Tagged Special Extras

How to Marry a Werewolf Special Extras (Claw & Courtship)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

How to Marry a Werewolf (In 10 Easy Steps) is the first book in my Claw & Courtship line. This story returns me to my Soulless roots, with a heterosexual couple one of whom is a werewolf. It features, however, my first American female main character. (GASP!) This is also, currently my only book available in LARGE TYPE. (And likely to remain so.)

How to Marry a Werewolf novella released in May of 2018

Here are some fun blog posts and resources that tie to this book, character building, why I decided to redeem Channing, why Faith is a geologist, and more.

Faith crosses the Atlantic, looking for a marriage of convenience and revenge. But things are done differently in London. Werewolves are civilized. At least they pretend to be.

Author Thoughts on This Book

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 How to Marry a Werewolf. It was the confrontation between Faith and Channing over rocks in a suitcase. I can still see it with perfect clarity in my head.

Without question How to Marry is my most commercially successful novella. I noodled over why, the title? The cover? The release time of year? The more standard het relationship? Channing? Facebook ads? Story pitch? But therein lies madness. The only way to know for sure is to do another in this line and see what happens.

So don’t worry there will be more!

“Who the devil are you?” Alexia asked, the man’s cavalier interference irritating her into using actual profanity. “Major Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings.” Alexia gawked. No wonder he was so very full of himself. One would have to be, laboring all one’s life under a name like that.

~ From Channing’s first appearance in Changeless

Incidentally it’s no accident that Madame Lefoux and Channing both first appear in Changeless, since they are kind of foils for each other.

Things Pertaining to this Book

New Main Characters!

  • Channing character design board, he first appears in Changeless (then the rest of the Parasol Protectorate series) and has a small but important roll to play in How to Marry a Werewolf, hints as to his backstory are dropped in Romancing the Werewolf
  • Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings is a Cad (in 4 Quotes)
  • Faith character design board, I chose sedimentary geology for her academic interest because as an archaeologist I carry a minor in geology
  • Teddy character design board, I wanted to introduce the concept of familial friendships in this book, since it was so common in the Victorian era but I hadn’t really dealt with it before

In which I ate a piece of cake to celebrate my book baby, about the size of said book baby

Reviews of How To Marry A Werewolf…

Book Loving Nut says:

“This book is a lot of fun but also goes a little deeper and darker into the worst of Parasolverse society problems than some of Carriger’s other books. From what sends Faith to London to Channing’s own past, I’d call both backstories much more tragic than others Carriger has written. It gives these two more minor characters a bit of depth that we don’t always get for “lesser” characters.”

Jessticulates says:

“Despite its darker elements, or perhaps because of them, this was a lovely read. Faith and Channing’s relationship isn’t an all-consuming love story, but a story of two people finding something they both need in one another.”

Yours with werewolves,

Miss Gail

  • Did you miss my latest release announcement? 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 5th Gender (A Tinkered Stars Mystery as G. L. Carriger).

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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.

Every Book a Doorway says of The 5th Gender

“I think Carriger did an excellent job of creating – and conveying – zyga as an identity; the eponymous 5th gender of the title. It’s incredibly important to Tris, the story, and his culture, and I found it deeply moving. It’s a really beautiful concept/identity, one that hearkens to the roles queer people have held in many different cultures, and especially the minor revelation of the last few pages just took my breath away.”

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Watch: Stunning, Rainbow-Colored Blanket Octopus Caught on Camera

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Haunting Video Is The First Footage Ever Recorded of a Giant Squid in US Waters

Book News:

Interview with Gail in Denver

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!

 

Quote

Dressing Percy & Quesnel for the Custard Protocol Books ~ Victorian Fashion for Men 1890s (Special Extra)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

With Reticence coming out soon, and it being Percy’s book, I thought I might do a bit on men’s fashion for a change, Fashionable Reader.

Here’s a quote from Reticence on the subject of Percy’s appearance…

“The others looked interested, surprised, and resigned according to their natures. Except Percy, who looked like none of those things, but just like Percy.”

I know the power of my prose (dum dum dum) in the Custard Protocol books ought to cast into your mind exactly the image of what men looked like in the 1890s, but frankly pictures are better.

The eagle eyes and costume-minded among you will have already noticed that Percy is NOT dressed appropriately to the 1890s in either of his covers…

Yes that’s regency wear he has on, around 1840s NOT 1890s. (Actually when I asked you to judge the covers I was expecting a bit more outrage on this matter). Suffice it to say, there is a VERY GOOD reason for his cover outfit. But no, what’s on the cover is absolutely NOT what a Victorian gentleman would ordinarily wear in the mid 1890s.

So shall we talk about what Percy should be wearing?

Here is a sample of 1890s clothing for gentlemen of the kind the Percy & Quesnel are oft described as wearing throughout the series.

Fashion plate, 1880s-90s via shewhosorshipscarlin tumblr

Hats have begun to get smaller and more refined than the earlier parts of the Victorian era.

The cravat is tied more simply, leans towards muted colors, and is beginning to look more like a tie. In fact we start to see the word “tie” being used for this piece of clothing, or something similar but cut of a thicker fabric and shaped more precisely and thinly around the neck. Also the bow tie becomes the rage for evening.

Higher collars, narrow lapels, and vests (singled breasted) instead of waistcoats (double breasted) are more fashion forward. Trousers are draped and tapered but not tight. Shoes have become more uniformly black, shiny and laced. Rarely boots outside of the countryside and sporting events.

“There are moments, Jeeves, when one asks oneself, ‘Do trousers matter?'”

“The mood will pass, sir.”

