It was actually an author’s note that gave me the idea to write a novel.
I had just finished reading a book on a plane (pirate YA, of all things 🏴☠️). In that last section at the end, the author thanked all the people that helped her with sailing terms, pirate history, and everything required to make the book come to life.
And it hit me: She wasn’t born with this novel in her. It took time and effort and a lot of contributing parties, and even if some spark was in her all along, it took some serious excavation to find it and then fan it into something meaningful.
So, I spent the remaining flight daydreaming what I’d write if I ever wrote a book. When I got home, I told my husband—who had been training for a 100 mile mountain bike race—that I wanted to “train” for a novel: carving out time, making a plan, and really dedicating myself to this project.
On my first day of training (🫠), I made a list of everything I loved about my favorite books. Alongside things like witty banter and a punchy last line was this:
The author’s note is the best part and really adds to the story.
It was a strange (and possibly controversial) thing to say about a piece of fiction, but I still hold firm. I love nothing more than getting to the end of a great book and then going even deeper with the author. Where did the idea come from? What’s their personal connection to the story? How has their life changed because of this?
So, I decided to write a book I’d want to read, author’s note and all.
And fast forward: I did it! I now have a two-book deal with my debut set to release May 2026. (*insert eight and counting full revisions, enduring the querying trenches, plenty of existential questioning, and a couple years of my life in between*)
As I prepare for publication, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with two of my favorite writers: Charles Martin (I wrote all about our call here) and Seth Godin, thanks to my angel of an agent. In both calls, I felt like I was in a real-life author’s note. I loved that I could ask direct questions and get off-the-cuff answers, and I loved that I left with a deeper respect and connection to these authors I had long admired from afar.
So, this Substack—The Author’s Note—is my chance to recreate that experience for others. I’ll share occasional thoughts on my own publishing journey while also inviting you into intimate conversations with my favorite authors. (I share all the nitty-gritty about those convos here.)
Let’s have fun with this.
Until next time,
p.s. I’d love to share some behind-the-scenes photos of the last few years of writing with you, but it’s mostly just been me and my Google Docs. Here’s the best I’ve got:
