The Door County Published Authors Collective, a program of Write On, presents   Inside the Book, a unique opportunity for writers and readers to learn more about how authors go about creating their books. Today's panelists are Tom Davis, Ann Heyse, and Susan Levitte. Moderated by Jan Wrede.

Presenters:

Tom Davis was trained as a historian at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. He writes in many genres and has published fourteen books. His first Door County book was  In the Unsettled Homeland of Dreams , which won the Edna Ferber Fiction Award.  Prophecy of the Wolf  features Washington Island and the Door Peninsula.  An American Spirit , a formal epic poem like  The Odyssey , is also historical fiction. Tom will discuss his writing process and the unique aspects of all his historical fiction versus nonfiction histories or writing historical narrative poetry.

Ann Heyse is a multi-genre writer from Baileys Harbor who has recently published a second book of historical fiction. Both  After the Light  and  The Light is Ours  are set in Door County in the 1870s. The books follow the lives of a lighthouse family who live near a small fishing village on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula. The McGinns are admriable characters whose small actions make a positive and lasting impact on their community. Ann will present on how a writer can make characters likeable, believable, and plausible to a historical place in time. She will share how her characters come to life for her as she writes her novels.

Susan Levitte is the author of the historical novel  Secrets in the Woods. Drawing on meticulous research and a deep passion for unearthing forgotten local history, Susan weaves rich, immersive narratives that bring past generations and the forgotten trials of the deadly 1871 fires in Door and Kewaunee Counties to life. Her work bridges the gap between historical accuracy and gripping storytelling. Her book offers readers an authentic look into the resilience and untold human experiences that shaped northeast Wisconsin. Susan will share a behind-the-scenes look at the real-life historical events and personal discoveries that inspired  Secrets in the Woods exploring how real history is transformed into compelling fiction.