― P.G. Wodehouse, The Code of the Woosters

J.W. Losse Tailoring, 1897 via dandyads-tumblr

Adjusted for inflation, one of these spring overcoats would run you $400-720 today.

This advert is an example of something it’s important to know about the late Victorian era, that professional garb is becoming ever more important, i.e the idea that you wear a specific kind of clothing for your specific job (as opposed to your station in society, although the two are linked). This is a concept in fashion that often collates historically to a rise in the middle class.

This next image is a little more modern but I imagine, given the prevalence of dirigibles in the Parasolverse, that something like this driving outfit would have been around earlier in the Parasolverse as a gentleman’s floating outfit. I can see Madame Lefoux rocking it.

1906-1908 Driving Coat The Victoria & Albert Museum

Is Your Victorian Gentleman Sponge Worthy? Contraception in the Years 1826-1891

‘Jeeves,’ I said coldly. ‘How many suits of evening clothes have we?’
‘We have three suits full of evening dress, sir; two dinner jackets—’
‘Three.’
‘For practical purposes two only, sir. If you remember, we cannot wear the third. We have also seven white waistcoats.’
‘And shirts?’
‘Four dozen, sir.’
‘And white ties?’
‘The first two shallow shelves in the chest of drawers are completely filled with our white ties, sir.’

~ Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

So why is Percy on the cover of Reticence in REGENCY garb?

“…the jacket was of the kind one’s grandfather wore in the 1820s. It was blue with puffy shoulders and large collar, and cropped in such a manner as to exaggerate certain frontal sectors of a chap’s anatomy, sectors Percy was tolerably certain a respectable gentleman ought to be exaggerating. Which was to say, he had received compliments in the past, but only from ladies who were monetarily encouraged to be positive on the subject.”

~ Reticence

You have to read the book to find out why…

Note that in this one Percy’s trousers are awful tight? THere’s a reason for THAT too.

Heh heh.

Yours in designer men’s wear,

Miss Gail

  • Want more sneak peeks? 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 5th Gender (A Tinkered Stars Mystery as G. L. Carriger).

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

1900 cgmfindings- Art Nouveau Advertising Parasol „Fiumaner Reisstärke“ Austria

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

IMAGE: Teapot Purse Massive Red

Purse I got myself in honor of Reticence, it was a lot bigger than I expected.

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

The Best Of Our Knowledge: Pick Your Poison 

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Big publishers shafting libraries by pivoting their model to highlight new releases.

Book News:

Sophril Reads says of Romancing the Inventor:

“This Novella was amazing and I could not put it down.”

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!

Dressing Primrose From the Corset Up: For Balls, Sports, and the Bedroom by Gail Carriger (Custard Protocol Special Extras)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 6 Comments

So, Fashionable Reader, I have concocted a pictorial guide to possible outfits that a young lady of Prim’s rank might wear during this time period.

The images run with what she would need to put on, in order. Ready? Here we go…

On the bottom half:

1. 1890  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
2. 1890s Stockings The Metropolitan Museum of Art
3. 1899 Garters  1899  The Chicago History Museum
4. 1895-1905 Oxfords   The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Note that shoes have to go on early? Well before the corset and also the rest of the dress for bending and hemming reasons.

Combination  1890s  The Metropolitan Museum of Ar

Combinations are a hard one for me, as an author.

Because they were ubiquitous undergarments at the time of the Custard Protocol books. They were the most common form of underwear.

However, the name and the concept is entirely lost to the modern mind set. Most of my readers would have no basis for comparison should I drop the word “combination” into, for example, a shape change or a nookie scene. I must, therefore, use the word in correct context so as to make it clear that is what the character is wearing. Or have it described to a foreign character. And yet, it’s not something that would be described. Sigh. Challenging.

On the upper half:

Bust Improvers  1890s  Whitaker Auction

Prim wouldn’t need these, but I include them because I think its fun that they exist at all!

5. Camisol  1895-1905  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
6. 1893  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
7. Sleeve Supports  1890s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

And over the top:

8. 1895  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
9. 1894 Evening Dress  Charles Fredrick Worth, 1894  The Kyoto Costume Institute
10. 1890s  The Goldstein Museum of Design
11. 1895-1905  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
12. Muff and Hat  1890s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Alternatively, here’s a look at more sporty options…

Stockings  1890s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Combinations undergarment, England, 1875 – 1900
Corset 1890s Summer Corset   The Victoria & Albert Museu
Corset Cover  1895-1900  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

And sportswear on the outside:

Shirtwaist 1894 The Museum at FIT _ OMG that dress!
1890s Under The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Travel Suit  Jacques Doucet, 1895  The Victoria & Albert Museum

You don’t have to take the pictures as proof. Here’s some research to back it up…

Gwen Raverat at the end of the century describes the modest dress of a respectable female.

“Women were incredibly modest . . .  even with each other. You could see a friend in her petticoat, but nothing below that was considered decent. At school, the sidht of a person in her white frilly drawers caused shrieks of outraged virtue; and I should have thought it impossible to be seen downstairs in my dressing-gown.”

~ Judith Flanders The Victorian House (pg. 269)

americangothgirl-tumblr Catalog Photographs, Front and Back Views of Woman In Corset, c. 1880s. Albumen Prints

“This is what a young lady wore, with whom I shared a room one night…

  1. Thick, long-legged woolen combinations.
  2. Over them, white cotton combinations, with plenty of buttons and frills.
  3. Very serious, bony, grey stays, with suspenders.
  4. Black woolen stockings.
  5. White cotton drawers, with buttons and frills.
  6. White cotton ‘petticoat-bodice’, with embroidery, buttons and frills.
  7. Rather short, white flannel, petticoat.
  8. Long alpaca petticoat, with a flounce round the bottom.
  9. Pink flannel blouse.
  10. High, starched, white collar, fastened on with studs.
  11. Navy blue tie.
  12. Blue skirt, touching the ground, and fastened tightly to the blouse with a safety-pin behind.
  13. Leather belt, very tight.
  14. High button boots.”

