HERstory: Meet the Author of a New Book About Cleopatra’s Daughter

As the last Pharaoh of Egypt and one of the most famous women in history, Cleopatra’s fascinating reign is synonymous with female empowerment.

And so it is no wonder that most people want to know about Cleopatra’ life. Me included.

But how much do we know about Cleopatra’s daughter? Or did you know she even had one?

Well she did. And her name was Cleopatra Selene.

I am so excited to help spread the news that Vicky Alvear Shecter has done a splendid job writing Cleopatra’s Moon, a recently published young adult novel described by its publisher (Scholastic, Inc.) as a “stunning novel [that] brings to life the personalities and passions of one of the greatest dramas in history and offers a wonderful new heroine in Selene.”

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

There are few thing as admirable as being able to introduce history (ancient at that) to young people in such an accessible, alluring, and exciting way.

The author of two nonfiction books about the ancient world: Alexander the Great Rocks the World (a VOYA Honor Pick for Nonfiction) and Cleopatra Rules!, Vicky Alvear Shecter is a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University (in Georgia).

Cleopatra Rules! by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Today, we welcome Vicky to “The LOVE Spot” to discuss her newest book, Cleopatra’s Moon.

Philana Marie Boles (PMB): Welcome to “The LOVE Spot”, Vicky! As you know, I am very excited about your newest novel, Cleopatra’s Moon!

Not only is Cleopatra’s Moon very well written and exciting, it is also quite informative. I happen to love any opportunity to learn without feeling like I’m being taught. Such is the case when I read your work.

Before we discuss your newest novel, first please tell us what inspires you to care about ancient history in the first place?

Vicky Alvear Shecter (VAS): Everybody’s got their “thing,” you know? That one area of life that seems endlessly fascinating.

For some it’s science or music or bugs or baking or whatever. For me, it’s always been ancient history.

I just happen to be one of those history nerds whose heart starts to race with joy and excitement when I stand in the presence of ancient artifacts, whether it be a mummy or a chipped bowl someone once ate out of.

I think these things move me because they evoke a sense of “one-ness,” of a shared humanity that crosses all barriers—time, sex, race, religion, etc.

In the end, the study of history brings me to a place of compassion—thousands of years later, we’re all still seeking the same thing: connection, community and meaning.

Vicky Alvear Shecter, author of Cleopatra's Moon

PMB: Interesting… And so true!

I know you studied at Florida State University. Was history your area of focus? Actually, what all did you study in college?

VAS: I got a degree in English though I wanted to get one in Humanities. They had those then! However, I didn’t pursue a Humanities degree because I didn’t know how I would make a living with it. As if English was any better, right?

My minor was comparative religions which, in a way, combined history, art, politics and religion.

PMB: Ah, Humanities… Interesting point. I suppose though that as English scholars we are some of the deepest and most passionate thinkers, yet we are not always the most practical.

Your minor sounds like it was the perfect preparation for the career path you chose.

Before we talk about Cleopatra’s Moon, let’s discuss Cleopatra’s Rules—The Amazing Life of the Original Teen Queen—which is your mid-grade biography of Cleopatra. Which, by the way, I found to be impossibly cool.

There are so many impressive elements to complement the book such as notes and time-lines and such. How do you approach your research?

VAS: I start with the primary sources and then read the latest works from the most respected scholars to see how they interpret the primary sources.

Some people say, the primary sources should speak for themselves, but if, for example, several scholars point out a mistake or a bias, then it’s important to know that!

For example, Roman enemies–who were clearly trying to make Cleopatra look bad–wrote most all of the historical resources discussing her life …

It is vital to understand the biases and prejudices and motivations of the sources for a fuller understanding of what really happened.

Also, I learned from a former curator at a museum that nobody knows for sure how people thought and lived at other times.

Sometimes, we have personal diaries and letters but for the most part, historians are making educated guesses based on as much information about the times, the people, the politic, etc., that they can gather.

People sometimes forget that most of what we “know” are just that—educated guesses.

PMB: It’s funny because I have often wondered that—how do they know… And your answer completely puts it into perspective.

You do such a fine job with not overwhelming us with historical details. How do you decide what and how much to put in to your novels?

VAS: (laughing) My novel editor does that! There were a lot of details and anecdotes that she cut out of Cleopatra’s Moon.

For my biographies, the editors tended to trust me more about what should be left in, especially since I had a classicist “vet” it for me.

PMB: Wow. A classicist. That’s impressive.

Booklist praised the cover of Cleopatra’s Rules, stating “The dramatic book jacket will draw many readers.”

And Vicky, I couldn’t agree more. You have amazing book covers. Tell us about how they were created.

VAS: My editor at Boyds Mill found that wonderful photo for Cleopatra Rules!

