On October 5, my bestselling novel Leonardo’s Swans returned—this time exactly as I always envisioned it, with the lush, painterly imagery the Renaissance deserves.
And yes, cue the trumpets: the sequel is here. Renaissance Rivals continues Isabella d’Este’s story, plunging her into a duel of ambition with the legendary Lucrezia Borgia. It’s a tale of power, intrigue, and rivalry—every bit as sumptuous as Leonardo’s Swans.
✨ Preorder here:
This November, I’ll step onto a new stage as Keynote Speaker for the Revitalizing the Conversation: Art, Technology & AI Summit 2025, hosted virtually by Middle Tennessee State University (Nov. 18–19).
The summit explores how AI will shape the future of art and storytelling—a subject I’ve been circling for years, in fiction and beyond. My work has always lived at the collision of history, imagination, and technology, revealing how creativity defines what it means to be human.
Speaking is one of my great joys. It’s a chance to create a shared experience—intellectual, emotional, and yes, with a spark of theater and glamour.
Now booking festivals, universities, and conferences for 2026–27. Let’s create the conversations that matter. ✨
I’ll continue to bring you new projects here, but I also want you to see the broader stage I’m stepping onto—the one where history and imagination meet the challenges of our rapidly changing world.
As always, I’d love to hear from you. What are you reading in your book clubs and classrooms? What conversations might we spark together?
As ever,
Karen
✦ The Velvet Podium ✦
A spotlight on upcoming appearances
November 2025 – January 2026
- Faulkner Festival: Perils & Pleasures of Mining History for Fiction
- History Through Fiction Podcast: The Real Kleopatra and Her Relevance Today
- Revitalizing the Conversation: Art, Technology & AI Summit (Keynote)
- CGTN TV: Lady Mary Elgin & The Elgin Marbles Controversy
- Ruth McEnery Stuart Club: Lady Mary Elgin & The Elgin Marbles Controversy
- Entre Nous Book Club: The Gabors and Nazi-Occupied Europe
- Private Women’s Clubs: Power Women of the Renaissance: The Heroines of Leonardo’s Swans
- Jewish Community Center: The Gabors and Nazi-Occupied Europe
- Rotary Club: The Gabors and Nazi-Occupied Europe
Now booking festivals, universities, podcasts, book clubs, and conferences for 2026–27. For inquiries: info@karenessex.com
