Grace Revealed: A Memoir
Author: Greg Archer
Genre: Historical Memoir
Publisher: NorLights Press
Book Description:
GREG ARCHER is an author, cultural moderator, award-winning journalist, television host and motivational speaker. His latest book, GRACE REVEALED: A MEMOIR, goes from glitz to the Gulags as the popular entertainment reporter takes a step back from Hollywood to explore his Polish family’s mesmerizing tale surviving Joseph Stalin’s mass deportation of Poles during the 1940s. What he uncovers along the way fuels his mission to not only expose the nearly forgotten odyssey that befell nearly 2 million Poles 75 years ago, but to also expose the ripple effects that remain today.
“Powerful, touching and heartfelt.”—The Huffington Post
Author Interview
1. Tell a little about yourself. What you do when you’re not writing? What are your aspirations for the future?
When I’m not writing, I typically do a lot of Bikram yoga or other fitness, or immerse myself in culture—theater, film and the like. I have several other books in me, another one coming out in late 2016, and a web series as well.
2. When and why did you start writing?
I began writing in 5th grade. There was an essay assignment and that is where it all began.
3. Have any particular novels or writers influenced your writing?
David Sedaris, Tom Robbins, Carrie Fisher, Caroline Myss, Michael Drury, Tennessee Williams, John Steinbeck.
4. Give us some backstory behind “Grace Revealed.” Where and when did you write it?
The book chronicles my journey uncovering my Polish family’s journey. Growing up, I was always intrigued with the tales my Polish family told—how they survived some odyssey during WWII. When I was an adult I learned more about how they were among 1 million other Poles who were deported to Siberia and then later became refugees. The family survival story became a remarkable story to tell.
5. What was your favourite part of writing “Grace Revealed?”
Understanding my place within the overall “Family Story”—that I had become one of the “characters” in their story. It was interesting to explore that and give voice to that.
6. What does your writing schedule look like?
It depends on the project, but typically, I do my best work if I begin writing before noon. And then that can go on beyond three or four in the afternoon.
7. Which fictional character would you like to take to dinner and why?
Auntie Mame. Actually, I believe she was real, and fully came to life in Patrick Dennis’ memoir. Let’s see, It’s a toss up between Peter Pan (I’d love to understand the green theme and struggle with growing up), and Maggie from “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”—what a conversation that would be.
8. Besides your lead, do you have a favourite character in the story?
My grandmother, Jadwiga.
9. What is one of the most surprising things you've learned as a writer?
That it is about “the work.” And that it’s important to show up for that and let go of whether or not it is good, bad, whatever. That a writer, like other creatives, we are a kind of instrument; a vessel, in many ways.
10. Any advice for aspiring authors?
Get out of your own way.
About the Author
GREG ARCHER
Author, Journalist, Cultural Moderator, More …
GREG ARCHER is an author, cultural moderator, award-winning journalist, television host and motivational speaker. His latest book, GRACE REVEALED: A MEMOIR, goes from glitz to the Gulags as the popular entertainment reporter takes a step back from Hollywood to explore his Polish family’s mesmerizing tale surviving Joseph Stalin’s mass deportation of Poles during the 1940s. What he uncovers along the way fuels his mission to not only expose the nearly forgotten odyssey that befell nearly 2 million Poles 75 years ago, but to also expose the ripple effects that remain today.
“Powerful, touching and heartfelt.”—The Huffington Post
**** GREG ARCHER’s work covering agents of change, history, travel and the entertainment industry have appeared in The Huffington Post, Oprah Magazine, San Francisco Examiner, The Advocate, Bust, Palm Springs Life, VIA Magazine, Jetset Extra and on variety of cable television outlets. A four-time recipient of the Best Writer Award in a popular San Francisco Bay Area Readers' Poll, he shines the light on change agents near and far, and other under-reported issues in society. His splits his time between his hometown of Chicago, and Palm Springs.
“Powerful, touching and heartfelt.”—The Huffington Post
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Author Interview
1. Tell a little about yourself. What you do when you’re not writing? What are your aspirations for the future?
When I’m not writing, I typically do a lot of Bikram yoga or other fitness, or immerse myself in culture—theater, film and the like. I have several other books in me, another one coming out in late 2016, and a web series as well.
2. When and why did you start writing?
I began writing in 5th grade. There was an essay assignment and that is where it all began.
3. Have any particular novels or writers influenced your writing?
David Sedaris, Tom Robbins, Carrie Fisher, Caroline Myss, Michael Drury, Tennessee Williams, John Steinbeck.
4. Give us some backstory behind “Grace Revealed.” Where and when did you write it?
The book chronicles my journey uncovering my Polish family’s journey. Growing up, I was always intrigued with the tales my Polish family told—how they survived some odyssey during WWII. When I was an adult I learned more about how they were among 1 million other Poles who were deported to Siberia and then later became refugees. The family survival story became a remarkable story to tell.
5. What was your favourite part of writing “Grace Revealed?”
Understanding my place within the overall “Family Story”—that I had become one of the “characters” in their story. It was interesting to explore that and give voice to that.
6. What does your writing schedule look like?
It depends on the project, but typically, I do my best work if I begin writing before noon. And then that can go on beyond three or four in the afternoon.
7. Which fictional character would you like to take to dinner and why?
Auntie Mame. Actually, I believe she was real, and fully came to life in Patrick Dennis’ memoir. Let’s see, It’s a toss up between Peter Pan (I’d love to understand the green theme and struggle with growing up), and Maggie from “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”—what a conversation that would be.
8. Besides your lead, do you have a favourite character in the story?
My grandmother, Jadwiga.
9. What is one of the most surprising things you've learned as a writer?
That it is about “the work.” And that it’s important to show up for that and let go of whether or not it is good, bad, whatever. That a writer, like other creatives, we are a kind of instrument; a vessel, in many ways.
10. Any advice for aspiring authors?
Get out of your own way.
GREG ARCHER
Author, Journalist, Cultural Moderator, More …
GREG ARCHER is an author, cultural moderator, award-winning journalist, television host and motivational speaker. His latest book, GRACE REVEALED: A MEMOIR, goes from glitz to the Gulags as the popular entertainment reporter takes a step back from Hollywood to explore his Polish family’s mesmerizing tale surviving Joseph Stalin’s mass deportation of Poles during the 1940s. What he uncovers along the way fuels his mission to not only expose the nearly forgotten odyssey that befell nearly 2 million Poles 75 years ago, but to also expose the ripple effects that remain today.
“Powerful, touching and heartfelt.”—The Huffington Post
**** GREG ARCHER’s work covering agents of change, history, travel and the entertainment industry have appeared in The Huffington Post, Oprah Magazine, San Francisco Examiner, The Advocate, Bust, Palm Springs Life, VIA Magazine, Jetset Extra and on variety of cable television outlets. A four-time recipient of the Best Writer Award in a popular San Francisco Bay Area Readers' Poll, he shines the light on change agents near and far, and other under-reported issues in society. His splits his time between his hometown of Chicago, and Palm Springs.
Author Links:
***GIVEAWAY***
$25 Amazon / B&N Gift Card.
Have you written any other novels in collaboration with other writers?
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good book. The cover is amazing!
ReplyDeletethis is a great read - a part of the whole war of atrocities we should never forget to make sure it never happens again
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the interview.
ReplyDeleteNice interview :)
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteTerrific interview! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI loved the interview!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a cover! Great post~thank you for sharing!
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