember hanging up and slightly hyperventilating. I ran around and found the Popster who gave me a big hug. I remember the first person I called was my BFF, Phrannish, because she’s been with me from the get go, she’s in the industry so she gets how hard it is, and she’s my Phran. Then I called my mum (left a message). Then I called the AB. Mum called me back later that night, she cried.

My agent sent me flowers.

My publisher sent me champagne.

I drank the champagne that weekend with the AB sitting on the porch at sunset wondering how my life would change.

I had no idea.

Incidentally, the manga adaptation of Changeless (AKA Soulless Vol. II) was my only book to ever make #1 on an NYT List.  December of 2012, in the manga category.

And I got to meet the standee at San Diego Comic Con in 2012.

Author Thoughts On This Book

Changeless is a parody of a gothic novel. I tend to refer to it as my Red Headed Step Child because while I love it (tight, clean, killer concept) many readers (particularly out of romance) do not like it at all.

The ending really upsets them.

The Plague of Mortality

The God Breaker Plague (and its repercussions), which during this read along you first encounter in The Curious Case, make its first appearance in print in this book. Now I had it in mind, and I always knew what caused it (although not exactly who).

I’ve always been obsessed with the old saying,

“There are no snakes in Ireland.”

Ever since I listened to the collection of short stories, No Comebacks by Frederick Forsyth, when I was a wee lass.

(If you know this classic pulp suspense collection, you’ll know it’s not normally something I’d read. But back in those days there was a paucity of choice for books on tape. I got a rather good education in genre styles because I was basically listening to everything I could get hold of from Isaac Asimov to Rosamunde Pilcher.)

Anywho, this gave me the saying…

There are no supernaturals in Egypt.

I’ve also always been obsessed with Ancient Egypt. And I knew I wanted the Parasolverse history to include various ancient cultures where shifters ruled, and others where vampires ruled. It makes prefect sense to me (given their xenophobic tendencies) that the Greeks would be human ONLY (all their mythological monsters being deformed shifters and capricious immortals – and yes, I model my vampire attitude on Greek gods, what you take me for?). Also it seems logical that the Romans are ruled by vampires. With their worship of Animal headed gods, the Egyptians were obviously all about shifters.

And our Ancient Egypt had one of the most stable cultures we know of, for a very long time, so I guess they were pretty good rulers. But something went wrong after 2000 years, and under those circumstances any rebellion, particularly a religious one, would need to weaponize against shifters. I imagine they figure out the preternatural thing with mummies but that, like in present day Changeless, they just didn’t have many of them. So they used what the could to get rid of their shifter overlords, but it wasn’t until much much later that Alessandro came along and, with Floote’s help, figured out (essentially) how to globalize collection of preternatural bodies, and spread the God Breaker plague within Egypt.

So there you have it, my thought process on the Plague.

Things Pertaining To this Book: Visuals!

Things Pertaining To this Book: Extras!

Spot that Dress in Changeless?

On Felicity:

On Mrs Loontwill:

On Ivy:

Yours in forever cliffhangers,

Miss Gail

  • Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT MAY 18, 2019!

The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger).

PREORDER on Amazon | Other | Direct from Gail

Sci-fi queer romance meets cozy mystery featuring a hot cop, the most adorable purple alien ever (lavender, pulease!), and a race with 5 genders.

Print & Audio are not available for preorder.

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 31, 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Parasol Rainbow Shoes

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

In a range of eShakti dresses.

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

FoodStuff: Tea: A Real Brouhaha

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

The Different Types of Editing Explained

Book News:

Steampunk, Stuff and Nonsense

Quote of the Day:

Sophril says of Changeless:

“Some of my favorite characters in this series begin to appear in this book. I love watching them grow throughout the series and I can’t wait to begin the next book.”

Your Moment of Gail

 

“I suspect it may be like the difference between a drinker and an alcoholic; the one merely reads books, the other needs books to make it through the day.”

(Interview with The Booklovers blog, September 2010)” ~ Gail Carriger

 

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

Miss Gail Fantasy Casts Soulless the Movie (The Parasol Protectorate Series Special Extra)

Gentle Reader, this is a repost of an original article done ten years ago for My Book the Movie website. Consequently, some of my choices may no longer really work, but it’s my fantasy and I am sticking to it!

