PRISONERS IN THE PALACE
London, 1838. Sixteen-year-old Liza’s dreams of her society debut are dashed when her parents are killed in an accident. Penniless, she accepts the position of lady’s maid to young Princess Victoria and steps unwittingly into the gossipy intrigue of the servant’s world below-stairs as well as the trickery above. Is it possible that her changing circumstances may offer Liza the chance to determine her own fate, find true love, and secure the throne for her future queen?
Meticulously based on newly discovered information, this riveting novel is as rich in historical detail as Catherine, Called Birdy, and as sizzling with intrigue as The Luxe.
Publisher’s Weekly review:
Michaela MacColl, Chronicle, $16.99 (304p) ISBN 978-0-8118-7300-0
With the tragic death of her parents, Liza Hastings’s life is upended in an instant. Gone is her money, her security, her hopes of coming out this season, and her station in life as a lady. Liza is a young woman left alone in 19th-century London, a precarious position at best. With no other options before her, Liza lands a position as a maid–at Kensington Palace–to none other than Princess Victoria, the future queen of England. In this debut, MacColl offers a whip-smart, spunky protagonist and a worthy heroine to root for–Liza’s prospects may have plummeted, but her spirits never do. And though Princess Victoria can be spoiled and distressingly unaware of how her whims can make or break someone’s livelihood, MacColl weaves enough goodness into Victoria that she never becomes a caricature. Court intrigue abounds as Victoria’s advisers scheme to usurp her power upon the king’s death, and Liza fights for Victoria’s rights as much as for her own station. Enter Will Fulton as a dashing romantic interest for Liza, and this delightful story is complete. Ages 12–up. (Oct.)
What inspired you to write this story?
I like delving into the childhoods of famous people. At some point, they made decisions, met people who influenced them, were inspired… and this led them to become who they became. Take Victoria. We’ve all seen the dowdy pictures of her, dressed in black, hunched over and scowling?
Yet she was a teenager once! A girl who dreamed about boys. Who counted a party successful if she stayed out very very late. Who measured herself (and how terrifying this would be) against the great Queens of Great Britain’s past. I loved the idea of meeting Victoria when she was only seventeen. When I found out how limited her social circle was, I began to wonder what she thought of other girls. My protagonist, Liza, began as a foil for Victoria – someone who would call out the future Queen and who would give a modern reader some perspective about how depressing Victoria’s life was.
Soon however, Liza began to interest me. What would you do if you lost everything? And your only lifeline was to be humiliated and degraded as a servant? How long before your intelligence and passion found a way out of your predicament?
A major inspiration for the story came from a chance mention of a maid of Victoria’s who was dismissed for lewd behavior. (Yes, her name was Annie Mason, a character who makes an appearance in my book). And then I found a broadsheet newspaper illustration with a girl throwing herself off the London Monument. When I found out that anybody could have a broadsheet printed and sold… I had the plot of the novel.
What was your publication process like, from initial idea to sale?
The initial idea was actually proposed to me by an editor. She wanted “Philippa Gregory for teens.” I thought it was a great idea but was taken aback when she mentioned Victoria. Then I began researching and saw the possibilities. This was in the spring of 2006. I finished about a year later and my agent sent out a round. We had some very close calls but no bites. Then a major house really liked it but wanted some changes. So over the summer of 2007 I made the changes. Then the major house said it wasn’t enough. So in the fall I did an outline and began more changes. Then the major house said it wasn’t fresh enough anymore. (UGGH!) However, I was now in love with the changes, so my patient agent said I should finish and they we’d send it out again. In March, I got the call. Then another call. And then a third. The final revision hit and went to auction. I chose Chronicle Books because my editor’s name was Victoria… well, partly…. And because every book they produce is so well-done and beautiful. They exceeded my expectations – the book is stunning, like a pretty sparkling present waiting to be unwrapped! (you can’t tell from the cover art but the book is printed on foil).
What books have shaped you as a reader and writer, from childhood to the present?
