~ Making History Come Alive Through Vintage Sewing ~ by Tam Francis I recently had the honor of playing opposite my daughter in a charming period play called Chicago Gypsies, set in the early 1930s. Sometimes I wonder if they cast me because I know how to sew, but I was cast and given instructions […more…]
~ In Search of Sam Butera ~ by Steve Conrad edited by Tam Francis As I finish work on my ghost story collection I thought I would share an interview Steve Conrad did for my magazine Swivel: Vintage Living. Steve is a dance instructor, producer and deejay. He runs the successful Arizona Lindy Hop Society. […more…]
~ Don’t Be Cheap: Why You Should Spend Money on Your Novel’s Cover Art ~ by Tam Francis I’m on the verge of self-publishing my ghost story collection. This seemed like a no-brainer. Literary agents are not usually interested in story collections and although I found some small presses willing to publish collections, I have to […more…]
~ Short Story Compilation? Learn How to Write Back Cover Copy ~ by Tam Francis As I approach the publication of Ghostoria: Vintage Romantic Tales of Fright, I struggle with writing back cover copy, also known as, the blurb. Many blogs and sites have wonderful advice on writing blurbs, but very few talk about how to sell […more…]
Confessions of a Neo-Swing Dancer: Truth be Told by Tam Francis Writing Isn’t Enough I’ve written a fictional jitterbug novel, the first draft of a sequel and a ghost story collection of vintage, romantic tales of fright. I love old movies. I still wear vintage and sew from vintage patterns, but the truth is: since we […more…]
What’s your Swing Dance I.Q. ? Test your history and Lindy Hop Knowledge here. Are you Advanced, Intermediate, Beginner or Total Newbie? ♦ ♦ ♦ Which Dance Group was Frankie Manning NOT in? Congaroos Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers Rhythm Hot Shots Hot Chocolates The Ballroom Most Associated with Lindy Hop is? The Hollywood Palladium The Savoy […more…]
~ The Biggest Jitterbug Contest in History ~ By Peter Loggins edited by Tam Francis I’m thrilled to share another article by dance historian Peter Loggins. I was fortunate to have Peter on staff when I published Swivel: Vintage Living Magazine. I’m happy to take it from the printed page to the digital world! Take […more…]
~ A Brief Interview with Lindy Legend Frankie Manning ~ By Tam Francis For anyone of you longhairs who don’t know who Frankie Manning is, just keep swinging and you soon will. Frankie Manning is credited as the man who invented air-steps (aerials) done in time with the music while doing the lindy hop, as […more…]