Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Candace Simar. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Candace, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I was horrified to realize my college-aged kids knew little about the U.S. Dakota War of 1862. Although they were born and educated in Minnesota, they had vague recollections of family visits to the sites where it happened, but nothing substantive. I began to rant about our need to know our history. Our son said, “If you care so much, why don’t you write a book.” That began my research and pursuit of the writing craft. Since then, I’ve written 6 award-winning historical novels with another to be released in March 2024. My goal is to bring history to life for readers who know little about history. Many readers have contacted me to tell me how much their attitudes toward Minnesota history have changed since reading my books.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have written historical fiction about Scandinavian immigrants in Minnesota and North Dakota:
ABERCROMBIE TRAIL 2009
POMME DE TERRE 2010
Spur Award winning BIRDIE in 2011
Spur finalist BLOOMING PRAIRIE 2012
FARM GIRLS poetry book with Angela F. Foster2013
Willa Finalist and Midwest Book Awards finalist SHELTERBELTS 2015
DEAR HOMEFOLKS 2017 short stories and poems
Will Rogers Gold Medallion winner and Peacemaker Award winner ESCAPE TO FORT ABERCROMBIE
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Writing and publishing have opened up a surprising and gratifying new adventure. Writers and readers form a mystical bond. Many readers say they feel like they know me after reading my work. Of course, it’s true. I leave a piece of my heart in everything I write. It has been especially gratifying to write about my Scandinavian heritage. Stories of my great grandparents are woven into the lives of my characters. I’ve been told that my characters seem real. They should–they are created from family stories. It is also gratifying to portray history in a way that is accessible to those previously disinterested in history. Historical fiction melds historical data with fictional characters into a painless history lesson. Who doesn’t love a good story?
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
I have spoken to over 350 libraries, civic groups, Scandinavian clubs, churches, and historical societies. A novelist uses only 10% of the research garnered for a specific project. I love to share the 90% of research I did not use. Ask me about the U.S. Dakota War, the Rocky Mountain Locusts of the 1870s, frontier logging, Bonanza farms, and the immigrant experience. Please invite me to speak to your book club or civic group. www.candacesimar.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.candacesimar.com
- Instagram: Candace Simar Author
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candacesimarauthor