Interview With Author Margreet Knoester

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?
The fascinating story, which deserves to be told, of the year 1859 in which four prominent Italian men had an amazing impact on a nation that suffered under the yoke of a foreign regime. They are: Mr. Mazzini’s unwavering and compassionate intention for gaining one’s personal and political freedom. His ideas were inspiring for Mahatma Gandhi and Golda Meir; General Garibaldi’s determination and military profoundness excellence as rebellious freedom fighter; PM Count Cavour’s political awareness and cunningness to involve Napoleon III to make this war happen, King Emanuel II, ruler of Piedmont who was gifted with a strong determination to fight on the battlefield to serve his beloved people. Also, to express the view behind this event, seen by others and main character Laura, to make up a smooth running story, without just historical facts.

 

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for?
The preparation and post history that led to the Second Italian war of independence in 1859. Readers interested in easy related history interwoven with fictional adventure, soul searching, and action will enjoy it.

 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?
A good story, and the realization, that the fight for freedom can sometimes only be won after being imprisoned, politically, mentally and physically.

 

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?
The title has multiple meanings, the reader can decide for himself who is the mind behind. The initial idea of the cover design is mine, taken from a Tarot card expressing a leader riding to war and victory. Austin Macaulay perfected it.

 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!?

To enjoy the experience of writing a book, which is divine! It was my journey into an unknown subject, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Publishing is a different story, and for my part it was the exercise of letting go of ego.

 

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? 

E-book will take over, but holding a book in your hand is still an invaluable experience.

 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book? 

Working as a translator, motherhood, expressing myself in visual art: painting, and storytelling. But most of all the experience and the choice to leave my birth country and as a result to loose myself completely, which was necessary to open my eyes and continue a new venue, a process that is still going. Also my quest for uncovering the truth behind living. Converting into Judaism, and the never ceding challenge of living in Israel and meeting and accepting people of totally different cultures and from all walks of life. 

 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

Easy reading, getting on with the history in storytelling, landscape experiences, entertaining but also soul searching. I suppose my style must be a mix of many valued writers: Emily Bronte, Willkie Collins; the lady in white, Farley Mowat, his impressive ‘Never cry with wolfs’ series in Alaska, and Colleen McCullough, especially her series starting with: The first man in Rome. And too many more amazing writers to mention.

 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

It was a wonderful experience that filled my life for three years. As English is not my mother tongue this became a challenge in ‘getting it right’.

 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

This answer is best given by a reader’s comment: Fascinating book, I couldn't stop reading. Very interesting, takes you to new places.

 

About The Author: Living in Israel changed my life into its full purpose, a constant journey. For more info, see: www.margreetknoester.ampbk.com.  

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and director of publicity positions at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.