Two noteworthy authors of historical fiction, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore and Allison Epstein, will speak about their latest novels during an author event, 2 p.m. Sept. 7 at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St. in Winnetka.
Gilmore was born in Moscow but moved to the United States with her parents and sister when she was eight years old. It’s a city that she knows very well, though, because of her frequent trips back there to see relatives. So it’s not surprising that she chose that location as the setting of her first novel, “The Witch and the Tsar,” and her second novel, “The Haunting of Moscow House,” which will be on sale Sept. 3.
What is surprising is that Gilmore was a successful attorney when she decided to become a fulltime author.
“I was in litigation, working at a large law firm here in Chicago,” Gilmore said. She was on a partner track but soon realized it wasn’t a good fit for her.
“I wanted more creativity in my life; I wanted more meaning,” she explained.
Gilmore initially wrote fantasies but decided, “It didn’t quite fit for me,” she said. “I wanted the complexity and the puzzle-like type of work that I got used to as a lawyer. I came to historical fiction because I was really interested in Baba Yaga, which is a legend, and I was really interested also in Ivan the Terrible, who was a real-life tsar in 15th century Russia.”
That led her to the publication of “The Witch and the Tsar.”
“I loved the fact that I’m working with real history,” Gilmore said. “I love the fact that putting together a historical story, a fictional one, is very much like a puzzle. It’s like the briefs I used to write as a lawyer with slightly more fun subject matter.”
Not only did Gilmore get a publication contract for “The Witch and the Tsar” with Berkley, the contract also included publication of a second novel.
“The Haunting of Moscow House” is based on a real-life family that Gilmore read about. “They were the top aristocratic elite in Russia before the Russian Revolution,” she said. “I learned about two sisters who continued to live in their ancestral home in Moscow even after their house was taken over by Soviet men. The sisters lived in the attic of what used to be their house.”
Among their quirks, the peculiar sisters pretended that their dead husbands were alive.
“It was fodder for a Gothic novel,” Gilmore explained.
The author declared, “I’ve loved books my whole life. It really is a passion of mine. The fact that I can make a living off of my passion is a dream.”
The mother of one credits her supportive husband for helping her fulfill her dream.
Allison Epstein is the author of “A Tip for the Hangman,” “Let the Dead Bury the Dead,” and the upcoming novel “Fagin the Thief,” which will be released next year on Feb. 25.
Epstein began writing historical fiction because the genre is one she has always enjoyed.
“It’s still 50% of what I read,” she said.
She had immediate success with her first novel. “A Tip for the Hangman” was named one of Barnes & Noble’s Most Anticipated Reads of Feb. 2021, as well as one of the baiduhai’s most anticipated 2021 releases.
In “A Tip for the Hangman,” Elizabethan playwright Kit Marlowe becomes a spy for Queen Elizabeth I with the mission of keeping an eye on Mary, Queen of Scots.
Epstein’s second book, “Let the Dead Bury the Dead,” “started out of a character idea that I had,” the author said. “This person who walked into a room and draws everybody’s attention. You don’t know exactly why. You want to trust her but you sort of know you shouldn’t.”
The book is set in early 19th century Russia and includes political intrigue and a little magic.
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“I really enjoy getting as much historical backgrounds and context as I can before I start writing so that the world seems linked in before I start putting the story together,” Epstein said.
She reported that author Olesya Salnikova Gilmore was very helpful to her in assuring the accuracy of the book.
“She has a lot of knowledge about Russian history and culture,” Epstein explained. “I sent her a draft and had her read over it for me.”
The upcoming book, “Fagin the Thief” is “an ‘Oliver Twist’ retelling from the point of view of Fagin,” Epstein revealed.
Given how prolific Epstein is, it’s surprising to learn that she has a day job as an editor for a philanthropic consulting firm. She said that she writes “mornings, evenings, weekends. Before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m. is the usual writing time.”
Another ongoing writing project is Epstein’s twice-monthly newsletter, “Dirtbags Through the Ages.”
“That’s what I do for fun,” she explained.
With such a busy schedule, Epstein indicated that she has no time for traditional hobbies.
“My hobby is taking a nap,” she joked
Both novelists enjoy doing author events.
“It’s a very unique opportunity to meet other authors,” Gilmore said. “And it’s also a great opportunity to meet readers.”
“I love being able to talk to people face-to-face about my books or other people’s books,” Epstein declared.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.