MEET US
Author’s Bio
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
-Marcus Garvey
Chris Flanders is a historical nonfiction author dedicated to uncovering the forgotten stories, remarkable people, and transformative events that shaped 19th-century America. A retired Cardiac Nurse Practitioner with a lifelong passion for history, Chris combines rigorous research with deeply human storytelling to bring overlooked pioneers and regional histories back into the light.
Her love of history began with her father, Bill, who always had something for her to read whenever she visited—whether it was a clipping from last night’s newspaper or a bookmarked section from an 1868 tome on Civil War weaponry. His mission was simple: get her hooked on history. And it worked.
When Chris retired, her father revealed that he had nearly completed the family genealogy. Instead of handing her the finished tree, he asked her to join Ancestry.com and begin with herself, her children, and whoever she could enter without help. Slowly, he gave her more and more branches to add. The process of typing each name, birth year, and life detail drew her in deeply—transforming genealogical research into personal discovery and sparking a richer understanding of the lives that came before her.
That early love of history and genealogy continues to inspire her writing.
Chris’s first book—a detailed history of the Bemus Point–Stow Ferry—was written as a gift to her community. All profits from the book supported the ferry’s major hull restoration in 2020, reflecting her dedication to historical preservation in Western New York.
Her newest book, The Image Maker, focuses on three real men who played defining roles in America’s first oil boom: photographer John Mather, industrialist Charles Miller, and writer Patrick Boyle. Drawing from archives, period materials, and regional history, Chris offers a vivid, narrative-rich portrait of 19th-century Pennsylvania and the rise of the early petroleum industry.
When she isn’t writing, Chris enjoys gardening, birding, volunteering with environmental organizations, and spending time with her two sons and their growing families. Every summer, she attends the Chautauqua Institution’s nine-week literary season, which continues to fuel her passion for historical research and storytelling.
Chris writes both historical fiction and narrative nonfiction, guided by a desire to honor overlooked pioneers, preserve regional heritage, and bring America’s past to life for modern readers.
Who We Are
This space is more than an author website — it’s a gathering place for writers, readers, and anyone who loves stories rooted in history, character, and real human experience. Whether you’re early in your writing journey or a lifelong reader, this site is meant to feel like a home.
Many of my books begin with a single spark — a word, a memory, or a passing phrase in an otherwise ordinary conversation. These small moments take root like seeds. They grow quietly in the background until, suddenly, they find their place in my writing.
I believe the same can happen for you.
Conversations we share, ideas exchanged, or even a reader’s personal reflection can become the seed of a new story, a poem, or even a full book. Our readers—curious, thoughtful, widely read—often know exactly what they’re searching for in their next great read. Their insights, questions, and passions can inspire us in unexpected ways.
Here, we learn from one another. We write, we read, and we follow the threads of history and imagination wherever they lead. Together, we can run with these ideas and turn them into stories worth remembering.