E.M. St Denis on writing and publishing DropZone
For many writers, the path to publishing is long, uncertain, and filled with moments that test belief. E.M. St Denis knows that journey well.
More than a decade ago, what would eventually become DropZone began as something entirely different. Over the years, the story grew, changed, and deepened as life unfolded around it. Like many writers, she worked in fragments of time, in the middle of the night, between responsibilities, and in the quiet spaces where ideas refused to wait.
Through her connection with James River Writers, E.M. St Denis discovered Gatekeeper Press while researching new paths forward for her manuscript. What followed was a collaborative publishing experience that helped bring a long-held dream into reality.
In this conversation, she reflects on where the story began, what kept her going, and what it meant to finally hold her finished book in her hands.
What first sparked the idea for your book, and what made you feel it was a story you needed to tell?
“A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… oops, wrong story. Apologies to George Lucas.
More than a decade ago, DropZone started out as a picture book, and everything about it was different, including the title. I participated in a children’s book review group, and someone said, ‘This is a bigger story than a picture book.’ I thought about their comments, and the rest, as they say, is history.
My family had brought Dotty home from a shelter for our son, but she and I spent many hours together while he was in school. I learned what she feared and how brave she was, what she liked and how smart she was. Our dialogue became this story.
The backstory of shelter animals is often obscure. I wanted to suggest details about their history and illustrate how bright the future can be for them when they find their forever home.”
What was happening in your life when you were writing this book, and how did that season influence the story you created?
“I was busy with child rearing, home-based tasks, and working part-time. The early versions of this novel were written in bits and pieces, sometimes literally in the middle of the night when I woke up with an idea that wouldn’t wait. I carried a notebook and pen with me everywhere.
This meant I reread parts of the story often, just to reorient myself when I’d been away from it for more than a few days. Overall, that constant review process was very good for the writing.”
What do you hope readers feel, reflect on, or walk away with after reading your book?
“I hope readers will come away with a deeper understanding of how demanding life is for military families, requiring flexibility, commitment, and courage. I also hope readers will feel curious about other cultures, plants, bats, and the world around them.
Last, but certainly not least, I hope more families will open their homes and hearts and adopt a shelter animal waiting for its forever home.”
Was there a moment during the writing process when the story surprised you or took on a life of its own?
“I was surprised when Finn appeared, fully formed and with a backstory ready to go. Originally, the book was supposed to be about my son and his dog, Dotty. But Finn moved in, adopted Dotty, and stayed.”
What did publishing this book mean to you personally?
“Publishing DropZone has been surreal. I thought it would never happen, that it was a dream destined to remain a dream. I am working on more books in the series, and I was afraid they would all remain unpublished and unseen. Now, working on them will be a lot more fun.”
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced on your publishing journey, and what did you learn about yourself along the way?
“As you might have guessed from the answer above, the biggest challenge was sticking with it. I had lots of ideas and many plot lines that I shifted and played with constantly. I never got writer’s block. But the lurking idea that I should just give up and do something I could actually finish was the biggest challenge of all.
What I learned about myself is that I can be stubbornly persistent. It’s my superpower. Plus, Finn and Dotty just wouldn’t let go. I’m so glad they didn’t.”
How did it feel to finally hold your finished book in your hands for the first time?
“Holding DropZone was magical. The finished book is everything I’d imagined and more. I know that sounds like a cliché, but it’s absolutely true. Magic happened.”
Why did you choose Gatekeeper Press as your publishing partner, and what was most meaningful about that experience for you?
“I have been on this journey for many years. While I was writing, I was also researching, listening, and sharing experiences with other writers across genres, learning about their paths to publishing. I came to understand that traditional publishing doesn’t always guarantee the right fit for every manuscript.
When my manuscript kept getting rejected with comments like ‘well-written but doesn’t fit my list,’ I decided to try a different approach.
Fortunately, I have been a long-time member of James River Writers, and on their resource-for-writers web page, I found Gatekeeper Press. A little more research, phone calls, and background checks later, I decided to work with them. Notice the change in language: I’m working with Gatekeeper, not imploring them to accept my manuscript.
My journey with Gatekeeper has been very positive. One of the most meaningful aspects has been the collaborative format. Gatekeeper Press brought patience, support, and compassion for what had been a difficult journey up to that point. The experience was healing. I didn’t expect that.”
What advice would you give to other authors who feel called to share their story but are unsure where to begin?
“I offer the usual advice: write the best manuscript you can. Get it reviewed and edited by professional editors, book developers, or whoever is appropriate for your writing. When your work is ready, consider the new opportunities the 21st century offers writers. It’s not your parents’ book publishing world anymore.”
If you could describe your book in one sentence from the heart, what would it be?
“DropZone tells the story of a girl who feels lost, a dog that is lost, and the boy, the town, and the mystery that brings them home.”
For many writers, the hardest part of the journey is not the writing. It is continuing to believe in the story through the years it takes to bring it to life. E.M. St Denis’ path is a reminder that persistence matters, and that the right support can turn a long-held dream into something real.
We’re grateful to James River Writers for fostering such a strong, supportive community and for the trust they place in us to serve their members. It’s an honor to be part of the journeys that begin within JRW and continue into publication.
If you’re still working on your manuscript and wondering what comes next, you don’t have to navigate the publishing journey alone.
Start a conversation with Gatekeeper Press and explore a collaborative path forward.