Sunday, February 19, 2023

A Different Kind of Book Battle



HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I sat, silent, as Nola Nash told me this story. And I knew you’d be interested, too. 

How I Got My Book Banned Without Even Trying

     by Nola Nash


It certainly wasn’t something I’d set out to do. Quite the opposite, in fact. It was a story that captured me and one I hoped would capture the hearts of readers. Certainly not one that screamed ‘controversy.” A story about a town I thought I knew. A story with so much humanity to share.

Humanity. Now, there’s a funny word for this. When I set about telling the story of the much forgotten, or much skewed, Battle of Franklin, I didn’t want to focus on military strategy or sides. There was enough of that in the historical markers around the small Tennessee town. What drew me to the story of the day that was known as The Five Bloodiest Hours of the American Civil War were the accounts of humanity and loss that knew no side. Horrific history hidden in the shadows of the charming town I’d lived in for over twenty years. Being a writer of paranormal historical fiction, I knew I wanted to share the humanity of that day through the voices of the ghosts of its past. That decision would be a defining one later on.

For months, I meticulously researched the deeply moving personal accounts of soldiers on both sides and civilians of the town. Letters, editorials, journals, and so many other ways the people related their personal and human experience that went far deeper than the colors of their uniforms or the patterns on their flags. Some of the most powerful stories at the center of the book came from three of the homes that played the most pivotal roles that day: Carnton Plantation (the largest field hospital of the forty-three in town), and Carter and Lotz Houses that were ground zero for the battle and worst of the carnage. Lotz House is independently run as a museum, but Carnton and Carter are owned by the Battle of Franklin Trust.

I thought we were on the same side, the Trust and I – sharing the stories that can help us learn how not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Perhaps we still are. Perhaps not.


Making the creative decision to have the ghosts of the past tell their own stories through the framework of a modern-day haunting of the small town gave weight to their tales. It made them emotional and powerful rather than dimensionless and stale like a history book. I fell in love with the characters I’d created from compiled first-hand accounts and the real historical players brought to life on the pages. Rather than your usual ‘ghost story’ with its chills and creepiness, these spirits bared their souls in their search for rest and peace. Since the book released, the characters have become beloved by many across the country who knew nothing of the infamous battle and especially in the hearts of those that call Franklin home.

Well, not everyone.

The local merchants who take center stage in the book, local bookstore, and even the ghost tour companies in town have been gracious in their support and encouragement of my work. They actively share it with their patrons looking for a unique look at the small town. Lotz House Museum has agreed to carry it in their gift shop. 

Encouraged by this, I decided to approach the Battle of Franklin Trust about carrying it in the gift shops at Carter House and Carnton Plantation. Both have numerous non-fiction and historical fiction books of the Civil War era. Unlike Lotz House that embraces the idea of the property being haunted, the Trust is quick to deflect comments of visitors about hauntings. Not a ghost story on their shelves. Rather, their focus is the historical details. At the heart of my work is the same - meticulous attention to facts woven through the fiction that drives the tales and pulls the reader in.

I wrote to the decision maker at the Trust and offered to deliver him a copy of the book along with a synopsis and reviews that touted the history in its pages in hopes that they would see the ghosts as the vehicle for the history that they truly are.

No. They didn’t. Mostly because they didn’t read it. Never even accepted the copy I offered. With much pre-conceived prejudice against the spirits mentioned in the synopsis, they dismissed me out of hand.

I was gutted. All along the way, I had promoted their cause, brought people to the homes for the historical tours, and even promoted them on social media as I did readings from the book that took place at those locations. I supported the Battle of Franklin Trust and was grateful for their curation of the history that helped me shape my characters. I was hurt and angry. My books that shared the same history they do are not welcome in their gift shops.

Had they read the book and decided it wasn’t for them, that might have been easier to take. Being dismissed without reading my work was, well, insulting and confusing.

I nursed that hurt for a little while. Author and friend Hank Phillippi Ryan put a question in my mind that I’ve been pondering. If I had known that using the spirits to tell the story would result in my book being, for lack of a better word, banned by the Battle of Franklin Trust that I had been so supportive of, would I have made a different decision in my approach to the story? 

The answer is simple. No. Too many readers have heaped praise on the book and marveled at how a ghost story could tug on their heartstrings. Too many have fallen in love with the town through the pages of the book. Too many new friendships and connections have been made as a result of this book being what it is. No. I wouldn’t change a single word if it meant losing all of those things.

