LOOSE THREADS — THE SERIES

A note from Sheryll O’Brien:

When I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I stopped writing novels and began a blog about my final journey.

And. Then. This. Happened.

In one of the entries, I casually mentioned several manuscripts I’d written years ago — the ones I’d unceremoniously dumped in our basement to gather dust and the attention of an occasional creepy crawly that might wander past. I tongue-in-cheek suggested my publisher, Nancy Pendleton, take a read of these works.

I never thought she’d bite.

She bit.

And she agreed to co-author the books.

The first manuscript, The Gutter, was in the mail to her within days. Nancy read the story, fell in love with the story — then she worked her magic and turned it into a publishable novel. A Herculean task — believe you me — one befitting the woman I named The Goddess, years ago.

Nancy’s Perspective:

Over the time Sheryll and I worked together, I fell in love with her writing. As time passed, and we communicated more, on both a professional and personal level, we became friends. When she received her devastating diagnosis, I was crushed. I couldn’t believe I was going to lose this treasured friend, and the world was going to be deprived of additional SOB works. 

When Sheryll mentioned she had some very early manuscripts tucked away in her basement, I was intrigued. When she asked if I’d like to read one, I jumped at the opportunity. Before I knew it I had a 231 page-turner in my hands. She was right, this is a great story, but it needed a lot of work. It needed the spit and polish that Sheryll’s recent works are known for. As her publisher for the past few years I knew exactly what it needed, but would I be able to deliver?

Once I began the process I was immediately freaked out! What had I done? I’m no writer! How can I possibly do this? I had seen Sheryll produce an 80,000 word masterpiece in a month, how could I have thought I could put the Sheryll polish on this story? But I finally got hold of a thought that kept bouncing around my head. I asked myself the most important question — how could I not at least try?

That said, I pushed into this story, and I am busy working on the next collaboration, The Caller. I hope you enjoy these new works of Sheryll O’Brien and Nancy Pendleton. I hope you will be kind in your assessment knowing that I, who am not a writer, completed the technical tasks required to get these stories ready for the world.