Author Interview: Anita Fitch Pazner and Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance Giveaway

 Happy Monday Everyone! Today I’m excited to have Anita Fitch Pazner here. She’s a friend, former critique partner, and author of the MG historical Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance. I’d like to learn about The White Rose Resistance, and  I’m looking forward to reading her book. 

Here’s a blurb from Goodreads:

 

Words are powerful. Words spread truth. Words turn to action. Words matter in this lyrical account of the White Rose Resistance.

The White Rose Resistance was the German student movement that used the power of the written word to speak out against the Nazis during World War II. They worked in secret to distribute leaflets condemning the government’s actions at a time when doing so meant putting your life at risk.

The story follows siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, who were instrumental members of the resistance. Words Matter transports readers through the world the siblings inhabited, from their idyllic childhood to becoming leaders in the Hitler Youth groups; attending the Nuremberg Rally; witnessing the arrests and murders of innocent people; and finally emerging as leaders of the White Rose Resistance — while still believing in the goodness that lived in the hearts of the German people. The Scholl siblings were arrested and executed in 1943 but their legacy, and the words of the Resistance, live on.

Written in verse and strikingly illustrated for middle-grade readers, Words Matter brings to life an unforgettable true story of nonviolent resistance. Hans and Sophie’s story demonstrates the enduring power of words, especially in times of propaganda and fear. 

Hi Anita! Thanks so much for joining us. 

1. Tell us about yourself and how you became a writer. 

I always loved discovering what motivated people to be who they are. Turning this question towards me feels a bit awkward so I’ll do my best to sum up who I am and what motivated me to pursue a career in publishing without giving away any deep dark secrets. 

Being a writer is something I’ve always been, even though commas and spelling sometimes vex me. I’ve always had a desire to put words on paper. I started out as a journalist and a photographer. I loved researching people, places and interesting things happening in the world. 

I took a break for what felt like a hundred years to raise four human beings and a couple of dogs along the way. I hung on to the writing life by meeting with critique groups like the one we both belonged to in Ann Arbor. I still feel connected to that group even though I haven’t attended a meeting in a long time. 

About a decade ago, I knew it was time to move forward. The clock was ticking. I decided it was time to discover as much about writing as I possibly could. I started doing on-line classes with agents like Wendy Rohm. That prepared me to apply to the Vermont College of Fine Arts program. From there, I read and annotated hundreds of books and wrote numerous essays on the craft of writing. I also met an entirely new community of supportive, committed professionals. 

2. We’d love to have you come back! Where did you learn about the White ose Resistance? What made you decide to write a story about it? 

My introduction to Hans and Sophie occurred while on a bike tour with my teenaged daughters on a trip to Munich, Germany in 2016 when political rallies raged all over the U.S. The tour guide took us to many of the places where fascism first took hold in the city. We saw museums dedicated to people who used their voices to protest what was happening. The images of political opponents, members of the LGBTQ community–both men and women– filled the walls. We learned the first concentration camp had been set up in 1933 to hold political opponents. The government at that time set the tone early on to be sure people became too afraid to speak out. When we passed the University where Hans and Sophie went to school, I was fascinated by their bravery and drive to do what was right. 

The Scholl’s story never left me. I spent the next four years researching and writing about them. I read their diaries, letters—basically anything I could get my hands on. I discovered what motivated them. How their parent’s desire to keep banned books and the bible available for their children influenced their ability to think rather than submit to propaganda and fear. I returned to Germany one more time with one of my sons and my daughters. We scoured Munich and Ulm, where Hans and Sophie lived, for any clues to who they were. As an American with German heritage, I needed to know there was goodness in the hearts of the German people. I needed to know how a progressive, democratic country could fall victim to the racism and horrors of that time in history. 

Your Writing Process 

3. What research did you do into the White Rose Resistance and the lives of Hans and Sophie Scholl? How did you find your sources? 

Even though the Scholl’s are not as well known in the U.S. as they are in Germany, I compiled a list of books written or translated in English, and I watched movies based on their lives with English subtitles.

3. You did a lot of research. And it’s cool that you visited where they lived. I know you started out writing this as a picture book. What made you decide to write it as a middle grade novel instead? And why did you choose to write the story in verse rather than prose? 

Funny story about that. I did originally write the story as a picture book, and I submitted it to several SCBWI-MI Critique Carousel agents and editors. I received fantastic critiques, and requests to submit. When I followed up and submitted the story, I received champagne rejections across the board. They just didn’t quite know where to place the story. 

