Occasionally, Gentle Reader, I conduct on the ground research, or in some cases in the air. One of the things I have been meaning to do for a long time is visit a shooting range. I grew up around riffles (farming community) but never used one, and I have an ex who (after living through […]
Jan142014
In Which Gail Carriger Visits a Shooting Range in the Interest of Finishing School Research (Special Extras)
Dec272013
Recipes Based on the Food in the Parasol Protectorate! (Special Extras)
THIS PROJECT NOW, SADLY, DEFUNCT Ever wonder about all the food in my books, Gentle Reader? Ever want to try to cook any of those dishes? Well if wishes were blogs… Tentacle & Treacle Quietly, behind the scenes for the past year or more Sariann Lehrer and I have been working to create a blog […]
Feb112013
Victorian Medical Science in Reticence (Custard Protocol Special Extras)
Some gems of wisdom from 1871, Medical Common Sense & Plain Home Talk by Edward B. Foote, M.D. The human machinery becomes clogged with poisonous humors. As a female germ can not produce a child without the addition of a male germ, so there latent impure particles in the blood can not generate disease without […]
Jan302013
Why Did Gail Carriger Switch to Writing YA & More (Occasional FAQ)
Today, with the release less than a week away, here are some more philosophical frequent questions I am getting regarding Etiquette & Espionage . . . 1. Why did you decide to write a YA series? I adore YA. Since I picked up Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce I’ve been hooked. It’s still […]
Jan182013
Bumbersnoot Art! (Finishing School Special Extras)
Bumbersnoot is a new and excitingly silly character in the up-coming Finishing School series. On his first introduction… It had four legs—four very short legs—and a small, spiky tail. Steam emanated slightly from its underbelly, and smoke came out from under its leather earflaps. It looked a little like one of those sausage dogs the […]
Jan142013
In Which Gail Carriger Reviews Hysteria The Movie (Miss Carriger Recommends)
I finally saw Hysteria. I liked it. Funny and fun and good costumes and an amusing foray into the quirks of medical history. I like Maggie Gyllenhaal very much as an actress, but I don’t think this is her best effort. Her accent slipped up a few times and I was always very conscious of […]
Oct222012
Victorian Travel Times ~ Updated (Custard Protocol Special Extras)
Gentle Reader, occasionally the curious ask me how I calculate travel times, sooo… I wrote this blog post! Before writing Changeless in late 2008, I knew there would be travel involved. I began by asking myself: How efficient were trains back in 1874? How long would it take to get from London to Scotland? How […]
Sep122012
Dear Author, How Could You End the Series? (Occasional FAQ)
Today, Gentle Reader, I introduce a new occasional series of installments of questions I get constantly. How Could You End It? I’m delighted you liked the series but it is finished. I believe in leaving a party while I am still enjoying it, and, perhaps more importantly, while others are still enjoying my company. I’ve […]
Aug282012
Prudence ~ A Peek At Gail Carriger’s Research (Custard Protocol Special Extras)
I’m writing the first Custard Protcol book right now, Gentle Reader, set in 1895. There are the usual pauses for research and as I thought you might enjoy a look at the rabbit holes I have been chasing over the past month in pursuit of fodder for Prudence. Mainly so Rue can blow it up […]
Aug232012
Medical Common Sense and Plain Home Talk, Gail Carriger’s Parasolverse Research (Parasol Protectorate Special Extras)
Rummaging about in my research books for inspiration and getting sucked yet again into Medical Common Sense and Plain Home Talk by Edward B. Foote, M.D., 1871. This book contains such delicious chapter titles as: The Causes of Nervous and Blood Derangements (Violating the Moral Nature, Bad Habits of Manhood and Womanhood) Common Sense Remedies […]
Aug152012
Victorian Household Medicine (Special Extras)
A Household Medicine Cabinet 1870s 1. Powdered ipecacuanah [induce vomiting] 2. Purgative powder 3. Sulphate of quinine [malaria treatment] 4. Chlorodyne [chloroform and morphine tincture] 5. Carbolic acid [antiseptic] 6. Castor Oil 7. Eno’s fruit salts 8. One bottle each of M’Kesson and Robbin’s compound podophyllin and aloes and myrrh pills [for warts and verrucas, […]
Jun152012
Intellectual Salon ~ The Land Leviathan in Steampunk (Special Extras)
Guest blogger the Doctor of Phlogiston is back. He’s my resident steampunk philosopher. This little posting is a tilt at the one windmill that I forgot last time I visited here – that ol’ steampunk favourite, the Land Leviathan. This staple of steampunk has been hanging about ever since they first turned up in HG […]