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History and Classic Cinema
Janszoon follows Hollywood icon Humphrey Bogart through his tumultuous personal and professional life who longs for adventure and a lasting legacy while learning about his ancestor, pirate Jan Janszoon van Salee. What inspired you to write this story?
At the heart of all of my historical fiction writing is my soon-to-be-published series about German immigration in the early Eighteenth Century. As the family historian, my wife and I undertook a journey tracing the path of my German ancestor, Hans Heinrich Gruber (no relation to the Die Hard Hans), from Basel, Switzerland, up the Rhine River to Rotterdam. From there, Hans embarked on a ship to New York City. While researching the New Netherlands, specifically the island of Manhattan, I stumbled upon the story of the infamously famous, fabulously wealthy Dutch Barbary pirate Jan Janszoon Van Salee. His sons were among the earliest settlers, and their descendants now number in the millions. Among these descendants is believed to be the Hollywood legend Humphrey Bogart.
As I traveled through the Northeast, from Philadelphia to Canada to Boston, gathering facts for my series, the idea for this book struck me. I envisioned Bogart, amid his career, exploring his connection to Jan Janszoon Van Salee. The story became a journey of self-discovery, legacy, and adventure as Bogart delves into his heritage to understand what it means to leave a lasting mark on the world.
What kind of research did you do for this novel to ensure you captured the essence of the story’s theme?
Bibliography
Widing, Roy. Sluggy: Bogie’s Other Baby. Mayo Methot – Star of Stage, Screen & Wife of Humphrey Bogart. Orlando, Florida: Copyright 2019 Roy Widing. (pgs 131, 142-4)
Thompson, Verita, and Donald Shepherd. A Love Story: Bogie and Me. Pinnacle Books, Inc., 1982. (pgs. 10-14, 17-25, 27-33, 45-49, 53-56)
Hyams, Joe. The Humphrey Bogart Story: BOGIE. The New American Library, Inc., 1966. 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019. (pgs. 63, 72, 79-80, 87)
Sperber, A.M., and Eric Lax. Bogart. HarperCollins Publishers, 1997. 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007. (pgs. 227, 235)
Meyers, Jeffrey. BOGART: A Life in Hollywood. A Peter Davison Book, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, New York, 1997. (pgs. 138, 160-163)
Bogart, Stephen Humphrey, and Gary Provost. Bogart: In Search of My Father. Penguin Books USA Inc., 1995. 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Humphrey Bogart and the rest of the gang.
…and of course, lots of old movies.
What draws you to the Golden Age of Hollywood and makes it ripe for you to write such a great biographical fiction story in it?
My draw to the Golden Age of Hollywood stems from a deep love for the silver screen and history. As a longtime fan of classic films, I’ve always been captivated by the larger-than-life personalities and stories that shaped that era. The glitz, glamor, and drama of Hollywood’s golden years offer a rich world for storytelling, where real-life legends like Humphrey Bogart navigated personal and professional challenges while leaving an indelible mark on cinema.
Retired from dentistry, I now have the luxury of immersing myself in history and letting my imagination run wild. Daydreaming about the lives of iconic figures allows me to blend factual history with fictional narratives, creating stories that entertain and explore the human side of these legends. Writing biographical fiction set in this era is my way of paying tribute to the stars who shaped our cultural landscape while indulging my passion for history and classic cinema.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
There are several thrilling historical fiction projects in the works, each offering a unique dive into the past and beyond. First up is an ambitious eight-book series that will take you on a journey through German immigration from 1700 to 1780, capturing the trials, triumphs, and enduring spirit of those who shaped the Pennsylvania Dutch community. Spinning off from this series is an intriguing standalone novel set around 1715, centered on a girls’ school that spurred the transfer of none other than Yale College to New Haven—a story rich with secrets, ambition, and early American history.
But that’s not all! There’s also the first installment of a gripping murder mystery series, promising twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And if that weren’t enough, a mind-blowing multi-book sci-fi saga is in the works, ready to transport readers to worlds and dimensions that defy imagination.
The funny thing about crafting a long series is that by the time you’re knee-deep in books, new revelations or ideas often pop up, prompting rewrites and tweaks to earlier volumes. It’s a creative journey that truly only ends once everything falls perfectly in place. One day, these stories will be polished, perfected, and released as a complete set, and I hope readers will enjoy them as much as I’ve loved bringing them to life.
Author Links: Amazon
It’s 1942 and Humphrey Bogart seems to have it all. By day, he’s reading lines for Casablanca with Ingrid Bergman; by night, he’s drinking bourbon on the Sunset Strip with friends like Peter Lorre and Leslie Howard.
But to Bogart, life is not so glamorous. High-profile fights with his wife Mayo and a rigid studio contract committing him to a series of mediocre films have him feeling personally and professionally trapped.
