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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · 2h

Thank you!

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · 1d

Publication day!!!

Downingfield Press @downingfield.bsky.social · 1d

NOW AVAILABLE — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.

Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.

Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval

#Romanovs

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · 2d

Today's blog post reflects on my grandmother's memoir Upheaval, and looks to the launch of the 2nd edition this coming Wednesday. Links to the launch are in the post and everyone is welcome to join! www.alexdefircks.com/olga-woronof...

Olga Woronoff dedicated Upheaval to her daughter, I’m dedicating the 2nd edition to my sons - Alex de Fircks

First published in 1932, my grandmother dedicated her memoir, Upheaval to her daughter and only child, Tatiana, who was also my mother.

www.alexdefircks.com

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · 5d

I'm looking forward to this and seeing you there!

Downingfield Press @downingfield.bsky.social · 5d

COMING SOON — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.

Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.

Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval

#Romanovs #History

alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · 8d

Happening next week! I hope to see you there!

Downingfield Press @downingfield.bsky.social · 13d

7pm AEST, 15 OCT 2025: Join us for the online launch of the updated second edition of Olga Woronoff's ‘Upheaval’, featuring a live Q+A panel discussion between Olga Woronoff's granddaughter Alex de Fircks and Romanov historian Helen Azar.

JOIN THE EVENT: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · 13d

I hope you can join us!

Downingfield Press @downingfield.bsky.social · 13d

7pm AEST, 15 OCT 2025: Join us for the online launch of the updated second edition of Olga Woronoff's ‘Upheaval’, featuring a live Q+A panel discussion between Olga Woronoff's granddaughter Alex de Fircks and Romanov historian Helen Azar.

JOIN THE EVENT: teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-joi...

Reposted

Downingfield Press @downingfield.bsky.social · 17d

COMING SOON — UPHEAVAL is not just a memoir – it’s a historical treasure.

Born into Russian aristocracy, Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel lived a life of privilege, beauty, and tradition—until revolution.

Learn more and find a local bookshop: downingfield.com/upheaval

#Romanovs #History

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Sep 14

Booth Tarkington, who twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, wrote the Introduction to the original edition of Upheaval. He praised the manuscript in this letter, written by the mother of Tarkington's secretary to my grandmother. www.alexdefircks.com/olga-woronof...

Olga Woronoff, Upheaval and the Booth Tarkington connection - Alex de Fircks

Booth Tarkington, who twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, in 1919 and 1922, wrote the Introduction to the original edition of my grandmother’s memoir,

www.alexdefircks.com

Reposted

Downingfield Press @downingfield.bsky.social · Sep 11

📖 COMING SOON from Downingfield Press 📖

UPHEAVAL is Countess Olga Kleinmichel’s gripping memoir of privilege, loss, and survival through a vanished world.

🗓️ Available 13 October 2025
🔗 Learn more: downingfield.com/book/upheaval

#Memoir #RussianHistory #HistoricalMemoir #Bookstagram #Publishing

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Sep 2

Look what arrived in the post! The proof copy of the 2nd edition of Upheaval. I love the cover. So exciting! Now to check for mistakes...

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Aug 31

This week's blog post was prompted by renovations to my apartment, which made me wonder how my maternal grandparents would have made homes out of all the places they lived. www.alexdefircks.com/how-did-they...

How did they manage to make a home each time they moved? - Alex de Fircks

In the midst of renovating my new home, I have been neglecting my blog posts. I simply haven’t been able to keep an eye on everything changing around me,

www.alexdefircks.com

alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Jul 7

That doesn't sound good 😕

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Jul 5

What a lovely story! If I could find a substitute for barley, I might even attempt to cook it one day.

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Jun 26

I'm always curious about the "why" in cases like these. Unfortunately, I usually end up down rabbit holes trying to find the answer...

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Jun 23

Sensible article!

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Jun 21

Wow! Good sleuthing! This search really demonstrates the twists and turns of family history research.

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Jun 21

Here is a sneak peek at some of the #familyphotos which might be included in the updated 2nd edition of my grandmother's #memoir. If only I could identify the man next to my grandfather!
The photos were taken in June 1919 when my grandparents took a cruise down the Kuban River.

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Jun 16

Starting to plan the sequel to Upheaval, luckily I just discovered Microsoft has a Whiteboard!

alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Jun 8

It's winter here in Melbourne, which, for me, means curling up with a book and some hot chocolate www.alexdefircks.com/the-grand-du...

The Grand Duchess wrote about my grandparents in her diary - Alex de Fircks

I’m always interested in reading about my grandparents and my latest purchase doesn’t disappoint. George Hawkins, who has translated the diaries and letters

www.alexdefircks.com

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · May 16

I'm very excited that the 2nd ed of Upheaval, which I have been working on for so many years, is now on my publisher's website @downingfield.bsky.social Further information to follow... downingfield.com/book/upheava...

Upheaval

Countess Olga Konstantinovna Kleinmichel was born into an aristocratic Russian family with close ties to the monarchy. Her grandfather had been a clos...

downingfield.com

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · May 15

Very exciting news from my publisher!

Downingfield Press @downingfield.bsky.social · May 15

📢 Exciting news! Downingfield Press is now an associate member of the Australian Publishers Association! Joining APA gives us access to industry insights, networking opportunities, advocacy support, and resources to strengthen our publishing efforts.

#Publishing #Books

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · May 15

Very exciting news!

alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · May 3

Yay!

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Apr 13

Yes, it didn't take me long to be hooked in family history! Good post, I enjoyed reading it.

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alexdefircks.bsky.social @alexdefircks.bsky.social · Apr 9

That sounds amazing but hard work! Happy you did it so I can just read about it!

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