Fantasy Casting Soulless

Soulless is a comedic take on the urban fantasy genre set in Victorian London. With that kind of elevator pitch, you can probably guess I’d skip Hollywood and take less money if I could sell it to the BBC as a mini series. I’d settle for a fist-full of unknowns so long as it came out as well as their Cranford adaptation, but my assignment is to cast my ideal film, so here were go…

Our Intrepid Heroine

Alexia Tarabotti, London’s only preternatural, is an Italian-looking spinster with no soul, a big mouth and, quite frankly, even bigger nose. Visually, I modeled her off of Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore mixed with celebrity chef Nigella Lawson.

Perhaps Claudia Black might be better suited to running around whacking obstreperous vampires willy-nilly with a parasol, but that girl’s gotta eat about ten cream teas first, then we’ll talk.

I also really love Gina Bellman of Leverage fame.

Werewolves of Note

For our hero, an oversized scruffy Scottish werewolf, I’m going to deviate from the expected (Gerard Butler) and pick James Purefoy. or Richard Armitage.

All are big guys who manage to emit a general air of clumsy confusion combined with slightly too wide smiles that look as though they might, just possibly, tear out your throat if they could just remember what that other thing was they wanted to do first.

For Professor Lyall, Lord Maccon’s long-suffering beta, I’m choosing Kevin McKidd of Rome fame.

And for Lord Maccon’s claviger, the irreverent Tunstell? Gotta have Alan Tudyk hamming it up with shockingly red hair and a penchant for singing bad opera at inopportune moments.

Vampires of Interest

Lord Akeldama is Alexia’s dearest friend, a gay vampire in charge of a spy network the Scarlet Pimpernel would envy with the flamboyance of Oscar Wilde. I modeled him (of course) off of Richard Chamberlain circa The Slipper and the Rose.

I’m thinking, Paul Bettany. He stripped starkers for A Knight’s Tale so I figure he’s probably open to most possibilities, but he is rather tall and gangly. I could see Jonathan Rhys Myers if I wanted to lean a bit more pouty and petulant. But honestly there is a charming Welsh weatherman, Owain Wyn Evans, who basically is the living embodiment of Lord Akeldama.

You can follow him on Twitter, and you should!

In the enemy camp, I’d like Jennifer Ehle to portray Countess Nadasdy. Elizabeth Bennett may seem like an odd choice for a vampire queen, but the countess is a rosy-faced shepherdess type.

I’d surround her with three over-dramatic vampire males, each more cape-swirling than the last: Jason Isaacs as Lord Ambrose, Richard E. Grant as Dr. Caedes, and Gary Oldman as the Duke of Hematol.

Mundanes of Relevance

Ivy Hisselpenny is Alexia’s foil and female BFF. I had the hardest time casting her until I remembered Melanie Lynskey who’s perfect.

Or in Ivy’s case, hats.

As for Alexia’s outrageously impossible family? I’ll take one each of the following: Squire Loontwill – Hugh Laurie, Mrs. Loontwill – Imelda Staunton, Evylin – Kimberley Nixon. and Felicity – Jo Joyner or Romola Garai.

We mustn’t forget Floote, the oft put-upon butler who has Alexia’s best interests at heart. I choose the lovely Philip Glenister. I can think of no better straight man in the business right now.

For Mr. MacDougall, Alexia’s timid American beaux (I know, I know, an American – shocking!) I’d slip in Kevin Smith, just for a lark. And for Mr. Siemons, our scientist of suspicious motivations? Who could beat out a pipe-puffing, mutton-chop sporting Stephen Fry?

More fantasy casting?

  • You can see me cast Prudence and the Custard Protocol in this post.
  • Character’s fantasy actors or inspirational public & historic figures are often pinned to my character Pinterest boards. All the Parasolverse characters are listed under “Parasolverse” first.

Has Soulless Been Optioned?

It was, and then is wasn’t, and now we are back out on proposal and there is modest interest. I talk all about this and how unlikely it is for a book option to turn into a film in this blog post…

And so I leave you Gentle Reader.

Your in Hollywood fantasy,

Miss Gail

  • Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT MAY 18, 2019!

The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger). COVER ART TO BE SEEN SOON BY THE CHIRRUP.

Sci-fi queer romance meets cozy mystery featuring a hot cop, the most adorable purple alien ever (lavender, pulease!), and a race with 5 genders.

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 31, 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Parasol Magasin des Demoiselles Date October, 1869 Plate Number v. 47, 118

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Americans need to discover how wonderful the hot water bottle is.

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

A Quick Look at the Fine Art of Book Spine Design

Book News:

I would totally write this.

Quote of the Day:

“Sometimes I wonder what more I might have accomplished with my life, had I not spent the majority of it untangling cords.”