That is, until one day a mysterious note arrives on set.
Heeding the strange invitation, Bogart finds himself in a series of long, secret conversations with his aunt and cousin about the swashbuckling tales of their ancestor, the pirate Jan Janszoon van Salee. These tales of the high seas ignite a fire within Bogart to carve out a path that is uniquely his own—even if it means shedding the roles and people who made him famous.
Janszoon is more than a Hollywood fantasy; it’s a journey into the heart of a man wrestling with ambitions and desires, an actor who yearns to balance his on-screen personas with his off-screen reality. From his tumultuous marriage and infamous USO tour, through his affairs with Verita Patterson and Lauren Bacall, Janszoon imagines a life in which the enigmatic Humphrey Bogart seeks a legacy that transcends the ephemeral glow of stardom.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
Depression by Christian Martin
Murder With Malice by Deirdre Oliver
The Coffee Traveler
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award September 2024
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
A Drunk in the Midnight Choir by Jim Jensen
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Water Fire Steam
Set against the backdrop of the 19th-century Westward Expansion, Water Fire Steam, by Mitzi Zilka tells the compelling story of Rolla, a young engineer eager to make his mark on the rapidly developing Wild West. With a promising contract to build Spokane, Washington’s water system, Rolla moves to the burgeoning city with his young wife, full of hope and ambition. However, his world is turned upside down when a devastating fire ravages the town, leaving destruction and chaos in its wake. Injured and out of work, Rolla faces a new reality, struggling to come to terms with the life he had envisioned slipping away. As Spokane rebuilds and flourishes around him, Rolla becomes increasingly isolated, haunted by the ghosts of his past. The question remains: Can he find the strength to forgive himself, rebuild his life, and rediscover his place in the world?
Through Rolla’s poignant journey, Zilka masterfully explores the triumphs and tragedies of the human spirit. The author does an exceptional job of immersing readers in the historical context of the story, capturing the essence of the era with meticulous attention to detail. The inclusion of real events, such as The Great Spokane Fire of 1889, grounds the narrative in history, lending it an authentic feel. Zilka’s vivid descriptions transport readers to early 19th-century Spokane, from its humble, mud-covered streets to the modernized cityscape that emerges after the fire, complete with concrete buildings, sidewalks, and curbs. These descriptions vividly bring to life the setting, landscapes, and architecture, allowing readers to fully imagine what life was like during that transformative period. Zilka also skillfully weaves in the social realities of the time, addressing issues such as childhood mortality, the suffragette movement, and public health crises. These elements are handled with nuance and sensitivity, adding depth to the narrative and enriching the historical context. Through these details, Water Fire Steam becomes a beautifully crafted story that is both historically accurate and deeply human.
Water Fire Steam is an engaging novel with well-developed characters, and its focus on a pivotal moment in history adds a layer of intrigue that will captivate readers. I highly recommend this book to all readers, especially those who have a passion for drama and historical fiction.
Pages: 420 | ASIN : B0B2L4HW8R
Flying Crooked
Set in the late 1970s, Flying Crooked, by Stephen W. Borgess, delves into the troubled life of Jack Dolan, a young airline pilot whose personal demons are beginning to interfere with his professional duties. Jack is grappling with relationship problems and the lingering trauma of his experiences in Vietnam—issues that are pushing him toward a dangerous downward spiral. In the high-stakes world of commercial aviation, what’s happening inside a pilot’s mind can have catastrophic consequences, not only for the pilot but for the lives of countless passengers.
Borgess offers an intense psychological portrait of a man on the edge. Jack is likely suffering from PTSD, a condition that is slowly infiltrating every aspect of his life. Despite his passion for flying and his drive to succeed, Jack’s fragile mental state poses a serious risk. His identity is deeply intertwined with his career as a pilot, and through introspective moments in the novel, we see that Jack cannot envision himself in any other role. Yet, this same profession, combined with his unresolved trauma, is turning him into a ticking time bomb. As the story unfolds, we witness Jack’s attempts to advance in his career, but his psychological baggage constantly undermines his efforts. His relationships—with both his love interest and his colleagues—are strained by his inner turmoil. Borgess skillfully portrays Jack’s brooding nature and the impact it has on those around him, all while maintaining a steady undercurrent of tension that keeps readers on edge.
One of the novel’s most gripping elements is the tension between Jack’s inner struggles and the obliviousness of his passengers. None of the individuals boarding the planes he pilots have any inkling that their safety might be compromised. Borgess uses this tension to great effect, creating a palpable sense of unease. The novel serves as a stark reminder of the immense trust we place in airline pilots, assuming not only their technical competence but also their mental and emotional stability. Flying Crooked forces readers to confront the unsettling possibility that this trust might be misplaced.
