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Candace Margolin's avatar

i was the first generation after WWII and we never studied it in high school although I read The Diary of Anne Frank on my own in 8th grade. I think it has taken two generations or more to deal with these issues. So proud of upyou younger women for tackling them and bringing them to our attention!

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Laura Knoy's avatar

It's so gratifying to read all of this, from some of my favorite authors! Here's a question: As I look for an agent to represent my debut novel, which starts in WWI and ends in 1945 - the main comment I recieve is "great story, but WWII is 'tricky' right now...." How do I even break through this mentality? That there are "enough" WWII stories out there. Thanks in advance for any advice you have to offer.

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Kathy Saccamano's avatar

Loved reading about everyone’s inspirations for your novels. Thank you for sharing with your readers.

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Janis Robinson Daly's avatar

Thank you to all for sharing your discoveries and translating them into compelling and engaging novels. As the daughter of retired US Navy officer who served in the South Pacific for 22 months, I'll be bringing forward some of his thoughts in my second novel, THE PATH BENEATH HER FEET, using letters I found in our attic which my Dad had written from his ship in 1943 - 1945. I became engrossed in my research of life on the home front during WWII.

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Susie Baldwin's avatar

This is wonderful-thank you so much for this, Kristin! All awesome authors whose books I read!

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Candace Margolin's avatar

I was the generation after WWII and we never studied it in high school school although I read The Diary of Anne Frank on my own in 8th grade. I think it has taken two generations or more to deal with these issues. So proud of you younger women for tackling them and bringing them to our attention!

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Rona Simmons's avatar

Such great timing and great perspectives. My fourth book on WWII (No Average Day) from the University of Missouri Press was just announced for release in October 2024. It is nonfiction like three of my prior books, but as we all know you have to add all those enticing flourishes you mention from fiction to make it sing.

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Kristin Harmel's avatar

Congratulations, Rona!

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Brooke Lea Foster's avatar

What a great roundtable, ladies!

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Kristin Harmel's avatar

Thanks, Brooke! I loved your interview with Janet in our last newsletter!!

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