Anne here, and it’s my pleasure to kick off the celebration of the Word Wenches’ 19th anniversary, which is tomorrow, the 22nd May.
Each year we decide to do something different for our anniversary — we’ve had a strawberry picnic, a Regency tea party, a garden party, an anniversary ball, and more, but this time we decided to go back to the very beginning, and asking, What were you writing in 2006? We’re posting our responses in order of our becoming a Word Wench. Which means, of course, that we start with Mary Jo and Susan.
Mary Jo here, looking back with fondness and wonder. This blog began when Susan King, writer and computer pro Eileen Buckholtz, and I had a casual lunch together. Blogs were the hot new thing then and we all liked the idea of reaching out directly to readers, but how to do it? Since one person writing a regular blog would be a lot of work, it made sense to ask several other historical writers to join us to share the work and attract more readers. It turned out our friends wanted to try blogging, too.
Thus the Word Wenches began with Eileen as our web mistress. and it became a sisterhood as well as a community. (With Wenches on three continents, we like to say that the sun never sets on the Wench empire!)
So what was I writing in 2006? Like several of the other Wenches, I figured that out by looking at what I had published in 2007. <G> That turned out to be A Distant Magic, third in my Guardian romantic fantasy trilogy. That series was a blend of romance, magic, and actual history and there was lots of research. A Distant Magic was inspired by the non-fiction Bury the Chains, a wonderful study of the British abolition movement by Adam Hochschild. It was a finalist for the National Book Award, and is also a really great read.
I’m not a particular fan of time travel books. For anyone who points out that I’ve written four time travel books, I can only say that was what it took to make the stories work. <G> The heroine of A Distant Magic was Jean Macrae, a fiery Scottish redhead who had been a secondary character in the first two books of the trilogy. In A Distant Magic, Jean stepped onto center stage.
My hero, Nikolai, was a mixed race Maltese sea captain who loathed slavery with the heat of a thousand suns. He and Jean became allies after he kidnapped her., as one does. <G> Since I wanted to cover almost fifty years of the abolition movement, I created a plot device that allowed Jean and Nikolai to travel through time to key moments so they could help prevent the movement from going off the rails.
The book was a lot of work but I was pleased with how it turned out. Happy endings all around, of course! And that was how I spent my 2006 along with working with other fledgling Wenches to build a new blog. 19 years later we’re still blogging and enjoying our supportive fellowship and connecting with readers!
Susan
Nineteen years ago we started the Word Wenches blog – wow! A few months before then, Mary Jo and I had lunch with Eileen Buckholtz, friend, writer, and computer guru, who suggested we try a group blog. Thinking it didn’t sound like too much work (lol), we invited friends Pat Rice and Jo Beverley, and the blog grew from there. Our roster has changed over the years, but we’re all good friends who can rely on each other. I think we’ll all agree that the secret of our longevity is a good basic structure, a very flexible nature, not taking ourselves too seriously, and always taking the high and easy road where we can! 
In 2006, I was writing historical romance for Avon as Sarah Gabriel, after fourteen historical romances for Penguin as Susan King. My publication that year was To Wed A Highland Bride (which will be reissued in summer 2025 as A Rogue in Twilight). At the same time, I had a new contract with Random House for hardcover fiction and was researching and writing Lady Macbeth: A Novel (2008). Months after we started the blog, I also began working in a private school to help cover the costs of a kid in medical school, another applying to colleges, and a third in high school. I burned a lot of candles at both ends in those years, writing for multiple publishers, posting on the blog, and working in the school. But I loved all of it and kept that pace for years. Today, I’ve written well over thirty books, our kids are grown (and we get free medical advice), I’m writing new fiction for Dragonblade Publishing while teaching middle and upper school–and our blog is still going strong!
This blog means so much to all of us, and we’re grateful to you, our readers. You’re the real secret of our longevity!
Pat is next. We have moved so many times that I barely remember where I lived nineteen years ago, much less what I was doing! I’m pretty sure we were in North Carolina, enjoying our freedom since the kids were finally out of the house. I’d quit my accounting job before we moved and was finally enjoying enough success to write full time. The last of my historical Magical Malcolm books, MAGIC MAN, was out that year, as well my contemporary romance, SMALL TOWN GIRL (renamed CAROLINA REBEL) . For the first time, I was enjoying having an RWA chapter I could actually attend, since I’d lived in the middle of nowhere before.