~ Judith Flanders The Victorian House (pg. 269)

Undergarments ca. 1900-03  From the FIDM Museum

 1898 Walking Suit, House of Worth, French, Made of silk and lace

For the Boudoir!

How about an alternate more sexy arrangement of underthings layer…

Here’s the first layer:

Brassiere  1910s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art copy
Drawers  1900s  The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Garter  1875-1825  The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Stocking  1860  Les Arts Décoratifs

Over that would go the next layer of these items:

Corset  1900  The Metropolitan Museum of Art copy
Corset Cover  1910s  Antique Dress
Chemisette, Undersleeves, and Handkerchief  1860s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art copy

Over all of this she might wear this:

Negligee, 1908  From the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague
Dressing Gown  1897-1900  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Watch 100 Years of Lingerie in 3 Minutes

OK I know that’s a lot of research but you know how I feel about clothing!

This post originally appeared in two parts over on Retro Rack.

Yours in fluffy dresses,

Miss Gail

  • 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 NOW!

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

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Helene Standish, 1882 via shewhoworshipscarlin tumblr

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

How to make Neapolitan octopus salad

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Trader Joe’s Mint Ginger Green Tea 

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

How Predatory Companies Are Trying to Hijack Your Publisher Search 

Book News:

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!

Competence Special Extras (Custard Protocol)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

The Great Parasolverse read along continues with Competence, the third book in my Parasol Protectorate spin off Custard Protocol series. This is the first time I switch main characters mid series, and the first time I wrote a queer central love story for a major NY publisher. This was also my first truly hybrid book, with me publishing it overseas myself, while a traditional publisher handled the USA and Canada.

A lot of firsts.

Competence released in July of 2018

At RWA with my new babies!

There was a year gap between this book and the one prior because I was in contract negotiations for the final two books in this series. During that time, I published several novellas and focused on my indie career. Because I wasn’t sure if Competence and Reticence would even happen, the first two books in this series are designed to stand together as a duology.

Here are some fun blog posts and resources that tie to this book, includes that fact that I have visited both Singapore and Peru, plus my struggles with bringing out a UK overseas edition myself. (I declined my UK publisher’s offer because it was so low for such a large rights grab.)

All alone in Singapore, proper Miss Primrose Tunstell must steal helium to save her airship, in a scheme involving a lovesick werecat and a fake fish tail.

Competence was an Amazon, Borderlands, and Locus bestseller.

Publisher’s Weekly said:

“Carriger excels at wry humor and clever phrasing, and her ensemble cast is thoroughly charming and satisfyingly diverse. There’s a genuine sense of whimsy and fun running throughout this story, making it a treat for fans of the series.”

Things Pertaining to This Book

ace-artemis-fanartist – Primrose Tunstell and Tasherit Sekhmet from the Custard Protocol series

Competence in Fashion on Retro Rack

Primrose and Tasherit by Ace Artemis Fan Artist

Accolades

Competence Early Reviews

Book Loving Nut says of Competence:

“Percy’s POV is awkward and often unpleasant, just like the man himself. However, over time you can’t help but start to find him endearing despite his many faults. Somehow, even though he’s still insufferable, Carriger makes the guy surprisingly likable. HOW? I will never know.”

All Things Urban Fantasy says:

“I adored COMPETENCE and the story ends pretty neatly, or as neatly as this wonderfully quirky series can. Luckily this is not the end for the crew of the Spotted Custard since there are still some loose story threads that need to be tied up.”

Lit Bitch says:

“This was everything I’ve come to expect from Carriger……imaginative, with loads and loads of adventure, a little tastefully done romance, and a seamless blend of Steampunk and fantasy in a unified world.” 

Ace Artemis Fan Artist Merlion from Competence

Carolyn Cushman says in Locus Magazine:

“Over­all, though, this is less about thrilling adventures and new discoveries than about the highly entertain­ing Seduction of Primrose, nicely wrapped up with happy endings for much of the crew.”

The Furious Reader says:

There are so many great lines in this book, but I think what really just captures the spirit of Prim is, “Prim didn’t like guns, and she didn’t like to have to shoot them, but that didn’t stop her from being very, very good at it.”

Amanda J. McGee says:

“This story is a coming out story of the best kind. It deals with not only attraction, but with the broader implications of coming out – the costs, both perceived and actual, and how those are not always the same; the embrace of family, both found and otherwise; and the joy of finally being yourself and letting go of the ideas of who you should be.”

The Smut Report says:

“So, as I said, the real treat of this book is the opportunity to reconsider what’s important (while also enjoying a little lighthearted escapism).”

Sophril Reads says:

“I loved this book! There is just something about the life lessons in this series that just warms my heart.”

ace-artemis-fanartist-Finished-Imprudence-Primrose-and-Tasherit-are-my-newest-ship

Yours,

Miss Gail

  • Did you miss my latest release announcement? This 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 5th Gender (A Tinkered Stars Mystery as G. L. Carriger).

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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.

The Lit Bitch says of The 5th Gender:

“Carriger does such a fantastic job with her world building and this book is no exception. The world is richly described and interesting, but it’s the mystery/plot that really push this one forward.”

