Author: Rebecca Royer

• Local History Meets Local Readers

  Bringing Matildaville to Life at the Literary Festival I’m excited to share that I’ll be part of the Lansdowne Woods Literary Festival on June 27. Writing historical fiction rooted in… .

• Writing from a full heart: A Week of Family, Friendship, and Finding the Story

  This past week felt like a tapestry woven from all the things that make life full —family, friendship, celebration, and those small in-between moments that stay with you long after… .

• Event Prep and Author Life

  As I dive deeper into research for my next novel, which I’ve recently retitled Chasing Fortune, I’m also stepping into a season of conversations, presentations, and community events centered on… .

• Thinking of my dad today

  Tomorrow, we celebrate my dad’s life. He was one of my biggest champions as I wrote this book, reading drafts and cheering me on through every stage. Unfortunately, he was… .

• Writing Women Back into History

  When I created Jane’s grandmother, I wanted her to symbolize the strength and quiet courage woven through women’s history. What I discovered in the world of abolitionists amazed me. While… .

• The Great Black Jockeys

  In shaping Peter of Chasing Freedom into a character who loves animals and finds his place as a stable boy, I dug deeply into the history of horse racing in… .

• Congressman Cutler and Macaroni

  One of the most interesting figures I stumbled upon while researching the Myers Tavern at Matildaville was Congressman Manasseh Cutler. His published journals contain one of the few surviving references… .

• Welcome Readers

  Chasing Freedom is just beginning its journey into the world, and I’m so grateful for everyone who has picked up a copy, shared a supportive word, or entered the world… .

• Tobacco was everywhere in 1801 Virginia — I didn’t include this in the book

  One of the unexpected facts I uncovered while writing Chasing Freedom was just how much tobacco Virginians chewed in 1801. Not just smoked and snuffed – but chewed and chewed… .

• The year was 1802. The gift was cheese. A lot of cheese.

  In 1802, a group of proud Baptist farmers in Cheshire, Connecticut, crafted a 1,235‑pound wheel of cheese and carted it all the way to the President’s House in Washington City.… .