A Bold Biography Unveiling the Brilliance and Contradictions of Ireland’s Revolutionary Muse — Meet the Author at a Special Book Signing on June 30

Maple Leaf Publishing Canada is proud to announce the featured appearance of acclaimed author Kim Bendheim at the 2025 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference, to be held at the Philadelphia Convention Center, June 27–30. Her widely acclaimed biography, The Fascination of What’s Difficult: A Life of Maud Gonne, will be presented at the Maple Leaf Publishing booth — culminating in a special in-person book signing with Bendheim on Monday, June 30, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 NN.

This is a rare opportunity for librarians, publishers, distributors, consignment partners, and readers to meet the author and experience a book that’s already generating buzz in both academic and literary circles.

A Compelling Portrait of a Revolutionary Icon

In The Fascination of What’s Difficult, Kim Bendheim offers a daring and multi-dimensional look at Maud Gonne — the legendary Irish actress, activist, and political firebrand often called “the Irish Joan of Arc.” Born into aristocracy, Gonne rejected her privileged status to fight for Irish independence, all while inspiring the poetry of W.B. Yeats, raising children out of wedlock, and refusing to conform to the era’s rigid social norms.

But Gonne’s legacy is not one of uncomplicated heroism. She was also a committed anti-Semite, a believer in the occult, and a woman whose choices — from religious conversion to psychedelic spiritualism — were as controversial as they were groundbreaking. Bendheim refuses to shy away from these contradictions, instead leaning into them to paint a full and thought-provoking portrait of a woman who was as admired as she was misunderstood.

Meet the Author — A Voice as Fearless as Her Subject

Kim Bendheim brings unmatched authority and artistic insight to the biography genre. A cum laude graduate of Harvard, Bendheim holds dual Master’s degrees: one in Irish literature and history from NYU and another in poetry from the City College of New York. Her journalism has appeared in outlets including The Nation, The Forward, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times, while her poetry has been featured in Bomb magazine.

Also an accomplished performer, Bendheim appeared in David Lynch’s Fire Walk with Me and has collaborated with choreographer Stephan Koplowitz. She currently works as a teaching artist in New York City public schools — another testament to her commitment to making art, literature, and history accessible and resonant.

A Must-Have for Libraries, Collectors, and Thought Leaders

As today’s readers seek stories that embrace complexity and acknowledge moral ambiguity, The Fascination of What’s Difficult stands out as an essential addition to collections in biography, feminist studies, Irish history, and literary criticism. Perfect for university libraries, public institutions, and specialty booksellers, the book provides a gripping, academically rigorous, and emotionally intelligent examination of a singular life lived on the edge of rebellion and renown.

Book industry professionals at ALA — including librarians, publishers, distributors, consignment managers, and foreign rights scouts — are invited to visit the Maple Leaf Publishing booth to explore distribution and acquisition opportunities.

Book Signing Event Details

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Kim Bendheim in person at the 2025 ALA Annual Conference. The author of The Fascination of What’s Difficult: A Life of Maud Gonne will be signing copies of her critically acclaimed biography on Monday, June 30, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 NN at the Maple Leaf Publishing corner booth #2038 inside the Philadelphia Convention Center. This exclusive event offers readers, librarians, and publishing professionals a chance to engage directly with Bendheim, gain insights into her extensive research and writing process, and leave with a personalized, signed edition of one of the most provocative and talked-about biographies of the year.

Discover the Woman Who Captivated a Nation and a Poet

With vivid prose, original research, and rare interviews with Gonne’s unconventional descendants, Kim Bendheim offers readers a new lens through which to view an already mythologized figure. The Fascination of What’s Difficult is a necessary read for anyone interested in the intersections of gender, art, radical politics, and historical memory.

For more information about Kim Bendheim and her book—including opportunities for distribution, consignment, rights acquisition, or to schedule media interviews—please visit the Maple Leaf Publishing booth at the 2025 ALA Conference, contact Kim through her website at www.kimbendheim.com, or reach out via Maple Leaf Publishing at info@mapleleafpublishinginc.com.

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