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

via fawnvelveteen-tumblr Arthur Hacker – Lost Parasol

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

I loved many things about Singapore but these pandan kaya bao might be my favorite. I still dream about them

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

That time when I did a live broadcast FROM Singapore (which is one of the reasons it ended up in a book. I’m more likely to write about a country if I have actually been there.

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

How Many Words In A Novel? It Depends On Your Genre 

Book News:

World Anvil Interview 

In which I give some writing advice, worldbuilding thoughts, and talk integration of queer characters.

Mentioned in the video:

Quote of the Day:

“Cats liked to occupy liminal spaces: both inside and outside, both tame and wild, both yawn and meow.”

~ Competence

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!

Romancing the Werewolf Special Extras (Supernatural Society)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

The Great Parasolverse read along continues with Romancing the Werewolf, the third novella I wrote and my first gay romance.

Romancing the Werewolf released in November of 2017

Here are some fun blog posts and resources that tie to Biffy & Lyall, reunion romances, not to mention writing the most requested story for the most popular side couple.

Biffy, newly minted Alpha of the London Pack, is not having a good Christmas. His Beta abandoned him. His werewolves object to his curtain choices. And someone keeps leaving human babies on his doorstep.

This was a joy to write, I have always enjoyed reunion romances. And even though it was much anticipated, for some reason I didn’t feel the pressure with this one. I think because I just KNEW Biffy and Lyall so well, and I knew how they fit.

Also it was fun to do something set during the winter holidays. I don’t normally do Christmas type stuff, but I had a good time with this one not to mention the weird cult ritual aspect (and yes I am comparing leaving squash on a doorstep to erecting a tree in a living room because equally weird.)

Did you notice the opening sequence is a Biffy POV scene from Timeless that I rewrote from Lyall’s POV? Aren’t I a tricky bit of baggage?

Things Pertaining to This Book

Biffy Robin Lyall by ace-artemis-fanartist on Tumblr

Characters In Depth

  • Biffy & Lyall fan art by Ace Artemis
  • London Pack design board. I didn’t put too much into coloring Conall’s pack in until they became Biffy’s.
  • Professor Lyall character design board. Lyall was built as a foil to Lord Maccon and increasing I fell in love with him. He shows up in most of my series in some form or another. Professor Randolph Lyall Original Character Study

Via de Biffi street of biffy florence Gail Carriger

  • Biffy character design board (Biffy started out a very minor character, I never intended his art to be so dramatic he has an increasingly large roll in the Parasol Protectorate series before this book. He shows up again in the Custard Protocol series and How to Marry a Werewolf.)
  • Biffy character study in depth.
  • Soulless Manga Art Launch ~ Professor Lyall

I also have a Pinterest board full of Queer History

Men’s Fashion

Romancing the Werewolf reviews!

Book Loving Nut says:

“I would give this book 6 nuts is such a thing existed. That’s not a joke or exaggeration, I loved this book that much. While it’s the second of the Supernatural Society novellas, it is without doubt first in my heart and probably my favorite piece of Parasolverse writing.”

Jessticulates says:

“After Lyall and Biffy’s bittersweet parting in Timeless, I was so ready for a reunion between the two of them set at Christmas and Romancing the Werewolf certainly scratched that itch.”

The Smut Report says:

“All in all, this book is enjoyable. Biffy and Lyall are likeable characters, and I find Carriger’s writing generally delightful…”

Further reading…

Queer Characters? Blame Mercedes Lackey, Behind The Supernatural Society (Special Extras)

Yours with adorable werewolves,

Miss Gail

  • 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 NOW!

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

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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.

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Ladies’ Friend November, 1870

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Tea and Book Pairings For Your Afternoon Cuppa

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

“The best way to send information is to wrap it up in a person.”

~ Robert Oppenheimer

Book News:

Meeting some well dressed readers at Denver’s Pop Culture Con 2019

Quote of the Day:

“What I really thought was that I had ordered a goat when I was drunk and forgot.”

~ Borderlands Books’ hilarious “Overheard in the store” April News

Quote Blameless Broken Heart Waistcoats Lyall

Beautiful Dresses for Rue & Prim in the Custard Protocol Books, from Harper’s Bazaar 1891 (Special Extras)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

I have this lovely Harper’s Bazaar from 1891, Fashionable Reader, given to me by a lovely fan.

I finally got around to scanning some of the images. Here are a few for you, the kind of things Rue & Prim might wear in the Custard Protocol series.

“We are told that several ladies have actually appeared in public without gloves; no gloves! Do not these two words imply a verdict of vulgarity?”

~ 1873 Fashion Papers

This post originally appeared in Retro Rack.

1894 Huge Mustache

‘Bring my shaving things.’
A gleam of hope shone in the man’s eye, mixed with doubt.
‘You mean, sir?’
‘And shave off my moustache.’
There was a moment’s silence. I could see the fellow was deeply moved.
‘Thank you very much indeed, sir,’ he said, in a low voice.

~ Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

Yours in fashion forward military inspired dresses,

Miss Gail

  • 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 NOW!

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

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Journal des Demoiselles Date July, 1873

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

“[N]ever do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time.”

~ Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

“One should never use exclamation points in writing. It is like laughing at your own joke.”

~ Mark Twain

Book News:

“The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.”

~ Oscar Wilde

Quote of the Day:

“How do I know what I think until I see what I say?”

~ E. M. Forster

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 REAL Reason the Custard Protocol is Set in the 1890s (Special Extras)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

The sleeves, Fashionable Reader. So ridiculous, how could I resist?

via  Robbie Rozelle @divarobbie  We are at puffed sleeves! #AnneofGreenGables

“Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet.”

