New York Times Bestselling and Award-winning Author Ronald H. Balson
New York Times bestselling author Ronald H. Balson in Cigar Aficionado magazine.
Ronald H. Balson is an attorney, professor, and New York Times bestselling author. He won the National Jewish Book Award and was the Illinois Reading Council's adult fiction selection for their Illinois Reads program, in addition to being a Target Book Club Pick and Newsweek Choice. Balson was a finalist for the Harper Lee Award for Legal Fiction and a runner-up in the Italian Premio Selezione Bancarella Award for Italian Literature. He is the author of ELI’S PROMISE, DEFENDING BRITTA STEIN, and AN AFFAIR OF SPIES. He has appeared on many television and radio programs and has lectured nationally and internationally on his writing. He lives in Chicago.
What inspired you to start writing, and what was your journey to becoming a New York Times bestselling and National Jewish Book Award-winning author?
I have been a lawyer for fifty years, and like most lawyers, the practice requires hours and hours of writing. We write legal briefs, appeals, motions, pleas, and arguments. They are all non-fiction, of course. But they required research hours, organized stories, and a logical conclusion. Those are the foundations for writing historical fiction as well. Like many attorneys, I desired to write creatively, but it wasn’t until all the right pieces came together that I wrote my first novel. About twenty years ago, a commercial lawsuit took me to Poland. The case was in Chicago, but the witnesses, government officials, and documents were all in Poland. I spent a lot of time in Warsaw and other Polish cities. I was there on business to work on the lawsuit, but remnants of World War II were everywhere I went. Statues, memorials, and even bullet holes in a brick wall with a plaque advising that the Nazis had executed twenty-two people. I was walking on the streets of a country that had been devastated. It was an emotional experience. Right then and there, I wrote a story about a typical Polish family and what they would have endured during the Nazi occupation. That became ONCE WE WERE BROTHERS, my first novel. From then on, I have written right more works of historical fiction.
Ronald H. Balson on the BBC show Between the Covers.
“…remnants of World War II were everywhere...”
What appeals the most to you about writing within the historical fiction genre?
I am a history buff. I was a history major in college. Creating characters and a plot and weaving them into a historical setting is enjoyable. Suppose the reader can identify with one or more of my characters and become wrapped up in the story. In that case, it’s as though the reader is personally experiencing the historical setting. Readers tell me that they have enhanced their understanding of a historical period by forming an emotional bond with one or more fictional characters. When they do, readers learn more about that period, which tends to stay with them.
Do you find that there are any limitations to historical fiction?
The truth. Never misstate or misapply the facts. Although my characters are fictional, and the plot is a creation of my mind, the background, the setting, and the facts are accurate. You can create characters and circumstances all you like, but there is no bending the historical facts as they occurred. If you do, then your book loses credibility. It is no longer historical fiction; it is a fantasy. The historical figures must be portrayed accurately as well. Events must be described just as they occurred. Einstein can’t be driving a tank. But one of my characters could. Truth is the limitation.
Ronald H. Balson’s DEFENDING BRITTA STEIN (St. Martin’s Press)
“Truth is the limitation.”
What do you hope readers will gain from reading your books?
First, hours of enjoyment. Second, a greater appreciation of the historical setting. I hope they will gain knowledge of the period, the location, and the principal figures. For example, DEFENDING BRITTA STEIN is a story about Danish citizens in World War II. They came together, as a whole, to rescue ninety-five percent of their Jewish population from certain death. They hid them in whatever location they could and ferried them across the sea to Sweden in the middle of the night. No other country did anything like that, so the Danish people are honored in numerous ways, including in the “Garden of The Righteous Among the Nations” at Yad Vashem. I created fictional characters to fit into the story. Britta Stein never existed, but the heroism of the Danish people certainly did. And my fictional character can tell the story.
What do you love the most about connecting with your fans and readers?
I have to be honest here; it’s wonderful to discuss the stories and to hear them tell me how much they loved them. I have had the privilege of speaking to many groups nationwide. After the presentations, there is usually a Q&A. I love hearing readers’ reactions to the stories. What parts did they like the best? What factors did they dislike? (None. I hope). With what characters were they able to form an emotional attachment? Were they moved by any characters or segments? I learn a lot from those discussion groups.
Has the Jewish community been supportive of you and your books?
Most definitely. I wouldn’t have a career without them. When I finished my first book, ONCE WE WERE BROTHERS, I appeared at the Meet The Authors conference sponsored by the Jewish Book Council. Because of that conference, I was asked to appear at several book discussion groups. That introduced me to many readers and led to other programs. Because of those, my reputation grew. The yearly JBC Meet the Author conference has continued to introduce me to other organizations. I am indebted to the JBC and the Jewish institutions for helping me become an established author.
Ronald H. Balson’s AN AFFAIR OF SPIES (St. Martin’s Press)
What do you feel are the qualities that make for the best literary agent?
A literary agent is a liaison between the writer and his publisher. The literary agent finds the appropriate publisher and helps to create the relationship. The literary agent helps to negotiate contractual provisions that best serve the author. In that regard, a literary agent must understand his author. Where is he trying to go with his writing? The literary agent’s advice is invaluable. How can he help the author progress? What doors can be opened for the author? What goals are realistic? In what way can the literary gent help the author reach those goals? A good literary agent is indispensable. Mark Gottlieb is just that kind of literary agent.
“A good literary agent is indispensable. Mark Gottlieb is just that kind of literary agent.”
What has it been like working with George Witte and the St. Martin’s Press team on your latest book, AN AFFAIR OF SPIES?
I am fortunate to have George Witte, Sophia, Rebecca, Brigitte, and Rivka in my corner. As my editor, George Witte displays great literary sense. He steers me in the right direction. George Witte can identify extraneous portions of the manuscript that do not add to the storyline. He knows where the manuscript needs work. Sophia, Rebecca, Brigitte, and Rivka are aware of promotional and marketing opportunities and alert me to them. When ELI’S PROMISE was chosen as Target’s book of the month, my terrific SMP staff made that happen. From time to time, when titles are needed for a book signing or at a given event, my team coordinates with the event organizer to make that happen. I’m lucky, and I have a great team.
Ronald H. Balson’s ELI’S PROMISE (St. Martin’s Press)
Any advice for hopeful writers looking to become published authors?
Believe in yourself. It takes time.
Are you reading anything interesting for pleasure at the moment?
CODE NAME SAPHIRE, by Pam Jenoff
“Through my characters, I can spend time with historical figures.”
Can you finish this sentence? I love writing because…
At my desk: I’m in a different world. I’m spending time with the characters that I created and exploring the relationships they form. I’m accompanying them to places where they may travel. Maybe I travel into the past. Through my characters, I can spend time with historical figures.
In the real world: my writing has allowed me to travel to countries worldwide. I have done book fairs and presentations and met many interesting people. Some are authors and literary agents, and some are directors of institutions where I am invited to speak. Many of those men and women have remained good friends.
