When journalist Roni Robbins discovered her grandfather’s cassette tapes recounting his life story, including surviving tuberculosis, escaping pre-Holocaust Europe, and enduring a workplace shooting, she saw more than family history.
She saw a novel.
Instead of writing a memoir, Roni chose fiction:
“I wanted to protect the innocent… and have literary license.”
That decision gave her the freedom to shape real-life events into a vivid narrative that honors her grandfather’s legacy while offering dramatic, character-rich storytelling.
How She Wrote It: Tapes, Archives, and Imagination
Roni transcribed her grandfather’s tapes by hand, then layered the story with archival research, census data, and creative dialogue. She calls the process “transcribing, researching, massaging, and organizing”, a hybrid of journalism and imagination.
Her grandmother also became a central character. “She was sexy, confident, and the family matriarch. I wanted readers to feel that.”
50+ Rejections, and the Publisher Who Said Yes
Despite years of writing experience, Roni struggled to find a publisher. After counting her rejections (she kept them all!), she discovered she’d received about 50 “no’s.”
“It felt like 200”
Eventually, she found Amsterdam Publishers, a house known for Holocaust-related titles. Her novel Hands of Gold didn’t just get published; it won multiple awards, including the Global Book Award (Gold), the International Book Award, and recognition from the American Legacy Awards.
Afraid to Get Sued? Read This
One of Roni’s biggest fears was legal backlash from family. Her solution? She formed an LLC to protect herself.
“I did everything by the book. I paid taxes, set up a corporation, and treated my book like a business.”
She encourages writers not to let fear stop them:
“There’s sex in the Bible, so why not in your book?”
Marketing: What Actually Works
Forget relying solely on social media. Roni swears by grassroots efforts:
- In-person book signings at local bookstores
- Speaking at festivals (including one with Nikki Haley and Melissa Rivers)
- Outreach to libraries, book clubs, and independent retailers
- Staying visible through niche Facebook groups and media coverage
“I sell a dozen books in one afternoon just by being there and talking to people.”
What’s Next for Roni?
She’s currently working on her second novel, A Mighty Arm, inspired by her father’s life. And yes, she already has the beginning and end written.
Her advice for aspiring authors?
“Just write. Don’t let your own insecurities stop you. If you dream of holding your book one day—keep going.”