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| April Voytko Kempler, Author THE ALTERED I, A HOLOCAUST MEMOIR Memoir of Joseph Kempler as told to April Voytko Kempler |
April
Voytko Kempler brings us her
father-in-law’s story about survival in six concentration camps as a teenager during the
holocaust and what that experience did to him. She tells THE ALTERED I, A HOLOCAUST
MEMOIR in the first person after listening to him relate his story on PBS and
on other platforms.
Currently
a Reno resident, April started her life in Southern California. As with many
writers, she has been an avid reader since childhood. She is patiently waiting the publication of THE
ALTERED I in between helping out with the business she and her husband
operate.
Q: Tell us about THE ALTERED I, A HOLOCAUST MEMOIR. Is it fiction or non-fiction?
April Voytko
Kempler: It
is non-fiction told as a first person narrative.
Q: What led you to write THE ALTERED I, A
HOLOCAUST MEMOIR?
April Voytko
Kempler: I've
always had a deep interest in the Holocaust, but never thought I would write a
book about it until I met my future father-in-law, Joseph Kempler. I was
significantly touched by his story. I heard him speak publicly about his
ordeal, but never delved into the particulars with him. Then in the early 2000s
he was asked to be part of a PBS sponsored documentary entitled Knocking. That
was my true inspiration for wanting to write the book. After seeing Joe's
experiences in the context of the documentary my curiosity about him was piqued
more than ever. I also saw that people were drawn to him and wanted to know
more about him too. I had hoped he would write his memoirs, but it was clear he
needed someone to jump-start him and that ultimately became me. It was a great
honor to be the one to write his story for him.
Q: What is the significance of the title
THE ALTERED I?
April Voytko
Kempler: I
don’t read poetry as a rule; however, The Mental Traveler by
William Blake grabbed my attention. Especially one short line in parenthetical's:
“(For the eye altering, alters all)” and that just blew me away. I knew somehow
this was going to be the book’s title. It fit so perfectly with Joe’s life. His
"eye" had altered, not by his choice or will, but his life course was
so changed that everything else had changed as well. His focus, his goals, and
even his spirituality changed direction. The title The Altered I is such a powerful sentiment for the theme of Joe's
story.
Q: What did you learn from writing THE
ALTERED I?
April Voytko Kempler: First, I
learned I could write a book! I learned a lot about the publishing world from a
business perspective, I learned I can market myself. But, most importantly, I
learned patience. I learned to be patient with myself and others. I learned if
I stretched myself out of my comfort zone I would be OK. And I learned that
there is a lot of support and camaraderie among the writer world. Writers
really do want to support other writers and see them succeed. It was an
unexpected and pleasant surprise.
Q: Do you plan to write other holocaust
books?
April Voytko
Kempler: I
definitely would like to try my hand at writing a fictionalized account of the
Holocaust. Fiction is really the direction I would like to go with my writing
career, unless of course another fantastic true story presents itself to me.
But, I will say non-fiction is challenging. I had to research a lot of the
historic facts and make sure what I was writing was accurate, especially with
something as sensitive a topic as the Holocaust.
Q: Why are you a writer
April Voytko
Kempler: I
love a good story like anyone else, plus I have an overactive imagination. When
I read a riveting book I can’t help but think can I do this too? Can I make
people lose themselves in a world I create? Also, writing is enjoyable to me. I
very often express my thoughts better with the written word than speaking face
to face. There’s no delete, or back-space button in real life. I like the
self-editing factor of writing.
Q: How do you
make your readers care about your book?
April Voytko
Kempler: I
have a character, although he is a real person, who people can relate to. He is
far from perfect, he makes all kinds of mistakes, he is flawed as a human but
people can sympathize and emphasize with him and his plight. Strangely enough I
had one gentleman come up to me and say the opening chapter reminded him of his
own father. People can relate to the story even if their background and
personal history is different, it resonates. And I only have four sample chapters
available right now and people keep asking when can we read more? That is what
every author loves to hear. There is more, I finished the book, but it hasn’t
been scheduled for release yet, so I ask for a little more patience on the part
of the readers (I’m trying to be patient too!)
Q: What do you
consider the most important elements of any good writing?
April Voytko
Kempler: A
little bit of mystery, a little bit of romance, some action, and a happy
ending. I really like happy endings.
Q: Who are your
target readers? Who do you think will most benefit from reading your story?
April Voytko
Kempler: I
wish I could say one specific group of people, but honestly everyone I talk to
young, old, parent, child, teacher, spiritual leader, they are all so interested
in reading and learning more about the Holocaust. I especially think it is
important for young, school-age children because the generation that went
through WWII and the Holocaust is diminishing and so are their stories. I don’t
want to see this subject end up as ancient history. As a people we are still
affected by all that happened during that time. The damage still trickles down
through the generations. I don’t want the important lessons of that time to be
forgotten.
Q: What’s next?
April Voytko
Kempler: More
writing of course and hopefully more books published!
Q: Tell us about you. What do you like to
do when you’re not writing?
April Voytko
Kempler: I’m
usually reading. I fool around on the internet too much! I also volunteer for
my church and my local historic society. I assist my husband in our window
covering business and I’m a busy wife! My husband and I love to travel so when
we get a chance we are planning our next getaway.
About April Voytko Kempler
Born in Southern
California, April Kempler currently resides in her "adopted" city of
Reno, Nevada. She lives with her husband, who doubles as her editor-in-chief.
April's first book entitled The Altered I, a Holocaust Memoir, is a
first-person narrative about the Holocaust.
April loves
reading, a habit she picked up as a child. Instead of playing with the other
kids, she could be found with her nose in a book. She reads a variety of
genres, but is especially drawn to historical fiction.
When April is not
writing or reading, she assists her husband in their window treatment design
business answering the telephone, making appointments and helping to install
gorgeous draperies on naked windows.
About THE
ALTERED I, A HOLOCAUST MEMOIR
Joseph Kempler is
eleven years old in 1939, when World War II begins. German soldiers have
invaded his hometown of Krakow, Poland. Forced with his family to leave their
home, business and belongings, Joseph embarks upon an adventure that will
change his life forever. Joseph survives six concentration camps, some of them
death camps, from the ages of fourteen to seventeen.
Along the way he
abandons family and faith. He curses God for allowing the Holocaust to happen
and becomes an atheist. When he arrives at the concentration camp Melk, he
encounters, from a distance, an unusual brand of Christian. He is told
they are called Bibelforscher, Bible Students. He is astounded
to see these Aryans imprisoned in the same concentration camp as Jews and is
shocked to learn that they can leave the camp anytime, all they have to do
is renounce their faith, but they won't do it.
This leaves an
indelible impression on young Joseph's mind. Many years later, after emigrating
to America, Joseph miraculously encounters this group again when they knock on
his door. Always curious about their faith he questions them, and ultimately he
converts to Christianity. THE
ALTERED I chronicles Joseph's life and the circumstances leading
to his life altering decision, while shining new light on an untold story of
the Holocaust.
Links
Link to introduction to prologue and sample
chapters:
LeRue Press website to purchase pre-order: see
the tab Pre-Order Books on far right side of page.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aprilkempler
Goodreads author: Soon!
Amazon: Soon!
Barnes & Noble: Soon!
Thank you Joyce. What an honor to be on your blog!
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