Tonni Callan

Tonni Callan asked Lisa Wingate:

Hi, Lisa! I know your new book "Before We Were Yours" will soon be released. What/how/why did you pick this subject matter? Was there a lot of research involved? Did you travel for research, or was it online?

Lisa Wingate Hello Tonni! Before We Were Yours was inspired by the history of Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children's Home Society. I wasn't familiar with the scandal surrounding the TCHS orphan houses of the 30's and 40's, but after stumbling across the story, I was shocked and horrified that such a thing was possible in this country and not that long ago. I wanted to tell the stories that hadn't been told - those of the thousands of children who became caught in Georgia Tann's web. I did travel for research. Visits to Memphis were invaluable, as was spending time at Mud Island and along the river, learning about the life Rill and her siblings would have lived on the family's shantyboat before they're taken to the TCHS orphan house.

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A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Lisa Wingate:

Lisa Wingate. I got a message from Goodreads on your behalf about me having read a book of yours and giving it a good rating on Goodreads. However, I just checked all my feedback and ratings I have left and have not read any of your work. I have not and do not like junk email in my box. Please remove me from any mailing list you might have put me on. ? Thank you. kc

Maddie Lock

Maddie Lock asked Lisa Wingate:

Hi Lisa, Who do I contact for permissions to quote a sentence from Before We Were Yours? I have written a memoir that deals with my aunt finding out that she was born under the Lebensborn program. In my book, I refer to a statement one of the characters made that justified all the emotional turmoil: "the best thing is to know… to know who you is." Thanks, Maddie

Maddie Lock

Maddie Lock asked Lisa Wingate:

I loved Before We Were Yours so much I immediately ordered The Book of Lost Friends. I was not disappointed! I'm writing a historical fiction book with a memoir twist based on my German family surrounding WWII. It too deals with secrets and loss of identity. I very much related to the loss of family and immoral shenanigans. What were your motivations for writing about these subjects?

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