Finishing a series always leaves me up in the air for a while. All those characters and places have to be tucked away and new ones invented. Since my historical romance publisher was still allowing me to write paranormal, I started MYSTIC GUARDIAN that year, my really far out fantasy series with mermaids and superheroes and a fantasy island. Then apparently to balance the weirdness, I started SWEET HOME CAROLINA (renamed REBEL GIRL) a book grounded in current-day reality.
No wonder I jumped at a chance to blog with some of my favorite authors to ease the burden of promotion! Well, that, and the fact that I’m very, extremely bad at promoting myself and I loved working with my friends. The truly fabulous part of starting the blog is that we finally got to “talk” to our readers without having to travel to a book signing. It’s been a joy and a pleasure for a wonderful nineteen years!
Anne here, and when I joined the Wenches (in October 2008) the Wench empire expanded into two hemispheres. I’d met Mary Jo, and Jo and Pat at a couple of conferences in the USA, and was thrilled to bits when Mary Jo invited me, because I’d been an avid reader of the wenches since they started, reading, but only occasionally commenting because I didn’t want to look like a stalker. <g> My first post is here.
In 2006, I’d had several books out with Harlequin UK, and had made the move to Berkley (Penguin USA). My first, The Perfect Rake, came out in 2005, followed by The Perfect Waltz and The Perfect Stranger, in 2006 and I was working on the last of that series, The Perfect Kiss. It was my first attempt at writing a series and a huge learning curve for me.
Meeting the wenches and getting to know them over almost daily email exchanges on all kinds of topics soon drew us together as friends, as well as colleagues. I still haven’t met Susan or Christina in person, but that doesn’t seem to matter.
A highlight was in 2019, when a group of us met for a retreat after a conference in New York and we stayed at Andrea’s house. It was magic. We discussed and laughed and brainstormed and had a ball. I blogged about it here with a few pics.
Looking back over the 19 years, I’m hugely grateful for the friendship and the wisdom the Word Wenches have shared with this far-flung Antipodean.
The next wench to join the group was Andrea in April, 2009. Here’s her first post. Andrea said: Wow! We’ve been going for 19 years? Next year we’ll be out of our teens—does that mean we’re adults? (I hope not. We’re having much too much fun together to grow up!)
When I first saw that the Wenches—an amazing group of all my favorite authors—had started a blog in 2006, I immediately became a fan. The posts were so interesting and amusing . . . I loved the group’s vibe. But never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I might become part of the merry band. When my call came in 2009, and Mary Jo asked if I wanted to join, I nearly fell off my chair! (For the record, I did manage to croak “yes!”)
The invitation came at a particularly rough patch in my writing career, which made it even more sweet. I had been extraordinarily lucky in selling my first book to the Signet Regency line, which published an amazing group of writers. I went on to write a number of books for them, was a RITA finalist . . . and, well, I was foolish enough to think publishing just ran along smoothly on a straight road, with no bumps to knock one off course.
Then Signet abruptly folded the Regency line, and suddenly a lot of us became“orphans.” And none of the major publishers were interested in traditional Regencies. The trend was turning sexy, and they wanted “hot” books. So, I had to figure out how to “reinvent” myself. Rather than get completely discouraged, I decided to take it as a challenge to expand my comfort zone, even though it felt incredibly scary to suddenly not be a “real” writer anymore. I came up with the idea for a “kick-ass” Regency series—a special academy for “extraordinary young ladies” who were trained to be Britain’s secret weapon against threats to the country. And my agent managed to sell it to Warner Books (which then changed into Grand Central Publishing.” So, in 2006, I was writing the first book in my new genre. (As a note of irony, the rights to that book, The Spy Wore Silk, have reverted back to me, and I just republished it with Oliver-Heber Books in March, re-edited and with a spiffy new cover which I love way more than the original one! )
Publishing is not for the faint of heart! There have been plenty of other ups and downs over the years, but having the wonderful sisterhood of the Wenches has been such a blessing. We make each other laugh, and one of us is always there (quite literally because there is always a Wench awake somewhere around the world!) to give a cyber-hug and offer support and counsel when challenges rear their ugly head.