~ Gail Carriger

Dressing Alexia ~ From the Corset Up (Parasol Protectorate Special Extras)

I thought you might like a glimpse, Fashionable Reader, into some of the things that Alexia might wear underneath one of those amazing dresses of hers in the Parasol Protectorate series.

But first…

BUSTLES!

 1872 Ball Gown  Charles Fredrick Worth, 1872  The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Bustle 1873, Austrian, Made of cotton and horsehair

OK, so that’s what they were like during Soulless time period of early 1870s.

Ready?

Here we go!

Dressing Alexia from the Foundation Up

Godeys Aug 1872 Drawers
Stockings  1873  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1875 Garter  1875-1825  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Evening Shoes  1875-1885  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1872 Corset  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Corset Cover  1870  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1872-1874  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Petticoat  1873  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

And over the whole thing?

1870-1875 Bonnet   The Victoria & Albert Museum
1872 Ball Gown  Charles Fredrick Worth,  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Cape  1870  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Parasol 1880s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 Wedding Fan  1877  The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

And what were the men wearing?

 1873-1875  The Victoria & Albert Museum; 1875-1880  The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

1875 Pocket Watch  Sotheby’s

This post first appeared on Retro Rack.

I hope you enjoyed this look beneath the scenes, as it were,

Yours in corsetry,

Miss Gail

  • Did you want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT MAY 18, 2019!

The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger). COVER ART TO BE SEEN SOON BY THE CHIRRUP.

Sci-fi queer romance meets cozy mystery featuring a hot cop, the most adorable purple alien ever (lavender, pulease!), and a race with 5 genders.

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 31, 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Walking dress, 1878-80, Naples, Italy. via shewhoworshipscarlin Walking dress in two pieces (jacket and skirt) in gros effect violet taffetas, Sartoria Madame Grazini

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Lake Como, Italy 2000 by Gail Carriger

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

How to eat like a Victorian

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Puschart Prize-Nominated Poet Accused Of Plagiarism By Numerous Poets

Book News:

I’m interviewed all about the marking side of publishing over on the SF/F Marketing podcast.

Quote of the Day:

“I like your name!”

“Thanks, I got it for my birthday.”

~ Borderlands Overheard in the Store

Your Moment of Gail

 

“I suspect it may be like the difference between a drinker and an alcoholic; the one merely reads books, the other needs books to make it through the day.”

(Interview with The Booklovers blog, September 2010)” ~ Gail Carriger

 

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

Parasol Protectorate Series Special Extras

Posted by Gail Carriger

 2 Comments

We are currently rereading the five books in my original series, The Parasol Protectorate.

Since I have a mess of behind the scenes and special extras pertaining to this series as a whole, as well as each individual, book, I’m posting a summation blog for you, Gentle Reader.

Here are some (of the MANY) fun blog posts and resources that tie to this series:

Worldbuilding

Research

FanArtCharactersparasol_protectorate_sketches_by_terrizae

The Characters!

Merch pertaining to the Parasol Protectorate!

So there you have it, enough to be goin on with, I hope!

Yours enmeshed in research,

Miss Gail

  • Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT MAY 18, 2019!

The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger). COVER ART TO BE SEEN SOON BY THE CHIRRUP.

Sci-fi queer romance meets cozy mystery featuring a hot cop, the most adorable purple alien ever (lavender, pulease!), and a race with 5 genders.

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 31, 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

via @AngelaKCouch Twitter Parasol, design c.1895-1900

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Librarians and Their Memorable Patron Interactions

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Book-Related Startups That Could Definitely Work

Book News:

5 reasons to read Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series

Quote of the Day:

“Just because we don’t understand doesn’t mean that the explanation doesn’t exist.”

~ Madeleine L’Engle

Your Moment of Gail

 

“I suspect it may be like the difference between a drinker and an alcoholic; the one merely reads books, the other needs books to make it through the day.”

(Interview with The Booklovers blog, September 2010)” ~ Gail Carriger

 

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

Soulless Special Extras (Parasol Protectorate)

Soulless, the creature released on October 1, 2009. (A thankfully easy birthday to remember.) This is the first book I ever got published. It is NOT the first book I wrote.

Here are some (of the MANY) fun blog posts and resources that tie to this book. Research I did, chattering and amusement on the subject of starting my publishing journey and more.

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations.

  • First, she has no soul.
  • Second, she’s a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead.
  • Third, she is being rudely attacked by a vampire to whom she has not been properly introduced!