In Flying Crooked, Stephen W. Borgess crafts a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that examines the precarious balance between professional responsibility and personal demons. Jack Dolan’s story is a powerful reminder of the unseen battles that can rage within, even as we place our lives in the hands of those who seem in control.
Pages: 444
The Whims of the Natural World
An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze follows a 15-year-old boy navigating the challenges of adolescence while the world around him is engulfed in chaos. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Because my father was killed in WWII, the war has always been an interest. At some point, the idea of somebody lighting fires during the mandatory blackouts in Seattle captured my imagination. As a former sixth-grade teacher, I understand how inadequate we are at teaching civics and history, especially to young people, hence teenage readers became my target audience.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
The novel is set in my Seattle neighborhood, which by the way, still looks almost exactly like it did in 1943. Much of the story reflects my own lived experiences, though slightly updated to the nineteen fifties. I grew up near the “wilds” of Ravenna Park – in terrain that shaped my mind as much as my appreciation of nature. This experience cultivated my habits of listening, observing, and yielding to the whims of the natural world.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The central idea of An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze cried out to become a mystery. It was also a vehicle to portray the homefront in a way most young readers had not been exposed to. I merely hope readers enjoy An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze and learn a little history along the way.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The children’s stories I noodled around with years ago are brewing on the back burner, and I’m waiting to see if they spark my interest. An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze follows my debut novel (published in September 2023) – River’s Reach: Coming of Age Amid the Fish War – a coming-of-age adventure (for “kids” of all ages) that highlights the tensions between the Washington State Game Department and the Nisqually Indians over tribal fishing rights in the Nisqually Valley. With River’s Reach, I hoped to open minds, encouraging people to question beliefs and prejudices that might otherwise settle in for a lifetime.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Into this fragile balance a neighborhood threat emerges: Someone is lighting fires during the mandatory blackouts. Scotty, whose father is an air raid warden, is soon caught up in the firebug mystery and tries to smoke the arsonist out. When the local bully throws suspicion on Scotty’s draft-age brother, and when even his best friend’s actions don’t seem to add up, Scotty must navigate a moral and ethical thicket while treading a path toward maturity. Even as scarcity slips into every nook and cranny, An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze celebrates a youthful spirit and hearkens to simple pleasures, where free time and family abound.
David Scott Richardson’s An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze is a work of historical fiction set in 1943 in the Pacific Northwest. A heartwarming and playful coming-of-age adventure, this novel is suitable for MG/YA and the young at heart. It contains no gratuitous language, but there are a few slurs that are true to the historical setting and swear words-in keeping with the characters and story.
A Prophecy Awakened
Angie Barton’s A Prophecy Awakened extends her exciting spellbinding series, skillfully bridging the narrative between its first and final installments. The novel immerses readers in a tale that is as captivating as it is intriguing, centering on Charlotte Delgado, who, on her eighteenth birthday, is thrust into a journey of survival. Forced to flee the only family she has ever known, Charlotte is left with nothing but an ancient diary, her sole guide in deciphering cryptic, four-hundred-year-old stories that trace a predestined path walked by her ancestor—a path cloaked in mystery and steeped in peril. As supernatural forces close in and a dark prophecy unfurls, Charlotte is confronted with the chilling possibility that she may be the last witch of her lineage, with a destiny more horrifying than she ever imagined.
Barton’s writing is rich with detail, pulling readers into a world where the supernatural feels eerily tangible. The characters, especially the vampires, defy the clichés often found in popular culture. Instead, they are intricately developed, brimming with emotions, moral dilemmas, and internal conflicts that render them very human despite their otherworldly essence. Barton’s deftness in making readers empathize with these characters, only to remind them of their dark, true nature, is both startling and perfectly attuned to the world she has created.
The settings are more than just backgrounds; they are fundamental to the story’s atmosphere and themes. From ominous, gothic castles to mist-shrouded forests, each location is vividly rendered, heightening the narrative’s mood and tension. The stark contrast between the cold, ancient world of the vampires and more modern settings amplifies the characters’ internal struggles, mirroring their battles with identity and destiny.
At its heart, A Prophecy Awakened is a story of identity, destiny, and the choices we make against overwhelming odds. It delves into the conflict between desire and duty, exploring how we reconcile the different facets of ourselves when they seem irreconcilable. These themes elevate the fantastical elements of the story, transforming it from a mere supernatural tale into a reflection on the human condition.
The novel’s narrative structure deserves special mention, as Barton expertly weaves together multiple storylines across different worlds and times. This intricate web of narratives builds tension gradually, culminating in a collision of worlds that is both exhilarating and emotionally shattering. The bold cliffhanger at the end leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.
A Prophecy Awakened is a novel that sparks the imagination and stirs emotions. With its vivid settings, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes, it’s clear why readers are so eager for the third book in this compelling series.
Pages: 392 | ASIN : B0D726W7YX
LITERARY TITAN 