Emma and her sons

On November 11, 2005, I wrote the following in my private journal:

I have decided to write the Emma novel. I want to try it. If I fail, I fail – but if I don’t try, I can never succeed.

Today, February 7, 2013, my novel about Emma of Normandy is launched into the world. As you can tell from that journal entry, I was not at all certain that I would be successful when I began this venture. In all honesty, the success that I have had from that date to this has been beyond my wildest dreams.

I wanted to write a book about Emma. And certainly I wanted the book to make it to publication because the whole purpose of writing it was to make Emma’s name familiar to as many people as I could reach.

But I never looked any farther than “Write the book, then find an agent.”  My thoughts never reached toward who the publisher might be; I only hoped there would be a publisher some day.

The last seven years (!) have been a remarkable journey for me. I have learned an enormous amount – not just about Emma’s world, but also about the modern day world of publishing. I have been guided by experts in both fields: academics whose studies laid the groundwork for the story that my book tells; my agent, my editors and all their associates in the US and the UK; writers who have been so generous with advice and encouragement; contacts in the world of social media – many of whom have become my friends.

It has been an adventure with delirious highs and desperate lows, and I have been supported along the way by my family and my close friends – I thank God for them every day!

Shadow on the Crown is now out of my hands and into the hands of readers as far away as Australia and as close as next door. I hope that Emma of Normandy finds a welcome reception, that my readers will remember her name, and that they will look forward to more because…..

…..there is more to come!