Soulless was a New York Times and Locus bestseller; Publishers Weekly Best Book (2009); made IndieBound November 2009 Notables, Audible.com Best of 2010, and Locus Recommended Reading First Novel lists; was an Audible.com Top 20 Sleeper Hit; was nominated for the John W. Campbell (2010) and Compton Crook (2010) awards; was a finalist for the Locus Award for Best First Novel (2010) and PEARL Award in the New Author Category (2009), and won an Alex Award from the American Library Association.

Things Pertaining to SOULLESS

The Beginning from the Author’s Side

Soulless, The Beginning Author Notes That Started Everything

I’ve talked in person a lot about how I don’t really start writing a book until I have a “scene epiphany” this isn’t always (or even often) the first scene in a book. And I don’t always remember which one it is. But I DO remember which one it was for Soulless, this one…

Extra Character Fodder

I’m going to briefly add how important I feel Ivy is as a character. To show unwavering loyalty and female friendship. To understand Alexia without making a big deal about it. To add lightness, drama, and joy to any given situation.

We should all be so lucky as to have an Ivy in our lives.

Fan Art Alexia Soulless By Sarah Lynne Christianson

Cover Art & Deleted Scenes & Author Perspective

The Soulless limited edition case wrapped hardcover from Subterranean was voted the fan favorite over all cover as of 2016 (prior to the illustrated edition and all the novellas).

I Am, Indeed says of the Soulless audiobook:

“Narration for this story is provided by Emily Gray, and her performance managed to grab all of the underlying (and oft described) personality traits for each character with ease. From the slight affectations of Alexia to Macon’s hint of a burr, the voices fit the characters in ways unexpected without overplaying any single moment for emotional impact or overstating a point.”

Here are some of my first sketches…

Alexia:

Dressing Alexia from the Foundation Up

I also sketched a few of the other characters, like Ivy in one of her silly silly hats…

Lyall in wolf form.

And finally here is what it looks like when I am working out a fight scene. This is the one at the end in the Hypocras club.

That’s all for now, Gentle Reader!

Yours in soulessness,

Miss Gail

  • Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT MAY 18, 2019!

The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger). COVER ART TO BE SEEN SOON BY THE CHIRRUP.

Sci-fi queer romance meets cozy mystery featuring a hot cop, the most adorable purple alien ever (lavender, pulease!), and a race with 5 genders.

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 31, 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Parasol by Schiaparelli, 1937-40, France

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

I imagine this as Dimity & Sophronia after Finishing School
Les Modes Parisiennes Date April, 1869 v. 47, 92

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Sarah Forbes Bonetta, goddaughter of Queen Victoria

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Seven Proven Strategies for Editing and Proofreading Your Own Writing
Note: One of my tips is to change the font to opposite serif for the revision.

Book News:

bibliophiliacs says of Soulless,

“Lovers of many different genres will enjoy these, and I encourage even those who don’t normally venture into sci-fi or fantasy to read them.  You can tell that Carriger is having a great time writing them, and it makes for an equally great time reading them.”

Quote of the Day:

“We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language.”

~ Oscar Wilde

Your Moment of Gail

 

“I suspect it may be like the difference between a drinker and an alcoholic; the one merely reads books, the other needs books to make it through the day.”

(Interview with The Booklovers blog, September 2010)” ~ Gail Carriger

 

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

The Changing & Evolving Fashions of Late 1860s Victorian Dresses (Poison or Protect Special Extras)

Poison or Protect follows the exploits of one lady assassin with a penchant for poison, one gentle soldier with a white knight complex, a house party, a ghost, and…

The changing fashions of 1867.

No really, the diminishing nature of full skirts is a plot point.

I roll like that.

Even so, I can’t go all over with the info-dumping in the story itself, although I hope I’ve made the point as needed, so I thought I’d give you a glimpse at what I mean in further detail.

So here you have a peek at the evolving nature of skirts in the 1860s. I’ve chosen to give both fashion plates and actual dresses.

Fashion plate, 1860 V&A Museum no. E.267-1942

 

At the beginning of the 1860s dress skirts were very wide indeed, notably assisted by the cage crinoline.

“The steel-hooped cage crinoline, first patented in April 1856 by R.C. Milliet in Paris, and by their agent in Britain a few months later, became extremely popular.” (source)

1860  The Victoria & Albert Museum

By the end of the 1850s, the cage was hugely popular with the fashionable set as it allowed one to wear (slightly) fewer petticoats.

Note, however, that it was the height of vulgarity to see evidence of the cage in terms of steel rings or tapes (like VPL), so one did still require several petticoats over the crinoline to hide these.

A ruffle was often sewn on the bottom, which could be replaced with a different color to match the over-skirt.

