It’s Meet the Author Monday! Each week we meet a new author and get to know a little about them, their writing process, publishing experience, and tips for other writers. Today we’re talking to Alice Reiter Laby, author of “The Secret War of Henry Rebbenoff“.
About Alice Reiter Laby:
Alice Reiter Laby was born and bred on Long Island, New York, venturing off the Island to attend graduate school at Fordham University.
She is the author of a romantic novel set in Amsterdam and is working on a memoir about her family’s Eastern European history.
In her book THE SECRET WAR OF HENRY REBBENOFF, a World War 2 novel, the main character, Cantor Henry, carves his own path through the conflict. His story is as unusual as his amazing singing voice.
The author has secrets of her own – which can be revealed at an Author Talk. Contact her at alicelaby@gmail.com to arrange for a presentation!
Alice still resides on Long Island, with her partner and his parrot, close to her sons, their families and her grand dogs.
About The Secret War of Henry Rebbenoff:
Love, faith, family and loyalty – The year is 1937. Henry Rebbenoff has all his dreams fulfilled in his adopted city- Charleston, South Carolina. He has found the perfect position as Cantor of Temple Beth Elohim, and the perfect woman, a beautiful Jewish southern belle named Ada Tobias.
Henry answers the call to all Americans valiantly as war comes to the nation’s shores on December 7, 1941. His love, faith and loyalty are tested by the unusual circumstances of Henry’s experiences during the war. You as the reader must decide; has Henry made the right choices for himself, for his family, for his religion, for his country?
Author Interview with Alice Reiter Laby:
- What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
Without realizing it, visiting Amsterdam was a literary pilgrimage because I was inspired to write my first novel set in Amsterdam. I visited that city a second time.
Visiting Krakow and Auschwitz gave me background for my second novel.
I plan to visit Warsaw as my third, or fourth, novel takes place there.
- What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I belong to a weekly writing group that was originally in person at the Long Beach, NY library and now I actually facilitate on line. It really inspires me to know that my fellow authors, now my friends, will be listening and commenting on my writing each week.
I also belong to the Long Island Authors Group. Wonderful people, all published or self-published, who encourage me and give me tips on finding editing, book cover artists, and info on my subjects of concern to authors.
- Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Originally I thought my two novels, a romance novel, and the second one a WW2 novel, would be standing on their own. However, the two novels I am working on now, and the WW2 novel, are about secrets that the protagonists keep. Which is interesting because I am not normally a keeper of secrets about myself.
- What period of your life do you find you write about most often? (child, teenager, young adult)
I had been concentrating exclusively on adults, but the book that has taken over my life is about a teenager, at least in the beginning of the story.
- What inspired you to start writing?
I think originally my writing skills were sharpened in high school. I had a wonderful history teacher and he encouraged me in all my written endeavors. Thank you Mr. Kamens.
- How do you select the names of your characters?
Sometimes I use names of favorite family members. In my latest book I am suing names similar to family members because I can envision them actually being a part of the story.
- How many bookshelves are in your house?
At least 16, and it isn’t nearly enough.
- Your hero?
My hero is American man named Varian Fry. From August 1940 until September 1941 he was stationed in Marseille France and ran a rescue network. He saved over two thousand dissidents, artists, authors and Jews obtaining visas and guiding them in safe travels out of Europe. He was the first American to be honored as A RIghteous Among The Nations, awarded by Israel to non Jews who saved Jews during the War.
To learn more about Alice Reiter Laby, here’s where you can find Her:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alicelabyauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alice.laby.9
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-laby-57b98117
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