Today we're celebrating the release of Susanne Saville's HIDDEN HISTORY OF SALEM.
Susanne enjoys caffeine - especially in coffee and tea, traveling, horseback riding, reading, and John Barrowman. Not necessarily in that order. She has a Master's Degree in History and a second Master's Degree in Library Science. The casual observer might suppose that this primarily qualifies her to dispense fries at fast-food restaurants. (Just kidding.)Ms. Saville has worked as a Reference Librarian in California and as a History Instructor at Georgia Military College. She has also been interviewed by Dog Fancy as an expert on the pug dog's place in history. She currently resides in New England and, along with writing, delights in researching, spending quality time with her cats, and eating fries at fast-food restaurants.
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HIDDEN HISTORY OF SALEM by Susanne Saville
There's more to Salem's history than witches.
Salem, nestled along the rocky coast of Massachusetts, has long been synonymous with witches. In this fascinating collection of stories, author Susanne Saville sheds light onto the forgotten moments of this noteworthy New England community. Discover Salem's profitable "Age of Sail," the important role coffeehouses played during the American Revolution, the scandalous life of Richard Crowninshield Jr. and the unforgettable writer Nathaniel Hawthorne. These revealing stories will not leave the history of Salem in the shadows for long.
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WIN - leave Susanne a question today at her Cyber Launch Party about her or her book and your name goes in the hat for a $25 Amazon Gift Card! Please leave your email address so we can contact you if you are today's winner!
Morning Susanne and super congrats on the new release!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to reading this one, I've always been interested in Salem, esp the Witch Trials, but now you got me curious about this Richard Crowninshield Jr...lol
How did you come to write this book? And what's coming up next for you?
Hope HIDDEN HISTORY OF SALEM is your bestseller yet!
Hi, Susanne! "The Hidden History of Salem" sounds wonderfully intriguing! I have often thought that the answers for our future can be found in questioning our past. I enjoyed visiting your website, and I am glad to see that your books are available in print. My cats also approved---I am a dog person owned by cats! >^,,^<
ReplyDeletegcwhiskas at aol dot com
This sounds good! What kind of research did you do for this book?
ReplyDeleteamysmith98@gmail.com
Thanks so much!! Yes, Richard Crowninshield Jr. is a fascinating fellow.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, as I was writing his chapter, I realized that he and his brother had a relationship similar to the Winchester brothers of Supernatural (one of my favorite shows). Sometimes truth can be awesome. ;)
Hi, Virginia, and thank you! I'm glad you liked my website. As a pug person owned by cats, I know what you mean. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Amy! I did scary amounts of research for this book. LOL
ReplyDeleteResearch is my favorite part of writing, especially original sources. I read ancient newspapers, antique books, prowled museum archives, all sorts of things. It was great dusty fun. :)
Hi Susanne!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new release! The stories in Hidden History of Salem sound intriging indeed! I am now interested to know what role the coffeehouses played during the American Revolution!!
What is it about Salem and it's history that made you want to write a book about it?
Congratulations again and Happy Holiday's!!
Cathy Cook
tholix@pineland.net
This book sounds like quite an undertaking. How long did it take from conception to completion on the writing of it? Inclusive of the research you needed to do.
ReplyDeletelittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
Hi Lil!
ReplyDeleteInclusive of the research, it took a bit over a year.
Congratulations! Looking forward to reading Hidden History on my Kindle.
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy!
ReplyDeleteSalem is a beautiful and fascinating city. As a history buff, I wanted the backstory on some of the mansions, and the more local history I read, the more I realized Salem had an important place in American history beyond the 1692 witch trials - things which most people had no idea about.
I wrote the book in the same "voice" that I used to teach - it's quirky/funny - so that people who might not normally like history would enjoy reading it.
I think it's really important that these bits of history not be lost.
Hi Mary!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I hope The History Press puts it out on Kindle. I luuvvv my Kindle. I think there's a button you can click on Amazon to say you want the publisher to know you want it on Kindle. :)
How did you become interested in the history of Salem?
ReplyDeletefunfar@MSN.com
Welcome Susan,
ReplyDeleteI love John Barrowman, too. He's hot, plus he can sing. Congrats on the new release. Your book sounds so interesting. I admit that I'm one of those who associate Salem with witches, but don't know much about the city.
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
Hi Susanne, Congrats on the new release. Hidden History of Salem sounds interesting!
ReplyDeletenas_dean @ ymail.com
congrats on your newest release Susanne! Hidden History of Salem sounds sooo interesting and I will def keep it in mind! and the trailer gives a perfect first impression of the story - did you made it yourself?
ReplyDeletegreetings, Ina
inale87 at gmx dot at
Who or what would you say has influenced your writing the most ?I just want to say I think it is so awesome that you did an interview in Dog Fancy about the pugs place in history I work with dogs at a doggie daycare and I find it fascinating everytime I learn a new fact about a breeds origins and place in history.I cant wait to read your book I love history and Salem so I know this will be one I wont be able to put down.