Next, Nicola joined the Wenches in June 2009, and we achieved … well, not quite world domination, but we jumped the pond at least. Here’s her first post.
Nicola said: Wow! What an achievement in longevity, friendship and historical writing the Word Wenches is (are?) Nineteen years of blogging is well worth celebrating! Back in 2006 I wasn’t a Wench but I had certainly heard of them so when I was asked to join later, I jumped at the chance.
In 2006 I had been published by Harlequin Mills & Boon for eight years and had just made the exciting leap to write for the new Harlequin imprint, HQN, based in the US. My first book for HQN, Deceived, came out that year, along with a very different book for Mills & Boon, Lord Greville’s Captive, which was set in the English Civil War era. I still have a very soft spot for Lord Greville with its star-crossed lovers on different sides during the wars. The book was shortlisted for the RNA’s Short Romantic Novel of the Year Award, which was a lovely accolade!
Meanwhile, I was writing my second book for HQN which came out the following year. Lord of Scandal was set in the Regency against the backdrop of the Frost Fair of 1814. The heroine, Catherine Fenton is an heiress to a huge sum of money but betrothed to a man she can’t bear. Ben, Lord Hawksmoor, is a notorious fortune hunter who sees in Catherine the answer to his need for money. Like most of the ladies of the Ton, Catherine is at first dazzled by Ben’s good looks and charm but swiftly realises he is out to entrap her. But as the game of pursuit gathers pace, Catherine starts to see a different side to the ruthless Lord Hawksmoor and he in turns begins to value Catherine for far more than her fortune… I loved the US cover for Lord of Scandal but the UK one was, in my opinion, a real passion-killer!
Lord of Scandal was shortlisted for the RITA which was great as it gave me the opportunity to travel to the US and meet up with the other fabulous Wenches. It’s fascinating to look back over the years and see what we were writing and where we’ve come since then. Cheers to the Wenches and our Anniversary!
Our newest wench is Christina Courtenay, another of our wonderful Britwenches.
Christina said: The Word Wenches have been going for 19 years – amazing! I’ve only been a part of this lovely group for the last five years, having been asked to join in April 2020. It was a huge honour to be invited to participate and I love the camaraderie among the Wenches, it’s very special!
As for what I was writing in 2006, I’m afraid I wasn’t yet published then. I was still at the stage of learning the craft and trying to find a publisher for my stories. I was working on several different novels, mainly The Scarlet Kimono – the first book in my Japanese historical trilogy – and The Silent Touch of Shadows, my first dual time story.
At that time, I was told historicals and dual time/timeslip stories didn’t sell, but it was what I wanted to write so I carried on regardless. And I knew there were readers out there who wanted that type of story because I was one of them!
A few years earlier I had become a probationary member of the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) via their New Writers’ Scheme. Back then it was run by the lovely Margaret James, who was very encouraging and supportive. Whenever I felt dispirited and ready to give up, she kept telling me I was so very nearly there and to persevere. I’m very grateful for that.
Another person who helped me carry on was the wonderful Katie Fforde, then President of the RNA. Each year she awarded a bursary to a New Writers’ Scheme member she felt was very close to publication, and in 2006 she chose me. I was extremely honoured and cannot tell you what a morale-boost that was! Incredible. It took another four years before I finally made it into print (in 2010 with Trade Winds) but those ladies and the rest of my friends in the RNA kept me going and helped me to persevere.
Anne again: So that’s it for the wenches. I hope you enjoyed this window into the past, and I hope you read some or our first posts. And please don’t think we’re forgetting our former wenches — Jo Beverley, Edith Layton, Loretta Chase, Susan Holloway Scott, Joanna Bourne and Susanna Kearsley, and also Sherrie, who was the original wench-wrangler for many years. There have also been numerous fabulous and fascinating guests over the years — but there was simply not enough room.
And now, wenchly readers, it’s over to you — What were you doing in 2006? Do you recall when (or how) you first discovered us? And of course, please feel free to comment on any other aspect of this blog.
Happy Anniversary, ladies! Can’t believe it’s been that long and I think I’ve been here for most of them. Yes, I still read them all even if I don’t comment like I used to. I’m still here. Through the happy and sad, you’ve still managed to keep things fresh and new and I love reading that.