~ L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

edwardian-time-machine tumblr sleeve supports
fripperiesandfobs-tumblr Jacket ca. 1894 From Thierry de Maigret
andwomenworebloomers tumblr

And the steampunk elements are pretty cool too.

arsenicinshell tumblr

Retro Rack is also on facebook where I post additional images and fashion thoughts.

Doesn’t this lady look like she went to Finishing School?

1894. Is that a  weapon in her hair? 

Yours in velvet,

Miss Gail

  • 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 NOW!

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

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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.

Sia (@raenbowgirl) on Twiiter said: 

“Super sweet sci-fi romance, really cool exploration of non-binary gender identities, with just a little bit of naughty tentacle shenanigans. Full review here.“

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Spring Morning by James Tissot c. 1875 (@metmuseum)

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

“The bottle rules the sensual world, but the tea-cup is queen in all the fair dominions.”

~ Around the Tea Table, by T. De Witt Talmage (c.1895)

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

“You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children.”

~ Madeleine L’Engle

Book News:

“Someone was trying to kill Lady Alexia Maccon. It was most inconvenient, as she was in a dreadful hurry. Given her previous familiarity with near-death experiences and their comparative frequency with regards to her good self, Alexia should probably have allowed extra time for such a predictable happenstance.”

~ Gail Carriger

Quote of the Day:

“I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.”

~ Anna Quindlen

Questions about Gail’s Parasolverse? Wiki that sheez!

Imprudence Special Extras (Custard Protocol)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

Imprudence is the second book in my Parasol Protectorate spin off series, this time going on a journey up the Nile through Egypt and Africa (which I very MUCH want to take myself).

Imprudence released in July of 2016

Here are some fun blog posts and resources that tie to this book, researching Egypt & Africa during the 1890s, among other things. I love this book because it’s my “let’s find the source of the Nile” story. (Or in this case, the source of the werecats!)

Rue and the crew of the Spotted Custard return from India with revelations that shake the foundations of England’s scientific community.

Imprudence was a Barnes & Noble B. Dalton and Locus bestseller. It was the first of Gail’s books since Changeless not to hit the New York Times. Buy me a drink some time and I’ll tell you more. In the end I used it to parlaying never having to do a book tour again, as they sent me on a 2 week tour-from-hell and didn’t get what they wanted (the LIST).

1893 General Gordans Last Stand Kartoum, occurred just before the events in the Imprudence.

Things Pertaining to This Book

“Milk is the great difficulty in travelling tea-making. It cannot always be easily obtained, and milk carried about with one in a bottle does not long retain its freshness in hot weather. Some people do not object to the condensed or Swiss milk one buys in small tins. It has the advantage of being extremely portable, but I must confess, personally, to finding its effect detestable in tea or coffee.”

~ Hints to Lady Travellers: At Home and Abroad (Royal Geographic Society) by Lillias Campbell Davidson (1889)

The discovery of oxygen. I think there is a word for when multiple scientists discover the same important thing at (basically) the same time in disconnected locals (Kuhn would mutter something about dominant paradigms and the structure of scientific revolutions but that’s neither here nor there, unless you’re an entomologist, in which case it’s both) but I can’t remember what that word is.

More Behind the Scenes of this book.

Spot the Following?

  1. French lessons.
  2. The unbirth of a particularly important ghost.
  3. More about Alessandro Tarabotti’s sordid past.
  4. Lord Akeldama’s real name.

Reviewers Weigh In

All About Romance says:

“Ultimately Imprudence offers an interesting mix of silliness, real danger, and character development. Best of all is the resolution of longtime issues for Lord Maccon and Alexia, dating back to the last book in the Parasol Protectorate series, Timeless. Many authors stop a series, or slow down the time process, not wanting to age their characters. That’s simply not the case here. Ms. Carriger does go there, and she does it marvelously.”

Jo of Vampire Book Club says:

“Imprudence firmly cemented the Custard Protocol series as a worthy successor to Parasol Protectorate. Filled with adventure, friendship and romance, this is an immensely fun ride, in a wonderfully amusing world.”

The Smut Report says:

“…I can’t get enough of this quirky writing…”

More Praise for Custard Protocol

Yours someday hoping to see the Sudd herself,

Miss Gail

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

OUT NOW! (Happy Pride!)

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

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Journal des Demoiselles Date June, 1873

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

1891 Children in amazing hats

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Will Apple Just Kill iTunes Already?

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Book News:

Every author has a process, after 10 years of careful honing mine seems to be:
Stare into empty teapot, frantically type 12 different sub genres at once, make myself sick on seaweed popcorn and sour gummies. Make fresh cuppa to recuperate.

~ Self on Twitter

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!

Prudence Research ~ India’s Influence on Victorian Clothing in the Custard Protocol series (Special Extras)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 3 Comments

So I took Rue to India in the first Custard Protocol book, Prudence. (Which the Read Along is tackling right now.) It was a lot of fun for the both of us. And, since it’s me, I also kept an eye open to the fashion world. India was an occupied territory during the Victorian times, and fabrics and fashion moved from there across the world and into the lives of Victorians in a myriad of ways. Here are some of the influential images, fashion items, and styles that come up in my books when India is involved.

1885 Visite  Les Arts Décoratifs

Not all of the images I collected are strictly Indian. Some are from surrounding occupied territories or highlight other Silk Road influences. Nevertheless, they struck me as quite interesting, so I have presented them for you here.

