White Rose Pre-Order Gifts!

Now that it’s February, the publication date for my debut novel is just two months away, which means it’s time to share the White Rose pre-order gifts I have planned! I’m so thankful for everyone who wants to read, so this will be my turn to give back to you.

How to Pre-order

Make your pre-order by 11:59 p.m. EST on April 1, 2019 at …

- My local independent bookstore, Porter Square Books. I’ve attended more book launches at PSB than I can count, and I just love the knowledgeable, friendly staff (and the fact that the store is one of the most enthusiastic settings for the HONK! band to parade through).
- Any independent bookstore (I love indies!). You can find the closest one to you on Indiebound and pick it up in the store–how cool is that?
- Any library. I personally pick up a ton of the books I read at my local branch. Did you know that you can make a request at your local library to purchase a book? Getting my book into libraries where even more readers can find it is a huge dream of mine, so if you prefer to make a library request, that will also qualify.
- One of the larger outlets. I realize many people make their book purchases at Amazon or Barnes & Noble or others I haven’t listed, so these will count as well. Also, for my international friends, books can be ordered and shipped through Book Depository.

To receive your gifts, send your full name, mailing address, and proof of your pre-order to WhiteRose.Preorders@gmail.com. A screenshot or photo of the pre-order or library request is fine. Now on to the gifts themselves!

First off, everyone who enters will receive a beautiful bookmark and a sticker. This part of the giveaway is open internationally! I truly appreciate the support of all readers, and I’m so glad I can at least send along these goodies to readers farther afield.

Then, along with these swag packs, winners of the following gifts will be chosen randomly among entrants based in the U.S. (because shipping costs).

Three third-place winners will receive a white rose enamel pin in addition to the swag pack. Aren’t they beautiful?
Two second-place winners will receive rose-themed notebooks in addition to the swag pack. Useful for jotting down any and all thoughts!
One grand-prize winner will receive a mini Playmobil figure of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in addition to the swag pack. Goethe was an 18th-19th century German author whose words inspired the White Rose to take action, and I just loved that his action figure shows him writing.

The Fine Print

A pre-order of the hardcover or ebook of White Rose made by 11:59 pm EST on April 1, 2019 counts as one (1) entry.
The giveaway is open internationally to contestants 13 years of age or older.
By entering, you are stating that you are 13+ and that you authorize me (Kip Wilson) to contact you via email to confirm your address for prize pack.
For each book preordered, entrant will be mailed a single swag pack including: (1) bookmark and (1) sticker. This giveaway is open to international entrants and will continue while supplies last.
(3) third-prize winners will receive (1) swag pack + (1) white rose enamel pin
(2) second-prize winners will receive (1) swag pack + (1) rose notebook
(1) grand prize winner will receive (1) swag pack + (1) Playmobil Goethe figure

White Rose Book Deal!

It’s finally official! I can share that White Rose, my debut YA novel-in-verse about anti-Nazi political activist Sophie Scholl, will be published by HMH Versify in Spring 2019. The announcement:

I’ve written many projects over the past 15 years, but I’m so thrilled White Rose will be my YA debut and so grateful that it wound up at the perfect home. It’s apparently so real now that it’s even listed on Goodreads (!), so please do feel free to add it if it sounds up your alley.

I should have more to share about the book as publication gets closer, but for now, a couple of pictures to show some of what went in to the project behind the scenes–first off, some of the research (because research is a huge part of the fun for authors of historical fiction):

And of course, one of the most exciting moments in the entire process-signing the contract!

This was most definitely a long road to a dream come true for me, so I’ll close by reminding everyone that it can happen! Follow those dreams wherever they lead! <3

Remembering Sophie, Hans, and Christoph

Today is a sad anniversary. Seventy-five years ago, three members of the White Rose resistance group were executed by the Nazis for treason: Sophie Scholl, her brother Hans, and their friend Christoph Probst. These young students had their lives ahead of them, yet chose to resist their government and its criminal regime by writing and distributing anti-Hitler leaflets, knowing full well the consequences.

Through my research on the White Rose members for my forthcoming book (HMH Versify, Spring 2019), I’ve gotten to know these individuals, grown to love them for their ideals, their conviction, their hope for a better future. Their lives were cut tragically short, but their actions continue to inspire. People can indeed use words and ideas to make a difference–people should use their words and ideas to make a difference.

This past week, a group of teenagers in Florida have been doing the very same thing. In response to a mass shooting at their school, these teens are saying what many of us have been thinking for years: that enough is enough, that this must end, that more innocent children must not be killed, that they will not remain silent.

I can’t help imagining a ninety-six year old Sophie Scholl (the age she’d be today) watching the news of these young people, nodding sagely, telling them, “Don’t be silent. Be our bad conscience. Don’t leave us in peace.”

We Will Not Be Silent

After a polarizing election that’s left this country divided and now fills many of our citizens with sadness and fear, one line from Secretary Clinton’s concession speech still manages to bring tears to my eyes: “This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”

The election loss did hurt. It hurt me and millions of others who voted for Clinton, believing that she is the best person to lead our country forward, especially when compared with the alternative. But Clinton fan or no, I hope fighting for what’s right is something all Americans can agree on. Even if you didn’t vote for Clinton, you can still fight for what’s right. And there’s plenty of fighting to be done.

In the few days since the election, hate crimes are already on the rise. Several friends have posted photos of swastikas and other hateful messages in their towns or even in front of their houses.

While this appalls and saddens me, I have to recognize my own position of privilege. I’m not a member of a marginalized group, so I can’t personally speak on how it must feel to be the victim of such attacks. However, I’m not about to sit by and let it become commonplace. This is not commonplace! This is reprehensible!

We must condemn this kind of behavior. Silence leads to indifference, and we cannot allow ourselves to become indifferent. As a non-marginalized person, I want to use my privilege for good. We must report such crimes. Speak out against these acts. Stand by the innocent victims, who deserve our full protection. In the words of the White Rose:

We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience. The White Rose will not leave you in peace!