Set in France that is, rather than written in French. My novels in the House of La Marche series are part of this promotion, which runs until the end of July https://books.bookfunnel.com/FrenchHistoricalFictionSummerReading/fpa4u298b9
Tea and Female Lords
I was invited to talk about medieval Occitan female lords at a delightful tea party this week with 12 women who all live near me in southwest France. The sun dappled the table shaded by vines and wisteria, the teacups chinked delicately, the apple and rosemary cake melted on the tongue, wild flowers burgeoned and…
Treading the Ground: Researching for a Medieval Novel
I’ve just returned from a research trip to Narbonne, Carcassonne, Aigues-Mortes, and Conques. There’s nothing like treading the ground to inspire writing. I thought a photo-journal of the trip might be of interest for some of you. NARBONNE I am giving a couple of talks on medieval Occitan female lords over the next few months….
Female Lords in Medieval Occitania
‘In the 11th to 13th centuries, in the Occitan-speaking territory of what is now known as southern France, a significant proportion of lords—10 to 12%—were women.’ Head to France’s Splendid Centuries Facebook page to read my guest post on Female Lords in Medieval Occitania. I am presenting a talk on Almodis de La Marche, countess of Toulouse…
Be Your Own Troubadour
As part of the Occitan University in Laguépie, France, I am giving a workshop and presentation: Workshop: Tracey Warr and Amandine Rey Be Your Own Troubadour Thursday 18 July and Friday 19 July 10am-12 noon Salle des Fetes, Laguépie 82250 60 euros, In French, English and Occitan Learn about troubadour vidas (introductory, often boasting, biographies), tensos (debate songs, usually between a man…
Chapter 7: The Red Dress
‘The sky was beginning to darken, and the fortified tower houses of the Toulouse nobility were stark, crenellated silhouettes all around the basilica close as Beatriz emerged from the sculpture workshop. Moving toward the path, she noticed a woman wearing a brilliant red dress, standing framed in the tall ground-floor window of one of the…
Small Acts of Literary Kindness
Today is the 7th birthday of the Book Fairies who annually coordinate acts of literary kindness around the world. Two of my books – one in French and one in English – will be hiding, waiting for you to find them, in the French village of Laguepie 82250 on Sunday 10th March. Clues to their whereabouts will…
Happy World Book Day!
My grandsons went to school this morning dressed as Harry Potter and Little Lamb – their current favourites. I am delighted that they are avid readers. Image: Shakespeare and Company Bookshop, Paris
Celebrating medieval women
It’s Women’s History Month. My novels celebrate real medieval women who receive slight (and misogynistic) mentions in medieval chronicles. I have tried to imagine my way into their lives and experiences from a few sentences in the historical record. The Viking Hostage is based on the true story of a French noblewoman kidnapped by Vikings…
Beyond the Writer’s Block
I used to think writer’s block was a nonsense, until my publisher went into liquidation and the COVID 19 pandemic disrupted my usual sense of momentum and planning for a couple of years. I went through a looo-oong period of writer’s block. I had written and published five historical novels and a lot of other…
Tracey Warr Writing 