Fancy Dress Costume  Charles Fredrick Worth, 1870  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

I dithered on how to show these. I went with some original historical clothing items, along with some Victorian and later takes on the same theme and, where possible, a modern fashion look. Also there’s jewelry! So it’s kinda a mess, but I still hope you enjoy it.

Pendant  1860  Bonham’s

17th-18th century  The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
1867  Les Arts Décoratifs
Pietro Yantorny, 1920  The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Evening Dress  late 1910s  The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
19th Radhakrishna pendant  India, 19th century  Christie’s

 

1855 via fashionsfromhistory-tumblr Dressing Gown MFA
Court Ensemble  India (Lucknow), 19th century  The Victoria & Albert Museum
1820 Turban The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

Evening Dress 1893  The Museum of London

“This evening dress is decorated with net panels embroidered with gold thread and beetle wing cases from a species of jewel beetle. The panels were probably made in India where Madras and Calcutta were centres for beetle-wing embroidery made for the European market. The iridescent blue-green beetle wing cases reflect the light like sequins. This type of embroidery is found in British museum collections on dress, textiles and accessories dating from the 1780s until about 1930. Although Indian embroiderers introduced the technique, using it to decorate dress and domestic textiles, Europeans copied them, sometimes using the wing cases of a species of South American jewel beetle. This style of embroidery was also thought to be a suitable pastime for ladies of leisure, who were advised to use a Walker’s number eight needle and green silk thread.”


 Dress  Weeks, 1910  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Shirt  India (Bikaner), 1850s  The Victoria & Albert Museum
Opal Bracelet  1900  Christie’s
Fancy Dress Costumes  Paul Poiret, 1913-1914  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

Necklace  India, 19th century  Sotheby’s

 

Jama  India, 17th century  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

Court Robe  India, 18th century  The Victoria & Albert Museum

 

Necklace  India (Rajasthan), 19th century  Christie’s

 

Choga  India, late 19th century  The Metropolitan Museum of Art

More like this?

A variation of this post originally appeared in Retro Rack.

Yours (ever obsessed with sari fabric and Indian textiles),

Miss Gail

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

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Englishwoman’s Domestic Magazine Date September, 1872

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Baby Primrose?

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

The History Chicks podcast on Pirate Queen Ching Shih

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

History Wasn’t White. Why Should Historical Fiction Be?

Book News:

The Shameful Narcissist says of Soulless:

“…it’s truly the characters and world that give Soulless its spirit.”

Quote of the Day:

“The fact that it’s tactless doesn’t make it untrue.”

~ Borderlands Books Hillarious “Overhead in the store” April News

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!

Further Fiction Reading: Gender Fluidity & Varied Sexual Identities (The 5th Gender – Special Extras)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

Gentle Reader, today I tackle my failings for you.

Miss Gail where are your Ace or Grey or Demi or Other Queer Characters?

How about a disabled characters?

What about Pan or Poly?

How about…?

I’m doing my best but even I can’t catch them all, as it were.

I will keep writing lots of queer characters, I promise, but in the meantime…

Here’s a sample some fun romantic or sexy (not too serious) books with main characters that straddle the divides that I do not – so to speak. Oh and happy endings. ALWAYS.

I’m specifically going for a lighter tone, since that’s what I like to read (although a few of these are a touch dark they always end happily). For Your Enjoyment!

Contemporary

Historical

Fantasy/PNR/UF

Trans and Nonbinary Characters, Neopronouns in SFF

Won’t Someone Think of the Children!?

  • It Feels Good to Be Yourself: A Book About Gender Identity by Theresa Thorn (children’s picture book)
  • Having Her Back by Ann Gallagher (YA sweet romance, trans)
    A sweet first love YA about a boy whose best friend cuts him off unexpectedly for years, and when they meet again that friend is now a girl. They fall in love. It’s adorable and complex and gentle but also quintessentially YA in that it is the adults who often make mistakes, and the kids must learn to see their parents as fallible. No major triggers and yet it deals deftly with some very complex issues.
  • Cinderella Boy by Kristina Meister, stayed up WAY too late reading this one. It reminded me not so much of Cinderella as it did Pump Up the Volume. The charming story of a young teen who goes to a party dressed as a girl and the boy who falls in love with him. It’s touching and sweet, high angst, kick butt, and utterly adorable. Deals gently with themes of honesty and identity in terms of both gender fluidity and bisexuality as well as standing up to bullies and fighting for queer rights.
  • Dreadnaught by April Daniels (YA)
    Superhero featuring a trans main character. Everyone keeps telling me how brilliant it is and the reviews confirm.
  • Not Your Sidekick and other books in CB Lee’s series (YA queer superheroes), own voices author. Not Your Backup features and ace/aero character!
  • When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore (YA)
    This is a fantastical atmospheric fable featuring varied sexual identity, own voices author.
  • Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe (graphic novel)
  • The Bride Was a Boy by Chii, an almost memoir manga of love and transition that manages to be entertaining, happy, and sweet but ALSO extremely informative. Highly recommended for those who might be questioning their own gender identity, but also family and friends of anyone transitioning who need a window of understanding.

MORE!

7 New Adult Books with LGBTQ Main Characters

10 Queer YA Fantasy Series For Your Next Marathon Read

YA Pride website

Since I read a lot of gay romance, and I vetted these myself, you can tell my recommendations are skewed. Please feel free to submit your own in comments but remember I’m PICKY. I don’t read: Hero’s Journey, rape, abusive/stalker Alphas, explicit violence, sad endings, etc…

Gail Carriger’s Reading Wheelhouse: What I Hate, What Turns Me Off, What I Won’t Read in BOOKS!

RESOURCES!

