Me: Congratulations on your exciting new book HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: Kate Warne and the Race to Save Abraham Lincoln (Calkins Creek, January 2025)! It’s great to have you back for another interview. This is an edge-of-your-seat tale from 1861 (spoiler alert: Lincoln lives; but by how close is the fun part). How did you find this gem of hidden history?
Beth: Thank you, Jonathan! After reading an article on Kate Warne’s role in the Baltimore Plot, I began the story in March 2015. But about a year later, when a few announcements came out for books on Kate, I stuck it away. As a fan of detective stories…and unknown women in history…and Abraham Lincoln, sigh, I hated to do lose it.
But as often happens, world events shed new light and interest on this event in our history when a group of people tried to stop a duly elected president from taking office…on Jan. 6, 2021. I took out the manuscript, researched more, and went after it again.
Me: Your book is old history, but somehow feels timely. As much as we seem divided as a country these days, it almost pales in comparison to what was going on in 1861. What can we take away from this story to apply to our fractures of today?
Beth: It’s definitely timely after we witnessed Jan. 6. Some aspects feel similar, but many others feel different. I think we can take away hope—that enough of “the people” will step forward and act with integrity and honor to preserve the peace and abide by the constitution. But it’s also a message that it’s up to “the people,” us, to be “at the ready” to act courageously and compassionately to uphold principles of equality, justice, and democracy, and not assume someone else will come along and fix everything. Heroes are those who selflessly dare to step forward. And we likely have many potential heroes among us, hiding in plain sight.
Me: Sally Wern Comport’s illustrations are really stunning, evoking the time with period style collage, but with a fresh, cinematic feel. What, if any, was your role in choosing her and collaborating on the illustrations?
Beth: The fabulous editorial team at Calkins Creek thought Sally would be perfect, and I was all in! While we didn’t work directly together on any of it, there was much back and forth through the editor as Sally shared sketches and incorporated period images, fabrics, furniture, fixtures, and more. Then when we vetted the passes, it was a meticulous process that involved tweaks with the maps, clocks, and other details. I could never have imagined the art she created!
Me: What’s some advice you would give to someone who wants to write non-fiction for young readers?
Beth: I think you have to love the dig, the rabbit holes, and the challenges that come with finding and putting the pieces together when you can’t make up anything. It’s important to present the information differently and offer new ways to think about people, events, or topics. I encourage nonfiction writers to research far and wide, as well as deep, and to delve into craft, using tools and techniques that create an engaging read.
Me: Can you share what you’re working on next?
Beth: An announcement about my next book is coming very soon!
I’ve got a couple other manuscripts in progress, but they’re not ready for sharing yet. 😊
Me: Thank you so much for chatting, Beth. Wishing your book much success!
To learn more, please go to www.bethandersonwriter.com
