Welcome to A Writer’s Notepad, the website of historical fiction author Maryanne Fantalis.
My debut novel, FINDING KATE, was published by City Owl Press in April 2017, in paperback and in your favorite digital format. FINDING KATE is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” sure to enchant long-time Shakespeare fans and newcomers alike. The second in the series, LOVING BEATRICE, based on “Much Ado About Nothing,” launches in November 2019.
FINDING KATE is the first in a series of novels based on Shakespeare’s plays called Shakespeare’s Women Speak. Forthcoming books in the series will take on “Twelfth Night,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Tempest,” and “Measure for Measure,” among others.
My writing combines two things I love: Shakespeare and medieval history (especially the Tudor dynasty and the Wars of the Roses). I also like to write about writing, whether it’s working through an issue in my own writing or teaching writing or what I find in someone else’s writing, and about the books I read, usually two or three at a time. I hope that you’ll look around and join in the conversation. Despite being a wrapped-in-a-blanket-on-the-couch-on-Friday-night introvert, I really love to chat!
You can also engage me in conversation on Facebook or on Twitter. If you want to get information about my upcoming novels or connect with other readers, you can like my author pages on Goodreads, BookBub, and Amazon.
I have dreamed of being a published author since I was old enough to write stories in pencil and illustrate them with crayons. So welcome! I’m so glad you’re here!
I just finished reading Finding Kate, I absolutely loved it. Well done. I too, felt Katherine is one miss-understood woman, who is far more real and educated than her “peers”. Thank you for creating a backstory and “filling in the gaps” so we may know Kate, the real Kate!