You see, Hans and Sophie were beheaded for using their words against the government. Not the best visual for a picture book. Who knew? 

Certainly not me. I had done my homework. I found mentor texts (Yes, there are PB mentor texts where the main characters die.) One of my favorites was Swan: The Life and Dance of Anna Pavlova by Laurel Snyder. It’s beautiful and lyrically written. Most importantly, it ended with the death of the ballerina. 

In my defense, I grew up on German fairytales–the real ones where characters cut off their toes to fit in shoes, not the watered down Disney versions. 

Ready to throw the manuscript in the proverbial drawer, I reached out to an editor at Groundwood Books for advice. She asked if I would consider having it published as a fully illustrated, middle-grade novel in verse. My first reaction was that I didn’t know how to write it in verse. Being up for the challenge, I asked how much would I have to rewrite? 

Her response was that I had already written it in that format. Self-awareness, even when it comes to writing, is not one of my strong suits. 

There’s one thing I want to add about writing in free verse. In my first semester at VCFA I had a wonderfully kind advisor named Mark Karlins who has since passed away. When I worked with him all I wanted to do was learn how to take my journalistic style and transform it into lyrical prose. I struggled and failed for several packets. He suggested we move on to some other aspect of craft. I begged him to give me all the books he could think of. I believe there were about 20 or 30 on the list for me to read and annotate within a three week period. It wasn’t until I dove into Ursula Le Guin’s Steering the Craft that something clicked. I’ve always appreciated his willingness to let me flounder until he found just the right books to move me forward to achieve my goals. I wish he were here to see this book come to life. 

4. There’s no happy ending to what happened to Hans and Sophie Scholl or life in Germany during WWII. How did you balance the uplifting message of Hans and Sophie’s work and the sad parts of their story for kids in middle grade? 

Great question. But I feel as though there is a happy ending. The Words of the Resistance survived and brought hope to those who needed it. When they were alive, the Scholls watched as so many of their contemporaries perished during the war. They felt that doing nothing and surviving was worse than the fate they ultimately suffered. What a tragic commentary on life under an authoritarian regime. I don’t want to shield young people from accurate historical content. I want them to ask questions. I want them to think for themselves rather than follow blindly. 

My underlying message in the book is that young people have the power to use their words to transcend their situations.  Knowing the truth and not some whitewashed version of historical events will hopefully give young people the power to protect our democracy and the decency we hold dear. Mostly, I want them to know their words have power. They can be beautiful or destructive, kind or divisive. Words have an energy all their own. There’s a reason authoritarian regimes seek to silence writers, poets, artists and educators. 

Your Road to Publication 

5. That’s a great way to end the story on a positive note. You’re also the author of a picture book, The Topsy-Turvey Bus. You got your publishing contracts for both your books without an agent. How did you find publishers that you could query without an agent? What advice do you have for other writers who want to query publishers directly? 

I didn’t set out to enter publishing without an agent. I spent a great deal of time trying to find one. Most agents I encountered were looking for novel manuscripts or illustrator/author picture books. I’m not an accomplished illustrator and my novels weren't polished enough to send out. When the pandemic forced us all into our homes, I had several novels in various stages of completion. And then my adult children came home. I didn’t have the bandwidth to work on my larger projects so I wrote picture book manuscripts. Not because they were easy, but because I felt that I could accomplish a finished piece of work in a shorter amount of time. I have some really bad picture book manuscripts stored in my computer, by the way. 

One day, when I was helping deliver food to area food banks, my friend Wren Beaulieu-Hack picked me up with the real Topsy Turvy Bus and I said, “This would make a fabulous picture book.” 

She pointedly said, “Sooooo, why don’t you write it?” 

So I did! I wrote the manuscript on Monday, edited on Wednesday and sent it out on Friday to a specifically targeted publisher. Much to my surprise, I received a request to add 350 words to the manuscript and resubmit. 

7. Share your tips for working with a small press publisher and resolving any issues when you don’t have an agent? 

Great question. After having worked with two different publishers, I have to say much of what goes on depends on the publisher. Working with Groundwood Books on Words Matter has been a dream scenario. I negotiated the contract on my own and they were gracious about my not having an agent and worked with me on my one and only request. Their publicity department and foreign rights teams are incredible. Words Matter has already received positive reviews due to their diligent work. Foreign rights have already been sold to Korean and French publishers. 

