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9 comments

  1. Hi, my name is Scott Baxter and am a huge fan of Moby Dick. I came across an interview where you stated it was a favorite of yours as well. I’m always interested in modern writers who enjoy it and how they first came across it; did you read it first in college? Thanks for your time.

    1. Hi, I had a great course in Melville in college. I wouldn’t have appreciated it half as much without the help of my terrific professor (and writer) Frederick Busch. What was your experience with Moby Dick?
      Laurie

  2. Hi Laurie, I just finished Unmentionables and SO enjoyed it. I especially admired the amount of research you must have done–and then the way you delicately used it in the book. It was never heavy-handed. I’m wondering how you did your research, and how you managed to use it so adeptly in your book.

    Your fan, April Nauman

    1. Hi April, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. We moved this fall for the fourth time in two years and I am just getting on my feet. I used the internet, books and films (both period and documentary) for my research. So much has changed regarding primary source research since my days as a history grad student. Then it was all microfilm in the basement of a university library. Now so much actual material has been digitized and is online. For example, the Library of Congress has an entire collection of Traveling Chautauqua pamphlets from the hundreds of performers who appeared under the brown canvas tents over the years. It really is remarkable. I just soak that sort of thing up. When writing, though, I tried not to get too carried away on all the details that might not excite most readers. I got very involved in learning about the linotype machine but ended up using very little in the novel. Thanks for writing. I’m so thrilled you liked the book and again, am sorry for the delayed answer.
      Best wishes,
      Laurie

  3. Hi Laurie,
    I am a voracious reader, and feel so very fortunate to have come upon Unmentionables. It may be a cliche, but I have to resort to it-I could not put the book down until I finished reading. You move so beautifully between settings, and draw your characters with such compassion. Great historical fiction, for me, always opens new areas of knowledge, and your exploration of the Chautauqua Circuit and the role of women volunteers in WWI is fascinating. The feel of small town life in the Midwest was also very strongly conveyed.
    I absolutely loved the book, and thank you for writing it. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
    Deborah Heller

    1. Dear Deborah,
      Your comment made my week … my month! I so appreciate your taking the time to write me. I’m sorry for the delay in my response. What other historical fiction do you read? I’m always looking for new books. I, too, am a huge reader. Right now I’m writing a mystery set during the Dust Bowl (the Dirty 30s) in Oklahoma.
      Thanks again for contacting me,
      Laurie

  4. Really enjoyed Unmentionables. A good story, great history and memorable characters. I love to read and read a lot of mystery series and scifi series. Although with scifi/ fantasy it is a long wait between books. I don’t know if we will ever see the of George R.R. Martin’s series. So after I finished Unmentionables one of thoughts was, I don’t want to say good bye to Duece, Marian and Helen.Any chance you will continue their story? I’ll be happy to wait for another book.

    For some reason that I can’t explain Unmentionables reminded me of Juliet in August by Dianne Warren. Don’t know why but it did.

    Thank you

    1. I am sorry for the delayed response. I’m so happy you enjoyed my book! Right now I have no plans to re-visit Deuce and Marian. However, I like to read books in a series, too, and my newest book is a murder mystery set in the Dust Bowl in the 1930s and I intend that to be a series. Meanwhile I am going to order Juliet in August. Any mysteries to recommend? Thanks again for your note.

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