Welcome to Faith L. Justice's Home Page




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Hello!

I'm a science geek and history junkie, which explains the slightly schizophrenic nature of my writingmy short stories are mostly SF and fantasy while my novels are all (so far) historical fiction. My most recent full-length novel is Selene of Alexandria an epic fact-based tale of ambition, power, love and redemption set in AD 412.  Science and history also feed my passion for archaeology. My idea of a great vacation? "Cleaning dirt," hauling rocks and washing pottery. In past lives I've worked as a lifeguard, paralegal, systems analyst, HR Executive, and college professor; but my hardest job, by far, is that of mother.

What will you find on this site?  

  • More information about my life and writing in the Author section
  • Complete interviews with some of SF and Historical Fiction's best known award-winning authors: Ursula K. Le Guin, James Morrow, Anita Diamant and Nancy Kress, among many.
  • Articles on writing and research plus links to all my favorite writing sites.
  • Historian's Notebook - My blog where I sort fact from fiction, post reviews and interviews, and comment on history in the news. Most recent:  Guest Post and Giveaway: Andrei Baltakmens on Early Modern Crime (and Punishment) in "The Raven's Seal"
  • Samples my short stories, novels, and historical essays (see Hypatia, the Lady Philosopher of Alexandria - a major character in my new book.)

 

What's New: Updated December 10, 2012

 

December 2012

  • Happy Holidays! It's the 1st Annual Historical Blog Hop. Over 30+ blogs are sponsoring giveaways of fiction, non-fiction, gift cards and more. Passages to the Past blog is sponsoring the blog hop and has four grand prize packages of 15+ books. Stop by my own blog to participate in a give away of three books: The Twelve Rooms of the Nile by Enid Shomer, The Seven Wonders by Steven Saylor and The Raven's Seal by Andrei Baltakmens. Enjoy and good luck!
  • As a holiday gift to my readers, check out the half-off coupon for Selene of Alexandria ebook at Smashwords only. Use coupon code VC53R until January 3. Enjoy!
  • Back from a wonderful trip to New Zealand and--totally by coincidence!--have a guest post and giveaway by a New Zealand author. If like Dickens you'll like The Raven's Seal. Check out the post here.

November 2012

  • Survived Sandy. We've got power and heat. The subways are now coming back. Thanks to eveyone who checked up on me and my family!

 

September 2012

  • Guest post by Enid Shomer on her new novel The Twelve Rooms of the Nile on my blog. Stop by and comment for a chance to win one of two copies!

 

August 2012

  • Proud Mama here! My daughter published her first ebook Twitter Who Volume 1: The First Doctor, a New Whovian's journey through Classic territory, 140 characters at a time. Available at Smashwords in all formats (pays the larger royalty); also at Amazon.

July 2012

  • The Copperfield Review published my short story "The Reluctant Groom" in their summer edition. The first in a series based on my actual family stories. Enjoy!
  • Newest blog post is a tribute to Dr. Sally Ride, fist American women in space, who died of pancreatic cancer. Another hero fallen.
  • Smashwords is running a summer sale. Half off Selene and Hypatia is free!
  • Book review and giveaway of Steven Saylor's The Seven Wonders posted on my blog. Check out this fun book and maybe win a copy!

June 2012

  • Published a collection of five short stories: Time Again and Other Fantastic Stories is now avaibable at Smashwords in all ebook formats. Award-winning fiction at an affordable price!

May 2012

  • Posted a review of The King's Mistresses: The Liberated Lives of Marie Mancini, Princess Colonna, and her Sister Hortense, DuchessMazarin by Elizabeth C. Goldsmith. Stop by and read about these liberated ladies of the 17th Century.

April 2012

  • The Copperfield Review published my review of Charles Dickens' Little Dorritt. You can read it here.
  • Another wonderful review for Selene from The Atheist's Quill. I've pleased both Christians and atheists with my book, so I must have done something right!
  • Did a stupid thing while on vacation--fell and broke my wrist! In a cast till the end of May, so typing is restricted. [sigh]

March 2012

  • Published a free ebook Hypatia: Her Life and Times. A labor of love: a collection of all my Hypatia material. Available in all digital formats at Smashwords.com. Check it out and enjoy!
  • Posted a new piece on Hypatia in honor or Women's History Month: "Hypatia of Alexandria: The Primary Sources." Stop by and find out who's talking trash about our favorite Lady Philosopher.
  • I had a good response to the ebook special last week, so I'm extending the 50% off coupon through the end of March. Please use coupon code YL63B at checkout at Smashwords.com and enjoy!
  • It's "Read an eBook Week" March 3-10 and there are lots of specials on several sites. Selene is half off at Smashwords.com (all ereader formats.) Stop by and use promotion code REW50 by March 10.
  • It's Women's History Month! Lots of great/nortorious/interesting women on my blog. Check out biographies and essays about:
    • Hypatia, Lady Philosopher of Alexandria
    • Marie and Hortense Mancini, runaway brides of the 17th Century.
    • Jeanne Baret, botanist, explorer, and first woman to circumnavigate the world
    • Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia
    • Cleopatra of Egypt
    • Catherine de Medici, Queen of France
    • Norma Wallace, The Last Madam of New Orleans

