Meet Constance Hays Matsumoto author of Fact & Fiction on Wednesday, August 19th at 6:30pm!

CONSTANCE HAYS MATSUMOTO

A former corporate executive, Connie is the author of the award-winning debut historical novel, Of White Ashes (Loyola University MD, May 2023) and Fact & Fiction: How to Write a Novel Inspired by Family and History (How2Conquer, 2026). Connie earned her B.A. from Notre Dame of MD University and M.S. from Johns Hopkins University. She is the President of the Women’s National Book Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter and is a member of the Authors Guild, Eastern Shore Writers' Association, and Historical Novel Society. Previously, Connie served on the Board of Directors of the Maryland Writers' Association and as President of the Baltimore Chapter. www.MatsumotoBooks.com

Fact & Fiction

This simple and encouraging guide offers a relatable story map for writers who are sitting on a historical fiction story but don’t know where to start. Constance Hays Matsumoto was that person — until she wasn’t. With no MFA, no background in creative writing, not even a journal to her name, she wrote Of White Ashes, an award-winning novel inspired by her family’s remarkable World War II stories. With delightful candor, Connie shares how she embraced novel writing by learning the craft, creating helpful techniques, and asking repeatedly, “Wait, how do you do that?” Offering personal story, practical writing advice, visuals, and a healthy dose of humility, Connie shows how she turned confusion into confidence and how you can, too. Your story and voice matter. Let’s dive in, get messy, and bring the novel only you can write to life!