It was painful to be snubbed when I felt the Trust and I were on the same path of sharing the stories of the ten thousand human lives at the heart of that terrible day. I will carry the sting of that with me for a while, if I’m honest. However, banned or not, House of Mirrors and the souls in the story, both modern and historical, have taken on lives of their own in the hearts of readers and I am humbled and grateful for that. I wouldn’t change a word and will continue to support the work of the Trust whether they support mine or not. The stories are worth it. And, after all, it’s all about the story.

HANK: What an experience. What do you think, reds and readers? What decision would you have made?



Originally from south Louisiana, Nola Nash now makes her home in Brentwood , Tennessee. She grew up in Baton Rouge, but her biggest writing inspiration was the city of New Orleans that gave her at an early age a love of the magic, mystery, and history. When she isn’t writing, Nola is an online high school instructional coach and podcast host on Dead Folks Tales and BYOB for Authors on the Air Global Radio Network. She is the author of four books: CRESCENT CITY MOON, CRESCENT CITY SIN, TRAVELER, and HOUSE OF MIRRORS.


52 comments:

  1. What decision would I have made? I’d have graciously accepted the book Nola offered, and I’d have read it. And then, no matter how I felt about the book, I would offer it for sale in the gift shop because every visitor should have the opportunity to make their own decision about the book or books they wanted to read about the battle.

    It never fails to amaze me, Nola, that people can be so cruel and, well, stubborn. Shame on the folks at the Battle of Franklin Trust . . . and cheers to you for telling the story in such an inventive, clever way.

    And now I’m putting your book on my must-read list . . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joan, you never cease to amaze me with your wisdom. Thank you for this. Xxx

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much for your kind words and support! Agreed! the choice should be the readers to make!

      Delete
  2. I wasn't quite sure of the question. If I had been part of the Battle of Franklin Trust, would I have read the book? Yes, I would, and would have featured it in the bookshop for the reasons Joan gave. (And I suspect that privately some on that committee of however many who had to make that decision to appease the powers that be probably read it privately anyway.)
    - or -
    If I were Nola, would I regret writing the characters in the book as I did? Nope, and I'm glad she wouldn't change a thing. She did and is doing the right thing. Replacing ignorant behavior with graciousness is the best way to let that sting dissipate. And I so applaud her for her achievement. (I want that book, too!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In fact, I just ordered it.

      Delete
    2. Thank you for your kind words and I hope the book brings you enjoyment and a love of our sweet town!

      Delete
  3. Nola, your book sounds fascinating. It is so different to use the POV's of those who lived and died in that battle so long ago! I agree with Joan and with Elizabeth above, but also see that you have people on the other side of this who are hyper sensitive to the notion of ghosts inhabiting their museum. They have taken denial as their shield. They see your book as a threat to their beliefs. I am glad that the rest of the town has embraced your interpretation of history because that is what it is! A unique interpretation of history!

    ReplyDelete
  4. While the trust is perfectly within their rights to not carry the book since it doesn't fit within their (somewhat narrow-minded) parameters, it does seem rather shortsighted to not even have bothered to read the book before making a fully informed decision.

    But would that have stopped me from writing the book as I saw fit. HELL DAMN NO! If I'm writing a book, I'm writing the story "my" way (realizing that an editor is going to be able to weigh in of course). But I would have to realize that my way wouldn't lead to hearts and flowers from some sections of the potential audience.

    Nola, I do like the sound of your story and I'm adding it to my list so I can check it out for myself.

    As for the wider topic of book banning, with a new challenge going on at the Abington library and the continued asinine behavior of "people" in states like Texas and Floridastan, it's always to remember that if you are trying to ban books, you are the enemy you are looking for.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jay, as always, so on target! I will quote you, "...you are the enemy you are looking for." Perfect!

      Delete
    2. Judy, thanks. I have to slightly amend my post. It's a school library that a targeted book banning attempt is happening for. But that's how they start, they go after the soft targets like a school library, once they get those, then they will be emboldened to go after public libraries.

      Delete
    3. I'm with Judy, Jay: your quote is a keeper. thank you for it.

      Delete
    4. What a quote, Jay! Love love that! And thank you so much for your kind words. I wrote the book I love. And I hope others give it a shot and love it, too.

      Delete
  5. Very interesting and timely topic today! Nola, I want to read the book even though so-called ghost stories do not usually appeal to me. But a good story is a good story! I will do all I can to get the word out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jay - I love Floridastan! I haven't heard that.
      I will buy the book too - to support Nola and because it sounds like a wonderful read. If it helps Nola, I wonder maybe they just don't want to encourage the belief in the paranorma and the old if we accept this one we have to accept others (nonsense)? It is just a shame though that they are so closed minded that they won't read the book and make an informed decision.

