From A…to...P

Well, OK, maybe this is a stretch. “A” being An idea, “P” being a Published book. When I think back through the years as this book became a reality, it conjures up writing, rewriting, editing, rewriting, deleting, and rewriting. And then on to the next sentence!

UNCHARTED had its start years ago at the Salt Cay Writer’s Workshop in the Bahamas with its knowledgeable staff and talented participants who supported me as I started me down this path.

Then there was the process of querying agents and receiving those standardized rejections. “Thank you for allowing me to read your synopsis, but this is not what I am looking for at this time. My opinion is subjective and I encourage you to continue querying as I am certain you will find an agent who believes in your work.” Or something like this. I could acknowledge the few who dropped in an occasional positive word that convinced me to continue this discouraging process, but rather than bore you with that long list, I will cut to the end when I finally found what I was looking for.

Honestly, I actually don’t remember how I stumbled upon Sistership Press, in Australia, no less. This small press focuses on writing built around life on the water, exactly what I was writing. They knew their market. I was thrilled when I received a response to my query within 24 hours asking for the completed manuscript which of course I sent back immediately, thinking maybe, just maybe. Naively, I actually thought the manuscript really was ready for publication.

Fortunately, Sistership also came with a compassionate editor, Shelley Wright, who, among her many credentials, is a seasoned sailor and writer. Working with Shelley, and at that time, her associate, Jackie Perry, convinced me that the hard work and thoroughness of an editor does not get enough praise. It is a daunting task and takes endless red pencils and a delicate hand to manage a newbie’s fragile ego.

Shelley believed in my novel and patiently worked with me to fine-tune the manuscript into a publishable novel. This required lots of back and forth emails and anxious delays based on personal issues and the havoc that widespread fires in Australia and world-wide Covid-19 caused. In addition Australia is sixteen hours ahead of east coast US time. I would write Shelley on Monday and her reply was on Tuesday-or something like that.

To successfully release a book to the public takes people with skills beyond writing. I am indebted to Ann Clermont, a fellow writer who constructed this amazing website and to Annie Seaton, a well-established author and designer of the stunning cover. And of course to Wayne Beardsley for giving me permission to use his photograph on the cover. A cave, not this one which is actually on the north end of the Berry Island chain, is an important part of the climax in my story.

Now the job is to convince the public that it is worth their money and reading time. More to come.

Janet Howle, author with recently published sailing/suspense novel, UNCHARTED