Author Archives: Maryanne (mfantaliswrites)

Becoming a grown up…for real

Posted on June 18, 2018

This morning, I was watching the New York Yankees’ Old Timers’ Day celebration on TV with my husband. At one point, the camera focused on the announcers in the booth in such a way that you could see the floor … Continue reading →

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My New Wish List

Posted on May 14, 2018

When I was young, I only wanted two things: to publish a novel, and to travel to Britain. In 1996, my husband and I took a ten-day trip to London, York, and Edinburgh. It was everything I had hoped for. … Continue reading →

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Changing My Relationship to A Wrinkle in Time

Posted on March 6, 2018

The film version of A Wrinkle in Time is coming to theaters soon. March 9. Every time I see the trailer, I get teary-eyed. I get chills. The emotions I feel, seeing my favorite novel from my childhood — indeed, … Continue reading →

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A Change in Attitude

Posted on January 11, 2018

If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I don’t make new year’s resolutions. To me, they are an invitation to failure. Do you ever keep yours? Do you know anyone who does? I mean, a couple of … Continue reading →

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Setting: A Big Deal in Historical Fiction

Posted on December 6, 2017

One question I’ve been asked about FINDING KATE is why set the book in 1485 in England? Why the Wars of the Roses and the late middle ages? Why England at all? Shakespeare set “The Taming of the Shrew” in … Continue reading →

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Folding Back to the Beginning

Posted on August 4, 2017

Have you ever made a puff pastry? I did, once, with my dad, a wonderful amateur chef who taught me everything I know about cooking. To make a puff pastry, you start by making this dough, rolling it out very … Continue reading →

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Beginnings, Again

Posted on July 26, 2017

Oh no, she’s not really going to complain about beginnings again, is she? Oh yes, she is. Last time, writing FINDING KATE, I stressed about the beginning because Kate is, at the outset, perceived by people as a shrew. She’s abrasive, … Continue reading →

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Alt-Hamlet

Posted on June 13, 2017

I am very excited for the new version of Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery, “Murder on the Orient Express,” due out in November. The movie, with a cast of notable names, is directed by Kenneth Branagh and he also stars as the famous detective … Continue reading →

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Cover Reveal and Pre-Order Giveaway for Em Shotwell’s “Forget Me Not”

Posted on May 31, 2017

Fellow City Owl Press author Em Shotwell writes southern romance with a touch of magic and lots of heart. Her new novella, “Forget Me Not,” is a prequel to her first book, BLACKBIRD SUMMER, and it is set in 1969, … Continue reading →

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Am I like Kate? Is she like me?

Posted on May 24, 2017

During an interview for FINDING KATE, I was asked whether I felt a kinship with Kate. Had I drawn on my own experience in writing the novel? That’s a tough question for me to answer. In some ways, I struggled with writing … Continue reading →

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