I firmly believe you need to live in a place for at least ten years before truly writing about it. My husband and I moved to the eastern shore of MD in 2000, starting a cut flower and herb farm ten years later in Kent County. We still have the farm and still sell our flowers and herbs (and now our all natural body care products as well) at the Chestertown Farmers Market each Saturday. I don’t know if there is any better way to immerse yourself in the local community than at a farmers market where people are relaxed and chatty (and, yes, even gossipy). Exploring the surrounding waterways is another wonderful way to immerse yourself in the area, seeing the land from the water offers a whole new perspective on place. I began writing my short story cycle, Garden of Motherless Children, set on the eastern shore of MD, most in Kent County, after being here ten years. It truly took me that long to feel that I knew and understood the people and the land and the rich culture. I have been publishing the stories in literary journals along the way, two of them recently nominated for Pushcart Prizes. I completed the cycle (a short story cycle is comprised of stories that share the same place and has reoccurring characters, symbols and underlying themes and motifs) about five years ago and have been searching for the right publisher since then. I found that publisher in Secant Publishing, based in Salisbury. Secant Publishing is a wonderful independent press that focuses on and supports local writers. I know this is the right home for Garden of Motherless Children, and I am excited to share this book with all of you when it is published on October 13, 2026. There will be a launch in Chestertown in the Sultana building on October 14, and I would be honored to see you there. Your support is such a gift to me.