The Exploress

Discover the thrilling history of the 40 Elephants, London's notorious all-female crime ring. Learn about their clever shoplifting strategies and how they turned societal expectations to their advantage. Under the leadership of Alice Diamond, these daring women pulled off high-stakes heists, showcasing their bravery and cunning. Their bold escapades not only challenged the norms of their time but also left a powerful mark on the narrative of female empowerment and rebellion in the face of adversity.

Season 5, Episode 12. Today we’ll learn how Queen Elizabeth I strategically defeated the Invincible Spanish Armada by allowing famous pirates like Sir Francis Drake and Sir Thomas Cavendish to take over the Royal Navy and fight on her behalf as “privateers.” We’ll also learn what life was like on a pirate ship in the Elizabethan age, why women were historically not allowed to be pirates, and how some women became pirates anyway. We’ll meet Anne Bonny and Mary Read, the cross dressing swashbucklers of the Bahamas, and we’ll meet Grace O’Malley, the Irish Pirate Queen who defended her land against Queen Elizabeth’s navy. My second novel, FYREBIRDS, just came out, and it would mean a huge amount if you’d pick up a copy. If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates. This episodes is coming to you with the support of my fabulous patrons. Have you ever thought about becoming one? Patrons get all episodes early and ad-free, voting rights on content, behind the scenes stuff, AND up to two exclusive bonus episodes a month, like this one. You can now try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial! Go to my website to find out more.

...see you on the other side, my friends. Have you ever thought about becoming a patron? They get all episodes early and ad-free, voting rights on content, behind the scenes stuff, AND up to two exclusive bonus episodes a month. I'll be posting episodes there throughout my maternity leave, so if you want more Exploress in your life, head on over! You can now try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial! Go to my website to find out more. My second novel, FYREBIRDS, just came out, and it would mean a huge amount if you’d pick up a copy. If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates.

I'm thrilled to bring you this extra-long audio sample of the FYREBIRDS audiobook: the Prologue and Chapter 1, narrated by the amazing Saskia Maarleveld. If you like what you hear, the unabridged audiobook is out now wherever audiobooks are sold. You can request it to stream digitally from your local library; if they don't have it in their collection, you can ask them to buy a copy, usually via their website.

Season 5, Episode 11. Guess what? My second novel, FYREBIRDS, hits shelves TODAY. How exciting! I’m celebrating by inviting one of my favorite authors to join us. Ryan Graudin is the award-winning novel of many books for young adults and children; her debut adult fantasy, THE ENCHANTED LIES OF CELESTE ARTOIS, comes out today. This novel, set in Belle Epoque Paris just before the First World War, is absolutely FULL of my favorite things: history, strong women, and magic. Join us as we talk about her enchanting novel, how she used history as a springboard for writing it, and what she discovered along the way.  Remember, if you pick up a copy of FYREBIRDS this week (by September 4, 2024), I’ll send you some very special prizes, including a signed bookplate and some NIGHTBIRDS-inspired art. You can claim them right here, or go to my author website to find out more. If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates. Thanks for listening! You can now buy THE ENCHANTED LIES OF CELESTE ARTOIS wherever good books are sold. Enjoyed this episode? Make sure to check out my other podcast, PUB DATES, where Amie Kaufman and I take readers behind the scenes on the publication process and our novels. And don’t forget, if you want more Exploress in your life, I'm publishing two fresh bonus episodes a month over on my Patreon. You can now try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial! Go to my website to find out more.

It’s FYREBIRDS month on The Exploress! To celebrate the release of my second novel, and the conclusion of the NIGHTBIRDS series, I’m sharing an episode of my other podcast, Pub Dates, where I’ve been taking listeners behind the scenes on this series’ creation. In this episode, I’m going to answer reader’s burning questions about NIGHTBIRDS. Warning: there will be spoilers in here, so save this one for later if you haven’t read the book yet. My second novel, FYREBIRDS, is hitting shelves on August 27th, and it would mean a huge amount if you’d pick up a copy. If you do, I’ll send you some very special prizes, including a signed bookplate and some NIGHTBIRDS-inspired art. You can claim them right here, or go to my author website to find out more. If you'd like a recap of NIGHTBIRDS before the sequel arrives, go and listen to my four-part recap series over on Pub Dates. Did you like this episode? Hop on over to PUB DATES, where bestselling author Amie Kaufman and I have been taking readers behind the scenes on the publication of our novels. If you like those old-school DVD extras and "making of" videos, this one's for you. This show wouldn’t be possible without the support of all my patrons. Have you ever thought about becoming one? Patrons get all episodes early and ad-free, voting rights on content, behind the scenes stuff, AND up to two exclusive bonus episodes a month. You can now try out being a patron with a 7-day free trial! Go to my website to find out more.  

Dive into the vibrant underground world of the 1920s! Discover how women became symbols of rebellion during Prohibition, transforming speakeasies into creative havens of freedom. Learn about influential figures like Texas Guinan, who challenged societal norms and inspired a new drinking culture. Explore the fascinating intersection of magic and alcohol, revealing how these elements shaped a unique narrative in the author's novel. Plus, uncover the tales of female bootleggers and their daring quests for independence!

Therese Oneill, an author celebrated for her engaging explorations of Victorian women's lives, dives into the rich tapestry of overlooked female figures. She shares humorous yet poignant anecdotes about the absurdities faced by women in the 19th century, including struggles for reproductive rights. Therese highlights the complexities of women's education and their significant yet often forgotten contributions to history. With a refreshing mix of humor and empathy, she emphasizes the need to celebrate these multifaceted legacies.

Annette Kellerman, a pioneer in women's swimwear history, discusses the evolution of women's swimwear from bloomer suits to princess suits. She revolutionized swimwear design for speed and function. The podcast also explores the bikini's controversial journey to becoming a fashion symbol in the 1960s.

Explore the lives of samurai warrior women in Tokugawa Japan, from their training and Bushido code to their roles in battles. Learn about the honorable yet violent practices of Bushido, and the bravery of legendary figures like Princess Zuru and Tomoe Gozen. Dive into the history of female warriors in a male-dominated military culture.