Book has been attracting a global audience.
A memoir, “Sidonia’s Thread: The Secrets of a Mother and Daughter Sewing a New Life in America” by former Springfield resident Hanna Perlstein Marcus, has been named Best Kindle Book of 2014 for Non-Fiction.
The book tells the story of Marcus’ life in Springfield with her mother, Sidonia, a seamstress who becomes known for her remarkable ability with a sewing needle. But, the daughter knows little of her mother’s hidden past. The two had relocated to Springfield from a displaced persons camp, in Germany, after World War II, where they had survived the Holocaust. She begins to uncover her mother's secrets, and, with conflicted feelings, works to find clues about her own paternity, her mother’s reclusive behavior and her heritage.
Marcus, a Connecticut resident who had a long career as a social worker and human services director before becoming a writer, started putting pen to paper following her mother’s death in 2006.
![sidoniaperlstein.jpg]()
Sidonia Perlstein, the author's mothers, in 1997.REPUBLICAN FILE “I wrote it on and off for several years, when I could find time,” Marcus said. “It was not easy to write in the sense that there were some painful topics I brought up in the book, but it kind of flowed in the way that I wanted it to.”
Marcus said she had no idea how to get a book published initially.
“When I was in the process of writing it, I did use a couple of editors who helped me develop the story,” she said. “They and I knew I had a very special book here.”
Initially, Marcus did write some queries to literary agents, but they were unsuccessful.
“Like most authors’ experiences these days, it was a series of rejections – some rejections within 24 hours,” she said. “I really thought it was a story that was important enough to get out.”
After deciding not to continue sending queries to agents and publishers, Marcus chose to self-publish through Amazon. The first edition, in print, came out in late 2011, and the Kindle edition came out in early 2013.
“I had a year of experience with the book to see how it was received with audiences,” Marcus said. “It was so popular. It’s been an amazing, incredible success. It is almost unheard of for a book like this to sell at such a high rate.”
After initial feedback was so positive and word got out about the book, Marcus said she started getting invited to speak all over the country.
Along the way, “Sidonia’s Thread” picked up numerous accolades, including being a finalist for the Sarton Memoir Prize and a nominee for the Sophie Brody Medal in 2013. Marcus was also a featured author on the Jewish Book Council’s Network Tour.
When she heard about the Kindle Book of the Year Award contest, Marcus entered “Sidonia’s Thread.”
“I knew I had a chance of winning, and so it was worthwhile to enter this contest sponsored by Kindle Book Review,” she said. “Hundreds, if not thousands, entered.”
Marcus said there was a review committee to review the books.
“The review committee reads at least the semifinalists,” she said. “I think there were about 150 semifinalists. They narrow it down to about 35 finalists, and then they give the final award in seven genres.”
Marcus was notified in early October that “Sidonia’s Thread” was named the Best Kindle Book for 2014 for Non-fiction.
“There is a pretty nice cash prize and promotional prizes,” Marcus said. “There are various websites where they’ll promote my book – websites like ‘Digital Book Today,’ which usually charge a fee for advertisement.”
Marcus said she knew she had a good book, but was still very surprised that she won.
“I was proud, and I thought it was just a great way to recognize the content of the book,” she said. “Really, what they’re recognizing is the writing and the content of the story. They don’t look at sales. Those awards, I think, mean the most.”
Marcus said as a winner, she is getting assistance with some promotions, and has already received speaking invitations from those who heard about the book award.
Meanwhile, Marcus has been busy writing a follow-up to “Sidonia’s Thread,” called “The Greenhorns.” The “greenhorns” were the group of refugees Marcus grew up with in the north end of Springfield in the 1950s and 60s.
“It depicts the first dozen years of growing up with this group of Holocaust survivors,” she said. “It really describes that period of time when we were living in close quarters. I learned a lot about humanity, bravery and humor. A lot of readers have asked for more about that group.”
Marcus said she’s been getting a lot of attention, and it continues to grow with the Kindle award.
“Since ‘Sidonia’s Thread’ was published and was such an incredible success, I have more of an author’s platform,” she said. “People have even read ‘Sidonia’s Thread’ in other countries – Canada, Great Britain, and Germany.”
She is equally surprised by the online reviews.
“These are total strangers who read the book and wanted to tell me how much they loved it,” she said. “Whether it’s the immigrant story, or the single parent or the sewing story, whether it’s someone who was a Holocaust survivor or people whose parents have kept secrets from them – they can identify with various parts of the story.”
“The Greenhorns” is currently about two-thirds finished, and Marcus hopes to have it completed by early 2015.
For more information on “Sidonia’s Thread” or on Marcus, visit www.sidoniasthread.com.
