Beatriz Williams on Shipwrecks, Poetry, and Football

A Journey Through Time with Beatriz Williams

Beatriz Williams has always felt more at home in the past than in the present. The New York Times bestselling author, who recently spoke from the serene backyard of her Connecticut home, has built a career around exploring historical settings. Her latest novel, Under the Stars, is now on a cross-country tour, with appearances scheduled at the Coronado Public Library and a lunch event with Warwick’s bookstore.

Williams has written dozens of historical fiction novels, each set in different eras, from America’s Gilded Age to the Cold War. Under the Stars, published on July 29, is unique in that it weaves two timelines together: one set in 1846 and the other in 2024. The story takes place on the fictional Winthrop Island in New England, inspired by Fishers Island in New York. The central event in the novel is the real-life wreck of the steamship Atlantic in 1846, which resulted in an estimated loss of 50 lives.

Williams shared insights into her creative process during a recent conversation about Under the Stars and her other projects.

The Inspiration Behind Under the Stars

The idea for Under the Stars came from Williams’ love of blending the past and present. She explained that she was drawn to the dramatic steamship accident involving the Atlantic, which had lasting impacts on generations. “I wanted to return to Winthrop Island in the modern day, but I needed an interesting historical incident that had long-term consequences,” she said.

The novel introduces a character named Providence Dare, a fictional housemaid who flees her household after her employer is found dead. She is pursued by a detective, creating a cat-and-mouse dynamic aboard the ship. While Providence is not based on a real person, Williams drew inspiration from the stories of the time and her own imagination.

Why Historical Fiction?

For Williams, historical fiction has always been a natural choice. Growing up with a British father, she was immersed in classic literature and history. “I love trying to understand what made people tick in the past and how much of that shared humanity we still hold on to,” she said.

Her fascination with the past extends to her reading habits. Currently, she is re-reading Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series, a collection of novels about a Royal Navy captain and his friend, the ship surgeon. “It’s so compelling that I end up reading more than just a couple of chapters before going to bed,” she admitted.

Looking Ahead

Williams is already working on her next book, which will also be set on Winthrop Island. The historical portion of the novel involves a pirate story set during the Great Snow of 1717, while the present-day storyline draws from her experience as a football manager at Stanford. “It’s a story about a football player who commits a shocking act on the field and needs somewhere to hide,” she said.

She is also excited about visiting certain locations during her book tour. Places like Watch Hill, R.I., hold special significance for her, as they inspired parts of her earlier works. Additionally, she looks forward to returning to the West Coast, where she spent part of her childhood and education.

Events to Attend

Fans can catch Williams discussing Under the Stars at the following events:

• Coronado Public Library
  When: 7 p.m. Monday
  Where: 640 Orange Ave., Coronado
  Online: Free to attend, preferred seating available with book purchase

• Warwick’s Booked for Lunch Event
  When: 11:45 a.m. Tuesday
  Where: La Jolla Country Club, 7301 High Ave., La Jolla
  Reservations: 858-454-0347

Under the Stars by Beatriz Williams (2025, Ballantine; 368 pages) is a testament to her talent for bringing the past to life. With its rich storytelling and deep connections between history and the present, it is sure to captivate readers.