My advice to anyone signing a contract without an agent is to read it thoroughly (duh!). Also, check with other authors published by the company. Most will freely discuss their experience. I found author/agent/attorney Jacqueline D. Lipton’s book, Law and Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers, worth reading before signing a contract. I’ve also heard of agents willing to read over contracts for unagented authors for a fee. If you find yourself with an offer, you can always reach out to your dream agent with a contract in hand. You might get lucky. 

Promoting Your Book 

8. It’s great your publisher already sold foreign rights for you. From watching you market The Topsy-Turvey Bus, I know you’re good at marketing a book. What are your plans to celebrate the release of Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance and promote it? 

This is actually the fun part. I received The Regional Advisor Marketing Grant from The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators to help launch the book on Sunday, September 14, from 5-7 at THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED BOOKSTORE in Farmington, Michigan. 

I’m planning a theatrical launch with some surprises. There will be free raffles for Words Matter swag and some signed books from other talented authors. Everyone who attends the launch will receive a free raffle ticket. I’ll be posting more of the free merch on my social media. Attendees can also expect some fun food and bevies.  I’ll be honoring educators and librarians who attend with special giveaways. Each book purchased will also receive some fun swag. I intend this book launch to be a celebration of Words. Not just mine, but of so many voices that matter. If you are an educator or librarian let me know you’re coming. You can contact me on my website and I’ll have your goodies waiting for you. 

9. Has your strategy toward marketing changed from your experiences promoting your picture book? If so, how? 

Definitely. I’m still working hard to promote this book, but the amount of support I”m getting from the publisher, SCBWI and the writing community is incredible. I’m still working hard to promote Words Matter, but the process feels different with this book. I’m using my voice to uplift other incredible writers. There are so many important books out there right now. 

10. What are you working on now? 

I still have a plethora of picture books that focus on sustainability and conservation ready to go. In fact, there is one about a tree that’s being considered by a local publisher. It’s about a snarky tree. I’m also diving back into my middle-grade and YA novels. Now that Words Matter is out in the world, I’ll have the mental time and space to complete those projects. I did finish a graphic novel manuscript set at an alternative school for at risk kids that I adore. I did the research a couple of years ago and I would love to see that out in the world. Then again, I’m not an illustrator so it will be an uphill battle to publication–my favorite kind of journey. 

Thanks for sharing all your advice, Anita. You can find Anita: 

Website: AnitaPazner.com

Instagram: AnitaPazner

FB: Anita Fitch Pazner

Bluesky: @anita-pazner.bsky.social 

Giveaway Details

Anita’s publisher is generously offering a hardback of Words Matter: The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and The White Rose Resistance for a giveaway. To enter, all you need to do is be a follower of my blog (via the follower gadget, email, or bloglovin’ on the right sidebar) and leave a comment by October 4th. If I do not have your email (I can no longer get it from your Google Profile), you must leave it in the comments to enter the contest. Please be sure I have your email address. 

If you mention this contest on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media sites and/or follow me on Twitter or Bluesky or follow Anita on her social media sites, mention this in the comments, and I'll give you an extra entry for each. You must be 13 years old or older to enter. This book giveaway is U.S. 

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Greg Pattridge. You can find the participating blogs on his blog. 

Upcoming Interviews, Guest Posts, and Blog Hops 

Monday, September 29th I have an interview with author Tracy Badau and a giveaway of her MG Ghoul Summer 

Wednesday, October 1st I’m participating in the Scaredy Cat Giveaway Hop and have an interview with author Julie Berry with a giveaway of her YA If Looks Could Kill and my IWSG post 

Monday, October 6th I have an agent spotlight interview with Renee Runge and a query critique giveaway 

Monday, October 13th I have an interview with author Lynne Kelly and a giveaway of her MG Three Blue Hearts 

Wednesday, October 15th I have an agent spotlight interview with Sophie Sheumaker and a query critique giveaway 

Thursday, October 16th I’m participating in the Silly Pumpkin Giveaway Hop 

Monday, October 20th I have a guest post by author Claudia Mills and a giveaway of her MG The Last Apple Tree 

Monday, October 27th I have an interview with author Dusti Bowling and a giveaway of her MG Holding on for Dear Life 

I hope to see you on Monday!