Happy Pub Day to Author Accelerator certified book coach and Certification Manager, Margaret McNellis! Her historical fiction novel Outlawed is out now and is book 2 in her Heroes of Sherwood series.

Which publishing route was taken for this project?

Self-publishing.

What moment are you most looking forward to in the publication process?

On publication day, being able to say book two is finally out so my Heroes of Sherwood series is officially more than one book! It will definitely be less awkward to talk about a series when there's more than one book. I'm also looking forward to more ease in self-publishing because I've now done it before.

What are you most proud of in terms of this book’s journey?

This book actually helped me get over imposter syndrome for good. It helped me realize that I'd been dealing with the symptoms, not the cause. It helped me develop a method to get over imposter syndrome by meeting that shadow where it was and healing it with gratitude. Once I did, I was able to move forward, and I haven't had imposter syndrome since. (I also developed a mini course to help others learn how to do the same.)

Was there ever a moment of doubt about the book?

There was a moment when I wondered if I should change the main arc of the book, but it turned out to be a pacing issue created by not enough tension and stakes. Once I found a way to increase those which made sense to the story, the narrative drive improved and the book was saved. I always knew that book 2 would be about this particular journey (internal and external) for my main character, but I had to go into my internal craft library to find the solution. Often, those darkest moments turn into opportunities for renewing hope and faith in our own craft.

What did you do to celebrate this achievement?

I bought myself some new novels to read. Nothing like rewarding oneself a book (or several) for a book.

What is your favorite passage of the book?

She led Barnaby back up the pier and toward the tavern. “Maybe Graham will bring you an apple,” she said to the horse. Barnaby nuzzled her shoulder as though he could understand Graham and apple. “We’ll have to wait for him outside. Know any good poems or songs?” Barnaby stared at her. “Didn’t think so. I know one. It’s a harvest song. Come on then, let’s find a place to wait out of the way and I’ll sing it to you.”

Alys found the tavern and leaned back against it. She petted Barnaby between his eyes and sang, wishing she had Marian’s voice, though Marian’s voice was perhaps too sweet and gentle for peasant poems.

“Sweet harvest home, sweet harvest home,

Cut the hay boys, harvest home.

The reaping season’s nearly done,

Cut the hay boys, harvest home.

Have yourself a cup of mead then.

Raise your mug to farm and friends.

Sweet harvest home, sweet harvest home,

Cut the hay boys, harvest home.”

Barnaby nudged her shoulder with his nose again. Alys smiled and repeated the tune. So they passed the time until Graham came out of the tavern, his face grim. The song died on her lips halfway through the verse.

What’s next for the book?

Creating the paperback and getting that listed is next, and then in September, I'll be taking Outlawed and The Red Fletch to the Renaissance Faire that inspired Alys so many years ago. It will be fun to connect with folks there and share my books with them.

What are the next steps in your career?

I've already begun my research and planning for book 3, Liberty of the Realm. I'm working on another book — a standalone historical fantasy — which I'll indie publish, and I have a book out on query which is a multi-POV historical fiction set in the Ancient Roman era. I have a few more tiers of agents for that one lined up if it doesn't find a home with this current batch, but I'm not opposed to indie publishing that, either. I also have some collaborative work on other books going on.

Why would you recommend book coaching to get to this point in the writing journey?

Even as a book coach, having my own work coached keeps me focused and on deadline. It helps me see things that I might someday see myself, but I see them a lot faster with a coach. It infuses writing with even more fun, because I get to talk story with someone else who loves story as much as I do.

Congratulations, Margaret!

Click here to order your copy of Outlawed.