You have no idea how long I’ve been looking for a site devoted to historical writing! Why aren’t there more on the web, or the newstands? Certainly makes me wonder...

Regardless, keep up the good work. I have especially enjoyed the various novel snippets and short stories, and the book reviews and articles are also entertaining. There are some very talented writers out there and it’s great to see someone is finally publishing them.

Can’t wait for the next issue.

Judi

Dear Editor,

I clicked on the review of your website at the Write Times. After reading the rave, I had to see for myself whether or not they were on the money. (They can be biased occasionally, you know?) LOL. But now that I’ve seen the magazine myself, I can’t argue with anything they had to say about it. Just thought I’d tell you that, and also that I signed up for your mailing list.

Sophie D.

Dear Trace,

I have only a few words...expand, expand, expand. I want more.

Jason Knox

Dear Editor,

I stumbled across Of Ages Past not long ago. While I find your publication slick and attractive, there is a pretentious quality to it that I find most annoying. While I’m certain that historical fiction is a challenge to write well, I’ve always felt that writers engaged in such folderol are absurdly impressed with themselves for the obscure facts and figures they’ve unearthed.

I can just imagine the historical fiction writer spending 90% of his/her time figuring out how to insert some worthless item into the story that no one in their right mind would care about. I mean, who cares what store stood on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Randolph in Chicago on May 25, 1866? Yet, I know writers who will spend weeks, nay, months burrowing into the piles of books overflowing their offices, attempting to unearth just this kind of useless piece of information. Geez, while we’re at it, maybe we should determine how many pigeons walked by that store, on that day, between the hours of 8-9 A.M. And categorize them by color and markings, by all means. I’m certain your writers would just LOVE to insert that tidbit somewhere in one of their stories!

What a bloody, royal waste of time.

Sir, I applaud your efforts, and the hard work you’ve obviously employed to assemble this publication. But, may I humbly suggest that you and your fellow historical fiction writers get a life!

Respectfully yours,

Sarah Emma Edmonds

I would really love to see your magazine add a poetry section. Did you ever think to add one? I also would like more details on some of your authors, like interviews and pictures. I’m certain they would have much to tell us struggling writers if they only had the opportunity.

Please think about it.

Danielle Franco

(Editor’s note : Two worthwhile suggestions, Danielle. Unfortunately, a poetry section in the magazine is something I will not even try to attempt, simply because I know next to nothing about what makes poetry good or bad. Your other suggestion, however, has already been incorporated into the magazine, starting with this very issue. (See the “Author Of The Month” section.)



Send all comments/rebuttals to : ofagespast@hotmail.com.