Three very disparate authors came together tonight at Lake Mary Historical Museum for Authors’ Roundtable. Their only connection was geography. All live in this area, or come from here.
Judge Fredric Hitt’s account of how he came to write a historical fiction trilogy about Florida’s Timucua Indians was fascinating in itself. He seemed destined to research and write about the vanished tribe. Just enough titillation that I must start the first novel was the replica carved owl statue he brought. Others, much larger have been found in the St. John’s River. No one could tell him why the tribes would take such pains to carve the beauties only to throw them away. Judge Hitt promises me that I might just have an idea after reading his book. Now that’s a hook. All you writers out there, take note.
The second author, Robin Lippincott, read from his short novel, “In the Meantime.” Three characters, best friends, let the reader know them through brief glimpses of the lives over a long period of time. Later when I asked for his website, the writer told me he doesn’t have one, is not good at self-promotion. How many writers have I heard this from? But how many teach in the MFA program at Harvard University? Robin Lippincott has published three novels and a collection of short stories. I’ll be cruising Amazon shortly.
When you hear a book described as a romantic thriller with a historical backdrop, you think romance genre. When you see the adorable, perky author with her fantastic, large brimmed hat, you are sure. Ah, but you would be wrong. Dorothy Dubel has chronicled her mother, grandmother and great grandmother’s lives beginning in a Polish death camp during WWII. If you got the impression the novel would be dreary, my guess is you would be wrong. Dorothy Dubel seems far too upbeat not to see the joy, and dare I say it, romance in such lives. From a writer’s prospective, a most amazing point was that she “self published” because after having cancer three times, she didn’t want to wait for a publisher. Her confidence in her ability is apparently well placed. Dorothy Dubel has sold over 50,000 copies of “Escaping Danger.”
If anyone is interested in finding any of these books, just ask and I’ll relay more information. I know, I know, you are all reading Dan Brown’s latest right now, but when you are finished . . .
No Brown here. Actually, I’m reading a lot of Penelope Fitzgerald, with the occasional Nero Wolfe mystery (as a sort of mental sorbet, between courses).
Good for you searching out authors who are out of the mainstream! I like the Indians who relinquish their owl statuary–I hope they were rewarded with bountiful hunts.
I like that “mental sorbet,” what I call my “fluff books.” Got to cleanse the pallet once in a while.
I’ll let you know about the owl when I get that first book. I’ve seen the life size replicas on the St. Johns, but their purpose has been a mystery. Judge Hitt, who used to be a neighbor, retired to the St. Johns and discovered archeologist digging in the property behind his house. That set him on a path he didn’t expect. The result is the trilogy.
Blah on Dan Brown!
Sounds like one fascinating evening. It’s true- a lot of people on here, very writerly types say that they suck at self-promotion. Or maybe, it’s even more that they just aren’t that interested in it, despite appreciating attention when it comes.
Oh, I totally fall at Dan Brown’s feet and read everything he comes out with. Tomorrow I’m picking up a borrowed copay of his new one. I’ll knock that out quickly, can’t put his down.
So true, Amurin, writing and self-promotion seldom go together. It’s a new world and sometimes it helps to get out of your comfort zone.
What a treat that must have been to be able to attend that evening. You should just post the information for all of us. (About the books, that is.) I’m not reading Dan Brown but it is on my iPod for listening to on the long flight back to the U.S. and I will probably not be reading much until after Nanowrimo but I would love the info for after that. Besides, I am always at a loss as to what to tell the kids to get me for xmas and my birthday. Maybe one of these books would be a good one to ask for.
You are right. I will post the book info as soon as I get myself together after a fun/harrowing day on the river.
I was struck by your comment about not knowing what to tell the kids to get for special days. Just today I hit on something within everyone’s budget. I have never in my life owned a beach towel. I think it is time someone gifted me one. I’m always the one with the old, striped bathroom towel. LOL