Q&A with Sharon Sheltzer, author of “Lady of the Waves: Love in the Time of Climate Change”

I spoke with author Sharon Sheltzer about the thriving genre of climate-change fiction, how she found a traditional publisher, becoming a writer in retirement, and author-driven book marketing.

Guest Post: How Telling Her Mother's Story Helped Grace Bubulka's Grief Process

“Congratulations, your book is . . .”

The remainder of the email blurred, its words smearing together. The publisher was congratulating me, or rather trying to congratulate me, on the release of my latest novel, Ida’s Secrets, a 442-page historical tome about my mother’s life, her tragedies and triumphs.

But a gut punch doubled me over in my chair. I exhaled hard and refocused on the letters crawling across the screen. I attempted to shake away the feeling in my stomach. It persisted. Within seconds, a sensation of energy rose through my chest and finally settled at the base of my throat.

Guest PostSara RoahenJuly 21, 2025Guest Blog, author tips, writing process, publishing businessComment

Q&A with Carole Wagener, Author of "The Hardest Year: A Love Story in Letters During the Vietnam War"

Carole Wagener recently self-published her first book, The Hardest Year: A Love Story in Letters During the Vietnam War. Her husband, William, who wrote roughly half of the letters in the book, shares author credit.