Summary of All That is Sacred: When Lynn and her husband set out for a weekend retreat to repair their rocky marriage, icy roads lead to a fatal collision that ends Lynn’s life. Stranded between the physical world and the afterlife, Lynn experiences the grief of her loved ones as they process her death.

Lynn’s life-long friends are not only tortured by loss but also unspoken wounds in their friendship. With clever influences from above, Lynn coaxes them to reunite at a beachside cottage on the one-year anniversary of her death. Determined to prompt their healing, so they could help her family move on, Lynn reminds them of a sacred promise, hoping it will lead to truths they couldn’t face on their own. Will it be enough to remind them of the power of their bond?

As Lynn struggles to repair the relationships she left behind, she soon realizes the greatest challenge will be letting them go.

Mary Helen Sheriff: When did you become interested in writing? Did something or someone, in particular, spark your interest?

Donna Norman-Carbone: My earliest recollection of writing stories goes back to when I was an eight-year-old people-watching at a train station. I’ve been writing ever since and in a variety of genres. Writing for me feels necessary–like breathing. It’s the way I make sense of the world.

Sheriff: Tell me about your publication journey.

Carbone: My publication journey really started about ten years ago. Publishing had always been a dream of mine, but in 2012 I took a class on how to write a query and market a book, something I recognized as my downfall. This class sparked the desire to turn the dream into a goal. Since 2012, I’ve written four novels. One of which I queried but hit dead ends, so I’ve since shelved it. Two of them will be published by Red Adept Publishing, All that is Sacred in 2023, and Of Lies and Honey in 2024. Nothing about a publishing journey is easy, but it certainly is rewarding.

Sheriff: What advice do you have for writers looking to publish their first book?

Carbone: My advice for writers looking to publish their first book is to establish a writing community to critique each other’s work, support, and learn from one another. Organizations like the WFWA are great for finding your people. Publishing isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll need a thick skin for the rejections because they will come and you’ll need to have a positive mindset to power through them, keeping your eye on your goal. 

Sheriff: How did you discover Bookish Road Trip? What attracted you to it?

Carbone: I found Bookish Road Trip by chance around the time I signed my contract for my first book. What attracted me to this club was that it encompassed two of my loves: reading and travel. I signed up and attended my first book club meeting where I found a warm and welcoming group. They have been so supportive as fellow writers and readers, and I have already learned so much from their wisdom. I am so excited to be joining their team in hopes of paying forward some of what they’ve provided for me as a new author.

Sheriff: Tell me about your new role in Bookish Road Trip.

Carbone: My role at Bookish Road Trip will be as a director of programs working directly with the CEO in scheduling monthly and yearly events. I’ll also support the interviewers of the monthly Book Club and the Road Show. Perhaps the role I’m looking most forward to is engaging with the membership by making them feel welcome and supported as I have.

Donna Norman-Carbone’s debut women’s fiction, All That is Sacred, is due out early 2023 and will be published by Red Adept Publishing. When Donna isn’t writing, she’s teaching high school English in a small CT suburb where she and her family reside. In her spare time, Donna enjoys reading a book on a Cape Cod beach, traveling overseas to immerse herself in other cultures, and spending cherished time with family and friends. Donna is also a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and CT Authors and Publishers Association.

Find details about Donna Norman Carbone’s book and more at: donnanormancarbone.com

If you enjoyed this author interview, check out this one with Lee Bukowski.