AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Aimie K. Runyan
In best-selling author Aimie K. Runyan’s latest novel, THE SCHOOL FOR GERMAN BRIDES, she explores a lesser known facet of World War II history—Hitler’s unsettling and bizarre bride schools, where young women were groomed to become “ideal” Nazi wives. Told from the perspectives of two German women thrown together by fate and circumstance—Hanna, whose mother dies in the early days of the war and is taken in by a wealthy aunt with less than pure motives, and Mathilde, a newly-wed Jewish seamstress who will do anything to protect her husband and unborn child—this story is by turns inspiring, heart-wrenching, and harrowing. I had the privilege to read an early ARC of The School for German Brides and offer an endorsement, and I can tell you it had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end! Aimie’s gift for historical fiction is evident in every nuanced character and carefully researched detail. I was honored when she agreed to our interview. So without further ado, here’s more about Aimie and THE SCHOOL FOR GERMAN BRIDES.
THE FULL SYNOPSIS
In this intriguing historical novel, a young woman who is sent to a horrific “bride school” to be molded into the perfect Nazi wife finds her life forever intertwined with a young Jewish woman about to give birth.
Germany, 1939
As the war begins, Hanna Rombauer, a young German woman, is sent to live with her aunt and uncle after her mother’s death. Thrown into a life of luxury she never expected, Hanna soon finds herself unwillingly matched with an SS officer twenty years her senior. The independence that her mother lovingly fostered in her is considered highly inappropriate as the future wife of an up-and-coming officer and she is sent to a “bride school.” There, in a posh villa on the outskirts of town, Hanna is taught how to be a “proper” German wife. The lessons of hatred, prejudice, and misogyny disturb her and she finds herself desperate to escape.
For Mathilde Altman, a German Jewish woman, the war has brought more devastation than she ever thought possible. Torn from her work, her family, and her new husband, she fights to keep her unborn baby safe. But when the unthinkable happens, Tilde realizes she must hide. The risk of discovery grows greater with each passing day, but she has no other options.
When Hanna discovers Tilde hiding near the school, she knows she must help her however she can. For Tilde, fear wars with desperation when Hanna proposes a risky plan.
Will they both be able to escape with their lives and if they do, what kind of future can they possibly hope for?
“In The School for German Brides, Aimie Runyan has penned the thoughtful and original story of an SS officer’s bride and a young Jewish mother, whose lives collide in unexpected ways in World War II Germany. This is a moving and memorable tale of sisterhood, strength and survival, which will resonate deeply with readers of historical fiction.” -- Pam Jenoff, NYT Bestselling Author of The Woman With the Blue Star
THE INTERVIEW
Paulette: Thanks so much for joining me, Aimie! Can you tell readers a bit more about THE SCHOOL FOR GERMAN BRIDES and what inspired you to write it?
Aimie: The School for German Brides, while it does deal with the German bride schools developed by Hitler and his thugs, is more largely concerned with the role of women in Nazi Germany. It’s a sharp contrast to what women experienced in the Soviet republics as I explored in Daughters of the Night Sky. Women in Germany were expected to devote themselves to their homes, their families, and the Nazi party. Working outside the home wasn’t looked at favorably, while women in other countries were more active in their direct response to the war effort. So, while the bride schools do not encompass most of the book, make no mistake that Hanna’s training begins as soon as she enters her aunt’s home.
Paulette: Yes. As soon as Hanna came to live with her aunt and uncle, there was a palpable sense of dread, and as the story played out, you really ramped up that tension. Both Hanna and Mathilde’s perspectives offer a compelling look at what it must have been like for young German women who were swept up in the current of Hitler’s regime against their will, and the sacrifices they made in order to survive and protect their families.
Your dedication to research and writing craft shows in all of your novels. Could you share a bit about your writing routine?
Aimie: I’m not a fan of the term “plotter” and “pantser”. I view authors more as explorers. Some use maps, others follow intuition. I like to start off with a solid travel plan but am always open (and always do) take interesting side roads. There are times I wish I’d stick to the map for the sake of time and my sanity, but those excursions are way too fun. I do try to write every day. I find that if I leave a first draft alone too long, I spend too much time getting my head back into the story and it loses some of its coherency. I try to plow through a first draft as fast as I can, and then spend more time making that draft less terrible. I do base level research before I start but am usually too anxious to start writing to spend too much time before hand. I make notes and fil in research gaps in draft 2. I will stop and do research when I’m concerned an inaccuracy will cause grief if I let things go too far.
Paulette: Our processes are very similar in how we plot and approach research. I find if I do too much research in the early stages of drafting, I get distracted from actually writing and lose momentum, too, so I reserve most of my research for my second and third drafts. Plus, both of our publishers have copyeditors who are great historical fact checkers, although I try to spare them the trouble of researching all my historical details!
What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of the writing process?
Aimie: I love the thrill of creation. I love bringing characters to life and watching them evolve. I don’t often get writer’s block, but I do hate it when the inner critic is too loud. I find that working when she’s asleep helps a lot.
Paulette: Oh yes. That inner critic can be so loud! Plus, there are deadlines once you break into publishing and go under contract with a book, so the inherent pressure to create a compelling story and to draft something rather cleanly and quickly is definitely there. I usually say I hate drafting, although with my latest work-in-progress, I’m finding my joy in drafting once more.
Speaking of new projects, anything about future writing projects you’re free to share?
Aimie: So much going on! I have a collaborative novella anthology called The Castle Keepers coming in March, 2023 with the amazing Rachel McMillan and J’nell Ciesielski and it’s a multi-generational series of stories that center around a castle in the north of England. My next historical, A Bakery in Paris, is a braided narrative that explores the lives of three women in the same family at three points in history—the siege of Paris and the Paris Commune, the post WWII-era, and the late 1990s. Hoping that one will be out in spring or summer of 2023. Finally, I’ve just begun work on a yet-to-be-titled contemporary novel about Provence that should be out on October 3, 2023.
Paulette: You are so busy! All of this sounds super exciting. I cannot wait to read all of them. And your collaboration with J’nell and Rachel sounds especially intriguing! They are both excellent writers as well, and Rachel is such a jewel in the writing community. She inspires me!
Who are some of the authors that have influenced your work and inspire you?
Aimie: Early influences would be Ken Follett, Philippa Gregory, Amy Tan, and Margaret Atwood. More recent ones would be Kate Quinn, Stephanie Dray, and Heather Webb. Admire their work and (in the case of the latter three since I know them personally) who they are as people and artists. I strive to attain their level of awesome.
Paulette: We share many of the same heroes! Thanks so much for joining me, Aimie, and congratulations on the successful launch of THE SCHOOL FOR GERMAN BRIDES. I can’t wait for readers to discover your phenomenal story.
The School for German Brides is available everywhere books are sold, and you can also purchase it online from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop, and Books-a-Million.
Aimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate history’s unsung heroines. She has been honored as a Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice selection, as a three-time finalist for the Colorado Book Awards, and as a nominee for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer of the Year. Aimie is active as an educator and speaker in the writing community and beyond. Her next book, A School for German Brides, has just released from William Morrow. She lives in Colorado with her amazing husband, two (usually) adorable children, and two (always) adorable kitties. To learn more about Aimie, please visit www.aimiekrunyan.com. You can also find her online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.