Introductions

[Jenny]

Welcome to the group, Rose!

[Louise]

Louise wrote: "I'm pleased to announce that my historical mystery, Trouble in Tampa, is a finalist for the Florida Writers Association Royal Palm Award for best historical mystery of 2018. My protagonist, Oliver ..."

Thanks! I'm back from the awards banquet in Orlando. Trouble in Tampa was awarded a Silver Palm for its category. I was also served a great chocolate dessert. Louise

[Chris]

Jenny wrote: "Hi Chris! Welcome to our group!"
Thank you!
Chris is short for Christine. I'm an avid reader from Yorkshire, UK, and work in a library. I read all manner of books, American Historical Fiction being a favourite genre of mine

[Louise]

Hi Chris, what period of American history interests you? I write about the post Civil War period which I think is a fascinating era in us history. Through my research I'm finding what an important role Britain played in our Civil War and its aftermath.

[Chris]

I've always been fascinated by the American western frontier, and also the Civil War, either factual or fiction. The setting is so different to what I'm used to, so it's wonderful escapism!

[Bryan]

Chris- that is exactly the time and place of my Calamity Jane novel- I would think you would enjoy it. Essays on the background history are on my website www.bryanney.com.
Bryan

[Chris]

Thank you Bryan - Calamity Jane was an interesting lady!

[Harald]

Hello all! I’m the author of New York 1609, the first novel written about the birth of New York City (and Manhattan) from its earliest beginnings. I know, hard to believe, but true as confirmed the Historical Novel Society - NYC Chapter. I’ve added it to the Bookshelf here; will try to post something in Billboard later.

As a reader of HF, I’ve enjoyed the classics (Michener, Follett, Mantell, Chevalier, et al.), but I’m now veering into the time travel arena. Am currently writing a new book in that vein; it’s still HF, but in this case I’m going WAY back in time. That’s all I can say at the moment; top secret, you know! ;-)

Glad to be a member here.

P.S. You can read more about me and my books on my website:
http://haraldjohnson.com

[Jenny]

Welcome to the group, Harald!

[Barbara]

Hi Everyone. My name is Barbara Anne King and I am new to Goodreads. However, since joining a library book club five years ago, I have kept a list of books I’ve read so my book shelves are filling up as I add them. One of my favorite genres is historical fiction. Right now, I’m reading The Son by Philip Meyer which is an epic set in the American Southwest and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2014. I used to live in Texas so it brings back memories of what I loved about the Lone Star state. I have recently written a historical fiction novel, The California Immigrant, which features a Croatian immigrant and chronicles the events in my hometown during World War II. I happen to enjoy books about immigrants' struggles for the American Dream. When I lived in Battery Park City in NYC, I used to gaze at Ellis Island and imagine all the immigrants who had passed through there in search of a better life, including my grandparents. John Jakes, Howard Fast and Belva Plain have written some very good books about the immigrant experience.

[Jenny]

Hi Barbara! Wonderful to see you here!

[Harald]

Barbara wrote: "... When I lived in Battery Park City in NYC, I used to gaze at Ellis Island and imagine all the immigrants who had passed through there in search of a better life ..."

Hi Barbara, and welcome. In my latest book (described above) I depict the original immigrants to NYC (1624-1625). Most think they were Dutch but they were actually French-speaking Walloons (from what is now Belgium), although under the control of the Dutch West India Company. And Battery Park City was, of course, mostly underwater at the time.

I, myself, am an immigrant who passed through NYC many years ago from Germany. They had just closed Ellis Island so the customs folks just boarded the ship, and we eventually docked in Hoboken!

[Preston]

Hi. Just joining the group. I've been reading "Here You Have My Story," edited by Richard Jensen. It's a compilation of eyewitness accounts about life on the frontier from the early 1800s to about 1870. I really appreciate primary sources because they cut through all the stereotypes many secondary sources give us. I teach history, and I always have students read plenty of primary sources to counterbalance some of the questionable stereotypes one even finds repeated in textbooks. I should add that I don't mind exaggerations and stereotypes in historical fiction. One reason is because I play a little loose with history in my own non-academic writings.

[Jack]

Greetings!
I'm Jack L Knapp, reader, researcher, and novelist.
I started out writing science fiction, recently got interested in writing history-based southwestern fiction. I have two books in the genre already on Amazon (The Territory and Jacob Jennings) and a third that I hope to publish in about two weeks, maybe sooner.
I've recently had two reviewers question the way I treated history in my novels, one who had family members who were married to one or two background characters in The Territory, one who questioned the history in Jacob Jennings. Both were happy with the books and recommended them, and I replied to the reviews; no idea whether they saw the reviews or not.
But every major event in my books is documented. Every one.
I search out obscure events that were important at the time, but have since been glossed over. I also have my fictional characters interact with real persons and most are typical of the people of that time period, post-Civil War New Mexico Territory and Mexican Texas up to and just after the Revolution that split Texas from Mexico.
Events in my WIP, Edward Jennings:
Confederate Arizona; I've lived in this area for most of my adult life and never understood that half of what was then New Mexico Territory seceded from the Territory and from the Union, from just south of Socorro to the border of California.
Also glossed over was the treatment of slaves, black and also peons. I suspect you were as ignorant of that aspect of western history as I was. FYI, the peon was the American version of the serf, tied to the land and a slave in all but name.
I have primary sources, including an unpublished manuscript provided by a descendant, and a list of primary references that can be downloaded free from Project Gutenberg.
I'm looking forward to interacting with everyone who shares my interest in Southwestern History!