 

February 2012

  • A guest post by Glynis Ridley and giveaway of her book The Discovery of Jeanne Baret on my blog. Stop by and read about the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, a remarkable and little known botanist/explorer. Comment on the post and earn a chance to win a copy of the book (open through March.)

 

December 2011

  • New post on my blog: a review of Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie. Check out this book about a powerful woman.

November 2011

  • Finally got a new post up at my blog. Stop by and see if Hypatia was a "great" mathematician or "merely" a geometry teacher.

October 2011

  • Wonderful news! Selene was selected at the "Featured Author" pick by the Historical Fictionistas reading group on Goodreads.com. Members will be reading and discussing the book from October 15 - November 15. Thanks everyone!

September 2011

  • Another great review of Selene at Col Reads. Thanks so much, Colleen!
  • Sorry about the slump in September. I've been working on a rewrite and took a vacation, so slim pickins this month!

August 2011

  • Finished a first draft of my WIP--first century Roman with fictional characters this time: war, love, earthquakes and gladiators! Now for more research and rewriting.
  • Posted a review of Noah's Wife by T. K. Thorne on my blog. Not your traditional Bible story!
  • Selene earned a Finalist in the Global eBook Awards! I couldn't make it to the awards in California but was there in spirit. Congrats to the winners!

July 2011

  • SusieBookworm also gave Selene a great review. Thanks!
  • Posted a new "History in the News" report on my blog. Check out the Bible stories, recovered artifacts, archaeological tech and much more.
  • The Book Garden blog gave Selene another great review. Thanks!
  • Back in March, I spoke at our local library about Hypatia for Women's History Month and taped the presentation. My crack video editor Hannah Rothman cut it down into three short Youtube videos which I've posted. Check them out and feel free to leave me comments. Thanks and please remember the camera adds ten pounds...and there was only one camera!
    • What inspired me to write Selene of Alexandria?
    • The characters of Selene and Hypatia and the plot of the book.
    • What are the main themes of the story?

June 2011

  • Selene of Alexandria cover is featured in this post about "What's Great About This Ebook Cover?" at Bookcover Coaching and Business Branding. What a nice surprise! A much deserved shout out to Todd Engle who designed my beautiful cover. You can contact him at www.engelcreative.com.
  • Giveaway of Empire: The Novel of Imperial Rome by Steven Saylor. Drop by my blog and win a free book (closes June 30.)
  • Off to the Historical Novel Society Conference in San Diego to pitch Twilight Empress! (Update: both an agent and an editor are interested!)
  • Giveaway of Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome by Steven Saylor on my blog. Drop by and win a free book (closes June 22.)
  • In honor of Women's History Month in March, I talked at my local library about Hypatia and my book. I've posted three short videos from that talk where I discuss the plot, the inspiration, and the main themes of Selene.
  • The Owl Bookmark Blog also interviewed me about the inspiration for the Selene and my writing process.
  • Another great review for Selene on the Owl Bookmark Blog. Thanks, Siobian!
  • A book review of Alexandria (Marcus Didius Falco #19) by Lindsey Davis and giveaway up on my blog. Good luck!

May 2011

  • Posted a new essay on Alexandria--at my blog. Check out "Alexandria: The Early Years."

April 2011

  • I seem to be on a Cleopatra kick lately. Check out my review of Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough on my blog.
  • Posted a  review  of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra: A Life on my blog.
  • What's happening to Libya's archaeological treasures during the conflict, pickled bog brain, Agatha Christie and much more in my latest "History in the News" post.
  • Book review and giveaway on my blog: Outlaw by Angus Donald, a dark Robin Hood. Giveaway open in the US only (sorry!) until April 6.

March 2011

  • Another good review for Selene. This one from Catholic Fiction. Thanks!
  • EVENT: Cortelyou Library asked me to read from Selene to celebrate Women's History Month, Saturday, March 26. Details here.
  • Melanie McDonald interview and giveaway up on my blog. See what she has to say about her new book Eromenos.
  • In honor of the "leap ahead" to daylight savings time, take a look at my short story
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