Libby

McNamee

Award-Winning Author

Writer, Speaker & Lawyer

Travels from: Richmond, VA

“We absolutely loved having you here again, and the students were spellbound! You bring history alive like no one else! Your enthusiasm is contagious — the kids are still talking about your visit!” — Star of the Sea Catholic School

Libby Carty McNamee is a speaker, lawyer, and award-winning author of three upper middle grade novels in the “Remember the Ladies” Series: Susanna’s Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War, Dolley Madison and the War of 1812: America’s First Lady, and The Union Spymistress: The Story of Elizabeth Van Lew, as well as their Study Guides. She also co-directed “Epic Patriot Camp,” mentoring young writers to write the anthologies, The Epic Story of 1776 and The Epic Story of America 1777-79.

Libby is currently at work on her next novel, Martha Washington, the Lady Presidentess.

A native of Boston, Libby lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and history-guru son at college. She is a graduate of Georgetown University with a BA in International Relations and French and a JD from Catholic University School of Law. She also served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps as a Major in South Korea, Bosnia, Germany, and Washington State.

Libby's Featured Titles

SUSANNA'S MIDNIGHT RIDE: THE GIRL WHO WON THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR

We’ve all heard of Paul Revere, but have you heard of Susanna Bolling?

Susanna’s Midnight Ride is based on the TRUE story of a 16-year-old girl from Virginia who saved French General Lafayette from capture, paving the way for the Battle of Yorktown. Based on my research, the Virginia General Assembly designated her birthday on December 5 as “Susanna Bolling Day.” A historic marker now commemorates her courageous ride AND a new musical in Virginia Beach tells her story, inspired by my book!

Almost five years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution hung in the balance. In late May 1781, General Cornwallis invaded City Point, VA, and quartered his army there. As 16-year-old Susanna Bolling served the British general and his officers dinner, she overheard their plans to capture General Lafayette and crush the American rebellion once and for all. Under the cover of darkness, she snuck out of her house through a secret underground tunnel and canoed downriver. Then she grabbed a neighbor’s horse and rode ten miles to warn Lafayette. But would she make it back home by sunrise without detection?

ELIZABETH VAN LEW, THE UNION SPYMISTRESS OF RICHMOND

When Virginia secedes from the Union and joins the Confederacy, Elizabeth Van Lew of Richmond is horrified. She risks everything to support the Union – her social standing, wealth, and even life itself. Wanting to help Union prisoners, she visits the notorious Libby Prison, a former tobacco warehouse on the James River. In addition to providing food and money, she smuggles messages and passes information to Union forces. She helps prisoners escape, even hiding them in her home. In addition, she orchestrates a massive breakout with her powerful spy ring, the Richmond Underground. She also places a spy within the Confederate White House to report on Jefferson Davis’ activities. By 1865, she communicates directly with General Grant who later raved that she provided the most valuable information about Richmond that he received during the war.

PETTICOAT PATRIOTS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Cheers! Meet the brave female Patriots of the Revolution and “Daughters of Liberty,” including the future First Ladies “Lady President” Martha Washington and Abigail Adams. We will also discuss Mrs. Adams’ friend Mercy Warren and Esther Reed, a wealthy socialite in Philadelphia. Then we will learn about the courageous female midnight-riders: Susanna Bolling of VA, Betsy Dowdy of NC, and Sybil Ludington of CT. Lastly, we will explore the soldier Deborah Sampson of MA and “Molly Pitcher” of NJ.

DOLLEY MADISON AND THE WAR OF 1812

Meet Dolley Madison, the vivacious wife of our fourth President James Madison, renowned for her kindness. Beloved by all, she was known as the Presidentess, Queen Dolley, the Queen of Hearts, and America’s First Lady at her funeral. Learn about her instrumental role in establishing the President’s House as the social center of Washington City as well as creating many national customs which remain to this day. We will explore her pivotal role in bringing our bitterly-divided country together during the tumultuous events of the War of 1812, America’s Second War of Independence.

FRENCH GENERAL LAFAYETTE, AMERICA’S FAVORITE FIGHTING FRENCHMAN!

His full name was (ahem) «Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de La Fayette, » but he is better known to us all as « Lafayette.» He was instrumental in the founding of our country and the mastermind behind our miraculous victory at the Battle of Yorktown. However, there is so much more to his amazing life. He was instrumental in the French Revolution, earning the nickname “Hero of Two Worlds.” He then spent five years in an Austrian prison, and later returned to the U.S. in 1824-25 as “The Nation’s Guest” and toured every state. Year 2025 is the 200th anniversary! Vive Lafayette!

