What fun it was to talk with host Charity Nebbe on the Iowa Public Radio program “Talk of Iowa” yesterday about CREATURE, Mary Shelley, my January-term study-abroad course, and the cloud of witnesses cheering us on. Here’s the podcast: https://www.iowapublicradio.org/podcast/talk-of-iowa/2026-03-03/iowa-author-explores-mary-shelleys-life-beyond-frankenstein
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Watched it with a large and lively group of students on a big screen last night (“I haven’t read the book or seen any of the other movies,” one confessed, “I’m just here for Jacob Elordi”) and have to say I was more underwhelmed than I’d hoped to be. (Although I did enjoy the Creature […]
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7/7/25 draft: part of an attempt to trace the figure of the skylark through Blake and Shelley into the twentieth century for A Thing of Beauty. The Lark Ascending: A Musician Goes to War The map is heavy, stiff, on grayish linen-backed paper, springing out of its folds like a creature eager to breathe. It’s […]
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Thanks to the wonderful organizers and colleagues of the “Anna Letitia Barbauld: Voicing Dissent” conference at the University of York, at which I’ve just had the pleasure of speaking. Here’s my paper, as delivered, at the “Chapter Four” link below.
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So grateful for two wonderful events in my hometown world – one at Auburn Oil Company Booksellers in Auburn, AL and one at Columbus Bound Bookshop in Columbus, GA – this past week. With new and cemented friendships and community ties, I felt warmly welcomed by Mari, Robin, and Khristina, and by all the wonderful […]
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Delighted and grateful to share the news that CREATURE: A Novel of Mary Shelley and Frankenstein has received five stars and the “Highly Recommended Award of Excellence” from The Historical Fiction Company. This designation has come my way with a lovely review from The Historical Fiction Company, included below: Creature: A Novel of Mary Shelley […]
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Today is the official publication day of my novel Creature: A Novel of Mary Shelley and Frankenstein, now out from Sea Crow Press. See the events page on this site for more about upcoming readings, and thanks to all who have supported me and my books along the way!
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And Urizen Read in his book of brass in sounding tones Listen O Daughters to my voice Listen to the Words of Wisdom So shall [ye] govern over all let Moral Duty tune your tongue But be your hearts harder than the nether millstone To bring the shadow of Enitharmon beneath our wondrous tree That […]
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(This is the text of a talk delivered last night at Luther College, with responses from student attendees pasted at the end!) Intro music: Bob Dylan, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” Books for the chalk tray: Taplin, Snyder, Lanier, Orwell, Haidt, Pomerantsev, Arendt, me, YOUNG ROMANTICS, and more. Welcome, and thank you all for being here. Thanks […]
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This year I’ve tried two ways – printmaking and welding – to get under the dirty, stubborn skin of William Blake. Both rely on fire to inscribe your intention and an elemental ground – paper or metal – to preserve and transmit it. Both ask you to dedicate yourself to learning an art that won’t […]
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