The Bone Wars
In my upcoming book, A WHISPER OF BONE, mention of real historical individuals and locations will surface. Charlotte works for none other than O.C. Marsh, founder of the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale. Also mentioned is Edward Drinker Cope, of the Academy...
Five Phylums of Salad?
The other day, I was struck by something I read online. A poster commented that the menu categories “salad and plant-based salad” had given him pause. I too paused as my mind also immediately envisioned the “green leaf” kind of salad, but then my brain began...
How to Build a Snake Skeleton
When I was diving deep into research for VENOMOUS SECRETS, I studied a lot of lamia images on the internet. Most were women from the waist up, snakes from the waist down. And because my books delve into biology, both real and not-quite-so-real, you know I started...
Holywell Street
In VENOMOUS SECRETS we first encounter Cait on a mission to retrieve a serpent located above a bookshop on Holywell Street – in an old section of London that no longer exists.
Antibodies and Antivenom
Anne Renwick discusses the immune system and how it reacts to snake venom, the inspiration behind the creation of Cait’s character and how she becomes the heroine of VENOMOUS SECRETS.
That Sexy Groove
It’s in so many romance novels. Mine included. But what is that sexy groove that runs from the hips across the pelvis, disappearing beneath the waistband and directing so many eyes to the groin?
Hands-Free Tea Pouring
Anne attempts to pour tea without using her hands.
Read for FREE on a Library App
The Elemental Steampunk World books are available to all libraries via the Overdrive App.
Elemental Bones
Bones. Far from static objects. In this podcast, Anne discusses aspects of bone physiology that made their way into THE SILVER SKULL.
Getting Medieval
Are researchers really mining medieval texts for ideas they can apply to modern medicine? Yes they are! Listen to Anne Renwick speak about the current efforts that inspired Evie’s character and work in A SNOWFLAKE AT MIDNIGHT.
Medical Mistletoe
Mistletoe, it’s not just for kisses! Is it poisonous? At a low dose, can mistletoe be used as a medicine?
Ye Olde Mincemeat
Author Anne Renwick takes to her kitchen researching the traditional mincemeat pie.
Lost Rivers of London
Anne Renwick tells the story of how the Effra, one of London’s lost rivers, came to play a key role in THE GOLDEN SPIDER.
Greek and Latin
Where do all those strange words come from? Anne Renwick discusses how she often uses Greek and Latin roots to name her various contraptions.
Bioluminescence
Anne Renwick discusses bioluminescence (with a brief detour to fluorescence), her hands-on experience with it, and how it illuminates the dark nights in The Elemental Steampunk World.
An Origin Story Supplemental Video
A bonus video using a teaching skeleton to show the anatomical locations of the skeletal features discussed in An Origin Story.
Key City Steampunk 2019
Photos from Key City Steampunk 2019. Don’t miss Simon’s adventures!
Curried Pteryform Salad
Pteryform. A gastronomic delicacy sold on the black market. So what does a pteryform meat taste like?
A Fluffy Post
A post in which Anne Renwick introduces the fluffy members of her household: Darwin, Tesla and Lady Elizabeth.
Glasgow: Hop on, Hop off
We took the City Sightseeing Glasgow Open Top Bus Tour on our first full day in Scotland. It was cold and drizzling, as we’d expected, but that didn’t keep us from climbing to the open top to view the city.
Cranial Nerves 101
The curiosities of Cranial Nerves explained in a light and fun manner.
Sacred Wells
Stories of ancient wells and springs have long captured my attention, so when a rogue frog on the loose in a small village of Wales became the focus of A Trace of Copper, I seized upon the opportunity to include one in my story. Where better for such a creature to make itself a home?
German Longsword
Is Anne holding a sword? Yes, she is! I’ll bet some of you aren’t all that surprised, particularly those of you who’ve read In Pursuit of Dragons. It’s true, I’ve eyed the beautiful swords hanging on various walls for years now.
An Interview with Bec McMaster
I reached out to none other than Bec McMaster, taking shameless advantage of her latest release of TO CATCH A ROGUE, and asked her a few questions.
Rust and Steam Exclusive
Lady Alice Hemsworth wasn’t supposed to fall in love. It was her duty not to. Alas, she’d failed miserably. Mr. Benjamin Leighton—despite being turned away by her steam butler—can’t stop thinking about her. Alone, both are miserable—until a deadly encounter throws them together on the night train to London.
On Location – In Pursuit of Dragons
Anne Renwick takes you on location of her book, In Pursuit of Dragons, to Doune Castle lies northwest of Edinburgh in Stirlingshire.
The Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Take a gWhat about the Isle of Lewis? While writing THE IRON FIN, I’d spent SO much time on Google, looking, reading about the place both now and in times long past that I couldn’t wait to see it with my own eyes.limpse at some sights on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, where Anne set parts of her story, The Iron Fin.
Anne’s Steampunk Side Table
When I needed a small side table in my office to place beside my chair (to hold coffee/tea and cats), I decided to try making one of those awesome black steel steampunk tables that are everywhere on the internet.
A TRACE OF COPPER: An Interview with Rajendrani
Piyali stepped into A Trace of Copper already strong-willed and determined. A woman who doesn’t put up with any nonsense, a woman who Gets Things Done. All characteristics she shares with my friend. So one night over a glass of wine, I said, “I’ve this idea for a character… will you help?”
Reviews
Anne Renwick Book Reviews
The Dark Soul Martini
With everything turning up red, white and pink in February, some might prefer a darker tone. To that effect, I present The Dark Soul Martini, an alternative drink for the month.
Unraveling Welsh
Why is A Trace of Copper set in Wales? Because it’s one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever visited. It’s been years, and I still can’t stop thinking about it.
That Log Does What?
Barcelona. It’s a beautiful old city with amazing architecture. But one of the things we found fascinating is an odd Christmas tradition they have. A pooping log.
Department of Cryptobiology
Join steampunk romance author Anne Renwick in her closed Facebook group, the Department of Cryptobiology, where she chats with all her readers.
Magical Wales
It’s no real surprise that I’ve set a story in Wales, one of the most magical places I’ve ever visited. Though I spent a mere three days in the country, I’ve never been able to forget it.
Sock Mitosis
Sock Mitosis. This year, my teenager is taking AP Biology. Though he took Biology in 9th grade, he’s forgotten a lot of the details. Including the differences between mitosis and meiosis. Yes, I quizzed him. I’m evil that way.
Sock Meiosis
On to MEIOSIS. This is where things start to get messy. Like a teenage boy showed up and threw a week’s worth of socks all over his room… but I digress.
Characters on the Couch
Character on the Couch: An interview with Anne Renwick’s Lady Olivia
How To Stick a Man To the Wall
When we examine the pelvis (comprised of two ilia, the sacrum and the coccyx), questions about differences between men and women always arise. Can you tell the difference simply by looking at the bone structure?
Meet the Plotmonkeys!
Meet the Plotmonkeys: Writers and friends who keep me sane, make me laugh until I cry and help me beat my plots into something intelligible.
What is Steampunk?
Steampunk is a way of taking today’s technology and re-imagining it through the eyes of the Victorians, a time defined by rapid medical, scientific and technological progress.
A Model Double-Beam Engine
A Model Double-Beam Engine made by Benjamin Hick, Bolton, 1840
Two Truths and a Lie
Two Truths and a Lie: Laboratory Edition
Interview at Coffee Time Romance
Heather Massey: Steampunk Cafe at Coffee Time Romance!
Alcohol Dehydrogenase or Don’t Bet on the Woman
Women, compared to men, produce significantly less gastric alcohol dehydrogenase. In other words, we women have less of the enzyme that breaks down alcohol in our stomachs.
Penny-farthings
There is only one penny-farthing, high wheel bike race in the U.S.A. and it takes place in Fredrick, Maryland.
Birth Control Pills Can Do What?
Birth Control Pills Can Do What? They can alter a woman’s sense of smell, potentially causing her to screw up when choosing Mr. Right.
A Grammar Gripe: Affect vs. Effect
The topic: grammar, spelling and nerves. Not only did I expect my students to be on top of their anatomy and physiology when they handed in written reports, I even went so far as to correct their spelling. Particularly after we’d finished studying nerves.
Don’t Poke Your Eye Out
In this article we’re going to conduct a laboratory experiment. All you need is your finger and your eye. And when we’re done, you’ll have yet another fun anatomy and physiology fact filed away.
Trust No One. Assume Nothing.
In the fall of 2015, my family visited the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. The experience begins when they lock you in a room and you choose your cover identity. You have minutes to prepare. Memorize your name, your age, your hometown, where...
Where the Bodies Are Buried
Home renovations… so much fun. When we moved to Maryland, we bought a home that needed updates…
Gretna Green
When we took a family trip to Britain, one of the places I insisted upon visiting was Gretna Green.
A Perfect Castle
One of my greatest weaknesses are castles. Ruined or restored, I adore them. One of my all-time favorites is Burg Eltz.