Marie Conner, a Leading Lady blog tour is through WOW: Women on Writing. Check out the interview, explore other stops, share, comment, follow.
Book Summary
Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father.
In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation.
Marie steps into her community and into the hearts of many people to give her time and help with their needs. She wants nothing in return other than her father’s acceptance as a worthy woman and yet, she gains much in return, even if it is not her father’s praise. This is Marie’s story—of a rise from her girlhood angsts to become a leading lady—and much more.
Publisher: Luminare Press
ISBN-13: 979-8-88679-972-9
ASIN: B0GFGTN761
Print length: 303 pages
Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon. Add it to your GoodReads reading list.
Advanced Praise for Marie Conner, A Leading Lady
“Wow, this book is such a delight! It tells the incredible story of Marie Conner, an amazing woman whose life had me hooked from the very start. As a businesswoman and community volunteer in Lebanon, Oregon, I felt a real connection to her journey. I recognized names that begat generations of hard working, generous people.
Marie’s blend of business savvy and commitment to helping others is truly inspiring. The author does a fantastic job of painting a vivid picture of Marie’s day-to-day life, making you feel like you’re right there with her, experiencing all the ups and downs. This book is a beautiful reminder of how one person can make a difference, and it’s perfect for anyone who loves stories about community spirit and dedication. Definitely worth a read!”
Jennifer Stewart Grove
Outreach Director of The Oaks at Lebanon Retirement Community
Entertainment Chair of the Lebanon Strawberry Festival
Woman of the Year, 2019, Lebanon, Oregon.
About the Author, Elle Mott
Elle Mott writes creative nonfiction. This is her third book. She is the author of “Out of Chaos: A Memoir” and “People Helping People.” Her other writing pieces have been featured in literary journals, news magazines, and anthologies. She has a background working in libraries, both at the college level and, for more than ten years, at the public library in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. While library work is her livelihood, writing is her passion. Elle grew up in Oregon and now makes her home in the suburbs of northern Kentucky with two cats and several pet birds.
Find her online at:
Website: https://ellemottauthor.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elle-mott-author
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellemott.author
All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/ellemott
Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ellemott
Author Interview
What inspired your book, Marie Conner, A Leading Lady?
Inspiration for Marie Conner, A Leading Lady came from my memoir, Out of Chaos, in which
my remembrance of her gave me strength to overcome difficulties. I had been on the verge of
adulthood; and she, much older, when she had imparted words of wisdom to me. With my
memoir published, and she, long gone, I questioned why my strength had come from her. That
answer involved research.
Tell us about your research methods and how you came to find so much about Marie?
If only I had the many scrapbooks she had shown me when I was so young, but as the opening
page in my memoir reads, “I have no pictures, no heirlooms, and no keys to the past.” With that
in mind, Marie, who was once my matriarch, served as a great muse for me as I peeled back the
layers of a woman, who, as I came to find out through my research, had lived a truly remarkable
life. As in awe as I was, I knew I had to share her story.
At first, my research was rudimentary, with searches in genealogy repositories, accessed for free
from the public library. But, even in that, I uncovered nuggets. One great genealogist, Aimee
Cross, whose blog and videos I follow, taught me to not stop at the page in front of me – in
turning pages on census records even if only out of curiosity, I was led to a subplot for me to
develop in my writing concerning Marie’s first marriage. From census records, library
genealogists next led me to databases and then, digitized repositories held by academic and
research libraries, with a 1952 issue of the Saturday Evening Post being of especial interest..
Not all information came from online, though. While Marie’s story takes place in a bygone era,
her contributions were lasting, changing her community forevermore. In a cold call to a certain
business place that I learned of in my research, the response received—and without
hesitation—was that they had a plaque on their wall with her name on it.
What was your revision process like?
Revising draft after draft was long and tedious yet sweet with ah-hah moments. My manuscript’s
outline involved four parts: The height of Marie’s civic leadership, found in Part 2, whereas her
youth is in Part 1, in which even then, she had made strides to break barriers placed on women in
that era, not forgetting Part 3 where Marie’s focus shifts some, and then into Part 4 for the
dénouement.
Early on, I had two readers at my side and was dependent on their input, giving attention to one
part at a time. One reader, Janet Martin-Rush, who, like me, is also a library worker, was perfect
in that we’d talk for hours about Marie, how to apply her message in our lives, and how best to
share her story. However, had Janet wrote the book, its title would instead be, “In a Burst of
Thunder.”
What advice do you have for nonfiction writers who hope to publish?
Write with a fiery belief that your words are worthy and worth reading, and that it is on a topic or
person in which you are passionate about; in that way, others will feel your passion through the
story you bring them, and that will make your book worthy of publication.
5) Any new projects you are working on that you can tell us about?
Each project I work through sparks the idea for the next one to come. When my memoir was but
recently published, I knew I wanted to write Marie’s story—of the great woman who had been at
the heart of my story. Out of this historical biography of her, I have ideas but yet to work through
them. Rather, my focus at this very time is to be with you as you come to meet this trailblazing
woman, Marie Conner.
During this ensuing time, after you read Marie Conner, A Leading Lady, I hope you will leave a
review of what you think—even just a few short words—wherever you hang out, whether online
or in person. Reviews help authors to understand what next project to work through and how.
Reviews also help readers in choosing their next book.
Blog Tour Calendar
February 9 @ The Muffin
Join us at WOW as we celebrate the launch of Elle Mott’s nonfiction historical biography, Marie Conner, A Leading Lady. We interview the author and give you the chance to win a cherry blossom gift set, including a copy of the book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
February 10 @ Boys’ Mom Reads!
Karen features Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott in a spotlight.
https://karensiddall.wordpress.com
February 11 @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa’s blog for an interview with Elle Mott.
February 12 @ World of My Imagination
Nicole reviews Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott.
https://worldofmyimagination.com/my-blog
February 14 @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Stop by Linda’s blog for an interview with Elle Mott, author of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com
February 15 @ A Wonderful World of Words
Stop by Joy’s blog for her feature of an excerpt from Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott.
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com
February 17 @ StoreyBook Reviews
Leslie will be featuring an excerpt from Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott.
February 18 @ The Faerie Review
Stop by Lily’s blog for a spotlight of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com
February 19 @ Words by Webb
Stop by Jodi’s blog for her review of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott.
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
February 21 @ Sarandipity’s Blog
Join Sara for her interview with Elle Mott, author of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady.
February 23 @ A Storybook World
Join Deirdre’s blog for her spotlight of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott.
https://www.astorybookworld.com
February 25 @ CC King’s blog
Check out Catrin’s blog for an excerpt from Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott.
https://www.caitrincking.com/blog
February 26 @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi’s blog for her response to our tour-themed prompt on her experience giving back to her community.
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
February 27 @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie’s blog for her interview with Elle Mott, author of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady.
March 2 @ Just Katherine
Katherine will share an excerpt from Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott. She’ll also share her response to our tour-themed prompt about a strong maternal figure for her when growing up.
https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com
