VIRAGO
ABOUT ELLIE VALSIN
I'm a lifelong fan of French history who went on to earn my PhD in History. After graduating, I decided against going into academia and chose to pursue my interest in fiction writing and illustrating instead.
Virago was begun on a whim in July 2012, while I was beginning to work on my doctoral dissertation. It was meant to be a fun side project that provided some welcome relief from the more structured style of scholarly writing that I had to use for the thesis. The story quickly took on a life of its own, and two and a half years and 582 pages after that "why-not" first chapter, Enjolras and her adventures are finally ready to be shared!
I would like to offer the warmest thanks to all who have supported me throughout the journey of writing this novel. The library of Yale University and the Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève of Paris provided the majority of my research materials, and for that they deserve my special gratitude.
Most of all, I owe my family and friends so much love and appreciation for their support throughout these last few years of research, writing, editing, and drawing. My dear friend and editor M., my sounding board J., my beloved (now deceased) pet rats, and my loving parents have all been sources of strength and inspiration during the process of this story.
And above all others, my husband and best friend B., who gave everything he had into this story as if it were his own baby, all his patience and love and understanding, all of his backrubs and wicked ideas: he is the truest Combeferre I have ever known, and every day he complements and corrects me in ways I didn't even know I needed.
If you enjoy my work, please write to me--I'd love to hear from you!