Looks Who’s Going to RT: Sophia Nash

Sophia NashCan you introduce yourself to my readers a little?
Sophia Nash’s first three novels won eight national awards including the prestigious RITA Award and a spot on the American Library Association’s “Top Ten Romances of the Year.” Sophia was born in Switzerland, raised in France and the United States, but says her heart resides in Regency England. Her ancestor, an infamous French admiral who traded epic cannon fire with the British Royal Navy, is surely turning in his grave. Before pursuing her long held dream of writing Historicals, Sophia was an award winning television producer for CBS, a congressional speechwriter, and a nonprofit CEO.

Can you introduce us to the world that you have created?
I just finished the 4 book Widows Club historical romance series (A Dangerous Beauty) set during the Regency period. I’ll have back to back books in a new historical series released in March and April 2012. The regency period is generally acknowledged to be between 1811 – 1820. The period is named after the eldest son of King George III, the “Prince Regent”, who took up the reins of power in England after his father was legally declared mad and incapable of governing the country. This fun-loving Prince of Wales loved food, fashion, and of course, entertaining despite the winds of war with France. This era has been frequently likened to our generation’s 1960s – a period of free love and war. Although, of course, in 1815 one did not engage in “free love,” there was a greater freedom in dress prior to the starched up Victorian period. During the regency, ladies still had to be properly chaperoned, and thank goodness for that, otherwise how would the dashing young gentlemen of London have kept their hands off those dainty misses with gowns cut low enough to inspire feverish poetry, and dampened petticoats to encourage a better view of feminine charms. Social standing was everything during this era. If you were lucky enough to be one of the titled “Upper Ten Thousand,” you led a charmed and usually leisurely life indeed. In ton circles, wit and good manners vied with beauty and intelligence. And everyone seemed to know exactly how many “thousands a year” each member was worth. Marriages were to be entered into with great foresight to ensure an excellent blend of fortune and title. These were the days of Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice.

Will this be your first RT or are you a veteran? Any advice for those who are going for the first time?
I’ve been to about four or five RT Conferences and I adore connecting with readers there. Advice? Bring your most outlandish costume, and since it’s in LA where I gre up, don’t forget suntan lotion, your shades, and your plan to get around this sprawling, great city.

Are you speaking on any panels during RT? Are there any you are looking forward to?
You can find me on the Historical Panel and also at the booksigning.

If someone were wanting to meet up with you at RT, who should they look for?
The tall blonde chick wearing my name tag. Please don’t hesitate to come over and introduce yourself. I love chatting with readers and writers!

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.