Two years after the release of the first book in the Cigar Queen saga, Annette Meisl –also known as Ana Galana– speaks to us about the English edition of the second volume (to be published in Spanish later this year). This installment focuses on the life and tribulations of Alana, the daughter of the initial protagonist, in late 19th-century Cuba.
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This novel, for which a third installment is already in the works, stems from the perspective and experiences of a writer who prioritizes the role of women in the face of adversity, developing her stories across different historical contexts and weaving them into the rich culture of tobacco.
The first book in this saga was The Secret of the Cigar Queen, published in 2023. It tells the story of a young German woman of humble origins who rolls cigars –a common trade in 19th-century Bremen– and escapes her family at the age of 16. This adventure takes her to Cuba, where she falls in love with a liberto (a former slave), and together they fight for a life of dignity.
A “hidden valley” where a very special tobacco grows serves as a refuge for the couple. From their union, a daughter is born: Alana, the protagonist of the second volume, titled The Heritage of the Cigar Queen. The story spans two decades, beginning in 1868.
Alana, a six-year-old girl, is forced to leave the valley due to certain circumstances and ends up in Havana, where her life is marked by a duality between fortune and misfortune. Thus, “different situations will lead her to a great love, and she will fight for what is hers,” says Annette during a video conference interview.
She adds that the narrative is rich in historical facts, as she had access to antiquarian books on various topics of interest: slavery, tobacco cultivation, and the “lectors” of the cigar factories, for example.
According to the author, her stories –though set in the past– invite reflection on current issues such as migration, “which, besides occurring worldwide, is complicated and painful. I want to encourage an understanding of things that can happen to any of us; every day we hear stories that move us.”
The theme of indigenous heritage in Cuba is also present: “I always heard that no trace of the indigenous people remained, but that is not the case. There is a great mixture among all kinds of people, but the footprint of the Taínos is there –in tobacco, for instance.”
Regarding the restrictions on publishing and disseminating tobacco-related materials, Annette responds: “Look at how crazy it is… it seems like it’s the Devil’s work, because they make our lives impossible with so many laws against us. I don’t seek to harm anyone or convince them to smoke. Through my books, I am simply defending the vast culture that tobacco represents.”
The cover of this second volume is a variation of the first but features the image of Alana, who has a darker complexion thanks to her father’s heritage. This is a self-published work through Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) and consists of 426 pages –one hundred more than the first installment, which was published by Random House.
The book launch took place on May 23, 2025, at the Volksbühne am Rudolfplatz theater in Cologne, Germany, where Annette –in her capacity as a singer– staged a show that included brief readings from the work. She was accompanied by Russian pianist and singer Natalia Fehling, Cuban musician Ney Portales, and pianist Nicholas von der Nahmer.
The author reveals that she is currently writing the third volume of the saga, which covers the first decades of the 20th century. Her character is now Alana’s daughter, who travels from Cuba to Germany during the “Roaring Twenties” and the vibrant scene in Berlin: “An era of transition, pain, and hope. That is how the artist is born, how art is born…”
In a way, although Annette says she identifies with her first protagonist, she herself lived through experiences in Madrid, Istanbul, Cuba, and Colombia that she translates into her novels. “Anna Mehringer is the Cigar Queen, a woman who will have a long life, in which I see a bit of myself. I am very excited about the story, and it has truly taken on a life of its own. I thought there would be a maximum of three volumes, but I think there will be more.”
“You may know about these things that happen to writers –suddenly the characters come to life, and we become their servants; we have to dedicate ourselves to them. It is fascinating for me because I have created the link between Germany and Cuba.”
Both volumes are available through Amazon.
ANNETTE MEISL
Born in southern Germany, on the border with Switzerland, Annette Meisl is a writer, actress, and singer. She began her artistic career in France, and in Spain, she participated in films, musical groups, and various projects until becoming the manager of the Damajuana theater.
As an artist representative, she met her partner, a Spanish singer and guitarist, with whom she returned to Germany and formed a tango duo. This led her to the group Vieja Trova Santiaguera, and through their influence, she traveled to Cuba, where she discovered her passion for tobacco.
Years later, she created her own cigar brand, La Galana, and opened her current tobacco shop and lounge in Cologne, Germany.
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