Welcome, esteemed patron, to the Tearoom! Coffee is available, as well, for the night-owls like myself who occasionally require more caffeine in order to concentrate on that one last chapter.
About the Author—
My name is Mariella Hunt. I am an indie author of historical fantasy, and for three years I was publishing work serially on Kindle Vella. Among others, my most popular and longest Vella (over 200 episodes) called The Sea Rose Saga can still be found. There is a link up in the site menu.
I’ve published two novels, both offshoots of the aforementioned saga: The Sea Rose and The Sea King. A third installment called The Selkie is undergoing edits; I hope that it will be ready for a winter release.
On the side I have also begun work on a pirate-themed story called Davy Jones’s Daughter, which will be published here before it is released as a novel. Finally, I have The Graveyard House, my Substack debut which I have been enjoying working on very much, as it has allowed me to meet new and wonderful people.
About the Tearoom—
I created the Literary Ladies’ Tearoom because such places—tearooms, coffee houses (the Romans even had bath houses, but we won’t get that creative)—have been places of intellectual discussion. In a good coffee house, the reclusive (or outgoing!) novelist bends over a journal, penning the next great American novel. In a fragrant tea-shop, ladies in frilly dresses discuss Mrs. Shelley’s latest scandalous novel behind their colorful fans.
In most cases, we read alone in the solace of our homes, comfortable on our favorite chairs. We also, most often, write alone, for it is difficult to concentrate when there is distraction. The tea-shop is where we gather with others and discuss what was on the page. We discuss history; we discuss ideas; we discuss current events (and some might slyly ask for some whisky in their tea, though I am not one of them).
I created this tearoom to be one such place. While I dubbed it Literary Ladies’ Tearoom, gentlemen are most certainly welcome. Place your coat and hat on the rack, sir, and join us in the fun. (Wipe your shoes on the mat first, though, if you please! We don’t want to track mud inside.)
Historically, there have been efforts to divide literature into groups based on gender. I’m glad this lame habit is just about done. Good sir, do you enjoy the works of Miss Austen and long to discuss Mr. Darcy’s antics? Come on in. Madam, are you deeply passionate about philosophy or science and in need of a place to discuss it? Take a seat. Join us in the chatroom; our discussions will be grand.
If you would like to become a monthly supporter, you’ll be adding to my research fund as I come up with articles and stories to stimulate discussion and bring together new, often unlikely friendships. $8 a month goes a long way for an indie author! But I will leave this choice in your hands, good patron; for now, order your favorite cup of tea (or coffee) and let us discuss things of the future and of the past.