Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Almi a Refugee
Tiiu Kleyn is pleased to announce the release of her new book,
Almi, A Refugee
In this astonishing memoir of her mother's life, Tiiu Priilaid-Kleyn conveys a gripping eyewitness account of the struggle for safety and the essence of scraping by during World War II.
Almi, a Refugee recaps the incredible narrative of hardships, courage and fortitude that will inspire and bring a sense of hope for readers around the world.
Publisher’s website: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/AlmiARefugee.html ISBN: 978-1-60860-568-2
Website: www.eloquentbooks.com/AlmiARefugee.html
For media inquiries, appearances, or other publicity — please contact:
Ellen Green — PressManager@aegpublishinggroup.com
About the author
Tiiu Kleyn was five when her parents fled Estonia to Sweden, escaping the incoming Communists. Four years later they travelled on and eventually ended in Cape Town, South Africa with all the family’s belongings packed in a small wooden box.
Tiiu’s mother, Almi, originally wrote her story in Estonian and Tiiu translated it into English resulting in Almi A Refugee.
Being a refugee once is more than most people can consider but Almi and her family did it twice and if things hadn’t worked out it could have happened again. There are so many refugees world-wide and increasing daily. This book could perhaps be an inspiration and encouragement to those who find themselves in a refugee status. It could also perhaps inspire readers that no matter how bad their circumstances, with faith and courage you can survive and win through against all odds in the end.
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Well done on the many years you put into writing this book about Ema & for finally getting it published.
ReplyDeleteIf Yesterday didn't end up the way u planned...
ReplyDeleteJust remember...
The Almighty created today for u to start a new one...
The Almighty gives the best to those who leave the choice to him .
Life is short! Forgive quickly!
Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably
And never regret anything that made you smile!
This is my wish for all those who make time to read my blog. Have a wonderful and blessed 2010 and remember God is holding your hand. Don't let go or you will get lost.
Tiiu, I saw your comment on my blog and followed the link over here. Your book has me intrigued! I cannot wait to read it. Thank you so much for telling me about it. I will have my library order me a copy. :)
ReplyDeleteZella
Zella, I haven't been on my blog for some time so have only now read your comment. Have you managed to order my book? If not here are the details you may need: www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/AlmiARefugee.html ISBN:978-1-60860-568-2
ReplyDeleteSuch a lot has happened to me this year.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I organized a family reunion which was held on 20 March 2010 at Kirstenbosch Gardens. Out of 6 children the family has evolved into approx 40 members and 33 came to the reunion. I think my parents would have been very happy to see how well this large family got on.
Then I moved out of my rented flat and stayed with Riivo at Sedgefield along the Garden Route. It was really a lovely holiday for me and I did a lot of things I would not have done. We went to a private game lodge and spent 2 days and nights staying in luxury.
Then a place came open at a retirement place and I moved in at the end of July. It's like living in a 4 star hotel, all my needs are taken care of leaving me free to do the things I want to do. I pray that I will never have to move and that my financial situation will keep ahead of my expenses.
Then I flew to Port Elizabeth in November and spent 8 days with my brother Kalju and had a good time. This was my first trip since 2007 when I went to Australia and New Zealand. I think this may be my last flight for some time now unless I am lucky and win the Lotto so I can afford to indulge my love of travelling which is my hearts desire. God willing this could also happen.
While I was staying with Riivo I managed to sell the rest of my books that were left over from the family. I had 40 books to start with and all have now been sold. Next year end of January I will order another 20 books and arrange book signings to market it. There are a few people here who have enquired about where to buy it so wish me luck. A book distribution company is also cosidering placing an order for distribution to book stores here. My dream is that it will one day be turned into a movie. My book has also been displayed on the publishers stand in Beijing, China; will be in London in April and New York in May.
That's all for now. I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2011. God bless.
An idea came to mind, why not make cd's of the book so that those who have sight problems or no time to sit and read a book can listen to it on cd. So now I am experimenting with that and hopefully this will become a reality. I feel this was put into my mind by God and I can't ignore it. With having e-book, blog and a paper back book I think a cd will go a long way.
ReplyDeleteWhile searching through my documents I came across the book called Two Types by Jon. This was published during WW2 and is in very good condition. It is a cartoon book of these 2 soldiers and some ladies with wording etc. I have no idea what this war memorebilia is worth so would appreciate it if someone could contact me concerning this.
ReplyDeleteALMI – a Refugee by Tiiu Priilaid-Kleyn
ReplyDeleteReview : Julie Hattingh 10th July 2013
Almi’s story is skilfully yet simply woven together, in its translated version, by her daughter Tiiu, who used the memoirs of her Mother – collected over a life-time - to reproduce this fascinating work. It took Tiiu 30 years to translate the original Estonian memoirs, to organize them into book format, and then to get this to the publishing stage.
