Hitler's Gift to the Jews by Karla Stover

                                 

https://bookswelove.net/stover-karla/

                           It's Complicated

Once upon a time, an Austrian man was doing time in Landsberg Prison on charges of treason. Landesberg consisted of four brick-built cell blocks built in a cross-shape orientation.” This allowed guards to watch all wings simultaneously from a central location. Landsberg, which was used for holding convicted criminals and those awaiting sentencing, was also designated a a Festungshaft (meaning fortress confinement). Its facilities were similar to modern protective custody unit. There was no forced labor, the cells were reasonably comfortable, and visitors were allowed. The Austrian’s sentence was five years and during that time, he received many visitors. However, his favorite pass-time was writing and he had plans for a two-volume book which the author wanted to call Four and a Half Years [of Struggle] Against Lies, Stupidity and Cowardice. When volume one was done, the editors were his chauffeur, Emil Maurice, and his friend and confident Rudolf Hess. The author was, of course, Adolf Hitler. At his publisher’s suggestion, the book was retitled Mein Kampf and in it Hitler outlined his political ideology, his plans for Germany’s future, and the reasons for his antisemitism. The book came out on July 18, 1925 and, much to the prison governor’s disappointment, initial sales were disappointing. If, per chance, it ran into many editions, it would "enable Hitler to fulfill his financial obligations and to defray the expenses incurred at the time of his trial."

As luck would have it, following Hitler’s rise to power in 1933, Mein Kampf became a best seller in Germany, was in high demand by libraries, and often reviewed and quoted in other publications. It was given free to every newlywed couple and every soldier fighting at the front. By 1939, it had sold 5.2 million copies in eleven languages. It made so much money, Hitler eventually had a large tax debt which was wiped out when he became Germany’s chancellor.

However, after Germany's loss in the war and Hitler's death, what to do with the book?  Though Hitler left all his wealth, property, and rights to the book to the German state, since his official place of residence was Munich, its copyright passed to the government of Bavaria, which refused to allow it to be republished. Not to worry: Mein Kampf was being published world-wide.

According to a 2016 Boston Globe  article, "Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has been publishing an abridged edition of the tome since 1933 and began donating proceeds from the book to charities in 2000. However, according to the publisher,  "it’s been a tough road – the recipients of the money and the nature of the exchanges have been debated  – it seems as if the publisher has struck a productive balance by partnering with the Jewish Family & Children's Service." 

In 2000, US News & World Report revealed that HMH had made $400,000 in royalty profits from “Mein Kampf” since 1979. The article prompted the company to begin donating the royalties to nonprofits that promote “diversity and cross-cultural understanding.” In practice, those organizations have all been related to Holocaust education and combatting anti-Semitism." Now comes a new wrinkle: to gift Hitler’s book royalties to the cultural projects of Boston institutions, said projects having nothing to do with the Holocaust or anti-Semitism. "Sadly, say some observers, "HMH’s latest plan for “Mein Kampf” royalties will [likely] stymie Holocaust education efforts — even while anti-Semitism is again on the rise.

Characteristics of Different Generations - Barbara Baker

 

 

In a conversation about my plan to write Book 4 of Jillian’s story, a friend suggested I research the Gen Z (or Zoomer) culture to ensure authenticity for my characters and an awareness of their era. Is it possible my own Baby Boomer mindset might be quite different? 

Hello Google. Research is a fabulous procrastination technique to avoid writing the story. And it took me down a rabbit hole.

Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. The Gen Z population were born between 1997 and 2012.

Google says the most significant difference between the two generations is their relationship with technology. I groan. Of course Gen Zers are better with smart phones, social media and getting information from the web in just a few taps. They’ve had access to it since they could walk. Baby Boomers got it in stages ... often over many years.

 

I remember the day I got to use the IBM electric typewriter in typing class. It was 1973. A jaw dropping experience in my world. No more pounding the keys on a manual typewriter. With the IBM electric, my typing speed flew off the charts. 

 

In 1982, I was introduced to the Wang Word Processor. My secretarial gig just got easier. No more scrunched paper in the trash. No more white-out. No more attempts to match the sheet of paper exactly in the typewriter so the corrector ribbon could fix the error. Okay, maybe our technology progression was slower, but it did progress.

Gen Z believe in a work life balance. So did I. I worked. And after work, I had a life. Same same, but different?

Gen Z expect a sense of fulfillment from their work. Is that the same as expecting a paycheque every two weeks? If so, I’m still on the same page.