It’s actually a self-portrait of a young Canadian woman who is Egyptian/Lebanese. To me, it totally captured the sense of strength and confidence that I imagined the real Cleopatra would have had.

PMB: I love it! And I guess strength and confidence is a great segue into Cleopatra’s Moon…

But first, you have such an interesting and inspiring story about how your manuscript was acquired by an editorial rock star over at the Arthur A. Levine imprint at Scholastic Books.

Would you mind first sharing the back-story of how it came to publication? I’m sure hearing it will inspire readers.

VAS: Well before Boyds Mills published acquired the biography, it had been acquired by another publisher. But when the economy tanked, the publisher did, too. The biography was not published. And I found myself having to sell the book again.

It took a while, but Larry Rosler at Boyds Mills finally picked it up.

However, also during those months of trying to re-sell the biography, a friend told me that Cheryl Klein at Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic had started a discussion on children’s nonfiction on a popular kid-lit list.

Now, at the time I knew that her imprint didn’t do much nonfiction–if at all so I hoped that her discussion indicated she might be open to the genre. So I sent her a query and the first several chapters.

Time passed and nothing. After several months, however, and after the biography had been acquired by Larry Rosler, I received a letter in the mail from Cheryl Klein. 

I thought it was a form rejection letter but when I opened it, I got the shock of my life—she wanted to read more of Cleopatra Rules!

I’d been working on the novel for about a year at this point and had recently acquired an agent—Courtney Miller- Callahan at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates—and she advised me on how to handle it.

My agent suggested that I email Cheryl to let her know the manuscript had been acquired but, at the same time, pitch her on the next novel (Cleopatra’s Moon) that I was working on, explaining that it had actually come out of the research.

Within minutes I received an email response from Cheryl saying she definitely wanted to see it when it was ready.

We sent it to others too, but that was a real thrill for me! It meant we were on the right track. And here we are.

PMB: And for readers who don’t know, Cheryl Klein is the editor for Harry Potter! So exciting.

And there is an inspiring lesson in that. It worked out that you had two really awesome books published by two great publishers.

Ok, so clearly you have such a hook that draws in editors and readers… Cleopatra has a daughter!

For me, that was the lure. I thought, “Really? How cool.”

To add to your success, Cleopatra’s Moon is already an audio book, but I am also wondering if there any plans for theatrical development?

I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that the plot would lend itself so well to a film or even a television series.

VAS: Nothing yet, but from your lips to God’s ears! (Laughing)

PMB: Amen! So if–or I suppose I should say when–your novel Cleopatra’s Moon is made into either a movie or a television show, who would be in your dream cast? And in what roles could you see them in?

VAS: Man, that’s a tough one! It’s hard for me to imagine actors in these roles because I see them in my mind’s eye in certain ways.

But these are the actors that come closest to what I picture in my head:

Cleopatra Selene: Either Marion Cotillard or Hailee Steinfield. Both these actress have the dark hair and dark eyes of a girl who might have Greek/Egyptian and Roman parents.

Hailee Steinfeld

Marion Cotillard

In the role of Juba: Shemar Moore.

Shemar Moore

Besides being gorgeous, I think Shemar seems to exude Juba’s kind of “good guy” integrity.

Marcellus: Alex Pettyfer.

Alex Pettyfer

Alex would be perfect in this role because Marcellus was a fun character to write. Plus, he was pretty.

Octavian: An older, Jamie Bell.

Jamie Bell

Jamie Bell would be a great Octavian because he has the gravitas to pull off a young and scary world conqueror.

Cleopatra: Lyndsey Marshal from HBO’s Rome.

Lyndsay Marshal

Lyndsay resembles the actual busts we have found of Cleopatra from the ancient world.  Visually intriguing. She’d be perfect in the role of Cleopatra.

PMB: Of course I’m already thrilled about this idea–love all of your casting ideas–but I must add my sentiments. Shemar Moore as Juba? Wow. Let’s just say that I hope you and I are BFFs before the premier so I can meet him.

Kidding, of course… But not really. So not kidding. Ha ha

Seriously, it sounds like an amazing cast!

Okay, so besides Cleopatra Selene, how many children did Cleopatra actually have?

VAS: Cleopatra actually had four children—her first was a son with Julius Caesar, known as Caesarion (little Caesar).

Years after Caesar’s death, she and Marc Antony had Cleopatra Selene and Alexander Helios.

Finally, the “baby” of the family was a boy, Ptolemy Philadelphus.

PMB: By the way, I’m sure my readers may be interested in knowing why Cleopatra named her daughter Cleopatra Selene, a name so close to her own.

Usually we only hear of men giving their sons their names. Can you explain the historical context of a woman doing so?

VAS: The Greek Ptolemies–the rulers of this dynasty/era–believed themselves related to Alexander the Great through his self-proclaimed half-brother, Ptolemy I.