Also the cage caused ladies to be vested in the need for longer underpinnings, should the cage swing too far when dancing. Hence the brief fad for pantalettes.

And now for the retrospective: 1860-1869

Emile Pingat, 1860  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Spring Pardessus, No. 2”, fashion plate from Harper’s Monthly Magazine, 1861
Evening Dress  Charles Fredrick Worth, 1861  The Chicago History Museum
Fashion plate, 1862 US, Godey’s Lady’s Book
1862  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Fashion plate, 1863 England, the Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine

 

As you can see, the early 1860s were very wide full skirts. But right around the middle the century they began to shift toward the back into a train…

Cage Crinoline  1862  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1863  The McCord Museum
1864 (source)
1864  The Kyoto Costume Institute

1865 Dresses from the The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

Les Modes Parisiennes

Date: Sunday, January 1, 1865

Item ID: v. 44, plate 64

 

Note how the skirts are sliding more and more towards the back by this point? At the same time they become more narrow.

An advanced oval form of the cage crinoline became quite popular, but a lady was also permitted to wear layers of petticoats cleverly cut instead.

A discussion on this matter occurs in Poison or Protect, and is key to understanding Preshea’s character.

Godey’s Fashion Plate 1866
1866  Musée Galliera de la Mode de la Ville de Paris
Plate 39. December 1867.

Robe à Transformation  1867  Collection Galleria del Costume di Palazzo Pitti1

Fashion plate, 1868 England
Dinner Dress  Emile Pingat, 1868  The Philadelphia Museum of Art
1869_Englishwomans_Domestic_Magazine
1869  Collection Galleria del Costume di Palazzo Pitti

 

And so the style leads into the 1870s tighter bustle silhouette, as described in the Parasol Protectorate series.

Cage Crinolette  1872-1875  The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Want more on these specific transition of styles?

I hope you have enjoyed this insight, Fashionable Reader.

Yours in ovals,

Miss Gail

  • Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT NOW!

The Omega Objection San Andreas Shifters

Amazon | Kobo | B&N | iBooks
Direct from Gail

Can a gentle giant with a trampled heart
show a man who’s been running all his life that
sometimes there are monsters worth running towards?

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger).
  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of PArasol

Parasol Les Modes Parisiennes April, 1867 Plate Number v. 46, 36

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

An open letter to readers who love books

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

The Strange Magic of Libraries

Book News:

All Gail’s books in one place. 

Quote of the Day:

Your Moment of Gail

 

“I suspect it may be like the difference between a drinker and an alcoholic; the one merely reads books, the other needs books to make it through the day.”

(Interview with The Booklovers blog, September 2010)” ~ Gail Carriger

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

Poison or Protect Special Extras (Delightfully Deadly)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 1 Comment

Poison or Protect the first (and currently only) Delightfully Deadly novellas (yes there will be MORE) was also my very first self published novella adventure. It released in June of 2016.

Here are some fun blog posts and resources that tie to this book. These include behind the scenes research and chattering on the subject of starting my self publishing and indie author journey, why I love novella length, and more.

A sexy assassin, a Scotsman, and two lobsters attend a Victorian house party.

This was my first independently produced novella and my first romance. Of course I had to start with a femme domme spin on one of my reader base’s least favorite characters.

Because why would I make it easy on myself?

Gavin though.

I mean come on!

He is probably my favorite hero I have ever written.

Why did I write about Preshea first?

It’s my profound opinion that most evil characters are coming from a place of hurt. I wanted readers to learn more about Preshea and why she behaves the way she does. How she doesn’t fit into the world and why this damaged her.

You may not end up loving her by the end of this book, but you will understand her. And I suspect you will love Gavin and understand why he’s perfect for her.

Things Pertaining to This Book

Fashion Related to this Book!

  • Here’s the Retro Rack post where I talk all about Dressing the Cover of Poison or Protect.

Novellas are my favorite length to read. They’re perfect for a single evening’s entertainment, long enough for the author to develop character and plot, but not so long they have a chance to waffle about with description. Shorts, for me tend to be mostly pacing and concepts, but the novella really lets me explore relationships and people. Why Doesn’t America Love the Novella? I don’t know, because I really do.

I hope you enjoy Preshea, Gavin, and the lobsters.

Yours,

Miss Gail

  • Did you miss my latest release announcement? Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT NEXT!

The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger). COVER ART TO BE SEEN SOON BY THE CHIRRUP.

Sci-fi queer romance meets cozy mystery featuring a hot cop, the most adorable purple alien ever (lavender, pulease!), and a race with 5 genders.

