Historical Fiction Authors Discuss Bringing the Past to Life

Paris, Naples, and the dynasties of China, in one room on a Monday night.

Suzanne Nelson (The Librarians of Lisbon), Diana Giovinazzo (Daughters of Naples) and Weina Dai Randel (The Last Rose of Shanghai) talk about the craft of historical fiction and how they breathe life into the past. Nelson opens the discussion, the three then talk among themselves about their most recent novels, the cultural influences shaping them and the research and creative process behind the work, and the evening closes with audience questions and a signing hosted by local independent bookstore Elm Street Books.

Nelson is an award-winning author for adults and children whose adult historical fiction debut has been translated into French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese; she is at work on The Book Huntress of Paris, due in 2028, has written dozens of middle-grade novels including You're Bacon Me Crazy, adapted by the Hallmark Channel, and lives in Ridgefield. Randel is an internationally and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of six historical novels, an RWA RITA Award winner and National Jewish Book Awards finalist whose work has appeared in seventeen languages; her sixth, The Lost Kingdom of Daughters, is out 1 November. Giovinazzo wrote The Woman in Red, Antoinette's Sister and the newly released Daughters of Naples, co-created the literary podcast Wine, Women, and Words, and lives near Los Angeles.

Good to know. Registration is required and closes when the panel begins. New Canaan Library does not publish a price for this program, so confirm on the library's event page before you plan around it.

Make an evening of it. Elm Street Books handles the signing, so copies are on hand.

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