Chatting with the Dead
Spiritualism and séances attracted millions in the 1800s
George Orwell was My Writing Coach
Orwell was afraid the world was running out of truth. So am I.
Shakespeare and Me
Sometimes you have to go all the way to England to find your way back to New Hampshire
Celia Thaxter’s “A Memorable Murder” (1875)
The full, uninterrupted text, considered an early true crime masterpiece
Richard Henry Dana Visits the Isles of Shoals in 1843
A rare early encounter with a grumpy Thomas Laighton and young Celia Thaxter
Mrs. Partington Didn’t “Keep” Christmas
Mrs. Partington refused to pay more than 50 cents for things that cost half a dollar.
The Last Poem of Caroline Jenness
A brilliant mind turned to poetry and pain
John G. Fuller Fueled 60s UFO Craze
With no luck on Broadway, Fuller turned to UFO potboilers
JP Marquand Claimed the Auto Ruined Newburyryport
Our sister city's most famous forgotten author
The Tale of a French Cat
Thomas Bailey Aldrich is feline all right.
Celebrating Writers on a New England Stage
I didn't make it to the big stage, but I wrote about the people who did