On Taking My Baby To Market by Deanna Klingel
My Civil War story became two YA novels. The first came out in March, Avery’s Battlefield. The second comes out this week, Avery’s Crossroad. I loved writing this story and even though it’s historical fiction, Avery is very real to me. He told me his story; he lived in my mind and heart for months and months. The rewrite and revision to create two books was challenging and fun. I enjoyed seeing how many different ways I could say the same thing. The research was exciting and edifying. I loved the entire process. I was not looking forward to the marketing end of the business. I never dreamed I’d enjoy that part. But, I’m having a great time. I spent most of the summer at Civil War reenactments and living history events at museums and historical sites. I even wear a reenactment costume, the nurse Claire in my book. I’ve met interesting people, like Generals Lee and Grant, Longstreet and eaten with Stonewall Jackson and drummer boys. I’ve visited places I’d never have been if it weren’t for appearing there with my book. School visits are challenging and always surprising. I love the questions from the kids. What a nice surprise this all has been. Imagine me, a writer, as a successful marketer.
Who would have guessed?
About Avery’s Crossroad:
The saga of Avery Junior Bennett and his hound dog Gunner continues into 1863 through 1865 in book two of this Y/A Civil War series. Time and war age our young hero who finds himself at a moral, emotional, and political crossroad in his daily routine of doctoring during this cruel and punishing war. Serving the injured on both sides of the conflict, Avery is empathetic, yet stalwart. His feelings toward Claire, the nurse and friend always beside him, prove to be one of Avery’s most puzzling challenges. Gunner, however, has his master all figured out. Mapping the war for his patient’s on a piece of butcher paper, hung on the hospital wall, readers will follow the advance to the fall of Richmond along with Avery, mourn the loss of a president amid the jubilation of a Union restored, and shed tears of joy as the soldiers and their doctor find their way home in 1865.
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