Anne Fortier is the author of two international best-selling dual timeline mysteries that dig deep into our favorite stories, stories that are deep in the psyche of Western culture. First in Juliet, exploring the Romeo and Juliet tragedy, and then in The Lost Sisterhood, the single-breasted Amazons of antiquity and asking, is there a secret Amazon chapter still operating out there, a bit like a female Knights of the Templar?

They’re fanciful, inspirational books and Anne was a delightful interview subject. I would never have known about her except for a recommendation from one of our Binge Reading fans, Tracy.  A big shout out to you Tracy for suggesting we talk to Anne. I am sure you will enjoy the result.

Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler and in Binge Reading today Anne tells us how she responded when, as a 13-year-old would-be author, an editor told her “good literature doesn’t have happy endings.” Happily, Anne ignored his or her advice, and her story does.

But before we get to Anne, just a reminder. Binge Reading is now on Patreon, and we would love, value, cherish your support there. For the equivalent of a cup of coffee a month, you will get exclusive fortnightly bonus content, and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to support popular fiction authors like Anne at the same time. Check out the details at https://www.patreon.com/thejoysofbingereading

SUPPORT BINGE READING ON PATREON

We’ve got E- three copies of Anne’s latest book The Lost Sisterhood to give away to three lucky readers in our Royal House Giveaway. Enter the draw on our website, www.thejoysof bingereading.com/giveaway and you have a chance to win!

ENTER THE DRAW TO WIN ANNE E-BOOK

Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode:

From Denmark to America - Anne's adventurous lifeThe Doco that proved film wasn't for herHow she nearly got her Mum arrested for bank robberyWhy academics welcome popularization of ancient storiesRomeo and Juliet before ShakespeareThe magic of the Amazon story

Where to find Anne Fortier: 

Website: https://www.annefortier.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnneFortierBooks/

Twitter: @AnneFortier

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3024821.Anne_Fortier

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Sisterhood-Novel-Anne-Fortier/dp/0345536223/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/AFortierAuthor/_saved/

What follows is a "near as" transcript of our conversation, not word for word but pretty close to it, with links to important mentions.

But now, here’s Anne.

Introducing historical fiction author Anne Fortier

Anne Fortier, author of riveting historical mysteries

Jenny Wheeler: Hello there, Anne, and welcome to the show. It's so good to have you with us.

Anne Fortier: Thanks so much, Jenny. It's wonderful to talk with you.

Jenny Wheeler: I think perhaps this might be the furthest that we have reached in the show, because you're talking from Denmark and I'm in New Zealand, so that's got a lovely feel to it.

Anne Fortier: I think it's wonderful. It is always a little bit confusing with the time zone, but when we meet in literature, there is no time zone, there's no day and night. We are just in this special space together, and I love that space.

Jenny Wheeler: You have got two wonderful books to your credit. They have both been international best sellers. We will get onto talking about them. Both of them have a very original premise that the story is hung around, and it impresses me that you are a person who has a spirited approach to your writing, and so I was captivated by this quote that was in the back of one of your books.

An editor told you once there are no happy endings in good literature and you say, I knew I would never write good literature at that point. I think you were only a very young person when this exchange took place. Tell us about that.

Anne Fortier: I was one of those children who was a little bit...