Gen Z grew up with complete access to the Internet. When the internet became public in 1993, I had access. It was dial up. Often I had time to make a coffee … and drink it before the internet connected. But it worked. So did patience.

Gen Z are money driven. So was I. Back to the paycheque.

During this research, I got sidetracked with the similarities and took a dive down another rabbit hole to check out my parent’s era. They were part of the Silent Generation (born between 1928 – 1946).

The Silent Generation was known for keeping their heads down and working hard. That definitely describes my folks. The Silent Generation weren’t risk takers – stop the bus! My parents left Germany and came to Canada in the 50s. They left their family and friends behind. They didn’t speak English. And they knew no one. What a huge risk. But they never regretted it. 

The Silent Generation were disciplined, respectful, resilient and cautious with their money. Bang on. My parents excelled in each one of those categories. 

Depending on how you analyze it, there’s a combination of differences, similarities and generalizations between the generations. And enough fodder to continue writing Jillian’s story as she grows into a young adult totally immersed in life.

Enough with procrastinating. Enough with research. It’s time to settle in and write.

If you’re still looking for a summer read, here are the links to my Summer of Lies series:

Summer of Lies: Baker, Barbara: 9780228615774: Books - Amazon.ca

  

What About Me?: Sequel to Summer of Lies: Baker, Barbara: 9780228622833: Books - Amazon.ca

     

Jillian of Banff XO : Baker, Barbara, Duke, Renee: Amazon.ca: Books

Meet the Cat Tales Characters by Eileen O'Finlan

 

Click here for purchase information

I recently acquired a new skill - creating images using A.I. I know there's a lot of controversy over A.I., but the images I've created likely don't fall into a controversial realm. They are all images of the characters in my Cat Tales series. These characters are all highly anthropomorphized animals. They hold jobs, drive cars, go shopping - all the stuff humans do while retaining most of the characteristics associated with their species. They also have to learn to live in harmony with one another. That's not easy to do when Smokey is designing a cat park that will abut Rodent Way. Not if Jerome J. Rately has anything to say about it. And, he does have plenty to say.

I learned how to create these images a few weeks ago while I was home recovering from COVID. I had noticed that my friend and fellow author, Jane Willan, had been creating images of her characters and using them in her Facebook posts. They looked terrific so I asked her to teach me to do it. In one Zoom call, she showed me how it's done. Then I got to work making my own. It's actually very easy to do. And it's fun. So, here are a few of the characters from the first book in the Cat Tales series, All the Furs and Feathers:

                                                  This is Smokey, one of the main characters.

                                                  She's employed as an architect at Fluffington

                                                  ArCATechture.

                                              This is Autumn Amelia. She's the other main 

                                              character, Smokey's sister, and a baker who works

                                              from home.

                               

    Here we have Greyson. He's cousin                                 Abigail Fluffington is the owner of

    to Smokey and Autumn Amelia. He's                              Fluffington ArCATechture and Smokey's

    the retired CEO of PAWS UNITED.                               boss. She's a very astute businesscat.

                          
    This sweet kitty is Dusty Fluffington.                                Jasmine is a web designer and Smokey's

    She's an amazing designer and seamstress.                        best friend. They're both Russian Blues

    She's also Abigail's sister. They both live                           and are often confused for twins.

    in Abigail's luxury apartment, but poor

    Dusty is terrified to leave the building.

    Until she meets Autumn Amelia, that is.

Not all the characters in the Cat Tales series are cats. There's a wide variety of animals in the series. Here are just a few of the non-cat characters:

                                     

    This is Rufus Tailwagger. He's a PR                                       Jerome J. Ratley is the head of the         

    professional. Rufus is a great guy. Just                                   Rodent Placement Agency. He's also

    stay out of the way of his maniacally                                      an activist for rodent rights. And he's

    wagging tail.                                                                            not at all happy about the idea of the cat

                                                                                                    park Smokey is designing that will abut

                                                                                                    Rodent Way.

                                                 Sally is a sous chef who works for                                            Here are Simon and Sam Squirrel

    Chef Gustav, a snooty world-famous                                        on their tandem bike. They work for

    chef, at Miguel Gato's private club.                                           Autumn's boss, Tabby Furry who owns

    Sally likes Miguel, but she'd rather not                                     Furry Confections. The Squirrel                have to work for Gustav.                                                           brothers are curriers who deliver the                                                                                                           baked goods Autumn makes to be sold

                                                                                                       at the bakery.

