Local author publishes second novel
From the creative mind of a local author comes a classic fairytale with a modern twist.
Author and 17-year Susanville resident V.J. Hamlet has finished her second novel, “The Heart of the Queen’s Men.”
In this classic tale with a twist, the main character leads a mundane life until her dwarf neighbor kidnaps her. Through the journey she begins to realize she’s not who she think she is.
“This is an old tale with a new twist of enchanted apples, wicked spells, unorthodox heroes and evil villains,” read the book’s back cover.
“I love fairytales, but it’s 2019,” said Hamlet. “But a good fairytale with a modern twist is a wonderful notion.”
The author loved the fairytale of Snow White and was eager to give the story a “new lease on life.”
To bring her story to life, Hamlet went through the sometimes grueling, long and expensive process of self-publishing her novel, second to her prior work, “The Last Legend’s of Ireland.”
Writing is second nature for Hamlet, and serves as an outlet for her imagination, and she’s eager to get her stories on paper.
“Both my grandma’s were writers,” she said. “I think it’s something I’ve inherited.”
With the completion of “The Heart of the Queen’s Men,” Hamlet is working on putting together the sequel to “The Last Legend’s of Ireland.” However, she is already plotting the prequel to her latest work.
To potential, future authors out there, Hamlet offers some advice for their first books.
“Get it on paper. Get your thoughts, your notes. I know it’s really hard to start, so start in the middle, not the beginning. Just start,” she said.
Hamlet is thrilled her new work is out, and wears a coordinating heart pin to match her book’s inspiration.
She will be signing and selling copies of the novel from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Margie’s Book Nook. Copies of “The Heart of the Queen’s Men” will be available at Margie’s starting this week.
