GUSTINE — Scrawl, Scribble and Smirch Books will welcome four acclaimed historical fiction authors on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a special book launch and signing event celebrating the latest anthology from the Paper Lantern Writers, titled “Echoes of Small Things.”
The event will feature readings, book signings, and a chance for readers to meet the authors behind a range of historical novels that span centuries and continents. All four participating writers are founding members of the Paper Lantern Writers, a Northern California-based collective dedicated to elevating historical storytelling.
Edie Cay, known for her award-winning historical romance series When the Blood Is Up, writes about Regency-era women’s boxing and gender-queer found families. Her Ladies Alpine Society series explores Victorian women’s mountaineering and includes neurodivergent representation. Cay holds degrees in Creative Writing and Music from Cal State Hayward and an MFA from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Ana Brazil draws inspiration from vaudeville and early 20th-century Americana. Her latest novel, The Red-Hot Blues Chanteuse, was inspired by the personal archives of vaudeville performer Elsie Clark. Brazil’s debut, Fanny Newcomb & the Irish Channel Ripper, won the IBPA Gold for Historical Fiction. Her short stories appear in both crime and historical anthologies.
Vanitha Sankaran’s literary historical novel Watermark explores the origins of paper-making in medieval France during a time of religious conflict. She is currently working on a historical mystery series and a speculative fantasy set in 1950s India. Sankaran has served on the board of the Historical Novel Society of North America and works in medical strategy by day.
Linda Ulleseit, a retired elementary school teacher and California native, writes historical fiction inspired by her ancestors. Her work focuses on the quiet strength of women living ordinary lives. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Lindenwood University and now writes full time while also enjoying gardening, leatherworking, and family life.
The Paper Lantern Writers formed to support and promote historical fiction authors and have built a loyal following through their collaborative projects and community engagement. The Gustine event will celebrate their latest anthology while also showcasing each author’s individual work.
The event will take place at Scrawl, Scribble and Smirch Books in downtown Gustine at 536 5th Street. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase books, meet the authors, and learn more about the stories behind their work.
For more information about the authors and the Paper Lantern Writers, visit www.paperlanternwriters.com.
