Janis Falk
Historical Fiction Author
Latest novel,
Up in Smoke,
coming soon!
Up in Smoke
In this gritty, cinematic story, hardworking Florence and her best friend, Basia, are enraged with
poor treatment, low wages, and working conditions in the factory in which they hand roll cigars. Florence is as reserved and compliant as Basia is fiery and forthright.
In a classic underdog story, in a time when choices were between bad and worse, a woman searches for her voice to lead the labor movement against her husband’s violent efforts to silence her. The novel portrays the Eastern European immigrant struggle in turbulent 1937 Detroit when difficult economic times, xenophobia, “Fordism,” secret societies, and Communist led labor organizations buffeted the demographic.
Will Florence and Alex resolve their conflicts both inside and outside the home?
At what cost?
What Readers are Saying
"Through compelling story-telling and strong female characters,
Up in Smoke
reminds us of the real human cost of worker exploitation and the risk involved in standing up for what’s right.
This beautiful book is a love letter to the working class."
— Kim Suhr, Director, Red Oak Writing
About the Author
Writing is a second act for Janis. In her first, she raised her family, pursued a business career, lived large and wide, and now has something to write about. When not behind her Danish antique desk, Janis can be found kayaking the Great Lakes or pruning lavender plants on her organic farm.
Janis was born in suburban Detroit, then took a multi-decade tour through Chicago. She now lives with her husband, Jim, in Door County, Wisconsin in a home they built by combining two 150-year-old log cabins.
Behind the Book
White Eagle Cigar Factory
Polish women in Detroit took to the streets to demand improved working conditions and union recognition.
Their marches and sit down strikes in cigar factories contributed to the "Spirit of 1937" when workers claimed their due after their great sacrifices during the Depression.
Łoniow, Poland
Visiting relatives in northeast Poland sparked my quest to understand the enigmatic history of Eastern Europe.
The tent pitched for our welcome party is referenced in the book. This farm, Henryk's, inspired two characters and their backstory in
Up in Smoke
.
Diego Rivera
"All art is propaganda. Every strong artist has been a propagandist. I want to be a propagandist and I want to be nothing else. I want to use my art as a weapon."
~ Diego Rivera
On a school field trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, I saw Diego Rivera’s tribute to Detroit’s industry. I reacted viscerally. Clanking of the stamping machine scraped my ears. Hot foundry tools scorched my fingertips. Smelting taconite singed my nose. Men wrestled an engine block. I licked my salty lips at the suggestion of sweat. My muscles, twinged with their strain. One of the men wrestling an engine block resembled my grandfather. It wasn’t, but it could’ve been.
Rivera's mural taught me to find beauty and worth in the working class, in my family, my heritage, and me.
Further Reading
Polish women immigrants in Detroit set a standard for both gender specific labor organization as well as all workers worldwide. Women in retail, drugstores, and many other industries followed their lead.
Tom Stanton is the author of
Terror in the City of Champions
. I was introduced to the Black Legion and its persecution of immigrant laborers from Mr. Stanton's book.
Here you'll find more information on the innovative Dodge Brothers manufacturing facility designed by Albert Kahn. It was one of the first structures to incorporate reinforced concrete to effect heavy floor and ceiling loading required by the automobile manufacturing process.