In a nutshell, the synopsis on the back cover of the book tells it all – yet at the same time it has the effect of whetting the reader’s appetite in terms of finding out more about this remarkable woman. Almi’s life was one of hardship, adventure and stoic fortitude. What comes as a pleasant surprise was how entranced I was from the outset. The foreword which starts with the following sentence: “The storm was raging outside while I was weeping inside. Here we were sitting in this very small boat, once again on our way, to …where?” had me captivated from the get-go, and I found that I wanted to read more about Almi’s life journey, which I subsequently discovered, ended in Cape Town.
Almi was not of the school of the faint-hearted. This remarkable woman was able to cope with whatever came her way, to make the best of often appalling circumstances, and to turn her talents to the benefit of her family. Almi was in short, the mainstay of her large family, and her beloved yet oft times ineffectual husband, Aleksander.
We first meet her as a young girl, with an older sister to whom she was very attached.
Early on in her life, Almi had to come to terms with loss and responsibility. The devastating effects of the death of the sister, her changed circumstances at the tender age of 13 when she had to leave school to assist with tending the farm animals and doing chores, all had a lasting effect on the young Almi.
When she and her husband Aleksander, together with their young family, were forced to flee a war-torn Europe, in order to seek asylum elsewhere, they embarked on a series of often terrifying journeys not the least of which was an exhausting sea voyage in an old rust-bucket of a boat, which finally brought them safely to the shores of Africa, and to Cape Town, before completely disintegrating!
Almi’s resourcefulness was what saw them through many a tight spot, from getting a accommodation on the boat, to taking in boarders in Cape Town and working as a seamstress in Claremont – all of which were handled without complaint and indeed often with equanimity. In reading this book I was transported back to the Cape Town of 30 odd years ago, an enchanting experience as I recognized many of the places where the family had stayed including the beautiful Sans Souci which they cared for as temporary custodians, this yet again, thanks to Almi’s unswerving resourcefulness.
Almi’s history is inspiring, fascinating and for me totally captivating. The work weaves a spell all of its own, being the story of a courageous woman, probably unaware of the depth of her fortitude and strength. I am left with a great sense of admiration for her and am in awe of her accomplishments often under the most difficult of circumstances.
It is a book well worth the reading.
I have now read my book onto tapes at the Tape Aids for the Blind in the Mowbray studios. Now those with poor sight can also enjoy my book. I have also had many good testimonials of my book from readers in Cape Town who can relate to all the places and names mentioned in my book.
ReplyDeleteI am now doing public speaking mainly about my book and also about my travels.
The book has been sold to people living in various part of the world thus earning me royalties. I am seriously considering removing the no returns clause on my book and then it will be available for book distributors to order it and it will then be found in book stores.
Almi a Refugee has now been translated into Estonian and I am searching for a publisher in Estonia who will undertake publishing of my book so that my relatives and friends living there who don't speak English to be able to read it as well. Unfortunately finding a publisher there is like looking for hen's teeth. If anyone reading this can help please do get in touch with me.
Thanks.
ALMI, A REFUGEE (Kindle ISBN: 978-1-62857-736-5, ePub ISBN: 978-1-62857-737-2) is available for $9.99 at http://epubco.com/shop/products/AlmiARefugee or Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Almi-Refugee-Tiiu-Priilaid-Kleyn-ebook/dp/B00GTYNVIY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1258315716
ReplyDeleteBarnes & Noble Nook: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9781608605682&box=978-1-60860-568-2&pos=-1 and in multi-formats for other e-Readers through numerous vendors online.
The soft cover (ISBN: 978-1-60860-568-2, $19.95) can also be ordered through the publisher’s website: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/AlmiARefugee.html or at www.amazon.com or http://search.barnesandnoble.com.
WHOLESALERS: This book is distributed by Ingram Books and other wholesale distributors. Contact your representative with the ISBN for purchase. Wholesale purchase for retailers, universities, libraries, and other organizations is also available through the publisher; please email bookorder@aeg-online-store.com.
Individuals who wish to place an order for this title may go to:
Deletehttp://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/AlmiARefugee.html, or go to my blog:
Blog URL: http://arefugeechild.blogspot.com
And book stores, retailers, etc. may go to:
https://strategicbookpublishing.wufoo.com/forms/bookstore-retailer-wholesale-order-form/
It doesn’t matter where the order originates from – the US, UK, India, Australia, South Africa. The Book Order Team submits the order to the nearest printing facility.