      Delete
    2. Thank you Judi, and I do hope you enjoy it. It is more heart than creepiness. Hopefully it will be unlike the typical "ghost story" and leave you with warmth rather than chills. :)

      Delete
    3. That's an excellent point, too, about the possibility of having to let in more haunting tales is they allowed mine. If they had explained that, I would have understood their position.

      Delete
  6. I helped a friend get her book into a special interest museum gift shop. Her YA novel covered some controversial aspects in the special interest area.

    A few months later, my friend let me know her book had been pulled. Someone had complained to the shop about the book's unflinching stare at the controversies.

    Let's just say that the museum I'm being cagey about is about half a day's drive from Franklin and is also where unique views have been rarely tolerated and never appreciated.

    Back to my friend's book. Several years later, after shop management changed, I saw the book back on the shelves. Fresh copies, too. My friend and I had lost contact, so I wonder if she even knew. Those books probably came through the publisher. I hope they told her. But I digress.

    The direction the wind blows changes. Perhaps briefly, but they can change. And books now don't go out of print like they did years ago.

    I'm glad you wrote the book you wanted to write.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What an interesting story! I'm so glad her book is where it belongs now, and I do hope she knows. Perhaps one day mine will find it's way into the museums, but even if it never does, I'm glad I wrote the book I did, too,

      Delete
  7. So agree with everyone else here today. No, I would never have changed my story to suit someone else. And pooh on them for being so narrow-minded. At least read the book, you eedjits, before you ban it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Thank you! (And eedjits totally cracked me up. Secretly a favorite word!)

      Delete
  8. I’m flabbergasted that the Trust rejected the book without even reading it. I believe you told the story in a unique way, and that it couldn’t have been done any other way. And I want to read it.

    DebRo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Deb! If you do read it, I hope you enjoy it. I appreciate your kind words!

      Delete
  9. Having had a similar experience of getting a similarly ignorant, but very public rejection in a well-researched marketplace, I completely sympathize, Nola. Narrow- and close-minded people abound, and always have. It's the worst when you and/or your work are the target in their sights.

    Be patient; those who control the gift shop now will not always be there. Life has a way of changing, sometimes pretty quickly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ugh! I hate to hear that happened to you, too! Thank you so much for that wonderful and wise advice!

      Delete
  10. So reassuring to hear your passion, reds and readers! I am racing around on book tour today—but reading every word! Xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. It doesn't seem possible to write a story to suit someone else. I'm glad you didn't try. What goes around, comes around. The classist snobs that refuse to open their minds even a scintilla will get theirs soon enough. This is not my genre, but I will buy this book, in hardcover, and maybe send a note to the Trust to ask why they do not have it on their shelves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! It's a unique book and I appreciate your support! (And I'm totally in favor of a note to the Trust! :) )

      Delete
  12. The thing to focus on, is that everyone else in the town (Lotz House, local book store, local tours, local merchants) all actively share it with their patrons. That sounds like a lot of community support. Well deserved. You should have everyone you know go into the Franklin Trust and ask for it! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. With a credit card or cash and ready: "You don't have this book? Aww, that's too bad. I was so looking forward to purchasing it and even getting a membership in the Trust. C'est la vie."

      Channeling Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman
      Except that came out a little manipulative and evil

      Delete
    2. Love love love! And then coming back in with it in hand the next day: "Big mistake. Big!" Or as we would say in the south, "Bless your heart, you just missed out big time, darllin'."

      Delete
  13. Yes to writing the book we need and want to write. A definite NO to book banning. And a big fat yes to reading widely across genres and perspectives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here, here! Reading across genres is so important! You never know what you might find you like. Tastes change, and even styles within genres can make a difference. Read some of it all! Like a book charcuterie board...

      Delete
  14. It seems ironic that I first heard of the battle of Franklin and Carnton Plantation in another book, The Widow of the South, in 2005. I expect I’m not the only one. I wonder if THAT book is sold in their bookstores.

    I thoroughly enjoyed Franklin when I finally visited a few years ago, but would not feel the same way about visiting the houses now that I know the board’s narrow minded attitude. I will never understand people who insist on inflicting their views on everyone else. What are they afraid of? Or is it just a power trip? Anyway, they are losing the battle since everyone else in town seems to be selling your book. BTW—loved the local bookstore.