These are only some of the images of the characters from All the Furs and Feathers. There are more on my website. You can check them out here. More will be coming in early 2025 when the second book in the Cat Tales series, All in the Furry Family, is released. Meanwhile, here is a sneak peak of a couple of the new characters from the second book:

  

                                          

    Meet Buster Parker. He's a printer,                                               Give a warm welcome to Professor

    but he also owns a boat. I don't want                                            Chewy. He teaches botany at Verdant

    to give anything away, so I'll just say                                           University. He's also Smokey and

    he'll become important to Autumn Amelia.                                  Autumn Amelia's new neighbor.

  
    

The Importance of Author Newsletters by Eileen O'Finlan

 

Click here for purchase information

I have been sending out a monthly e-newsletter for almost as long as I've been a published author. My subscriber list has grown slowly but steadily over the years. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth the effort of trying to come up with enough to write every month especially when I don't have any upcoming appearances or new releases. But then I remember the reasons for having a newsletter in the first place:

My email list is mine alone and I can always reach the people on it. Other social media sites may change their rules, experience glitches, or disappear. I have no control over that. I do completely control my own email list.

The people who sign up for it want to hear from me. As long as I don't spam them - and I never do - most continue to read it every month.

It's a great way to connect with my readers. They get inside information. They enjoy being the first to know about new releases, book signings, appearances, awards, or any other special news.

During the lulls, it's good practice for me to stretch my imagination and writing skills to come up with interesting information to share. I've found that readers like a peek behind the scenes, so those are the times when I share my historical research information, trips to museums, info about writer's conferences, and the like. I also occasionally invite other authors to write a column introducing themselves and their books to my readers.

Sometimes I ask questions. It's fun when readers write back to me with their answers and a great way to interact with them.

Every month I get to write the recurring column "The Cat's Corner." That's always the most fun section of my newsletter because it's written from the point of view of my cat, Autumn Amelia, who is also one of the main characters in my Cat Tales series. Readers tell me that The Cat's Corner is their favorite part of the newsletter.

Apparently, readers are not alone in enjoying The Cat's Corner. The Cat Writer's Association recently awarded it a Certificate of Excellence in the column/series category. It can now go on to compete for their highest award, the Muse Medallion in October.

Autumn Amelia thinks her name should have been on the certificate, too

So, for all you writers out there, if you don't already have an author newsletter, I recommend you consider starting one. It's a great way to connect with your readers. Create a way for readers to sign up from your website. I always have a sign up sheet at all in-person events as well. It may take a while to grow your subscriber list, but these readers will become your die hard fans. And who knows, you might even win an award for it!

Click here for purchase information

Summer Festivals

Find in print and ebook at 

https://books2read.com/Prelude-and-Promises

Summer often brings festivals to town, over and above County and State Fairs. Sometimes a state will host a festival year after year, becoming renowned for a particular event. For example, if you’re participating in RAGBRAI[1], you’ll be in Iowa, USA, in July. We also know the Calgary Stampede[2] is quite a bit further north and is not to be confused with the Country Stampede[3]. Other festivals, like the “Apple Cider Fest”, “The Great Chili Cookoff” or the “Annual Arts and Craft Fair” might occur in every other town across the state, or in several states congruently.

It's fun to visit festivals, especially if you’re not from that area because you get a taste of the town’s specialties, whether it be deep-fried pickles, motor boat races on the river, or hot air balloon competitions. As a writer, I love to incorporate celebrations and festivals into my stories. Depending on where the story is based, these festivals can be real or fictitious, but always fun to experience.

When writing “Prelude and Promises”, I knew the island community of Lockabee needed a festival; a cause for celebration. It would add action to the story, and give Jake a reason to take Cheyenne “out on the town” and share the reasons he preferred living there instead of Chicago. What could be better for a small island with a seafaring foundation than a Mermaid Festival?

_________________

¹ Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (Register is a major newspaper)

² a variety of shows, including a well-known annual rodeo held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

³ Kansas’ largest country music festival

_________________

Here’s an excerpt from Jake’s story, “Prelude and Promises” which is available in both ebook and print. Enjoy:

Jake shook his head. “This weekend is the Mermaid Festival, and I agreed to be on the committee. I can’t run out on that.”

“They celebrate mermaids?”

