Born, raised, and educated in Lincoln, Nebraska Laurel is author of over twenty books published and self-published since August, 2012 and in languages ranging from Welsh to Spanish to Chinese and everything in between. A dedicated scholar and biographical historian, Laurel is passionate about education and improving history literacy worldwide. With her lyrical writing style, Laurel’s books are as beautiful to read as they are informative. In her spare time, Laurel enjoys spending time with her cockatiels, travelling to historic places in both the United States and United Kingdom, and watching classic motion pictures and classic television series. Favourites: Star Trek, Doctor Who, original Battlestar Galactica, and Babylon 5.
Today, Laurel shares her newest title – Cleopatra VII
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21 Things To Know About Laurel A. Rockefeller
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
You know I haven’t. I’m less a fan of literature than I am of history. That might not be politically correct for an author, but then again I see myself more as an educator than an author. My life’s passion is to improve history literacy world-wide. I research and write to help others discover the most fascinating true stories so we can learn from history and avoid our ancestors’ mistakes.
What is the first book that made you cry?
Probably the novelization of “The Empire Strikes Back” which I read in elementary school when my parents forbade me from seeing the movie in the theatre on religious grounds. I always recognized Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker as this sad and tragic figure, even back during the original run of the film. So I wept for Anakin Skywalker and how the Emperor manipulated him and used him even as the rest of the world was in shock at the line “Luke, I AM YOUR FATHER.”
Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym? Just for fun – what would it be?
Never considered that. However, when love finds me finally I am likely to change my name to his and retain “Laurel A. Rockefeller” as my pen and professional name. Does that count?
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Never spend money with any company that cold calls or cold emails you first. If they come to you directly they are bad news. Don’t waste your money and absolutely do not sign a contract with them. The best way to sell more books is to write more books and engage with people on social media.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It didn’t.
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
Making up songs as a child and feeling better for having sung away my sadness and pain.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I have four biographies in the pipeline right now: Hildegarde von Bingen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Margaret of Wessex, and the fourth will be of one of the Medici family women – I haven’t decided exactly who at this time. These are all in the research phase right now.
That said, being a competent graphic artist in my own right, I already created two of those covers:
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
I don’t really notice a difference to be honest, especially since 2014 when I shifted from writing social science fiction to narrative history. I write the personalities that I find coming out of the historical records. My bachelors is in both psychology and history. That makes me feel very confident and competent in ...