    So glad you were true to yourself and the way you wanted to tell the story. The book sounds fascinating, and I’ll be ordering it, although I’m not much into the supernatural.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And thank you for ordering it! You might be surprised by this one as a supernatural book. It’s a bit different how the ghosts are used. I’ve had lots of folks who aren’t usually into supernatural books tell me they enjoyed it as it feels much more like historical fiction than paranormal. If only the Trust had read it to see that,
      too. :) Happy reading!

      Delete
  15. Interestingly, The Widow of the South was largely responsible for the restoration efforts of Carnton Plantation through creating exposure of the historical value of the place and the author who passed in the last year is buried on the property in the family cemetery. As it’s historical fiction with no paranormal elements, it’s accepted and loved by the Trust. And it’s a great book. I recommend it. And I don’t harbor ill-will to the homes and the history even if the ones who are curating it at the moment aren’t as open-minded as I wish they were. Franklin is lovely and vibrant, and I’m glad you had a chance to visit! Landmark Booksellers is divine. Precious place and people!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nola, you and others are probably too young to have read Pogo in the comics back in the dark ages. Jay's quote reminded me of one in Pogo: We have met the enemy and he is us. So apt! I have to read your book. It sounds awesome! I moved to an historic town not quite a year ago. Both Robert E. Lee and family are buried here and Stonewall Jackson and his family and descendants. As you can imagine there has been a lot of debate over names, statues, etc. Too many people get to criticizing and forget the main lesson: war is tragic. The Civil War was probably the biggest tragedy in our history and we need to listen to one another and pull together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear ya about the names and such. In fact, you’d think the Civil War element would have been more likely to spark controversy somewhere. I was truly not expecting the spirits to do it! Thank you for your support!

      Delete
  17. Nola, your story reminds me of how very slow the mystery world was been to embrace other genres. There were romances with SF settings and SF novels with mysteries at the heart decades ago, but it's only really been in the past twenty years that crime fiction publishers have put their toes in the water, especially as it pertains to paranormal or supernatural elements. I suspect the enormous success of authors like Charlaine Harris, Michael Koryta and Jim Butcher has made them realize yes, mystery readers are willing to get their chocolate into someone else's peanut butter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I do hope so! I’ve had the opportunity to interview Charlaine a few times and she is wonderful. I’m glad she’s found success doing and writing what she’s passionate about and I love using her as a role model for my own journey!

      Delete
  18. I'm glad you decided you wouldn't have changed it to appease the Trust. That's what a true artist does. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! It’s a book from my heart. Doing it any other way would be betraying myself as much as the people the story represents.

      Delete
  19. Nola, I'm so glad you didn't try to write this book outside of your preferred presentation. I love your unique approach to this tragic history, letting the voices that experienced it speak. I've always been a big fan of Edgar Lee Masters' Spoon River Anthology, and while the voices speaking are physically appearing ghosts, they kind of are. Historical fiction is a favorite genre for me, and using this paranormal vehicle to tell the story doesn't bother me at all. I'm adding House of Mirrors to my buy and read lists.

    I noticed there wasn't a description of the book in your so interesting post, so I'm going to include here the description I found on Goodreads. Also, the ratings and reviews for House of Mirrors are glowing.
    "Sometimes the only ones who see us for who we truly are, are the mirrors.
    The small historic town of Franklin, Tennessee, hides a grisly past behind its pristine Hallmark movie façade. While the glories of the town history and its architecture are meticulously preserved, the hauntings left behind by the darker side of that history are kept tucked away in the local ghost tours. When a new couple moves in to the Bennett House, the town is brought face-to-face with the spirits of their past that have been trapped for a century and a half in mirror prisons that now reside on the Bennett House walls. Can Ruby Baxter, local tour guide, historian, and reluctant medium help the lost souls find the homes they belong in and peace with their own pasts so they can finally rest? Or will town prejudices against the spirits hold them hostage? Will the mirrors help Ruby find her purpose and finally see herself as others do?
    Woven through the modern quest for helping the souls of the past find their voices and peace, are the Five Bloodiest Hours of the American Civil War – The Battle of Franklin. Mirroring events in the modern tale, the story of humanity, fear, and sacrifice of the soldiers and citizens whose experiences and names were left out of the history books is finally told so that they, too, can be seen for who they truly were."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your kind words, support, and posting the synopsis!

      Delete
    2. Oh! And also, I’m a huge fan of Spoon River, too. We did the show with our community theater when I was younger. My mother was in the show and I stage managed. Loved every night of it!

      Delete
    3. Oh, I adore Spoon River! Thank you, dear KAthy!\

      Delete