Ask the Author: Janet Elizabeth Croon
Answered Questions (2)
Janet Elizabeth Croon
This is a question that I often am asked at book talks and signings!
LeRoy's journals were given to his sister, Minnie, after his death. She kept them in the family, along with his daguerreotype image, and several letters, including the two that were included in the publication. In the 1980s, her descendants gave this collection, along with family papers of her husband's family, to the Library of Congress. Today they can be found as part of the Machen Family Papers. The Gresham Family Papers have been digitized, and can be read online, which is how I worked with them as "originals."
LeRoy's journals were given to his sister, Minnie, after his death. She kept them in the family, along with his daguerreotype image, and several letters, including the two that were included in the publication. In the 1980s, her descendants gave this collection, along with family papers of her husband's family, to the Library of Congress. Today they can be found as part of the Machen Family Papers. The Gresham Family Papers have been digitized, and can be read online, which is how I worked with them as "originals."
Janet Elizabeth Croon
My most recent book found me! It all began with a Facebook post of a 2012 "Washington Post" article by Michael Ruane that described the journals the Library of Congress were highlighting for the sesquicentennial of the start of the Civil War. Journals are considered primary sources, and those written by teens are excellent ways to get teenagers interested in history, and the article stated that LeRoy's journals had not been published. To make a long story short, I contacted the eventual publisher, and we decided to get to work once we found there were no apparent holds on the journals' publication.
Sometimes, the idea for a book comes from within, or it comes from a lack of written work about a particular topic. This time, the book was looking for the right person to recognize its worth and the right publisher to take a chance with it. Always be open to the possibilities, because you never know from where they are going to come!
Sometimes, the idea for a book comes from within, or it comes from a lack of written work about a particular topic. This time, the book was looking for the right person to recognize its worth and the right publisher to take a chance with it. Always be open to the possibilities, because you never know from where they are going to come!
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