  ever Say Die
Dear Trace, Please don’t lose sight of what has got me so interested: opportunities for writers and wannabes to discuss problems, find information, and grit their teeth and submit their stories for OTHER PEOPLE to read. I would particularly like to let you all know exactly how important AOL has been to me with this timetable of events: Mid 1980s: Study Archaeology evening classes. Get excited about potential stories lurking in the history/archaeology.
In other words, after spending over ten years on the back burner, Unicorn Evils stands a very good chance of a) getting finished, and b) being worth reading! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Pamela Maddison (Editor’s note : An excerpt from Unicorn Evils can be found in the Of Ages Past archive’s section—April, 1999 Issue.) |
| (Editor’s note : Our May, 1999 issue featured a letter, “Facts, Schmacts!” that caused quite a stir amongst both readers and authors alike. What appears below is only a sampling of the passionate e-mail I’ve received in rebuttal.) |
 nonymous Beware 1
Dear Trace, My rebuttal is to Anonymous who challenges you to have the “guts” to publish his letter of discontent. Real guts on the writer’s part would have meant a signature with a name instead of hiding behind the ubiquitous “anonymous.” Meredith Campbell in Morgantown. |
| nonymous Beware 2
Dear Of Ages Past, Regarding the letter from “Anonymous”—what a bunch of hooey! Whoever said historical writers are superior? Perhaps the lily-livered “Anonymous” has suffered one too many rejection slips so feels he must take out his frustrations on the wonderful authors of historical fiction, the authors who do a heck of a lot of digging into research books just to please their fans. These people should be commended, not criticized by a “no-name.” Kathy Shepherd |
| nonymous Beware 3
Hi Trace, At the risk of coming across like one of the “superior” authors that “Anonymous” loathes, authors who delve into the historal realm are never given the credit they rightfully deserve. Historicals do not even rate their own category at most websites. I’ve tried my hand at mainstream, romance, mystery, fantasy, and historical, and the most difficult genre to write (at least for me) is historical. Not only must your prose be as good as any other genre, but your facts must be accurate unless you want fans of any given era slamming you. And when you combine historicals with other genres...historical romance, historical mystery, etc., we’re talking major difficulties on the writer’s part. Not only are great writing skills required, but great research skills as well. Anonymous says we shouldn’t care about our facts and just write. Well, I can’t speak for anyone else, but I could not live with myself if I allowed factual errors to appear in my work. And I’m certain most publishers and agents would appreciate that. Ok, I’m coming down from my soapbox now :) Gizelle |
| nonymous Beware 4
I find it hilarious that someone who takes the time to criticize writers of Historical Fiction should then say that the work appearing in this magazine is “better than average.” Hey, Anonymous, if you don’t appreciate the genre and the authors who write it, then how come you read each issue of this magazine from cover to cover?...your words, not mine. To the best of my knowledge, not once has any of the contributing authors even remotely implied that their work is loftier than the work of other genres. They get rejections the same as any other writer. So, Anonymous, where exactly did you come up with that nonsense? Which lines are you reading between? Perhaps there’s an inferiority complex issue you need to work out within yourself. As for the magazine, it’s great. Keep up the commendable work! Bill W. Cappiano |