As to what I was doing in 2006, I was watching my youngest graduate from high school and looking forward to the freedom of no longer spending my life in the car, driving to sports and conferences, and school plays and all the other things that go with the high school experience. I was looking forward to sitting in a comfy chair reading one of your books instead of the car! Our oldest was on her path, our youngest was choosing hers and I now had an opportunity to choose a new one for me. Very exciting time 🙂
Looks like 2006 was a very good year for you too! And thank you for staying with us through all the nattering!
Thanks, Theo — I think I “met” you through the wench blog, and since then you’ve recommended to books and authors that are now auto-buys. Another reason why I love this community. Wishing you and your family all the very best.
Happy Anniversary, Wenches – and here’s to many more! Not sure when I discovered the blog, but I know it was through an article about Jo Beverley, whose books still continue to be some of my favorites. I cannot thank you all enough for the many, many hours (years!) of reading pleasure you’ve brought – both through the blogs and through your books. I’ve learned so much from the blogs – and could probably own a second home in Scotland if I hadn’t succumbed to all the Wench books and terrific recommendations!
In 2006, I was 10 years into leading a membership organization for 400+ senior executive women, planning the organization’s 30th anniversary year, and escaping into the Regency whenever possible! I remember working many 6 day weeks, then banning conversation on Sunday while I drank tea (temperature based in the season) and READ!
Thanks, Constance, and thank you for being a long-time wenchly reader and contributor. You’re another one I “met” through this blog, and later for the on-line writing course I ran. I hope you’re still writing.
I’m also with you on escaping into the Regency — even if it’s just to escape the washing up. 😉
Happy 19th anniversary to the Word Wenches! I began reading here while Joanna Bourne was an active member and hope to be here to celebrate many more anniversaries with you.
In 2006, I was homeschooling my daughter through high school; I was an avid reader then and remain one today.
we do miss Joanna!
Thanks, Kareni — yes, Joanna’s blogs, like her books, were unique. And where would the wenchly community be without you, especially for your lists of books you’ve read every month on the WWR post. Thank you so much.
WOW! Has it really been 19 years? Hard to believe, but I’ve been reading the blog for that entire time. Congratulations!
What was I doing in 2006? Working (now I’m retired), knitting, genealogy–both of which I continue to do. And, of course, reading! And no matter how much I read, my TBR pile continues to grow.
that’s what we like to hear… read on!
The ever-growing TBR pile — it’s a “problem” (not really) we all have, I suspect, though these days I don’t read many physical books — it’s mostly e-books. Thanks for being a long-time reader and commenter on the wench blog — we really appreciate it, and value your contributions.
In 2006 I was looking forward to retiring soon and I didn’t do much reading at that time.
I retired in 2008 and picked up my reading habit again – historical romance being my favorite genre. I don’t remember when I discovered this blog. I was following several authors blogs at the time. But this is the only one I still follow faithfully. You guys always have something interesting to say.
Happy anniversary.
Thanks so much, Mary. I think a lot of the other author blogs have fallen by the wayside. I know I used to read several that are now gone. I suspect two of the things that has kept us going are the friendship between the wenches, and the contribution of the wenchly blog readers — we often have such interesting conversations. So thank you for being part of thet.
Happy Annniversary to you all! And thanks for so many interesting posts. I don’t remember how i discovered you, but am glad I did. Here’s hoping you have many many
more anniversaries and blogs ahead!
I was still working in 2006 and still reading, of course. I discovered more books to read through your blog and your individual web sites (adding immeasurably to my TBR pile!) and enjoyment .
I think it is interesting that in 2006 publishers were not interested in “time slip” novels.
They were definitely behind the ball, for in 2007 Kate Morton’s first time slip book arrived to great acclaim and popularity and then they all got on the bandwagon and it is still a very popular plot with writers! Publishers seem to be followers rather than leaders,
which is odd as one would think it would be the other way around! (Yes, i realize it is a business, but they used to take more risks with new writers and ideas).
I totally agree Jane, it was very strange! Especially as LADY OF HAY by Barbara Erskine had been such a huge success. I’m glad timeslip/dual time novels are more popular now as they are such fun to write 🙂
Yes, as well as Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson which was turned into a very successful movie called Somewhere in Times also in the 1980’s. I realize the bottom line is important but they should get their heads out of the sand and notice what is going on instead of coming late to the party!
