When I retired in June 2008, I launched my second act as a writer. I started with articles and book reviews, slowly finding my footing as my work appeared in newspapers, magazines, and online publications.

Buoyed by this early success, I began to dream bigger. Why not a novel? My original plan was to write and edit the novel, find an agent or publisher, and surprise everyone with a grand reveal at my launch party.

That was the dream.

The reality was very different.

I quickly discovered that writing and publishing a novel was very different from writing articles and book reviews. The scale was larger, the doubts louder. I couldn’t do it alone. I needed help, guidance, and boatloads of encouragement.

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