Meet the Author
Writing is easy.
All you have to do is
cross out the wrong words.
– Mark Twain
The Victorian Chautauqua has created a space where published authors and book enthusiasts can mingle, discuss their writings, and purchase books for their autographed collections. New this year, Meet the Author is designed to connect people through their love of the written word.
“I suggested this idea to the planning committee, and they jumped on it immediately,” said Kathleen Gibbs, who chairs the planning committee.”I’ve been to events that feature published authors, and it seemed a good fit for the Victorian Chautauqua audience.”
Within a few short weeks, authors Armand Kinslow, Steven French, Dave Faber, Len Shindel, and James Rada seized the opportunity to share their works, which center on themes of conflict. The collection of authors explores battles between nations, a battle with cancer, and battles for one’s dignity.
“We’ll see how people respond,” Gibbs added. “This could grow into something much bigger with time if there is enough interest. Literary events can be quite popular. I, for one, love them.”
An impressive list of titles will certainly satisfy history buffs. Among them is Armand Kinslow’s They Will Not Be Forgotten, which presents a fascinating collection of inspirational wartime stories from the perspective of veterans from our Nation's Independence through Vietnam. For Armand, it began like the genealogical search of so many families to find out more about the relatives who came before them. It led to the surprising discovery of stories spanning eight generations of family members, each of whom served in the conflicts of their era, from the War of Independence through Vietnam. Through this book's masterfully re-created veterans' stories, blending documented historical research with his gift for storytelling, Kinslow breathes life into his humble quest to know more about his ancestors and promises that They Shall Not Be Forgotten.
Kinslow joined the USMC as an infantry officer and then later served as an intelligence officer during the Cold War, Gulf War, and Global War on Terror, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Between his military and government service, Kinslow spent four decades working in intelligence gathering and analysis. He is an avid history buff, particularly of America's military campaigns. 50% of the author’s royalties from this book go to veteran support groups.
Civil War expert Steven French’s Imboden’s Brigade in the Gettysburg Campaign is the winner of the 2008 Bachelder-Coddington Award, the 2009 Gettysburg Civil War Round Table Book Award, and the Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal.
As a native of Hedgesville, West Virginia, French is a nationally recognized authority on Confederate guerrilla warfare in the Eastern Theater. He is also the author of multiple award-winning titles that include Rebel Chronicles: Raiders, Scouts, and Train Robbers of the Upper Potomac and the critically acclaimed Phantoms of the South Fork: Captain McNeill and his Rangers. He is also the editor of Four Years Along the Tilhance: The Diary of Elisha Manor. With more than 100 historical articles under his belt, French’s stories have appeared in numerous publications, including The Washington Times, Gettysburg Magazine, and Crossfire: The Magazine of the American Civil War Round Table U.K. His writing awards include the 2008 Bachelder-Coddington Award, the 2009 Gettysburg Civil War Round Table Book Award, the Jefferson Davis Historical Gold Medal, and the Hagerstown Civil War Round Table's 2016 Henry Kyd Douglas Award. He is the current President of the Harpers Ferry Civil War Round Table.
Author Dave Faber looks at a different and all too familiar battle many people face at some point in their lives. Cancer, A Love Story, shares a spiritual journey, inspiring faith in each other and the world, even through the most difficult times. Dave and his husband, Robert, were destined to be eternally united. Less than two years after their first date, they were married. They dined out, went to movies, and enjoyed everything else a loving couple does. They even simultaneously trained for the 2006 Houston Marathon, lending support along the way. As with any marriage, they expected to face hard times, but neither was prepared for Robert’s diagnosis of esophageal cancer. But just like with everything else, this was a fight they would wage together.
After learning of his diagnosis, Robert suggested that Dave keep his friends and family informed about their battle against the disease. His book draws on that correspondence and includes intimate details of their battle that may have otherwise been lost. Dave stood by Robert’s side through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and physical therapy. Throughout his illness, their intimacy and love for each other grew, resulting in a touching story that could potentially help others cope with their struggles.
A medical crisis can easily break one’s spirit. So can oppressive work environments. As working people today face widespread anti-union campaigns led by politicians, corporations, and uber-wealthy capitalists, it’s not hard to fall into cynicism and despair. The forces lined up against labor are formidable. But are they unbeatable? Len Shindel’s The Strike That Changed Maryland’s Wilderness County explores the power of unions and an organized workforce.
In 1970, in a deeply Republican county in Maryland’s wilderness country, the Garrett County road workers grew fed up with rejection after rejection of their requests. All they asked for was wage and benefit parity with Maryland state road workers. However, the anti-union County Commissioner majority was firmly opposed to them.
So began the historic eight-month-long strike of Garrett County road workers. Led by Maryland’s AFCME Labor Council, the workers held out against political intransigence, hostility from the business class, and opprobrium from many local farmers. Len’s book explains how the road workers survived the lengthy strike and offers advice for today’s workforce, who need courage and confidence to build union power and dignity for working people.