[Cody]

Hey everyone, My name is Cody and I've been reading stories of the Old West since I hit high school. Grew up in a ranching community out west and have always loved the outdoors. I've been reading a lot of Elmer Kelton lately, and also like A.B. Guthrie Jr., L'Amour, and anyone else that can make me feel like I'm living in the past. I've also been writing the past few years and hope my stories entertain as much as they educate. Looking foward to getting some good reading suggestions and hearing what you all have to say.

[C.L.]

Hi everyone,
I'm originally from Vietnam, an electronic engineer by training, and an avid reader of all kinds of books, fiction and non. One of my all-time favorite authors is James A. Mitchener. I simply love his fantastic historical novels.
I also like to write about the Vietnam War: my childhood memories from growing up there during the war; the experience of American soldiers fighting in a foreign land; and a war refugee and immigrant's journey in America.
Hopefully I can share some of my writings with the group later on.

[George]

My name is George William Brock Scott. That's too much, so I go by George WB Scott, as there are lots of George Scotts around.

My new novel, "I Jonathan, A Charleston Tale of the Rebellion" was published October of 2020, and I am eager to get reviews. I will give some free ebooks to reviewers, so if you are interested, please reply if you would like a mobi file, or an ePub.

I take a new angle on the war, as it is seen through the eyes of an outsider, though he witnesses the grand sweep of Charleston's tragic experience.

Check out the current reviews on Amazon and GoodReads, and let me know if you would like an ecopy.

Thanks,
George

[Patricia]

I would love a free copy and will read and review.
Thanks,
Pat

[Mike]

Patricia wrote: "I would love a free copy and will read and review.
Thanks,
Pat"

Cody wrote: "Hey everyone, My name is Cody and I've been reading stories of the Old West since I hit high school. Grew up in a ranching community out west and have always loved the outdoors. I've been reading a..."

Cody wrote: "Hey everyone, My name is Cody and I've been reading stories of the Old West since I hit high school. Grew up in a ranching community out west and have always loved the outdoors. I've been reading a..."

Mike wrote: My latest western, A Score to Settle, is set on the notorious Goodnight Loving cattle trail in 1870 New Mexico Territory. Was just released by my publisher last week, and I'm looking for reviews, so if anyone would like an efile in exchange for a review, let me know, thanks!
miketorreano.com, mtorr4650@comcast.net

[Robert]

Hello Everyone! I’m new to the group, and am pleased to join you. So many of you have contributed so much good knowledge to this forum, and I look forward to getting to know you.

I’m the author of ‘The Unsealing’ a new novel currently on pre-order on Amazon, with an official publication date of February 28, 2023. The novel is inspired by Buffalo, New York’s ‘true crime of the century’ in 1901. Of course, it’s now a fictional tale, with names changed.

I’ve walked to each place, each building, each street and researched all that is possible to research on the case and the context. Buffalo in 1901 is fascination - Queen of the Lakes…The Electric City. As a native of Buffalo, I aim to bring to life this time period and these characters. My site is robertbrightonauthor.com, and I’d feel very pleased if you visit.

Now, back to the group - happy to be here!

[Tessa]

Oooh, love the title and the premise and that you have a setting we don't often hear about.

[Charlsie]

Welcome, Robert!

[Mike]

Mike wrote: "Patricia wrote: "I would love a free copy and will read and review.
Thanks,
Pat"

Hi Pat, pardon my tardiness, but just saw your reply. Are you still interested in a digital copy of A Score to Settle in exchange for a review? How do I email it to you or can I just do it on this post?
Mike

Cody wrote: "Hey everyone, My name is Cody and I've been reading stories of the Old West since I hit high school. G..."

[Patricia]

Yes

[Patrick]

Pocket bio: Retired humanities teacher, residing in Tlaxcala, Mexico, with two dogs and six indoor cats. Passionate about literature, history, philosophy, classical music and opera, jazz, cinema, and similar subjects. Nostalgic guy. Politically centrist. BA in American Studies from Yale; MAs in English and Education from Boston University. Born in northern New Jersey. Have lived and worked in San Francisco, Chicago, northern Nevada, northeast Wisconsin, South Korea. More detail at Goodreads profile.

I read a good amount of literary historical fiction and non-fiction history.

[Marcy S.]

Hi, this doesn't seem like a super active group but I am curious what everyone is reading? I just finished The Yellow Wife and left a 5 star, am currently reading The Indigo Girl... wonder if anyone recommends anything else. I am a writer out of SW Colorado and love AHF, currently digesting Revolutionary to Westward Expansion women's lit. Looking to grow my friendships here with writers and readers.

[Karen]

I just finished "The Last Crossing" by Guy Vanderhaeghe—late 19th century Western Canada journey of a fabulous group of characters, each one having a different reason for being on the journey.

This is my favorite period and is what I write about. (At What Cost, Silence?)

[Thomas]

Try "Saturday & The Witch Woman." This story (largely true) is about a slave named Saturday in French Saint-Domingue. When the world's greatest slave rebellion erupted there in 1791, Saturday rescued the children of Catherine Chartrand, but failed in his attempt to save her. He escaped with her boys to Charleston and raised them as his own children. Later he became involved in the Vesey conspiracy (1822) and fled to Cuba. Through in all, he had a life-long affair with a voodoo priestess.

[Adam]

Hello, I'm not sure how active this group is. I'm still writing doing research on my second book. I keep writing about zombies. My first book was kind of modern.
My second book is zombies in the wild west. This seems like a group that might be interested in such a book. Of course when I finish it.
Books like Abraham Lincoln vampire slayer I thought was a great book. The movie, eh.