All posts by Liana LeFey

Rx for Escape

I wrapped up final revisions/edits/tweaks for my next release laaaate last night (couldn’t sleep) and sent them to my editor (2 days early, no less! Wooo!). I’m hoping we’re still slated for a July release date, at least digitally.

I’ll be frank–it’s been hard to art under the current circumstances, but it’s also been a blessing to have that goal/deadline to keep me focused on something OTHER THAN those circumstances. It’s also been a blessing to be able to dive into fiction for a bit each day and give my heart/mind a break from those circumstances.

Keeping up with current events is a good thing, friends. Staying aware, being informed, educating yourself about the things happening in the world around you is smart. But do yourself a favor and build in some escape time every day, too. Especially as bedtime approaches. Turn off the news, pick up a book and read for pleasure or watch a movie – whatever format you choose, let the story be something that will totally transport you out of the present and into some other frame of mind that has nothing to do with what’s going on out there right now. Be it book or movie, my recommendation is something that ends in happy-ever-after or at least the shining hope of one.

There’s only so much stress a person can take, and with contagion control measures currently in place in many towns, the only real escape hatch we have is the one between our ears. If you have an “emergency escape” book or movie recommendation, I’d love to see them (and YOU) in the comments!

A(nother) Weird Obsession…

I like…oddball things. Things that don’t necessarily jive (can I still even use that word?) with modern day practices. Like handwritten letters. I’m obsessed with communicating the “old fashioned way” (and NO, I’m not *that* old!). I have a wide variety of fountain and dip pens, even an actual quill, instruments that require one to dip into or refill them with bottled ink. Some were gifts from enablers — I MEAN FRIENDS — and are truly lovely and unique. I treasure each and every one.

In addition, I have a whole back-of-the-couch-length cabinet filled with writing accoutrements. Stationery, some of it designed by yours truly, some vintage collected from around the world (thank you, eBay!), some (again) gifted to me by friends who feed my strange addiction. Rubber and block stamps and a rainbow palette of inks. And I possess more wax seals than than probably ought to be legal; pretty floral designs, coats of arms, fandom-related symbols, and a whole bunch of homemade ones. Yes. I even learned how to make my own.

(Part of) Liana’s collection of wax seals…

In fact, I think it all started for me with wax letter seals. My aunt gave me a wax letter seal for my ninth birthday, and it kicked off an obsession. Firstly, I was a bit of a pyromaniac at the time (what nine year old isn’t?) and absolutely LOVED the whole idea of having to melt wax with FIRE to seal a letter. Secondly, writing in code to my friends was a “thing” at the time, so sealing those missives with a mysterious wax seal — something NOBODY else had — was just icing on the cake! Yeah. I was a total nerd. Geek. Whatever. Check it out…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iguo5B_-Nv4
The art of sealing with wax stamps…

It’s old fashioned, but it’s fun and also cool. Partly because hardly anybody else does it anymore (which is sad) but also because it feels really good to take the time to handwrite a beautiful letter to a friend, embellish it with art, seal it with wax (and love!), and put it in the mailbox knowing it will bring that friend joy.

We get so much JUNK MAIL these days — when most people check their mailbox, it’s usually all ads or bills, maybe a delightful summons for jury duty. Generally, nothing pleasant awaits the recipient. Occasionally one might get a wedding invitation or an ordered parcel, but what about a hug from a friend tucked inside an envelope? That’s what it’s like getting a handwritten letter. It’s like a hug. Because you know that friend spent time on it. Every word had to be thought out as it was inked onto the page.

A couple of years ago, I decided to attempt to revive the charming practice of exchanging handwritten correspondence with friends, both old and new. It’s been wonderful. I love receiving letters from friends all around the world, and I love SENDING letters to friends all over the world! Yes, it’s an antiquated practice, but it’s also completely lovely. Some traditions are just worth preserving!

“L” for Liana, Dragon, Tall Ship, Crown, and the anti-possession symbol from one of my all-time favorite television shows, Supernatural.

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Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

EverAfter Romance and Liana LeFey have a Q&A with the Hero of Once a Courtesan

I was recently asked by EverAfter Romance to write a piece on my latest release, Once a Courtesan, and decided it was high time the hero of the story got a little love from the press. As you’ll see in the full article (link embedded in book cover), the reporter sent to interview him had a field day digging into his private life and rooting out all the juicy details!

http://www.everafterromance.com/qa-interview-with-william-danbury-of-once-a-courtesan/

(It just goes to show that what happens in London doesn’t necessarily stay in London!)