I love those kinds of novels if they are done well. They can be fascinating to read and fun to write as well.
Thank you, Jane — and thanks for your contributions to the comment stream over the years. You are so right about publishers being behind the ball about “time slip” in 2007. Perhaps they needed a genre describer word to label it. I love Kate Morton’s book — I’m not sure about which one was the 2007 one, but I first read and fell in love with her The Forgotten Garden — I think that was the title. I’m bad at titles but I’ll never forget that image of the little girl sitting on her little case, alone on the wharf in her grubby expensive clothes.
I think the same publisher/reader blindness is at work in the current craze for Romantasy books. I’ve been reading wonderful fantasy books with gorgeous romances in them for years — but if you believe the headlines today, it’s a brand new thing.
Happy Anniversary! I don’t remember how long I’ve been following you, but it seems like forever. However I don’t remember Loretta Chase or Susan Holloway Scott as Wenches, but I do remember Jo Beverly’s blogs, so it’s been over 10 years. 19 years ago I was gainfully employed as a COBOL programmer, a language that’s almost entirely obsolete.
Now I’m off to find some of those books you were working on long ago, I’ve never read A Distant Magic or Lord Greville’s Captive, but I am intrigued by both of them.
I learned to write COBOL at uni, Karin, but never got to use the skill and then, as you say, it became obsolete. I learned other computer languages too, but COBOL was my favourite as it was easier for a person like me who hates math!
Yes, people often think that computer programming requires a lot of math skills. It doesn’t, although logic skills, the type you would use to play chess, help. I almost failed high school algebra, and never took any more advanced math classes after that.
Thanks, Karin. Jo Beverley was one of the original wenches. I joined in 2008, when both Loretta Chase and Susan Holloway Scott left, so you might have been reading us longer than you think.
Isn’t it interesting how fast computer language(s) and programming has changed? A bit scary, really, and hard to keep up with. I think most of us have simply given up and gone with the flow, using systems that need virtually no computer knowledge.
Thanks for being a word wench reader and regular commenter.
Well, congrats on y’all’s anniversary! I’ve loved various books of all of yours. BUT I’ve really missed those Magical Malcolm’s so much, Pat!!! That’s what hooked me on you being one of my favorite authors!
I miss my Malcolms too! But I’ve got them up to Victorian times and I’m just not certain I want to make the jump to Edwardians… Probably ought to read more of that time period and see if I can find an angle. Thank you!
Those Magical Malcoms sure are addictive, Cathie — I agree.
I deeply appreciate this blog and all the work and sharing that each of you do! I found this blog shortly after it began in 2006, after I began therapy and started really using the internet while my kids were very young but on a good night time schedule to be in bed between 7 or 8, which meant mostly free evening time to read and deeply self acknowledge for me. In honesty, I have not read all of your books or posts. 19 years, raising 2 small kids, dealing with my own excessive childhood trauma, dealing with chronic illness, my father dying, going to grad school, and having chronic fatigue syndrome as a symptom of my chronic illness, I have to thoughtfully pick and choose. I originally found a lot of books at book resale stores and at times that was all I could afford. But I will say that I have read most of Jo Beverly and Nicola Cornick’s books. And I have read a couple of each of the rest of the wenches’ books. I spent those years also writing my own Regency romance novel, which I “finished” last fall, but am working on editing. It needs a lot of work.
I deeply appreciate each of you and your continuing this blog. And yes I’ve continued to follow Susan Holloway Scott and Loretta Chase.
Thank you each for sharing your stories with the world and promoting the building of self efficacy for women via romance!
we cannot be all the things, all the time and wenches are well aware no one can possibly keep up with all of us. Hugs on finishing that first book and may many more be in your future!
Thank you so much!
Tai, wow, you sure have had a lot to deal with — and well done for taking a bit of time for you. As Pat said, nobody has time to do everything, so no worries about not reading all our books — what a huge TBR pile that would be.
Congratulations on finishing your first book. For me the editing and polishing part is the best stage in writing, so all very best of good luck with it.
And thank you for joining us, and joining in the conversation.
I really all of hope and joy and inspiration and information you each provide in your stories and this blog! Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking your time to respond to me!