“From what I’ve heard, one of the first families on the island was Abel Lockburn and his brothers. They were shrimpers from the mainland, and the legend goes that once they were caught in a fierce storm. Their mast was broken and they were floundering at sea, far from the mainland. All was lost until a mermaid rose from the rolling waves and commanded the seas to calm, then she led them to this island, where they decided to settle.”

“Seriously?”

He shrugged. “Who am I to dispute legend? Besides, anything that helps the economy of small islands like Lockabee is cause for celebration. From what I understand, there will be several thousand people here over the two days.”

***

The heat assaulted her; the sun already bounced off the light colored walls of the buildings. She did have her sunglasses, which she hastily donned, but she could have used a hat.

Jake stood at the bottom of the steps. He wore ragged cutoffs, a tee with the sleeves torn off and tennis shoes with a hole in one toe. His ball cap was turned backwards, his mirrored sunglasses reflecting the bright light.

“You’ve only been here two months,” she said as she joined him and they started down the boardwalk. “How is it your clothes look like they survived every natural disaster known to man?”

He laughed and she was glad to see he harbored no ill feelings for her having run out on him last night. “You can actually buy clothes this way.”

“The question is, why would you want to?”

“You need a hat,” he said instead. He grabbed her hand and led her into a souvenir shop.

She took a step toward the wide brimmed sun hats but he pulled her the opposite way.

“You’ll need something that stays on your head.” He grabbed one from the shelf. It had a fish coming out of water with a huge hook in its mouth. Embroidered in hot pink on the black material was “hook’er”.

“Seriously?” she choked out but had to laugh when he turned back around and she saw the front of his hat. “Chick bait” was scrawled next to a can of worms.

“Is there anything that doesn’t have to do with fish and sex?” she asked.

He looked at her with mock surprise. “This entire island is supported by fishing.”

“And the sex?” she questioned without thinking.

He wiggled his brows as he plucked another hat from a lower shelf. “How do you think they make the next generation of fishermen?” He started to put the white hat on her head, then reached behind her and pulled her pony tail out through the hole in the back.

“What does this one say?” She tried to pull it off but he caught her hand and held it tight. She noticed he had replaced his bandage with a brace that wrapped around his wrist and palm, leaving his fingers free. She momentarily forgot about the hat as she studied his hand, assuring herself the swelling had gone down.

He kept hold of her as he gave the cashier some money.

“Fitting.” The man nodded toward her hat as he handed Jake his change. “And not just because of the festival.”

Cheyenne pulled her hand free and sought a mirror. She wasn’t leaving this store with a derogatory saying on her hat. It took her a minute to read the word backward, then she smiled as Jake came up behind her. “Mermaid” was stenciled in emerald green, arching around a picture of the aforesaid, her long blonde hair barely covering lush breasts.

***

Before she could protest, Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her out into the street. Music still wafted across the breeze, and lights along Main Street were bright enough for one to think it was midday instead of midnight.

“Do you feel like walking down to the pier to see the flotilla?” Jake had moved his arm to her shoulders, holding her close.

Cheyenne’s feet hurt, her back ached, and she was sure she smelled like fryer grease. “Why not? I had nothing else planned for the middle of the night.”

He gave her shoulders a squeeze as he laughed. They stopped at one of the vendors along the way and he purchased a couple of bottles of water before leading her down the pier to where McNally’s boat had been earlier. The pier security lights didn’t reach quite this far, and the soft night closed around them.

“He’s no doubt trolling the flotilla,” Jake said as he pulled her down so their feet dangled off the end of the pier.

“Keeping everyone in line?” she asked.

“No. Probably partying along with the rest of them.” He laughed.

Cheyenne looked out over the glassy water and sucked in a breath. Hundreds, probably thousands of lights flickered across the harbor. Though most were white, every so often a boat was silhouetted in blue and red, green or purple. She glanced to the right where the lights appeared to stretch into infinity. When she turned her head to the left, she encountered Jake’s lips, close but not quite touching.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, afraid to break the spell.

“You’re beautiful,” he corrected, and then there was only the sound of lapping water.

***

For a complete copy of “Prelude and Promises”, click the link below the picture or visit my website at http://www.authorsden.com/barbarajbaldwin  or my Amazon author site at https://www.amazon.com/author/barbarabaldwin. You will find not only this book, but others including historical and time travel romance.

            If you enjoy my stories as much as I enjoy writing them for you, I would love for you to leave a review on Amazon.

Have a fun, festival-filled summer,

Barbara Baldwin

 

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