Monthly Archives: January 2012

Theodosia

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The Cast Net is set in Charleston County, South Carolina in the late 1980s. I have woven the history of a tragic figure from American history into my novel. Theodosia Burr Alston was the daughter of Aaron Burr, and wife of South Carolina governor, Joseph Alston. Burr was Thomas Jefferson’s vice-president, and notoriously notable for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel.

During the War of 1812, Theodosia  mysteriously disappeared at sea while on a voyage to New York from Georgetown, SC.

Most of the action in my novel takes place in a fictitious town named Alston Station, which I named after Governor Joseph Alston. There is also a sophisticated sailboat, named the Theodosia, which is partially owned by one of the significant characters in my book. Like her namesake, the Theodosia, also disappears. I hope you’ll read my novel to find out her fate!  

Getting Published, Not An Easy Task!

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The Cast Net took me approximately three years to write. I had been a real estate broker, running my own company. When the real estate market slowed, I began work on my novel. Last fall, I queried a number of literary agents, but the response was ‘not for me.'” I can’t count how many times I was turned down. Some agents don’t bother to respond. One literary agent took the time to tell me that my manuscript was too long. I took the next several months reducing the novel, line by line. When I was happy with the reduced manuscript, I began the query process again. Fortunately for me, the South Carolina Book Festival was being held in Columbia, SC, and I attended some of the events. I met a publisher from Atlanta, Terri Leidich, with the Boutique of Quality Books that was interested in reading my manuscript. I was thrilled to be offered a contract with her publishing company. I would tell any new writer to try many avenues to get published, attend book related events, and don’t give up!  6DJWP3V3FTQY

Protection of Nature in The Cast Net

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In my novel, The Cast Net, there is a theme devoted to the deep appreciation of nature and the need to protect our natural resources. These principles are personified through the character, Cooper Heath. I would like to share a quote by poet, E.E. Cummings: “I thank you God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes.”