At just seven years old, Milica dreamed only of carefree days—picking wild violets in the fields, laughing with friends, and basking in the warmth of her small village in Dalmatia, Yugoslavia. She could never have imagined what lay ahead: the scream of grenades, the shattering of glass, and the terror of fleeing home under fire. Her childhood was torn apart by war, and in its place came bomb shelters, refugee camps, and a relentless fight for survival.
With unflinching honesty, Milica offers a child’s-eye view of displacement, loss, and the unbreakable bonds of family, revealing the human cost of war and the enduring light that carried her forward.
Now living in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, Justin, their son, Allen, and their puppy, Zoey, Milica Vogt is a scientist turned storyteller. For nearly two decades, she worked in the corporate world, but the voices of her past have never faded. Under a Whistling Sky is a tribute to the past, a witness to survival, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, hope and quiet courage endure.
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Milica is available to present excerpts from her memoir, share her writing process, and answer questions from the audience. The program is flexible based on the interests of the group.
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“Sifting through wartime memories in search of understanding, Under a Whistling Sky is an affecting memoir.”
—Karen Reigby for Foreword Reviews
“…a sobering, human-scale account of conflict and survival. It stands as a testament to memory’s endurance and would appeal to readers of personal war narratives and immigrant memoirs alike.”
—BlueInk Review
“The narrative is deeply personal, offering a child’s perspective on the horrors of war. Her ability to portray the innocence of childhood juxtaposed with the harsh realities of war creates a compelling story.”
—Carol Thompson for Readers’ Favorite
“Narrated through a child’s eyes, the writing reflects the harsh realities faced by civilians fleeing from a war that was not of their making.”
—Leonard Smuts for Readers’ Favorite
“Milica is a relatable narrator—even if her endurance is extraordinary, her emotions would ring true for any child. Several times, I paused to consider how profoundly the war was reshaping her world, as in the tense scene where she hides in a basement, torn between fear and hope.”
—Jennifer Senick for Readers’ Favorite
“As the bombs fly overhead, and after years of struggling to survive, the family is forced to flee their home. They leave behind their friends, families, the farm animals, and even their pet dog. At the age of seven, Milica does not understand what is happening, and no one will explain.”
—Lucinda E Clarke for Readers’ Favorite
“As the sounds of gunfire and exploding bombs drew ever closer to Milica’s village the family knew it was time to leave before their tiny village was overrun.”
—Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite
A native of Croatia, Milica “Vidić” Vogt was twelve years old when she fled the country in 1995 during “Operation Storm,” also known as the ethnic cleansing of Serbs in Croatia. After living in a refugee camp for a few years in Serbia, she immigrated to the United States for the best chance of safety, freedom, and prosperity.
A scientist by training, after almost twenty years in corporate America, she decided to dedicate her time and energy in writing her memoir and sharing her story of struggle, hope, and survival with intention to help and inspire others going through similar life circumstances so they can claim their strength to overcome what may seem impossible at the moment.
Milica is available for speaking engagements, book events, and interviews.
Her talks explore themes of inspiring Resilience, Perseverance, and the Power to Rebuild.
With authenticity and clarity, Milica engages audiences in conversations about endurance, empathy, and the transformational potential of rebuilding one’s life.
For speaking inquiries, please use the contact form below.
Please complete the form below, and the author will return your message within a couple of days.