Articles

Researching Gender Fluidity & Representing it in Fiction – The 5th Gender by Gail Carriger (Custard Protocol, San Andreas Shifters & Tinkered Stars Behind the Magic)

Reading Lists

9 Favorite Queer Fantasy Books (Miss Carriger Recommends)

Similar to The 5th Gender, Gail Suggests More Queer SciFi (Miss Carriger Recommends)

Resource Books

Other posts in this series

Queer Characters? Blame Mercedes Lackey, Behind The Supernatural Society (Special Extras)

Finally I am going to throw this AMAZING movie into the mix. I just love it so much…

Boy Meets Girl is a sweet charming contemporary romance, adorable and fun and so lovely. And yes one of the characters is trans but that’s only part of it. If you hesitate about anything around trans identity, please watch this movie.

Honestly it’s so good, it will leave you with warm fuzzies, I promise. And here’s :

13 Fascinating Movies That Celebrate the Richness of the Transgender Experience

Yours, bathed in alternatives,

Miss Gail

Want Weekly Book Recs?

If you want weekly book recommendations from me (or to suggest books to me) I participate in #bookrecfriday on Twitter & Facebook (& Instagram & Tumblr when I remember).

  • If you want to know whenever I post a review, follow me on BookBub or Goodreads.
  • 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.

OUT NOW!

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

Preorder on Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Magasin des Demoiselles July, 1870

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Cat Rescued From Garbage Disposal

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

“Inspiration usually comes during work, rather than before it.” 

~ Madeleine L’Engle

Book News:

“I don’t remember what I ate for lunch, but I remember the plot to every one of these books.”
~ Borderlands Books Hillarious “Overhead in the store” April News

Quote of the Day:

Gail: I think I put too much garlic in the mashed potatoes.
AB: No such thing.
G: It’s like 1/3 potato, 1/3 butter, 1/3 garlic
AB: Nothing is wrong with this.

~ Self on Twitter

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!

Quote:

“I was a baby butch who had never heard the word and so didn’t know what to call myself until I first heard that word out loud in 1992 in the back stacks of Little Sister’s bookstore. I wore second-hand army boots three sizes too big and cut my own hair with clippers and met what I didn’t know at the time was my first femme lover and bought my first necktie and she called me handsome and that one word handsome made up for two decades of knowing I was never really all that pretty.”

~ Tomboy Survival Guide by Ivan Coyote

5th Gender Special Extras: Hear Gail Read the First Scene + Q&A & Praise

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

The 5th Gender was Gail’s first wide release science fiction novel (set in the same universe as Crudrat but not linked in any way).

It released on May 18, 2019

To general delight and eagerness by those who managed to find out about it.

Here’s some special extras for this book:

The Tweet that started it all…

I almost never do readings, so this is a special treat!

 

 

The actual narrator, Michal Lesley, reading a sample for this book.

In this video you’ll learn…

Why I don’t normally do readings and how I was persuaded to this one. (Blame the Group!)

What’s the greatest invention of the modern age.

What my really bad British accent sounds like.

Why writing multi genres in one book is an advantage.

Why I wear gloves to events.

On The 5th Gender Specifically

  • What inspired me to write this book and what scene came into my head first (my epiphany moment)?
  • How my writing process was different with this book.Where the emotive tentacle hair idea comes from.
  • How I came up with the idea of multiple genders. How I keep 5 distinct in my head.
  • What it’s like to vomit out a book and why it’s not always a good thing.
  • How I approached the mystery element. Sci fi? Which did I like writing more?
  • Using delicacy readers.
  • Cover model? Hair? Talk to Starla!
  • More in this universe? (The Tinkered Stars)

On Writing In General

My feelings on the different kinds of mysteries, from a writer perspective. I name some of the cozies I watched as a kid with my Popster. (The two names I forgot were: Johnathan Creek & Hetty Wainthropp Investigates)

How hard cover versions of books are challenging.

Will there be more Biffy/Lyall? Claw & Courtship.
Sophronia/Soap? Upcoming releases.

What is it about writing retreats that works so well for me? (Big confession.)

Easiest character voices for me to fall into?

How many novels do I work on at once?
What am I writing right now.
What’s coming up next? Always keep an eye on the Chirrup.

You Shall Not Write

LINKS to Stuff Mentioned

I have a complicated relationship to purple. Necklace & earrings from Etsy vendor Hibernacula

Grey lilac fascinator

Eye makeup!

  • Vamp Stamp
  • Liquid pen liner
  • White liner on bottom lash line.
  • White eye shadow, best with my kind of glasses and eye shape.

Dress from eShakti (no longer available).

Gail’s Podcast 

Yours in lavender love,

Miss Gail

  • 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 NOW!

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

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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.

Den of Geek says:

“While some of these dynamics may play a little more comfortably for readers familiar with category romance novels (the sex scenes here are certainly as graphic and creative as category romances strive to be), the world-building has the depth that science fiction readers crave, and the cozy mystery plot, though frequently interrupted by the other two aspects, hangs together well, hitting all the right emotional points.”

Tiny Navajo Reads says:

“This was such a sweet book! I loved it and I loved how much a culture of a society can affect how they treat those that are of greatest importance.”

Rally the Readers says:

“The 5th Gender delivers in so many ways: it’s sweet, it’s romantic, it’s funny, and most importantly, it tells a very impactful and very timely story.”

Hugh Likes Fiction says:

“…the story is charming and sexy, with delightful characters you’ll want to see more of when you get to the back cover.”

BookRiot says:

“This is a fun, funny, sexy book, and I’m so happy it exists. It hits you in the feels, makes you laugh and cry, and makes you think about matters of family, kin, and the heart.”

