Art Beat: a local author wins a prize
Spring Hill resident Roslyn Franken is an internationally acclaimed author and speaker who is dedicated to educating and inspiring people with her books and author talks. She is now the winner of a national literary prize. Franken’s book “Meant to Be” is the story of his parents’ life journey. Her mother is a Holocaust survivor and her father an atomic bomb survivor, they both overcame the odds to lead a good life together. The book won a gold award from the Nonfiction Book Awards, an honors program organized by the Nonfiction Authors Association.
“Meant to Be” tells the story of a young girl named Sonja who was 15 when she and her family were taken from their residence in the Netherlands and imprisoned in Nazi-run concentration camps. She survived 11 camps and finally got her freedom. Later, she found a career as a nursing home worker and singer. Sonja married a native of the Dutch East Indies named John, with a promising future as an engineer. He himself had spent more than three years as a prisoner of war in Japan.
John and Sonja Franken had a daughter who grew up to be an author, motivational speaker and now a national award winner. “People who have read my book often tell me it’s a page turner. I hear over and over that once they started reading it, they couldn’t put it down. That’s a huge compliment to me as an author. Then people repeatedly told me that my book deserved to win awards and be made into a movie,” Roslyn explained. “The book has already been adapted into a screenplay and is slated for an in-development feature film production, but I had never really thought of submitting it for the book awards. So, inspired by reader feedback, I I was looking to find a suitable book award for my genre of book, that’s when I found out about the prestigious Nonfiction Book Awards through the Nonfiction Authors Association and submitted my book in the hope that I can win a prize.
Franken is thrilled by the news of this esteemed literary honor. “To my surprise and delight, not only did my book Meant to Be win an award, it also won the GOLD book award, the highest accolade possible. This award means the world to me and I know that my parents watch from above filled with pride and joy.
Franken’s story is one of love and survival. “My book, ‘Meant to Be’, is the amazing true story of my parents’ remarkable survival, love and triumph over tragedy as Holocaust and atomic bomb survivors who suffered unimaginable cruelty on continents apart during World War II at the hands of their evil captors and then met, married and had a great life, against all odds.
Franken hopes readers will view his book as a first-rate educational tool. “By building people’s awareness, compassion and empathy for what victims and survivors like my parents suffered during World War II, I hope readers will understand the dangers of what levels currents of discrimination, hatred and harm can lead if we don’t stop it and embrace a greater spirit of interfaith tolerance, respect, community and peace so needed in our world today,” Franken said. .
As part of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, Franken will present on his book, Meant to Be, via Zoom for the Halton Interfaith Council located in Ontario, Canada. The event takes place via Zoom on February 1, 2022 at 7:00 PM EST. Participation is free and as it is via Zoom, all are welcome, regardless of their geographical location. Advance registration is required and is done online at www.InterfaithCouncilHalton.com. After registering, you will receive a confirmation with the details. You can also register by calling 905-849-6000.
“With all the hate and prejudice in the world today, this event couldn’t come at a better time,” she said. “I am very proud to have been invited as a guest speaker for this important event and hope that we will have a great turnout. I encourage people to share this event with their family and friends.