My favorite books as a child were A Wrinkle in Time, The Chronicles of Prydain and of course, Narnia. They were just great stories that you want to read again and again. But I think I learnt most from my obsession with Agatha Christie and historical mystery novelists. Those ladies really know how to plot.
What is one thing people misunderstand about historical fiction?
I was at a meeting today for my local historical society and people were complaining that history has a branding problem. It’s fuddy-duddy and dull. But that’s so wrong. History is just all the amazing stories that have come before. And if you throw fiction into the mix, you can get something really quite exciting. I hope when people read my books they fall into the story and don’t notice the history.
Are you working on anything new?
My next novel comes out from Chronicle in Fall 2011 – we’re doing the final editing now. It’s about Beryl Markham the aviator who wrote West Into the Night. She had the most exciting childhood in colonial British East Africa. How many ten year olds do you know who have been mauled by a lion? And she grew up to be one of the first female commercial pilots flying over terrain that would make your skin crawl. No runways, no radio. She was the first to fly across the Atlantic from East to West. Although she crashed, she lived to tell the story.
Thank you, Michaela, for the interview and the opportunity to read your work!
To enter to win your own copy of PRISONERS IN THE PALACE, leave a comment sharing something you’ll take from this interview. This contest closes Wednesday, 20 October.
To enter to win your own copy of PRISONERS IN THE PALACE, leave a comment sharing something you’ll take from this interview. This contest closes Wednesday, 20 October.
I love McCall’s tenacity, and how she didn’t write off popular fiction (what A.C. was) as a great place to learn. Good reminders, all! Excited to read this–thanks for a great interview.
I love the “Philippa Gregory for teens” idea…Brilliant! I have read (and learned) far more about European monarchs from Gregory than I ever learned in school. There’s something about a smart, sexy adventure that helps me to remember dates and historical figures. Go figure…
mrsderaps @ hotmail . com
“history has a branding problem. It’s fuddy-duddy and dull. But that’s so wrong. History is just all the amazing stories that have come before.” I absolutely love that! Great interview, ladies. 🙂
Love the broadsheet thing…could use that for my new WIP!
jancline(at)ymail(dot)com
I never thought of historical people as ever being anything but who we have learned them to be in their famous stage. But you are right, they had a childhood once & to learn about those would be fascinating. They may be more like us than we give credit & thus anyone could be famous or make a major contribution to the world. Thanks for opening my eyes and mind.
This book sounds amazing. I love reading genuine historical novels. I love to learn about history and novels are such a fun way to do it. Thank you, Michaela & Caroline, for the fantastic interview.
I was also intrigued by your publication story for this particular book, Michaela. Way to keep working hard and trusting your gut. That was inspirational.
Amy
I was really intrigued by the publishing process. Everyone has such a different experience with it, which just goes to show that no one can expect to have the same experience.
I would love to win this book…it sounds great!
Thanks for the giveaway.
I loved reading about her path to publication, with its twists and turns. Also, I didn’t know that anyone could print a broadsheet in Victorian England. Interesting!
I LOVE what Michaela said about history being “all the amazing stories that have come before”! So true. I love the adventures that circle around people in history. Just like her book! It sounds wonderful…
thanks for the interview, ladies!
Narnia is a series that affected her…
taffy(dot)lovell@gmail.com
hello!This was a really quality theme!
I come from milan, I was fortunate to look for your blog in digg
Also I learn a lot in your Topics really thanks very much i will come again
What I took away…that she fell in love with the changes that a publisher wanted and then didn’t like. But she went on to make them work. Awesome.
Historical fiction is NOT dead — it’s such a fascinating genre, I love it and can’t wait to read this book!
Thanks for the interview, Caroline!
Chris
I love the idea of delving into Victoria’s life as a teenager and what she went through. I really love historical fiction. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book sounds great!
This sounds like a great book, and right up my alley!
I like this interview because it just reminds that it is possible to get published. The only way for me to be successful is to keep writing.
I hope I win! I’ve been looking for a new book.
Ahhh, I think this has to be one od the best historical fictions I’ve ever read! I loved the two covers and really enjoyed the story…it wasn’t boring like I find most historical novels.