Meet Trailblazer Marcia Fine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcia Fine.

Marcia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As an only child, I read many books. I had friends to play with, yet curling up with a good story was my favorite. I read John Steinbeck, Sinclair Lewis, and James Baldwin under my covers with a flashlight for years. They were all from my parent’s library. I became an English teacher and later, an entrepreneur; however, my desire was to write books. I began about twenty years ago with a satirical series about Scottsdale, a tony community with frequent absurdities. The antics of the denizens in the desert amused me. I couldn’t make up the Botox Bandit, The Rock Burglar and the women who left her toddler in the car with valet so she could buy eye cream in Neiman’s. The series caused quite a stir!

In recent years, I have written four historical fiction novels that have taken me not only to the past but also around the world. I began with my own family history in Poland. The novel migrates from Europe to America and tells the tale of three generations of women. PAPER CHILDREN has been a finalist for three national prizes.

THE BLIND EYE, a parallel story about 16th century Portugal and a contemporary Cuban woman searching for her identity, was chosen for ONEBOOKAZ in 2015 to read by the whole state of Arizona.

PARIS LAMB examines the world of art auctions, biblical archaeology, and anti-Semitism in the 1950s. And, finally, HIDDEN ONES — A Veil of Memories was released in 2017. The topic is a forgotten piece of Mexican history. The Inquisition functioned throughout the Southwest Territories in the 1600-1800s terrorizing anyone who was not part of the faith. It has garnered seven awards, including two first prizes for Multi-Cultural Books and being chosen for a Cultural Arts Award designating me as “The Storyteller.” I am honored.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an author is a personal journey. Typically, first novels are often autobiographical. Mine was! GOSSIP.COM, about a mother planning her daughter’s wedding, garnered me an agent and top sales. The path for subsequent books was three different agents and four publishers. When one small press went out of business after PAPER CHILDREN, I was fortunate to retain my rights to the novel. Many don’t. It was an awakening.

The satirical trilogy didn’t have cohesive covers and the next step was precarious. Before I began three more novels, I decided to form my own company, Limage Press. With control over the content and appearance of my books, there was a shift. Today, the cover designs and interior are all professional. I have a team who knows what I want. It’s possible to use companies today that will publish; however, they often try to squeeze the author into a template. I like creativity and originality.

In order to sell books, it’s necessary to meet the public. My teaching skills have catapulted me to be a speaker for many organizations. If you lack those skills, join Toastmasters. Not all authors are good speakers. It can be learned! The marketing of books and branding yourself as an author takes perseverance. You can’t write a book and hide. You have to get out there!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Limage Press – what should we know?
My novels are about Jewish identity, what makes us who we are, how our history influences lives and decisions and the struggle to keep faith alive through rituals and traditions. I amused myself poking fun at contemporary lives; however, my path has led me to explore so much more. After penning PAPER CHILDREN about the fate of my Polish Ashkenazi family, I began to explore Sephardic Jews, those who emanated from Spain, Portugal, Morocco, the Middle East, the Ottoman Empire and more. Their expulsion from Spain and Portugal in the early 1500s created a Diaspora around the world.

So, what happened to these people who wanted to practice their faith upon punishment of death? Many were forcibly converted and referred to as conversos. What were they thinking following two religions? How did they survive in an atmosphere of secrecy and lies? I found this psychological conundrum fascinating! It led me to explore epigenetics, the science of how genes may be altered and passed on to future generations, especially trauma. I interviewed people whose families experienced centuries of displacement, dug through archives and researched in places where it occurred.

My interest settled right under my feet. The Mexican Inquisition ruled most of North, South and Central America for centuries. It wasn’t officially over until 1834 and beyond that. I feel privileged to have written HIDDEN ONES. It’s a story about the Crespin family who migrates from Mexico City north into the Southwest Territories that include New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Colorado and parts of California. It is a forgotten piece of Jewish and Mexican history. I speak often in various venues because others find the story interesting too with the advent of DNA tests and genealogy sites. I love my journey!

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
Women read more books than men. It’s a fact.

I write what I like to read — gripping stories filled with suspense, conflicted characters, family secrets and a lack of violence. Authors who focus on telling women’s stories have a great opportunity. Today, content is king! More companies are looking for stories to fill hours of time in our digital world. Actors look for roles that can drive a story. I focus on the Latinx market because many top actors have expressed they want leading role parts,

If you’re an author with a compelling story, someone wants to read it and perhaps take it to other venues. They can be true or not. It doesn’t matter. The human experience gives us insight into our own lives. Personally, I see a strong matrilineal line between the female generations in many families, including my own. Women are the keepers of the faith. There are a myriad of opportunities for women writers that we can tap into with ease. It’s not that there’s not a male influence. It’s just we want to write it all down and share!

Pricing:

• $16.95 + tax and shipping.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marciafine.com
• Phone: 480-831-0894
• Email: marciafinebooks@gmail.com
• Instagram: marciafine
• Facebook: Marcia Fine Author
• Twitter: marciafinebooks

Image Credit:
Tina Celle, SMF Photography

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