In this edition of Madison Book Beat, host Lisa Malawski talks with local Madison author Tammy Borden. 

Tammy is a professional copywriter turned novelist. She has had a whirlwind of a year since releasing her novel, Waltraud. She has reached thousands of readers on 5 continents, had more than 70 speaking or book-related events, and approximately one thousand reviews! Waltraud was self-published by Tammy Borden in 2023. 

Waltraud is about a true story of Tammy’s mom growing up in Nazi Germany. Tammy grew up hearing her mom’s first-hand accounts of coming of age under Hilter’s regime. Through the years, she secretly recorded these conversations fully intent on writing a book based on her mom’s true story. 

Tammy’s mom was 12 years old when the war broke out in Germany. Her father was forced to serve in a Nazi army. There was not enough money coming in and they had to live off of rations. A lot of people do not realize that the Nazis oppressed their own people. One story in the book which may come as a surprise to readers is that Waltraud helped to feed English airman hiding in a barn after their plane crashed until the war was over. 

Tammy spoke at the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) where she shared a story where an American pilot fell to his death after shooting down a German fighter plane. Tammy wanted to find out who the pilot was. Tammy went to the US Military archives and searched her mom’s town in Germany which led to one man. Tammy found the man’s niece and they have now connected. Author connects with WWII pilot's family through mother's story - YouTube

Tammy initially wrote Waltraud in the third person and then had a revelation that she had to write this book in first person. Waltraud passed away at the age of 93 in 2020. Tammy wishes her mom could have seen the book. She is thankful that her mom was willing to share her stories. So many from Waltraud’s generation hide the horrors of their past inside. A quote from author, Tammy Borden: “If you don’t deal with your past, it’s still your present. You have no idea the healing that your story can bring to someone else.”