Della Waters is back
My new novella is out in the world!
I mostly write about archives and writing in this newsletter. My passion is to uplift stories of people and events that have been forgotten, hidden or lost as they connect to archives and our collective history. My novel The Traveling Archivist tells the story of Della Waters, traveling archivist, who uncovers archival evidence of a massacre of thirty four Chinese gold miners in 1887 and ultimately how the local community deals or doesn’t deal with the information. Not surprisingly to me, the story is true. There were thirty four Chinese gold miners who were massacred for their gold and the perpetrators were never brought to justice. Around one hundred years later, court documents were found locked in a safe in the county clerks office. The true story sounded like a novel to me, so I wrote one. 1
Now, Della is back in my new book Blood in the Archives. Learn what drove Della from Portland to be a traveling archivist in eastern Oregon in the first place. Blood in the Archives is a prequel novella that takes place at the old archives building that used to be an incinerator for the city. While the first drafts of this book were written years ago, the importance of being able to trust government documents is an ever green topic.
Old secrets, new lies, and murder.
City of Portland archivist Della Waters is passionate about public records and helping researchers locate the information they need in the archives. Della believes public records should be just that—public; and that those government records are an essential pillar of our democracy and deserve protection. An archivist’s life might seem all cardigans, sensible shoes, red rot, and microfilm, but there is more than meets the eye in the stacks.
Della feels like she is finally living the life she always wanted until a betrayal by her friend and fellow archivist, Randall, causes things to take a dangerous turn. Soon, Della is caught in a web of lies and fraud that she might not escape from.
What happens when you can’t trust a government record? Would you put your life at risk for your beliefs?
I am so grateful for all of your past support of the Traveling Archivist. From buying the book to requesting and checking it out from your local libraries to inviting me to speak at your book clubs to writing reviews to sharing the book with others; every interaction helps.
If you are interested in supporting my work I have created a list (because that is what I do) of actions you can take to help spread the word about Blood in the Archives.
Buy Direct - Buy Blood in the Archives directly from me via the links on my website through IngramSpark.
Buy the book anywhere you buy books including your local bookstore, BookShop.org or Amazon. Local independent bookstore can usually purchase through IngramSpark (not Amazon). If they need details and specs on the book send them here for the one-sheet.
Leave a review - If you like the book, think about leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon or wherever you like to leave book reviews.
Share with your communities wherever they exist - online or in person.
Request Blood in the Archives at your local library - Most library systems allow library card holders to request 1- 2 books a month in whatever format you want.
Check out Blood in the Archives from the library - If books in any format are not checked out during the year, the library most likely will weed it from the collection. There is only so much room, so please support libraries and me by checking out my book.
Ask me to join your Book Club in person in the Pacific Northwest or via Zoom elsewhere. We can work out the details.
No audio this time. :D
Oregon Public Broadcasting did a 30 minute documentary on this story - Massacre at Hells Canyon. You can watch it online. You can also check out the resources I have collected on my website.
Very catchy cover Mary! Putting this one on my TBR list <3
Amazing!!! Congratulations Mary! Can't wait to read "Blood in the Archives." Love the cover!!!