And Alexander the Great actually had a little sister named Cleopatra. That’s why you see so many “Cleos” in this dynasty.

So Queen Cleopatra was known as the Seventh; her daughter was Cleopatra VIII Selene.

Selene means “moon”–hence the title–and her twin brother’s name—Alexander Helios—means sun.

So the twins were the queen’s sun and moon.

PMB: Now that is very, very, interesting.

Vicky, Cleopatra’s Moon is such an exciting book, so well-reviewed, and is such a fun and entertaining read. What was your approach to the modernization of the characters? That’s one of the most exciting things about this.

VAS: Selene is a strong character. Some might call her a feminist at a time when there was no such concept. However, this was a child who watched great men prostrate themselves at her mother’s feet.

Queen Cleopatra was the most powerful woman of her era. It made sense to me that her daughter, Cleopatra Selene, the princess, would see this sense of autonomy and power as her birthright.

This attitude, of course, is tested again and again in Rome, where women had no autonomy and very little power.

PMB: Gotcha. So basically, women of today can relate to such empowered woman in ancient history. Awesome.

What else do you have in the works for your readers? What other historical figures and/or time periods do you plan to write about?

VAS: I’ve written a picture book on a great Nubian pharaoh named Taharqa though I haven’t been able to sell it (yet).

Taharqa

Supposedly, Will Smith is making a movie based on Taharqa’s life. I hope he hurries up and starts filming—it might make my picture book about him easier to sell!

Ancient history continues to fascinate me, so I’ll probably set my next novel in the same or similar time period as Cleopatra’s Moon.

PMB: I am sure you will see your picture book published whether Will Smith’s movie is made or not. Having said that, however, wow! That would be awesome if Will Smith’s movie inspired interest.

You’re such a prolific writer, Vicky, and what you are doing is so necessary.

Young people–perhaps all people–love learning when things are presented in an intriguing way. So don’t give up on that one. I’m sure you won’t. Just had to say that.

Okay now before we let you go…

As is tradition here in “The LOVE Spot”, what is your definition of love?

VAS: Wow, that’s a tough one.

I think love is one of those things that can’t be contained or categorized.

Love is the impulse to do good; a feeling of expansion that steers us to care for others, even at the risk of our own lives; a sense of belonging to and with others. Yeah, I can’t do it!

Let’s just say that for me, love is basically something bigger than the self.

PMB: That’s quite lovely.

Okay… Now tell us three things that you love and why.

VAS: One, I love my family—especially my husband and kids—because they rock.

Two, I love babies, cats and dogs. I’m embarrassed to be around if I see any one of these—just ask my kids. There’s just something so pure and loving about babies and pets—my heart just melts in their presence.

Three, I love to read and lose myself in other worlds. We are limited by space and time in our physical bodies but our minds can fly!

PMB: I love that! Our minds can fly! Awesome.

And Vicky, would you like to give any shout outs before you go?

Vicky Alvear Shecter

VAS: My husband and kids for putting up with my many quirks and history-nerd geekness. My brother for encouraging me to keep writing. My friends who have been amazingly supportive over the years!

PMB: I love it!

And last thing, how can everyone keep in touch or follow you to see what you’re up to or find out when/where you will be appearing?

VAS: Follow my blog, “History with a Twist” Or find me on Facebook and Twitter (both under valvearshecter).

Plus, my website includes events and appearances.

Thank you, Philana, for including me on your wonderful, inspiring blog!

PMB: Awe… And Vicky, thank you, too! Truly, it was an honor to have you.

And there you have it, my friends. As you can tell, one of the reasons that we absolutely love Vicky Alvear Shecter is because of her tremendous talent.

Vicky presents ancient history to a contemporary audience in a way that is not only informative but fun and exciting to read.

One of the other reasons we wanted to show love to Vicky is because she is as fun and down-to-earth a she is super intelligent. What a lovely combination, no?

It is a pleasure to know you, Vicky, and definitely a joy to to have you in “The LOVE Spot”!

Here’s to celebrating your newest release.

“Well written and painstakingly researched, this book will be a wonderful addition to advanced history reading lists and for students who like a fascinating story and a bit of a reading challenge.” Reviewer: ~Lynn Evarts, Voya

Cleopatra’s Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter, everyone…

Not only is it a must read, it’s a great gift idea for a classroom or young person in your life! Vicky Alvear Shecter keeps the story in history and who doesn’t love reading a good one?

xoxo,

Philana Marie Boles

P.S. Inspired to learn more about Cleopatra and Egypt? If you are traveling to Ohio any time soon or live in the area, be sure to check out The Toledo Museum of Art’s “The Egypt Experience; Secrets of The Tomb”, an exhibit on display through January 8, 2012.  It is a must see.

Advertisement