Survival story: Book details experience during Third Reich

by Susan Peterson

As a magazine writer, Cecelia Wilson has interviewed hundreds of individuals from all walks of life. Her inspiring stories range from light-hearted topics to more serious topics of suicide, abuse and surviving cancer. 

But one story in particular stayed with her through the years — that of German immigrant Edith Röpke Harris. Cecelia first met Edith, who is now 82 years old, more than 20 years ago. Although Cecelia had written several articles about her, it was only after the death of Edith’s husband that Cecelia persuaded her to be interviewed at length for a book. Edith shared details about her childhood in Nazi Germany and the heroic risks her mother Marta made to keep her eight children alive. 

Writer Cecelia Wilson (right) with German immigrant Edith Röpke Harris.

After months of interviews and extensive research, “Back to Bremen” was ready to be submitted for publication. It is a fascinating story of survival that provides the sometimes-overlooked perspective of a non-Jewish German family’s experience during the Third Reich and the post-war era. 

When looking for a publisher, Cecelia found that the Internet made the process more streamlined than when she last went through it more than 30 years ago. With a keystroke, she was able to submit copies to agents and publishers, both large and small. 

However, she found it’s sometimes hard to get noticed. Many publishers say upfront if a submission isn’t what they want in the exact format they want it in, they won’t consider the manuscript at all. “It’s important to submit exactly what is requested because everyone wants something a little different,” Cecelia said. 

After a year of rejections, persistence finally paid off. Cecelia received offers from two separate publishers. “In the end, I decided to go with Oghma Creative Media. Not only were they an up-and-coming publisher in Northwest Arkansas, but I loved the products they turned out. And their book covers were striking, and that’s important to an author.”

Since publication in March 2017, Cecelia and Edith have made appearances at schools in the area, and students are riveted by the topic and her true story of survival. “Meeting an author may be interesting for readers, but meeting Edith is like meeting a walking page of history,” Cecelia said. 

“Back to Bremen,” which is receiving numerous five-star reviews, may be purchased online in hardcover, paperback or e-book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Books-a-Million. For more information on the book, events or to contact Cecelia regarding a presentation, check out the book’s website at BackToBremen.com or facebook.com/CeceliaWilsonAuthor.

 

Susan Peterson

Susan Peterson holds a PhD in education and taught at the University of Central Arkansas and Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. She retired in 2004 and now spends her time doing artwork (painting and pottery). She is the executive secretary of the Arkansas Reading Association, a professional organization for educators that has about 800 members statewide.

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