A local attorney was glad to be able to draw on her undergraduate education at the University of Florida to become a published author.
“I was a ‘classics’ major at UF, and I know it’s a completely useless major, but it has been great going back and learning the material again in order to write the book,” said Jessie Harrell, an attorney with Creed & Gowdy, an appellate law firm.
Harrell launched her first novel, “Destined,” Nov. 17 at Jane Doe in Five Points. The novel adapts “The Golden Ass,” by Apuleius, the story of the marriage of Cupid and Psyche, to modern day.
“I fell in love with the myth and it always stuck with me,” said Harrell.
“At the same time, I didn’t want Psyche to be such a pushover. I wanted her to be a better role model for teens. While that is not necessarily a historically accurate picture of women in ancient times, I thought it would give the story more connection to the present,” she said.
Her pursuit of writing a book started about four years ago.
“I made an offhanded comment about how we, my husband and I, should write a children’s book because of the experiences we have had with our two daughters,” said Harrell.
They attended workshops on writing children’s books and found that the genre didn’t have a lot of space for words.
“I couldn’t do a children’s picture book. You have to be so concise and get right to the point. I’m very verbose. That’s why appellate law fits me,” said Harrell. “(As a lawyer) you write so much anyway, it’s a natural transition.”
Harrell was a litigator for seven years before joining Creed & Gowdy. She identified her strengths as research and writing, and thought those strengths could be better utilized in the appellate area.
While she has identified her strengths in the practice of law, Harrell continues to learn about the world of publishing.
“I learned as I was going and got critiques along the way,” said Harrell.
She learned that in order to be published she needed an agent to present the book to publishing houses. Harrell couldn’t find an agent that shared her vision for the book, so she decided to publish it on her own. Mae Day Publishing was created to fill that role.
With the help of the Internet, Harrell found a cover designer, book editor and someone to write the code to convert the book into an e-book.
“The Internet has made it so easy,” said Harrell.
She also learned during the process that some of the keys to being published by a larger publishing company are creating buzz on the Internet and social media with the help of an e-book.
She said people from Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Philippines have downloaded the book so far.
The people writing the books have been just as supportive.
“The community for young adult book writers is very supportive, unlike the competitive adult market. I’ve been able to ask questions and get some feedback along the way,” said Harrell.
The community support came after Harrell decided to pursue the market for young adult readers.
“It’s just fun. There’s so much angst and the romance is so innocent. It’s an age where you think anything is possible,” said Harrell.
“Destined” is available at The Book Nook in Lakewood or can be ordered at any bookstore. It is also available at Amazon.com in hardback or for Kindle.
356-2466