MG Historical Fiction with Author Kathy Cannon Wiechman + Giveaway

Dear Readers,

Our long-time friend, Kathy Cannon Wiechman, shares an inside view of her new novel, Not On Fifth Street, to be released on October 10th. I’m pleased to announce that Kathy is donating an autographed copy of her book before publication! How cool is that? As always, all you have to do for a chance to win is leave a comment for Kathy to congratulate her or to share about a flood experience of your own. We’d love to hear from you!

The lucky winner of JOE AND SPARKY, PARTY ANIMALS is announced by two special guests at the end of the post! Did you win? Find out below.

And now, please welcome, our featured author, Kathy Cannon Wiechman!

Not On Fifth Street by Kathy Cannon Wiechman. Calkins Creek Press.

It’s 1937, and a storm is brewing over the town of Ironton, Ohio. Teens Pete and Gus Brinkmeyer struggle with growing differences in their relationship. When rain begins to fall, the Ohio River rises, and so does the tension between the brothers. No one anticipates the rain will last nearly two weeks and the river will reach record levels. With a flooded river between them, both boys need to dig deep within themselves to ensure survival for themselves and those they care about. They must also face trying to restore their relationship.

Wiechman deftly tells the story of the two protagonists' struggle to survive...Short chapters filled with suspense will keep readers wondering what will happen next. An excellent choice for fans of historical fiction. ~School Library Journal

Writing From the Inside Out. . . by Kathy Wiechman

I have always loved Clara’s theme of Writing from the Inside Out because it’s the only way I know to write. Before I put down the first word, I have to get inside the story I want to tell. I create the characters to tell it through, and get inside them. Not on Fifth Street was no different. What was different was I told a family story, but with fictional characters. It created new challenges. 

My father grew up on Fifth Street in Ironton, Ohio, and he used to tell me about the 1937 flood that devastated his town. That flood also hit Cincinnati, where I live, and locals recount their own stories. The flood was a record breaker and did damage in 13 states. It took 385 lives. But back in Ironton, Dad was listed as missing when the water rose. (Imagine what his parents went through!) But Dad was twenty years old at the time, and I needed younger characters for my story. Dad was the oldest of his parents’ eight children, and I needed a smaller cast of characters. I decided to have two main characters, brothers Pete and Gus. Pete is very much like my father, and he was difficult for me to write. I had to keep reminding myself, “This is Pete, not Dad.” And I chose Gus for the brother who was missing. I kept the setting of Ironton, and I located the story in that house on Fifth Street. I spent a lot of time there as a child and know it so well. But making a reader see what is clear to me isn’t always easy.

Street view of 1937 Flood in Ironton

My father is gone more than twenty years now, but one of his sisters is still living. She was 14 at the time of the 1937 flood, and her memory is spectacular. She filled in the gaps on family details, while archival accounts from other perspectives helped me to shape the story. While my story is fiction, I seemed to feel Dad looking over my shoulder as I wrote. I hope he would have been pleased with the finished product.

Author Kathy Cannon Wiechman

Kathy taught Creative Writing and Beginner French,and was a Language Arts tutor, but her passion has always been writing. She kept trying for a published novel, even though it took decades. Her first published novel, Like a River (2015) exceeded her dreams when it won the Grateful American Book Prize, was a Junior Library Guild Selection and a finalist for several other awards. She followed it with Empty Places (2016), which also was a finalist for the Ohioana Book Award. Not on Fifth Street is her third novel. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband.

To learn more about Kathy and her books: http://kathycannonwiechman.com
Follow her on Twitter: @KathyCWiechman

Connect on FaceBook: Kathy Cannon Wiechman

Thank you, Kathy, for sharing an inside look at the inspiration for Not On Fifth Street. 

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Joining us now to announce the winner of JOE AND SPARKY, PARTY ANIMALS are two superstars: The Author’s very own Assistant One and Assistant two. So, boys, who is the lucky winner, of the fabulous new adventure of Joe and Sparky by Jamie Michalak?

Superstar Assistants 1 and 2

Hmm. . . they’re busy getting ready for school, but they asked me to tell you that the LUCKY winner is: Patricia Crisman!!  ****CONGRATULATIONS**** 
Please email me your mailing address: claragillowclark(at)gmail(dot)com

Thanks again, dear book lovers, for coming to the party! And please don’t forget to leave a comment this week for Kathy Cannon Wiechman about her new MG Historical novel, Not on Fifth Street. 

Thanks for your patience if I'm a wee bit delayed posting your comments. As always, your support of authors and good books is greatly appreciated. 

~Clara