TIME-TRAVEL TO CIVIL WAR RICHMOND! (No experience necessary!)

Learn how Richmond transformed from the prospective “Paris in Miniature” into an overcrowded cauldron of starving women and children, wounded soldiers, Union prisoners, and refugees plagued by inflation and food shortages. Learn about the Women’s Bread Riot and Union spy, Elizabeth Van Lew who masterminded the Richmond Underground spy ring and reported directly to Grant. And feel the horror of the burning of Richmond as it fell. On to Richmond we go! Hurrah!

CHRISTMAS DURING THE CIVIL WAR

Although our current Christmas celebrations are far removed from the Civil War days, many beloved traditions began then. Here’s a hint: ho, ho, ho! While a religious holiday for some, the season came to represent a time of laughter, a sense of community that didn’t necessarily mean family, and gift-giving that evolved into a more commercial holiday by the mid-20th century. Learn about Christmas in camp and at home, find inspiration in the humanity, and share the heartache of wartime separations and mounting deprivations. Hurrah!

YOUNG WRITER'S SEMINAR

Calling all aspiring writers, young and old. Would you like to write a short story or novel but do not know how to get started? Libby McNamee, award-winning author of Susanna’s Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812 wants to inspire you to achieve your goal. This workshop focuses on the elements of a story, developing strong characters, and tips for stronger writing. She will walk you through the writing process, teach you how to research and create vivid characters, give you tips for dealing with roadblocks along the way and explain your publishing options. Join us!

THE ART OF CREATIVE WRITING

Libby will go through her process with Susanna’s Midnight Ride and explain the concepts of Showing v. Telling as well as utilizing the Five Senses. Then a writing exercise — the students take five minutes to describe the setting in the photo attached. (This is Susanna Bolling’s house in Hopewell with Union soldiers occupying it during the Siege of Petersburg.) They could show describe why it is a stately old home rather than saying it — and incorporate the five senses to bring it to life.

DIALOGUE: DEVELOPING ROBUST CHARACTERS

Libby will walk you through the mechanics and fine points of mastering dialogue, a powerful tool for bringing your characters to life!

“Your visit was the event of the year for the 4th grade (and me personally)! You are so patient an accessible to the students, and make them feel important and thoughtful. The class was buzzing about your visit for the rest of the day! You inspire in the students a love for reading, writing and history. Thanks for helping me create better humans.” — Walsingham Academy, 2025

“Thank you so much for such a wonderful presentation yet again and for all your time – the kids would’ve liked to keep you all day!!! They can’t wait to read more of your books! Today was awesome!” — Harbor Day School, 2025

“Thank YOU. The girls loved it–they had such big smiles, and it was so beneficial for them to get your encouraging feedback. Thank you, thank you!” — Veritas Christian Academy, 2025

Libby’s Events

Libby’s Media Page

Honors, Awards & Recognition

Based on Libby’s research for Susanna’s Midnight Ride, the Virginia General Assembly established “Susanna Bolling Day” on December 5, and the Sons of the American Revolution installed a historical marker in her honor. The Sons of the American Revolution also awarded Libby with the Martha Washington Medal in recognition of her outstanding service to the Sons of the American Revolution. A new musical called “Racing the Night” tells Susanna’s story on Virginia Beach’s oceanfront in celebration of America’s 250 birthday.

Susanna’s Midnight Ride Awards:
#1 in Juvenile Fiction, 2020 Independent Publisher Book Awards (“IPPY Awards”)
#1 in Juvenile Fiction, 2020 Pinnacle Book Awards
Finalist in Historical Fiction, 2020 Best Book Awards
Finalist, 2019 Young Adult Virginia Author Award

Dolley Madison & the War of 1812 Awards:
Best Book in U.S. Historical Fiction, Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, Fall 2021
Bronze Award, Pre-Teen Fiction– Historical/Cultural, Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, 2022

Media clips

Style Weekly | The Union Spymistress with Libby McNamee

WTVR | How a 16 year old girl from Hopewell helped win the revolutionary war

WTVR | Susanna’s Midnight Ride

Media Kit

By clicking the link below you will be directed to a Google Docs Folder
where you can download author photos and cover images.