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Umbrella Cane 1880s

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Apparently eShakti just uploaded their new dresses, so I’m reminding you I wrote a post on how to buy and get the best dress from them:

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Intimate Photos That Capture People Having Tea Together in the Early 20th Century

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Book News:

Sophril Reads says of Poison or Protect:

“I loved this novella. Gail took a character that was in the finishing school series that I didn’t really care about and made me like her. Preshea was a fixture in the finishing school series; however, I always found her annoying and I am sure that I would not have picked up this book had it not been for this read-along.  I am so happy that I did!” 

Quote of the Day:

“What do you call the second cup of tea reusing the first teabag?
After much discussion we settled on “victory cuppa.”
Like victory garden, because reusing a bag smacks of rationing.”

~ Gail Carriger

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

All Finished Young Ladies Have Chatelaines the Carte de Bal (Finishing School Special Extras)

Posted by Gail Carriger

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One of the tools Sophronia and her friends often wear in my Finishing School series is the chatelaine, Fashionable Reader.

I used it as a kind of Swiss Army knife for my delightfully deadly young ladies. (Much as I do with the parasol in the Parasol Protectorate and Custard Protocol series.)

Chatelain artemis2apollo-tumblr
edwardian-time-machine-tumblr Silver Chatelaine, 1892

From Wikipedia: A Victorian Lady’s finishing touch ~ the chatelaine.

A chatelaine is a decorative belt hook or clasp worn at the waist with a series of chains suspended from it.

Each chain is mounted with a useful household appendage such as scissors, thimble, watch, key, vinaigrette, household seal, etc.

Chatelaines were worn by many housekeepers in the 19th century and in the 16th century Dutch Republic, where they were typically used as watch chains for the wealthy. Similar jewellery was also worn by Anglo Saxon women, as seen from the burial record, but its function is uncertain.

The name chatelaine derives from the French term châtelaine. 

same source as above

 

Sterling silver Victorian chatelaine (seamstress)

 

I love looking at these and thinking about what a female spy would carry instead. Poisons or defensive fluids instead of perfume (or as well as) for example…

Chatelaine c 1895 (typical)
Nurse’s_Chatelaine

 

shewhoworshipscarlin-tumblr  Chatelaine with calendar, late 1700s, France.

 

Specifically mentioned in the final Finishing School book, Manners & Mutiny, is the Carte de Bal. Essentially, the Carte de Bal is a Chatelaine specifically designed to go to a dance.

 

French fashion doll 1865 carte de bal

 

CarteDeBalArtNeauvuChateline ebay sale
same as above
Carte de Bal  1890s  Sotheby’s

Let’s play Spot That Chatelaine…

Lace (via Dennis A. Waters Fine Daguerreotypes)
facesoftheedwardianera:

(via Standing Women Dressed Alike | Photograph | Wisconsin Historical Society)

c. early 1900s

 

More on the history of the chatelaine: Show & Tell: A 19th Century Chatelaine

Chatelaine (USA), ca. 1860; silver, gold wash, ivory, enamel, glass. Cooper Hewitt/Smithsonian Institution

 

In addition to the chatelaine Sophronia utilizes a number of hair ribbons in the final Finishing School book. I found these two quotes to go with…

“High-coloured ribbons, flowered or figured, are decidedly vulgar.”

~ The Ladies’ Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners or, Miss Leslie’s Behaviour Book by Eliza Leslie (American 1864)

“Low-priced ribbons, for instance, are generally flimsy, tawdry, of ugly figures, and vulgar colours,—soon fading, and soon “getting into a string.”

~ The Ladies’ Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners or, Miss Leslie’s Behaviour Book by Eliza Leslie (American 1864)

Want more?

This post originally appeared on Retro Rack.

Yours in dangly goodness,

Miss Gail

  • Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT NOW!

The Omega Objection San Andreas Shifters

Amazon | Kobo | B&N | iBooks
Direct from Gail

Can a gentle giant with a trampled heart
show a man who’s been running all his life that
sometimes there are monsters worth running towards?

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger).
  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

How to Vote in the 2019 Hugo Awards (And Why You Should Do It)

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Best of “Hi, I’m a Writer in a Movie”

Book News:

Waistcoats & Weaponry DVD extras

Quote of the Day:

Your Moment of Gail

 

“I suspect it may be like the difference between a drinker and an alcoholic; the one merely reads books, the other needs books to make it through the day.”

(Interview with The Booklovers blog, September 2010)” ~ Gail Carriger

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

Victorian Clothing Terms Used in the Finishing School Books & What They Mean (Special Extras)

Posted by Gail Carriger

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So Fashionable Reader,

I use a number of terms for articles of clothing in my Finishing School books.

