
Stop, Collaborate, and Listen
Yes, I just made a Vanilla Ice reference. Writing is a lonely profession…and nine times out of ten, I like it that way. But I’m also looking for ways to help get these stories out into the world, and you can be a part of it. If you’d like to help, here are a few ideas.
Tell someone you found my site!
1. Become a Patreon supporter
Seriously, this is one of the best ways you can help. Vote with your wallet, as they say. The kind of research I do for this site is time-consuming and sometimes expensive (buying and shipping foreign books, paying for research databases, etc.). For as little as $1 a month, you can chip in to help defray costs and keep this site going. And there’s exclusive content in it for you - all Patreon supporters get access to posts on my sources, sneak peeks of what’s coming to the blog next, deleted scenes, short stories, and more.
1. Do you have social media accounts and friends?
Share the site! Or tell a friend about your favorite post from the site! Maybe it’s a missing royal jewel, maybe it’s a prank pulled by your favorite mischievous princess. Whatever it is, don’t keep it a secret. The more people who come to the site, the better!
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2. Do you have pictures of royal women?
If you’re willing to let me post your original photos on the site with an attribution and a link to your site/profile, hit me up. I’m also interested in pictures of the places they lived and the things they owned.
3. Do you have insider information?
If you knew, spoke with, or corresponded with anyone involved with one of the stories on this site, I’d love to talk to you about it. If you like, we can keep the information private. I would never print or otherwise use information without your approval.
4. Do you have a book that's on my wish list?
If so, are you willing to copy or scan it and let me pay you for it? You can see what's on my Amazon wish list here. Or take a quick cell phone pic of relevant pages and email them to me? If so, please get in touch with me before doing anything. Let’s sort out what you need and how much I can give you before you do anything.
1. Do you translate?
I’m always looking at sources in languages I don't speak or read. Modern technology can get me most of the way there, but there are always a few garbled sentences that leave me confused. If you speak German, Russian, Italian, Danish, or Swedish, let me know - and I may contact you when I run into a stumbling block.
2. Can you look stuff up in foreign libraries or archives?
I can pay for photocopies and postage, or you could scan/photograph pages and email them to me. I’m willing to contribute a small amount for your time in addition to postage. Please contact me beforehand to make arrangements. I’m especially interested in things in Stuttgart (relating to Queen Olga of Württemberg) and Baden (relating to Grand Duchess Hilda of Baden).
3. Are you awesome with Adobe Illustrator?
I’m attempting some tiara drawings on my own in Illustrator, and it’s a cluster-you-know-what. Please rescue me. I’m losing hair and sanity at an alarming rate. My budget is small, but I’ll eat ramen in order to buy your work. I have a particular look and style in mind, but I’m also open to ideas. Please get in touch and I’ll show you what I have in mind.
1. Are you a literary agent?
Please get in touch! I want to do everything I can to get these stories in front of more people. My nonfiction book drafts are in various stages of readiness, which is why I haven’t queried yet (I come from a fiction background, where you need the finished product at hand). But I also know that non-fiction book proposals don’t necessarily require the finished product. I have drafts for these, too, so I could get something to you quickly if you’re on board.
2. Do you build apps?
Let’s make an app where you can put tiaras on your selfies. Or an app that Winterhalters your selfies and makes you look all floaty and dreamy, like a 19th century creamsicle.
3. Are you an IP lawyer?
Can I ask you a few questions? I’m mostly curious about how to use popular quotations and (theoretically) public domain images in merchandise.
4. Are you an image-rights-clearance person?
I don’t even know what it’s called, I just know I need your help sourcing images at affordable prices for print & eBooks.
5. Are you good at marketing?
Because I suck at it. Can you help me tell people about these women and their stories? I don’t want to be famous. I just want more people to realize who these women were and what they did. And that tiaras are awesome. You can help.
What’s Next?
That depends - what do you feel like doing? You can sign up for my mailing list and get fascinating tidbits like Grand Duchess Louise of Baden’s meatloaf recipe and the tragic story of Princess Mafalda of Savoy. Or you can check out what’s new on the blog - there's always something new I’m digging up!
Contact
Whether it’s a tip about a tiara, a source you discovered, or you just want to say hi, I want to hear from you.
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Click here to check out my blog. I write about tiaras, royal women, royal recipes, royal pranksters, and the unintentional hilarity of Google Translate.
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