Author Spotlight: Steve Brallier shares his experience writing Mitka's Secret

Hi all. My name is Steve Brallier. Getting Mitka’s story published was a long, very long, slog. Way back, sometime in the 80s (I think) Adrienne set her mind on the notion that Mitka’s story needed to be told and that a book was the way to tell it. When Adrienne sets her mind, she is not to be deterred.

In the 90’s several film producers had knocked on the Kalinskis’ door. They thought they could wine and dine them. Stubborn, tenacious and resolute, Adrienne was no easy mark. Bad deals came and went. One of our team members, Bob Lucchesi, spurred by friendship with Adrienne and Mitka and high regard for the story, remained steadfast. He would not give up.

Bob added his neighbor, Joel Lohr, to the team. It was the summer of 2016. Joel introduced his colleague, Lynn Beck and me to the team, and so began a labor of love.

If you’ve ever thought of writing someone’s life story, think long and hard. It ain’t easy.

Nevertheless, we began. Lynn and I had just retired. Bob and Joel were still working. I had been working on a novel, but I had never written narrative non-fiction. Scary stuff. I honestly didn’t know whether I was up to the task. Working as a team, accepting the vicissitudes of our strengths and weaknesses, keeping our focus on Mitka and Adrienne, working from three separate cities, and more—it was challenging. But we kept plugging.

It all began with research. We were blessed at the outset in that a framework had been laid down by Adrienne. Since 1953, She had documented their lives in amazing ways. That was a fortunate beginning. But then, Lynn and Joel set to work on what they do so well. Books were sourced, documents were chased down and archived, calls were made, dead ends came often, breakthroughs were celebrated.

Writing the first nine chapters was agonizing and seemed too slow. Rewriting became my life as I would submit chapters to Joel and Lynn for their editorial review. It was never less than four rewrites of a chapter; the most was nineteen. Beginning with chapter ten, Lynn coaxed me into a different approach to my writing and we had a breakthrough. Rewriting continued, but we found a rhythm, and the work moved at a faster pace.

Finally, at the beginning of 2020, our agent had our proposal and a manuscript to send to prospective publishing houses. Thoughtful responses arrived, many with regrets or rejections due to COVID or other publishing constraints. Discouraged and determined we pressed forward. Then, though a relationship Joel had with a great religious publisher, a way forward emerged. Negotiations ensued and a deal was struck. Mitka’s story would be published.

It was a happy day when we told Mitka and Adrienne that their dream was realized. It became real to each of us when we saw the book cover art for the first time. I know I speak for my long-suffering colleagues when I say how honored we are to have had the privilege to tell Mitka’s story.

During these years, we have fallen in love with Mitka and Adrienne. We believe when you read the book, you will come to love them, too.

Team Mitka - Back row (from left): Steve Brallier, Bob Lucchesi, Joel Lohr. Front row (from left) Lynn Beck, Mitka and Adrienne Kalinski.