ReplyDeleteflanagan@mebtel.net
This book would make a great gift. The witch trials are the first thing that come to my mind when I think about Salem and your book just opens my mind up to an entirely different way of seeing things. Hidden History Of Salem is a fitting title.
ReplyDeletelenikaye@yahoo.com
Congratulations on this release!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to get a copy, but I am looking forward to it! I love history and it really shows when others do as well. I love learning about the little known facts of places.
I'm going to stop now before I start to sound like a spazzy dork!
Is there any other place or time that you would love to research?
Thanks and congrats again!
rachaelgwen@yahoo.com
Hi Carol!
ReplyDeleteI became interested in the history of Salem when I moved there. I like to know the history of the places where I live. :)
Hi Jane!
ReplyDeleteYes, John Barrowman totally rocks!!! He's beautiful inside and out - does a lot for animal charities - and he sings soooo well!!! I think his newest DVD is available on Amazon UK in a NTSC (US) version.
I reckon most people only associate Salem with witches, so I hope my book will add more dimensions to discover. :)
Hi Nas Dean!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!! :)
Hi Ina!
ReplyDeleteYes, I made that video myself. I was very pleased with how it turned out, because my skillz do not lie in that area. I still wince when I think how amateur it must look, so I am *very* happy you liked it.
Hi Wanda!
ReplyDeleteDoing doggy daycare must be so cool!! I love pugs and so I combined that with my love of history to research pugs in history, and that became PugSpotting. I am currently working (back-burner) on getting that book re-issued.
As for influences...hmm...I don't know. I would love to be able to write like Douglas Adams. Or Raymond Chandler. Or H.P. Lovecraft. Or Mary Stewart.
Hi Leni!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much!! The History Press came up with that title, and I must say I was very happy with it. :)
Hi Rae!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! :) We need to start a history dork club or something. LOL
I am open to researching pretty much any time period, although I tend to focus on Europe. This was my first US-only research jaunt. I may continue to look for intriguing US stories. :)
Hi Susanne,
ReplyDeletecongrats on your release. :)
do you think that you waould want to live back in that time?
thanks,
Dina
dlsmilad@yahoo.com
Hi Dina!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! :)
No, about the only time period I would willingly live in (other than the present) would be the Roman age. They had indoor running water. I am very fond of indoor running water.
I know: me = total wimp. LOL
I love my history. HIDDEN HISTORY OF SALEM looks fascinating. Glad to see there is more to Salem than just witches.
ReplyDeletemarypres@gmail.com
Hi Marybelle!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! :)
What's your favorite part of Salem - when I took my daughters there - they loved the pirate museum - LOL
ReplyDeletejanicecrespo@gmail.com
Congrats Susanne on your release of "Hidden History Of Salem"!! I cant wait to read it...looks like a great read
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!!!
Sandy B
sandyevebutler@yahoo.com
Congratulations on your new release. I have to admit, when I think of Salem I think of the witch trials. I enjoy reading about early history and I'd love to read your book.
ReplyDeleteseriousreader at live dot com
So are there any particularly funny stories about Pugs in history? And for us cat lovers, care to devote any research time to a cat breed?
ReplyDeletejoderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
This sounds like a very interesting book. When you were researching it did you ever feel like giving up? What was the hardest part of writing the book?
ReplyDeletesstrode@scrtc.com
Hi Susanne,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of your latest book. After watching your trailer and reading about it here, it has piqued my interest. It'll be going on my To Buy list!
kkhaas at bellsouth dot net
Congrats on your new release and i cant wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteREGINA ROSS
reginamayr@aol.com
Thanks, Regina!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Janice,
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite part of Salem is the waterfront. I love the tall ship and the lighthouse. :)
Thanks, Sandy and Linda!!
ReplyDeleteAll those good vibes make me feel happy. Which I need right now - hate being sick. Bleh. Hopefully the doctor will have something for me tomorrow.
Hi Joder,
ReplyDeletePugs were the symbol of an excommunicated society, they inspired great writers and artists like Harriet Beecher Stowe and William Hogarth, and ensured the stability of the Church of England.
A very influential breed. :)
I am currently owned by three cats, all of whom have been very loving during my time of illness ("Make your fever go higher, Mommie! You're *warm*!!" ).
I did a little book called CatSpotting that contains historical vignettes about cats- like one cat who saved his owner from her abusive husband - and quotes from cat lovers across time.
Thanks Karen, I appreciate that!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry,
ReplyDeleteThe hardest part was the start. I kept doing false start after false start, y'know? Because it was Real History I kept writing like I would when I was doing professional teaching/degree things. And I didn't want that because I wanted this to be FUN.
So I finally decided to just do it in my teaching "voice" - how I lectured to college students. The best way to help people learn is entertain them. So there's humor, some esoteric movie references, etc.