An author decided to self-publish her tetralogy because she is on a mission to educate all generations, particularly the young, about The Troubles. Jane Buckley’s story will prove inspirational to anyone with a book idea who believes the only way is through a traditional agent.
The first instalment of Jane’s Stones Corner Turmoil has garnered rave reviews following its February 2021 release. First-time author Jane self-published after her manuscript was turned down by agents “wary” of the subject matter.
Says Jane: “Some blatantly admitted, ‘Never have, never will have anything to do with the Troubles in Northern Ireland, good luck!’”
“I had to get published – somehow – and so I took a considerable risk. I cashed in my pension, ordered 2,000 copies of Turmoil, and even developed my paperback ordering platform, so I didn’t have to use Amazon or similar. As big as Amazon is, time and time again, it doesn’t appear to be an ally of independent bookshops. As readers or writers, we must all support these wonderful, passionate people who are struggling to enrich our lives through literature and books.”
Jane is resolute in helping readers learn more about The Troubles with her series of moving historical fiction. ‘Stones Corner: Turmoil’ is Volume one of four (Turmoil, Darkness, Light and Hope), portraying life in Derry/Londonderry in the 1970s to bring peace to Northern Ireland with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in April 1998.
As a ‘factional book’, it covers many issues encountered at that time by both sides of the sectarian divide, including conflict, cruelty, divided loyalties, strong family ties, gallow humor and star-crossed lovers.
Jane adds: “Living in The City of Derry in the 70s wasn’t easy for any of us. It didn’t get much better as an Irishwoman living in London in the 80s and 90s. One of my greatest frustrations was the lack of understanding from the people I met on why The Troubles began or continued over the decades. Some were particularly biased in their views by what they heard or read in the media – sadly, some still are.”
Jane was “determined” to get Stones Corner out into the world and help to change perceptions. “I’d never written anything like it in my life, but I knew I just had to see it in its complete form.
“I’m now getting terrific reviews from Turmoil, and many readers have already ordered the second volume in the series, Darkness. My goal is to write stories that will inform younger generations and others through historically based fiction. I hope they read and gain a better understanding of what it was like to live through those difficult days from both sides of the divide.
“After researching and writing Darkness, I found it terrifically difficult to remain unbiased when reading, watching or listening to the tragedies of Northern Ireland in the mid-70s.
“I found it particularly tough to rein in my emotions and to remain impassive and neutral after evaluating victims’ recollections, records or watching documentaries about the atrocities. I do not apologize for this. Readers may label Darkness – in some areas – as particularly bias; however, that was and has never been my intention. My purpose in writing is to simply tell it as it was. Fact.”