Have you ever thought about writing and publishing a book? Ames Sheldon, our guest speaker on Sept. 27, outlined the obstacles she faced in writing and publishing the award-winning novel titled “Eleanor’s Wars.” Ames has been writing fiction since age 9, but “Eleanor’s Wars” – inspired by an operetta written by her late uncle – is the product of 15 years of work. It’s set against the backdrop of World War II and focuses on the matriarch of a New Jersey family and the family secrets that soon unfold.
The obstacles she overcame during the period between idea and publication were many and substantial. She was told there wasn’t enough tension in the story. Her story was too long. She had difficulty finding an agent. She faced many rejections from publishing houses. And, she took on the huge tasks of self-publishing her book. When she finally held a copy of her book, in November of last year, “That was a big day,” she said. Last April, “Eleanor’s Wars” won a national book award, the Independent Book Publishers Association’s 2016 Benjamin Franklin Gold Medal Award for Best New Voice in Fiction. You can find out more about author Ames Sheldon and her work at www.amesheldon.com.