Most of the time I’m aware that some of my readers aren’t familiar with the particulars. I try to use unfamiliar Victorian words in context that allows the reader to at least understand what kind of clothing it is (outerwear, underwear, upper body covering, lower, etc).

Nevertheless, here, for your edification, are some pictures of what these things actually look like!

Ever wondered as you read? Now you’ll know.

 

Agatha’s lace tuck:

Collar 1850s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

Agatha’s lace tuck is always slipping.

You can think of it as kind of like a removable collar (see above) only it is worn around the lower part of the neckline of a deeper cut dress. It’s tucked in to hide some of the depth of cleavage. It’s prone to slipping because it is not stitched on.

Lace was expensive and you wanted to be able to reuse it. More common in the Regency Era prior to the Victorian Era, the lace tuck persisted in more conservative institutions through the 1850s until industrialized lace became inexpensive enough to stitch directly onto the necklines of dresses.

 

The pelerine or the fichu:

1850 Pelerine  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

A cape-like item worn so that peaks drape down in the front. Originally for warmth and modesty, later mostly decorative.

As the Victorian era progresses the pelerine came to mean longer point in the front while the fichu was smaller and more dainty.

 

Sophronia’s boots:

1851 Ankle Boots  The Victoria & Albert Museum

 

Sophronia’s boots have rubber soles, very unusual and uncommon right up through the turn of the century.

Most shoes had hard leather soles or softer ones for indoors (like dancing shoes still do today).

 

A basquine bodice:

1853 Basquine  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

In the Victorian era this term came to mean highly decorated jackets worn over ballgown bodices or wedding gowns. They were often used for travel, for example, to and from an event

 

Bonnet:

1853 Bonnet  The FIDM Museum

 

A bonnet is a hat worn close the the head and tilted back, often providing very little sun protection.

Hair styles evolved to compensate, so the 1850s saw hair divided in the middle with lots of curls around the face and tight buns to the back for daytime.

 

Pagoda sleeves:

1850 Day Dress  The Kyoto Costume Institute

 

These sleeves are narrow at the top and very wide at the bottom.

In the 1850s they mirror the silhouette of the rest of the dress and were hugely popular. Geraldine’s girls love them for hiding all their wrist tools.

They were popular for day and walking dresses. They rarely appear on dinner gowns, however, because they would drag through the food!

 

Hair receiver:

Reminisce: What Are Hair Receivers?

Hair receivers were used to collect all the hair that came off of one’s hairbrush each day. After sufficient hair was collected, one would take it in to a hair weaver who would make the hair into a fall or pad or clip curls to easily augment ones up-dos. I know, I know, weird yet strangely logical.

And for your amusement, just read this description of what they wore…

“For breakfast she had a pretty flowered dressing-gown. At ten she put on a simple buisness-like tailor-made costume for shopping in Peterport. On returning she changed into a workday dress and an overall for kitchen operations. The overall was removed for lunch, and then, for the afternoon, a really good dress was put on for paying calls. When we came back a little exhausted from this strain of looking well and being polite, a loose tea-gown was the thing, and this remained on until it was time to dress for dinner.”

~ The Victorian House by Judith Flanders

Seven different outfits of clothes for an ordinary day.

Yours in terminology,

Miss Gail

This post originally appeared in Retro Rack.

  • Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT NOW!

The Omega Objection San Andreas Shifters

Amazon | Kobo | B&N | iBooks
Direct from Gail

Can a gentle giant with a trampled heart
show a man who’s been running all his life that
sometimes there are monsters worth running towards?

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger).
  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

The Different Types of Editing Explained

Book News:

Check out Soap’s character design board

Quote of the Day:

Your Moment of Gail

 

“I suspect it may be like the difference between a drinker and an alcoholic; the one merely reads books, the other needs books to make it through the day.”

(Interview with The Booklovers blog, September 2010)” ~ Gail Carriger

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

Manners & Mutiny Special Extras (Finishing School)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 3 Comments

Manners & Mutiny, the final Finishing School book, released in November of 2015. It was the first time I finished a series that had been planned as a series from the very beginning.

Here are some fun blog posts and resources that tie to this book. Research I did, chattering on the subject of finishing a series and its overarching arc.

Blurb:

If one must flirt…flirt with danger.

Only one thing is certain: a large-scale plot is under way, and when it comes to fruition, Sophronia must be ready to save her friends, her school, and all of London from disaster–in decidedly dramatic fashion, of course.