Really APPRECIATE each of you!
Happy 19th-anniversary to all Word Wenches!
I prefer to live for today and leave the past be.
Patricia, there is much merit in living for today–and yet I write historical novels. We are all contradictions!
Thanks, Patricia for being a regular wenchly reader and commenter.
Happy Anniversary Word Wenches! I found you all through Jo Beverley. Her books are on my keeper pile plus if one comes up on kindle, I buy it. In 2006 I was 20 lbs thinner singing in a couple groups & bands, working full time with the kids successfully raised & out of the house. Life was good & it still is – even though I gained weight. Lol. Oh yes – my TBR pile has grown too.
Thank you Jeanne — and oh, that wretched weight will creep up, won’t it? As does the TBR pile. Long may you continue to enjoy life.
Many Congrats on your Anniversary Ladies!
As a contrast to the hard logic of mathematical physics, way back I found that I enjoyed an occasional romance novel. A web search for academic (quality?) authors led me to the Eloisa James website where I found that the regular drabble competition attracted me together with humorous interactions with the many readers there.
When Eloisa James started a new website (without drabbles!), I looked to other authors that I liked including Mary Jo and Anne and soon found the Word Wenches site. Romance heaven!
Here’s to the next 19 years. Cheers! 🥂
Thanks so much, Quantum. Stephanie Laurens was working in a science lab (cancer research) and needed much the same break as you did, and found that romance, especially historical romance, gave her the break she needed. When she ran out of things to read, she wrote her own, and the rest is history.
Eloisa’s community was fun, wasn’t it? A lot of the good reading/writing blogs have dropped by the wayside, which is sad, but I suppose there’s so much available to read on the web these days, people go elsewhere. I think also that in the early days there was more enthusiasm for interaction that hadn’t been possible before. Now it’s something many people take for granted.
Thanks for all your support over the years, and your contributions to the comment stream.
In 2006 I was still working part time. I retired completely in 2008 though right now I feel like I’m working part time with all my volunteering right now!
A few years back I tried to figure out when I first started reading the Wench blog and I think it was March/April 2013. So its been 12 years of fun and learning. I had heard about your blog off and on for probably 18 months before I started reading it. Afterwards I kicked myself for procrastinating.
I do love the mix of book reviews, rabbit holes, history, art, nature, musings, wench questions, etc and of course the monthly What are you Reading post. I’ve learned so much and tried out so many authors and genre’s I would never have attempted.
One of the best things about having authors from 3 different countries (and different parts of the US) plus the wide variety of readers world wide, is learning about different cultural and social traditions. Like Democracy Sausages in Australia. How cool…whereas in GA, just handing out water on a hot election day can get you arrested..
I too miss Joanna, she had such an interesting slant on everything. As well, Susanna and Jo Beverly were also fun and interesting posters. Actually, I’ve enjoyed all the posters through the years. And all the reader conversations.
Keep on posting and I’ll keep on reading, even 20 years in the future me votes for y’all to keep writing…grin.
Vicki L, thanks for the kind words! I also like our diversity, and learning cool things about about other parts of the world. (Anne has all kinds of interesting things to tell us!) I happy that you’re hear. Sending a virtual hug!
Thanks so much Vicki. I’m delighted that you joined us back then and continued to read and comment. Much appreciated.
Am surprised by your comment about voting and handing out water. Seems a bit extreme to me. But our “democracy sausages” have no relation to who or what people are voting for — it’s just a group of school volunteers (generally the dads) raising a bit of money for the school. So it’s in no way a “reward” for voting. Mainly because if you don’t turn up to vote you get fined.
Congratulations on the wonderful anniversary. I’m another who can’t remember how I came across your blog but I’ve been reading it for so long it’s almost part of me now. I so enjoy all the posts (and I’m probably looked on as a stalker) and comment on nearly all of them. I’ve read some of your books and Christina I’m so glad you didn’t give up on your dream as I adore timeslip and time travel novels.
Here’s to many more wonderful posts!!!!
Thank you so much Teresa, that’s very kind of you to say! And thank you for all your support for the Wenches!
You’re more than welcome!!
Happy Anniversary! At this time in 2006, I was back home after finishing my first year of college. I believe I found the blog through Mary Jo Putney.