As a writer of historical fiction, my stories are merely my interpretations of actual events; however, I strive to avoid revisionism by undertaking thorough research and by consulting the foremost experts.

Before the publication of Letters from Vinnie, I sent the manuscript to Mr. David Madden, then-Director of the United States Civil War Center, Louisiana State University. Upon his verification of my research, he endorsed my work, writing:

"Maureen Sappéy’s . . . Civil War fiction for young people has a critical purpose: to incorporate historical fact into fictional stories, appealing to students and teachers from the perspectives of multiple disciplines, including literature and the social sciences. This cross-curricular approach leaves the young reader with a more complete understanding of the Civil War era. As an interdisciplinary institution, the United States Civil War Center commends her efforts."

Before publishing my other books of Civil War fiction, I sent the manuscripts to the research departments of different Civil War National Parks.

Eliciting critical reviews from experts is a responsible part of writing historical fiction—after all, books of this sort are often used as teaching tools.