GILDED AGE AUTHORS
Shedding light on little-known true stories of The Gilded Age
New in 2025!
We are excited to announce the upcoming publication of our novel
NO HARBOR FOR FOOLS:
A Gilded Age Tale of Money and Madness
Look for updates here soon!
Upcoming Events
Multiple DatesThu, Mar 13South Kingstown
Wed, Mar 19Newport
Fri, Mar 21South Kingstown
Mon, Apr 21South Kingstown
Date and time is TBDNew England, USA
Date and time is TBDNew England Coastline and Islands
PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED WORK
I Could Have Killed Him Twice:
A Gilded Age Tale of Seduction, Betrayal and Revenge
We hope your enjoy this long-form nonfiction story published at narratively.com
Editors' Picks:
The Best Narratively Stories of 2023
My favorite was “I Could Have Killed Him Twice” by Nancy Markey and Kay Adams. This story embodies what Shonda Rhimes shows, and Narratively stories, are made of! Annie Cutler illustrates that even in dire situations, choices exist — even if they lead to a death sentence. More seriously, there is always hope. I find myself thinking about the line, ‘I think I would be almost glad if more of our women so treated would do the same thing,’ more often than I should.”
- Yunuen Bonaparte, Photo Editor
A Gilded Age Tale of Murder and Madness
Our first long-form story published with Narratively.com
Editors’ Picks:
The Best Narratively Stories of 2022
“This year, I especially loved A Gilded Age Tale of Murder and Madness, for its rich history and complex characters, as well as its epic scope and seemingly endless twists and turns.” – Joe Lugo, Director of TV and Film Development
The 5 Most Popular Narratively Stories of 2022
"In opulent seaside Newport, a wealthy and beloved Black businessman turns up dead. The prime suspect is his son-in-law, a dashing medical student set to become one of the country’s first Black surgeons. The resulting trial will tear the town in two."
Smithsonian Magazine
History/November 2022
A Gilded Age Tale of Murder and Money
The 1885 death of Black entrepreneur Benjamin J. Burton divided the close-knit community of Newport, Rhode Island
Benjamin J. Burton was a trailblazing entrepreneur once thought to be the wealthiest Black businessman in Rhode Island. His killing on October 6, 1885, polarized the Newport community.
READ THE SMITHSONIAN VERSION HERE
for interactive links to our research
Illustration by Jo Zixuan Zhou courtesy of narratively.com
Illustrations by Camilla Sucre courtesy of narratively.com
On the Radio
Ozarks at Large
KUAF
NPR affiliate since 1985
Northwest Arkansas Writers Examine Rhode Island Murder 140 Years Later
Listen to our interview here
Online
STORYTELLER SPOTLIGHT
The Women Who Became Writing Partners After 50 Years of Friendship
Nancy Markey and Kay Adams on how they teamed up in their 60s to pursue a shared lifelong dream.
READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH NARRATIVELY HERE
In the News
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT GAZETTE
Not All that Glitters: Story of the Gilded Age strikes gold for authors
Read the article here
You Tube
Fayetteville Public Library
Authors Talk
Enjoy one of our first presentations where we share the inside story behind
"A Gilded Age of Murder and Madness"
Watch the YouTube Video Here
Honorable Mention
‘Based On a True Story’: 4 Narratively Pieces That Were Born to Star In Hollywood
"Why It’s Ripe for the Screen:
In this Black Gilded Age whodunit set in the elite enclave of Newport, Rhode Island, you have an irresistible murder mystery set against the tantalizing backdrop of wealth, privilege and the continued oppression of the African-American community. If this weren’t enough, our writers behind the story have a series of other Gilded Age murders they’re dissecting one by one. Movie franchise, anyone?"
-Noah Rosenberg, co-founder of narratively.com
Public Events
Taking our stories on the road!
From a fundraiser for the Newport Elks Club to teaching a series of classes for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas and the University of Rhode Island,
Nancy and Kay are eager to share their stories!
We are currently accepting guest speaker engagements.
Contact us to schedule
NANCY MARKEY
&
KAY ADAMS
Gilded Age Authors
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Nancy Markey and Kay Adams are life-long friends who have teamed up to collaborate on a series of long-form, nonfiction stories of the Gilded Age. They have also authored their first novel which will be published in 2025.
Nancy and Kay believe strongly that there are many fascinating little-known stories which deserve to be told and preserved for future generations.
Through extensive research, authentication and documention, every character and event in their written accounts accurately reflect the truth of the events as they happened.