Hanna Perlstein Marcus's Blog, page 6

Longmeadow Adult Center

Thanks to everyone at the Longmeadow, MA Adult Center for hosting me for an author talk about both my books, Sidonia’s Thread and Surviving Remnant. The audience was enthusiastic and inquisitive and many were former customers of Sidonia’s fashions! It was really a very intimate discussion about my mother’s amazing talent and growing up in Springfield, MA.

Why do I write my books? The premise for my stories stems from Thomas Hardy’s poem, “The To-Be-Forgotten.” “Like men forgone, shall we merge into those, Whose story no one knows.” I hope my writing helps to keep the memory alive of those who came before me whose stories might otherwise be lost and forgotten.

 

Valentine Giveaway!

Hello all readers! Here’s a chance to win an 8″ Kindle Fire and $20 Amazon eGift Card from The Kindle Book Review. Look for Surviving Remnant in the list of all the sponsoring books and click on the attached link to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway form. If you love reading, enter now and every day from February 5-February 25, 2018 at 11:59 pm EST. Click here

 

International Holocaust Remembrance Day, 2018

Today, January 27, 2018 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Seventy-three years ago today, my mother, Sidonia, was interned at the Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp, with her sister, Laura. Laura died a couple months later, leaving my mother the only survivor of her large family. This is Sidonia’s sober visa picture for entrance into the United States a few years later, where she flourished as a noted fashion designer and dressmaker. I remember!

Happy New Year 2018!

A Happy New Year 2018 to all my family, friends, and fans of my books! I’m looking forward to 2018 passing by just a little more slowly than 2017 so I can savor the fabulous moments I anticipate in the coming year.

Writing and publishing my two memoirs, with a third currently in the writing process to round out the Sidonia’s Thread trilogy, has been an extraordinary risk with equally extraordinary rewards. A decade ago, I had already begun to write Sidonia’s Thread, which took several years to complete. However, even as I was writing the book, I was not sure if I was ready to reveal the emotions and secrets ultimately found in its pages.

As I travel to various parts of the United States and my own home states of Massachusetts and Connecticut, I observe that readers have identified with many aspects of my stories, Sidonia’s Thread and Surviving Remnant. They feel, through me, that they can revisit the people and times in their own lives that had almost evaporated from their memory. Sometimes we remember the joyous, exhilarating occasions and those that bring us to the depths of despair, but forget the moments that were less auspicious. Yet, it is collectively all the moments in our past that have shaped us into who we are today. I am so heartened that my personal stories can help inspire and sometimes transform us into better members of our community, nation, and world.

Erica Jong once said, “The trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” I hope you will take some risks, attempt to achieve your goals, and take a stab at making your dreams a reality—at least take a tiny step in the right direction in 2018. Let the unexpected rewards shower you with satisfaction. Contact me to tell me about the risks you will take in the coming year.

 

Vote Now for Sidonia’s Thread Readers Choice Award

SIDONIA’S THREAD has been nominated for the 2017 Readers Choice Awards! This is the first of the accolades for my first book that will be decided solely by the readers. You can cast your vote here. Go to the Memoirs section, find SIDONIA’S THREAD and click. It would be a thrill to have one of my books voted as the best memoir! The deadline for voting is coming up soon on December 10, 2017! Thanks for your support!

Thanks Women, Wine, and Words

A big thank you to the Women, Wine, and Words Book Club that met recently in South Windsor, CT and invited me as their special guest to discuss my first book, Sidonia’s Thread. The wine and munchies were tasty, but the best of all was the exuberance of the group in talking about every part of the story.

One of the questions I am always asked, and this group was no exception, is why can I not sew when my mother, Sidonia, was the master of all dressmakers? Unfortunately, I have no good answer. I can only conjecture that when someone has such amazing creative talent and her partner (her daughter) has the height and body of a perfect model for her designs, it’s a match made only in heaven!

The discussion was so lively that I have no photographs of the event even though my camera was in my bag! The occasion, however, will always live in my memory. Thanks Sue Mason for inviting me and Anita Bailey for your hospitality!

The current month’s home exhibit of a Sidonia’s original (winter) style. Stay tuned for the exciting new “Sidonia’s Style Gallery” coming up soon on this website where more of Sidonia’s fashions will be displayed.

 

 

November is Jewish Book Month

In honor of Jewish Book Month, Surviving Remnant will be featured in the November/December issue of Hadassah Magazine in “Guide to Jewish Literature.” As a special attraction, Surviving Remnant will offer a limited number of free ebook copies during November at https://www.instafreebie.com/free/4Bo5S.

Sidonia’s Thread will be offering free ebooks for five days from November 7-11, 2017. Check out amzn.to/ZftVBr for your free digital book!

 

Surviving Remnant at Douglas Library of Hebron

It is so nice to see attendees at my author appearances come back and see me more than once. It helps me get to know my readers and promotes great interpersonal relationships with them. Sidonia and the members of my childhood community would be gratified that their stories resonate with readers around the world.

It was good to meet librarian Clare Betz and all the attendees at my recent author talk at Douglas Library of Hebron, CT. Thanks for having me return to your library with my latest book, Surviving Remnant!

 

Thank You Saxton B. Little Library for Inviting Me Back!

It was a really enjoyable night at the Saxton B. Library in Columbia, CT talking about Surviving Remnant! It seems no matter where I am appearing, there are always old friends in the audience. Thanks to librarian Caitlyn Orlomoski for her kindness and everyone at the library.

Historic Classical Presented Talk About Surviving Remnant with Hanna Perlstein Marcus

Thanks again to Anne-Gerard Flynn for her fine article on my appearance at my alma mater, Classical High School. Her publicity helped to draw a terrific crowd for my discussion of Surviving Remnant and Sidonia’s Thread. You can read the article here.