Every Book a Doorway says:

“I think Carriger did an excellent job of creating – and conveying – zyga as an identity; the eponymous 5th gender of the title. It’s incredibly important to Tris, the story, and his culture, and I found it deeply moving. It’s a really beautiful concept/identity, one that hearkens to the roles queer people have held in many different cultures, and especially the minor revelation of the last few pages just took my breath away.”

The Lit Bitch says:

“Carriger does such a fantastic job with her world building and this book is no exception. The world is richly described and interesting, but it’s the mystery/plot that really push this one forward.”

UPCOMING SCRIBBLES

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

La Mode Illustree September 3, 1870

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Sporting a boater hat, talked about on Retro Rack

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Teahouse at Koishikawa the morning after a snowfallPrint shows men and women at a teahouse looking at Mount Fuji.Katsushika, Hokusai, 1760-1849, artist

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Why, Exactly, Do We Have Subtitles on Books?

Book News:

Beyond Romance says:

“Soulless is the rollicking first volume of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series. Set in an alternative Victorian period in which vampires and werewolves have been integrated into British society, the book seamlessly melds steam punk, fantasy, humor and romance.”

Quote of the Day:

“Someone had an Emotional Support chicken on the bus today.”

~ Borderlands Books’ hilarious “Overheard in the store” April News

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!

Prudence Special Extras (Custard Protocol Special)

Posted by Gail Carriger

 

Prudence is the first book in my Parasol Protectorate spin off series, focused on the next generation with a group dynamic and a caper bent.

Prudence released in April of 2015

Here are some fun blog posts and resources that tie to this book, like researching India.

Prudence was probably the hardest book I ever had to write, it hit the NYT through dint of being on special offer (I think) in both ebook and hardcover when it launched. This was the first time Orbit released me in hardcover and this series got confused (by bookstores) with my YA series as a result.

Introducing the Custard Protocol series, in which Prudence travels to India for Queen, country…and the perfect pot of tea.

Prudence was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller, an Amazon Best Book Pick in Romance and Sci-Fi/Fantasy categories, and Library Reads pick.

Writing Prudence

When I started this new series I had to not only go back a see where I left things in the world, after Timeless (plus 20 years) I also hard to research what was going on around the world at the time. So there was a lot of background work to do before I even started the story.

Here’s what my desk looked like when I was doing that…

As I started actually writing Prudence, I realized it was not going to be possible for me to write this story while I was still writing the final Finishing School books.

This meant I had to ask my publisher for a delay. I talk all about this creative crisis in this blog post…

Analytical Versus Creative or Why Gail’s Life Went Bang

Going through this process actually made me trust you, my fans, a great deal more than I had previously.

I thought you would be mad at me, or harsh, about the fact that I had to take a delay on Prudence. But instead you were universally kind and understanding.

It’s for this reason I am a lot more honest with my reader base about my creative challenges than many authors I know.

Anglicization – In Which We Revisit the Ladybird Problem (Occasional FAQ)

Inspiration, Disinfectant Sunflowers & Praise for Gail Carriger’s Prudence (Behind the Magic of the Custard Protocol)

Things Pertaining to This Book

Custard is THinker Than Blood

7 Deleted Scenes for Gail Carriger’s Prudence (Custard Protocol Special Extras)

Wardian Fern Case Basis for Lefoux Preservation Tanks Gail Carriger

This is a Wardian Fern Case, the stile I uses as a basis for my Lefoux Preservation tanks, which feature heavily in the Custard Protocol series.

Fashion in the Custard Protocol Series:

Rue wears this outfit in Chapter 10: Egypt

Cutwork Leather Boots, ca. 1890 via Chicago History Museum, Parasol 1890s  The Metropolitan Museum of Art, dress 1890s  Nordiska Museet.

Aren’t you mad for the boots? I wrote the whole scene around them.

All About Parasols, What Do Prim/Rue/Alexia’s Actually look like? (Parasol Protectorate & Custard Protocol Special Extras)

All About Romance says of the Prudence audiobook:

“It took just minutes to realize that Moira Quirk is the perfect narrator for this book, bringing the right sense of humor and tone to every character. Yes, indeed, some are rather over the top – Lord Akeldama most notably – but that’s exactly how Ms. Carriger writes the characters.”

Prudence Stuff in a Cubby in my office

Prudence Stuff in a Cubby in my office

The Smut Report says of Prudence:

“The story takes delight in its own absurdity, which makes it utterly a true pleasure to read.”

Rue Quesnel Prim Percy by Ace Artemis

I hope you’ve enjoyed these bits and bobs about Prudence.

Yours in perpetual 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 NOW!

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

Amazon | Elsewhere | Direct from Gail
Audio is coming. 

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

GAIL’S DAILY DOSE

Your Moment of Parasol . . .

Day dress, 1895-96 From the Cincinnati Art Museum

Your Infusion of Cute . . .

Similar fashion plate 1896 via cimetiere-chanson- tumblr

Your Tisane of Smart . . .

Toss Me a Salad

Your Writerly Tinctures . . .  

Patreon, Copyright, & Personal Choice

Book News:

Soulless Illustrated cover has been nominated Chesley award! Here’s the full list.

Quote of the Day:

I’ve just made a revelatory discovery. I believe my jam ranking has shifted, this late in the game, from: 1. Raspberry 2. Cherry to 1. Cherry 2. Raspberry. I know. Shocking twist!

~ Self on Twitter

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!

© 2020 Gail Carriger | Disclaimer & Privacy Policy | Site built by Todd Jackson