Sunday, September 17, 2017

A Diverse Group Supports my Writing, by Diane Scott Lewis


I have many people to thank for their wonderful support over the years. My mother, and my English teachers are the earliest. Recently, for my Canadian Historical Brides book, On a Stormy Primeval Shore:

Here's the blurb: In 1784, Englishwoman Amelia Latimer sails to the new colony of New Brunswick in faraway Canada. She’s to marry a man chosen by her soldier father. Amelia is repulsed by her betrothed, and refuses to marry him. She is attracted to a handsome Acadian trader, Gilbert, a man beneath her in status. Gilbert must fight the incursion of English Loyalists from the American war to hold onto his land and heritage. Will he and Amelia find peace when events seek to destroy their love and lives.

First and foremost I’d like to thank Nancy M. Bell, my fellow author, who sent me research documents, websites and kept in touch with people at The New Brunswick Museum while writing her own novel in the series. She also critiqued each chapter and offered suggestions.


Nancy M. Bell
 
 

I thank my Beta readers, all three of them. So I guess they’d be Gamma and Delta, too. Ginger Simpson, Norma Redfern, and for my final draft, Kathy Pym.

 

My two on-line critique groups. I’ve been with many of these people for over a decade. Their suggestions and expertise is invaluable. These writers include fellow BWL authors Kathy Pym and Anita Davison. Also, authors Maggi Andersen, AnneMarie Brear, Ursula Thompson, and Lisa Elm. In my other group I have Carolyn, Randall, Karen, James, Harry, Lindsey, Kathy and Jane.

Nancy's contacts at The New Brunswick Museum, who guided her to rare documents: Jennifer Longon; Gary Hughes; Ruth Cox.
 
The Internet, what would I do with you? Formally, I’d research in libraries, including the fantastic Library of Congress. I’d get Library Loans of difficult to find books. I still enjoy libraries, that unreplaceable smell of books, but where I live now in rural Western Pennsylvania the choices are limited.

My publisher Jude for believing in and promoting this series, and the Government of Canada for funding it.

Now for who supports my writing in general, my husband, family and friends. I've dragged my husband off to England through the wilds of Cornwall, over to France, and up to Canada, in pursuit of my research. He's waiting for my million-dollar book deal; he really wants that vacation house in the tropics!

Bio: Diane Parkinson (Diane Scott Lewis) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, joined the Navy at nineteen and has written and edited free-lance since high school. She writes book reviews for the Historical Novels Review and worked as a historical editor for The Wild Rose Press. She’s had several historical novels published. Diane lives with her husband in Western Pennsylvania.
 
For more on my novels, please visit my BWL Author Page

And my website: dianescottlewis.org

7 comments:

  1. I hope in some way my critiques help, Diane, but I don't find much to criticize, I just get to read your great stories. Loved On a Stormy Primeval Shore. Now I know why your work is so consistently good. I wasn't aware that you were the historical editor for The Wild Rose Press!

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  2. Thanks for the compliment, Maggi. I always enjoy your stories, too.

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  3. Hi Diane,
    It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with you. The story is strong and evocative, your skill shines through every word. I'm looking forward to the release of On a Stormy Primeval Shore. Like it takes a village to raise a child it takes a great team to create a book, and a top notch author like yourself, of course. Wishing you huge sales and smooth sailing. Nancy

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  4. I'm soo looking forward to this one, Diane. It takes place just a few years after "Where the River Narrows," set in Quebec, my contribution to the "Brides" series (with Ron Crouch).

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