I serve as the book review editor for the Historical Novels Review. We publish reviews of current historical fiction from the US, Canada, and Great Britain.

I also sit on the Board of Directors for the Historical Novel Society's biennial North American conference. Our third event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Woodfield in Schaumburg, IL, on June 12-14, 2009.

My third book, Historical Fiction II: A Guide to the Genre, will be published in March 2009 by Libraries Unlimited. Focusing on English-language novels published between mid-2004 and 2008 plus the perennial favorites commonly available in libraries, this book guides readers to more than 2700 books set in times prior to the mid-20th century and in which historical events play an integral role. For more details, see the publisher's web site. Volume I of Historical Fiction, covering novels appearing between 1995 and 2004, was published in spring 2005.

Reviews of Volume I:

"An outstanding reader's advisory reference work... an essential tool for understanding the genre, developing collections, and advising [library] patrons." Booklist (starred review)
Booklist Editors' Choice Title 2005

"An excellent, detailed reference tool for readers' advisors... Abundant title suggestions from a wide range of perspectives and topics will please readers... Highly recommended for public libraries." Library Journal (starred review)

"A well-researched, exhaustive guide to recent historical fiction, a genre popular with both scholars and casual readers... An excellent resource....Highly recommended. All levels." CHOICE

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My article "Masters of the Past: Historical Fiction, Vol. II"> was the cover story of the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of Bookmarks Magazine. The original article, "Masters of the Past: Twenty Classic Historical Novels and Their Legacy," appeared as their cover story in Jan/Feb 2006.

Three books: Historical Fiction II: A Guide to the Genre (Libraries Unlimited, 2009); Historical Fiction: A Guide to the Genre (Libraries Unlimited, 2005); and The Information Professional's Guide to Career Development Online (Information Today, 2002, with Rachel Singer Gordon).

I have contributed articles and reviews for Booklist, CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, The Historical Novels Review, Library Journal, Library Review, Solander: The Magazine of the Historical Novel Society, and many other publications. I write a quarterly "What We're Reading" column for NoveList, a reader's advisory database used by public libraries, as well as occasional feature articles and read-alike pieces on genre fiction.

I hold a Master's degree in Information and Library Studies from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Arts in Linguistics from Ohio State University. I am a reference librarian at Eastern Illinois University; I also serve as the book review editor for the professional library journal Public Services Quarterly.