What will become of our proper young heroine when she puts her years of training to the test? Find out in this highly anticipated and thrilling conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Finishing School series!

Manners & Mutiny was a New York Times bestseller and was one of Amazon’s November Best Book of the Month, SciFi & Fantasy (2015).

Writing Manners & Mutiny

So this was the last in a series which meant I had a lot to tie up.

For this book I ended up using 3×5 cards to keep track of the different threads and plots I needed to wrap up yet maintain pace. Also I wanted to make certain I dropped the right plot points in at the right time without getting too hung up on any one thread.

Yellow cards are action, blue are information, and purple is romance or emotional strands. The one green one is the climax/death. They are set out loosely by chapter. (I would later go in and break those chapters down more.)

These days since Scrivener has come into my life I don’t need to do this anymore.

Things Pertaining to This Book

Research and Other Fun Behind the Scenes Tidbits

Things Pertaining to this Series

Pinterest design boards for characters and other stuff specific to this series…

Other characters do have design boards, but I’m not listing them here because they may be getting (or have) their own novellas, will show up again in a future book, or I’m keeping them in reserve for some other reason… in which case their boards have spoiler warning attached.

One of the hosts, Amanda, is here in pickleman costume (with Bumbersnoot) at one of my events:

This books ends of a major bang. And yes I knew what would happen to the school, and why. No I did not know the wicker chicken would be so significant.

Here’s its original appearance in E&E…

Well, is that wise? Having a mess of seedling evil geniuses falling in love with you willy-nilly? What if they feel spurned?”

“Ah, but in the interim, think of the lovely gifts they can make you. Monique bragged that one of her boys made her silver and wood hair sticks as anti-supernatural weapons. With amethyst inlay. And another made her an exploding wicker chicken.”

“Goodness, what’s that for?”

Dimity pursed her lips. “Who doesn’t want an exploding wicker chicken?”

People loves the mere mention of it from the first book and just because of fan enthusiasm it became more and more important over the course of the series.

Of course you should watch out for the wicker chicken to show up in in a few other books, as a mark of affection or connection or friendship or something more…

 

This is decidedly not my feeling on cucumbers, I happen to adore them. But it is one of my best friend’s, who is very texture orientated.

Other’s Opinions

I Am Indeed says of the audiobook:

“Narration is again provided by Moira Quirk and she’s managed to capture each moment, each character with a sense of ‘who’ they are, while not giving away or overworking emotions or a sense that there is more in store for the characters. The words stood solidly as presented, carrying that sense of fun and amusement that is contained within all of Carriger’s novels.”

Keep Calm with Books and Coffee says :

“This final book in the Finishing School Series is delightful for many reasons. Not just because it wraps this series up in a fantastic way. (I can always count on Gail Carriger to give us an ending I will delight in even when she scares me first) Something about the way her books and series wrap up is just perfect.”

Here I am wearing my Team Soap shirt and Bumbersnoot necklace.

Two of my favorite pieces of merch. This exact shirt is no longer available but you can get the sentiment in any other style or cut or color you like, for men and women.

I really hope you enjoyed this series! I like how tight it is with the four books. It was fun to write knowing what I was working with from the get go.

Always enjoy your thoughts on how everything turned out, you favorite parts, your favorite characters and ones you want to see more of!

Feel free to comment with any questions you have about these books.

Before you ask I’ve no intention, at the moment, of writing more Sophronia & Soap as main characters. I like finishing series, I’m a completest.

But they do turn up in my other stuff, occasionally even together on the page, sideways references and in the shadows. Of course. Because that is where they live.

Yours (decidedly) not in the shadows,

Miss Gail

  • Did you miss my latest release announcement? Want more sneak peeks, free goodies, gossip, behind the scenes info? This stuff goes to my Chirrup members, because I love them bestest. Sign up here.
  • Not into newsletters? Get only new releases by following Gail on Amazon or BookBub!

OUT NOW!

The Omega Objection San Andreas Shifters

Amazon | Kobo | B&N | iBooks
Direct from Gail

Can a gentle giant with a trampled heart
show a man who’s been running all his life that
sometimes there are monsters worth running towards?

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

  • The 5th Gender (a Tinkered Stars sci-fi as G. L. Carriger).
  • Reticence, The 4th and final Custard Protocol book. August 6, 2019
  • Secret Project Ommm, October 2019 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Soulless.
  • Need to know what Gail is writing right now? That’s in the Chirrup.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

There’s a Weird, Sexist Problem in Fantasy That We Need to Talk About

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Book News:

Quote of the Day:

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

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