#tytchfell abbey

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Sold another story to Black Cat Weekly!!!

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Fun Facts About “Tytchfell Abbey”

Last week, my story, “Tytchfell Abbey” was published in Black Cat Weekly 115. If you’re interested in reading it, you can buy it here for your Kindle. As with my other stories, this post is about the Fun Facts/Behind-the-Scenes of the creation of “Tytchfell Abbey.”

The title, “Tytchfell Abbey” is both a nod to the show/movies “Downton Abbey” and Austen’s gothic parody, “Northanger Abbey.” I actually based the descriptions of Tytchfell Abbey on Highclere Castle, which is where “Downton Abbey” is filmed. There is also a Titchfield Abbey, that I borrowed from.

The protagonist of this story is named Cassandra Hollingsworth. She was named after Jane Austen’s sister and best friend, Cassandra Austen. Cassandra was an artist in her own right; because of her talents we have the only authenticated portrait of Jane Austen. Hollingsworth was an old friend’s last name. I thought it sounded aristocratic enough to be used for a Regency Era story.

I pictured Cassandra Hollingsworth looking like Charlotte Spencer, who portrayed Esther Denham in Andrew Davies’ Jane Austen fanfic series “Sanditon.”

Methodist Dissenters is mentioned. In the Georgian and Regency Era, many Evangelicals wished to reform the Anglican Church and attempted to do so, and when that didn’t happen, they broke away. They were considered Religious Dissenters. Hannah More, William Wilberforce, the Wesley brothers were Evangelicals, just to name a few. Some who dissented formed their own sect which evolved into the Methodist denomination. A good book to read about the subject is “Fashionable Goodness,” by Brenda S. Cox. I did a review on it a few months back.

“Tytchfell Abbey” is the first Regency Era mystery I wrote. I always wanted to write a Regency Era story and I loved playing around with Austen’s themes and language. I’m due to write another story from that period.

I originally considered doing a series of short stories featuring Cassandra Hollingsworth solving mysteries…I may have to revisit that idea.

The story is set in 1813 – the year “Pride and Prejudice” was published. The novel was released in January and “Tytchfell Abbey” is based in May. It’s safe to say that Cassandra read the book and is waiting for her very own Mr. Darcy to crop up. Otherwise, ladies of her station would have to teach, become a governess, a companion, or they would descend into genteel poverty – like Mrs. Bates in Austen’s “Emma.”

Gothic novels are referenced. 18th century authors such as Ann Radcliffe, Horace Walpole, Matthew Lewis sold their hair-raising novels and the public loved them. Later, in the 19th century, Mary Shelley, Edgar Allen Poe, the Bronte sisters, and Dickens employed Gothicism in their fiction. Austen wrote her gothic parody “Northanger Abbey” (which was originally titled as “Susan”) in the late 1790s and sold it in 1803, but it sat in publication limbo for thirteen years. She had to buy it back; later her brother Henry informed the editor who let it sit in limbo, that the editor missed out on publishing the work by the famed-but anonymous authoress of “Pride and Prejudice.” “Northanger Abbey” was published posthumously, alongside “Persuasion.”

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Black Cat Weekly Magazine #115

Excellent news! My story, “Tytchfell Abbey” was published today in Black Cat Weekly #115. This story has a special place in my heart. It was the first mystery I wrote set in the Regency Era. I was trying something new, trying to tap into Austen’s language and themes, and I had a lot of fun writing it…I’m way overdue to write another Regency Era mystery (makes a mental note).

Anyway, if you’re interested in purchasing a copy for your Kindle, you can do so here. I hope you enjoy it.

Later this week, I intend to do my usual “Fun Facts” post about this story, which will share the behind-the-scenes stuff of the creation of this story.

Until next time!

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2023 in Review

Well, another year has passed. When I was young life seemed move at a snail’s pace, and now that I’m older, the years are flying by. 2023 was an eventful one, both for my “brilliant career” and for me personally.

I published ten short stories and one little essay. One of my stories was nominated for the Pushcart Prize – no word on that yet. But that’s a real feather in my cap since my writings have never been nominated for anything before. Here is a list of my credits for 2023:

Night Terrors: Volume 24, January 2023. You may purchase the volume featuring my story, “The Competition,” here. 

“Tales of Fear, Superstition, and Doom,” March 2023. Features my story, “Wabash Valley Devil.” You can purchase a copy here. Nominated for the 2024 Pushcart Prize. The feather in my cap! Special thanks to Ann van de Bergh for all of her support and believing in this story.

Dragon Gems Spring 2023. You may purchase this anthology featuring my story, “Shadows From the Past,” here. 

Black Cat Weekly #87, April 29, 2023. You may purchase this issue featuring my story, “The Weary Are At Rest,” here. 

Mystery Magazine, May 2023. You may purchase this issue featuring my story, “Family Ties,” here. 

Lay It Out Issue 9, Summer 2023. You may read the issue featuring my story, “Bringing Charlie Home,” by subscribing/joining Lay It Out’s patreon, here. 

Starlite Pulp Review #2, June 2023. You may purchase the issue featuring my story, “Of Two Minds, here.

Guide Magazine, June 2023. You may purchase the issue containing my essay entitled, “The Deadly Furnace,” by clicking here.

OFIC Magazine, Issue #7, June 2023. You may purchase the issue featuring my story, “Stand and Deliver,” here.

Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #32, October 2023. You may purchase the issue featuring my story, “No Place Like Home” here. 

Black Cat Weekly #115, November 2023. You may purchase the issue featuring my story, “Tytchfell Abbey” here. 

~*~

I thought I had a couple of interviews lined up – unfortunately, those never transpired. ::pouty face:: I have nothing scheduled to be published, except for “Grandma’s Unexpected Visitors,” for Creepy Podcast. I’ll update about that as soon as possible.

~*~

My writing productivity came in spurts. I started out strong, but hit a snag when I got covid in the spring. My energy level bottomed out and my thought process was different. I only managed to write five short stories this year, however, I rewrote two novels, started and abandoned a third, and started on a fourth only a couple of weeks ago. I’m currently pestering agents and publishers for those two rewritten novels. No luck yet, but you never know, right? I did my usual blog posts of reviews and ramblings on classic lit and period dramas.

I hope you all have a happy and safe New Year! I’ll see you in 2024.

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WIP Titles Game

I'm stealing this from @professionalfangrrl because I wanted to and it sounds like fun. Feel free to steal this from me.

The titles listed have yet to be accepted for publication.

Rules: reveal the titles of the documents in your WIP folder and tag as many people as there are documents. Let others ask questions about the ones that interest them and post snippets or explain the contents as you see fit!

Docs in my Lady Sheriff Series folder:

Widow’s Succession

Law of the Land

Baby New Year

Trouble in Paradise

Divine Discontent

Docs in my Short Stories folder:

Beloved Dissident

Burning Bright

Dance With Me

Danny’s Song

Dog Days

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Fire By Night

Lilac Spring

Love & Marriage

Marriage of True Minds

Second Chances

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughters

Tytchfell Abbey

Where Did Winifred Go?

Docs in my Novel folder:

Regency Novel

Times Like These

The Judgment of Solomon

Tagging: I’m going to be lazy and just invite everyone to do this!