How Revising The Knock Changed My Publishing Journey

A treasured connection and lasting friendship. Nancy and her family’s connection to both education and Vietnam veterans made our conversations especially meaningful during the journey of publishing The Knock.

Hello friends,

How do you describe the feeling of coming home from an exciting trip completely overwhelmed with inspiration? I met incredibly accomplished authors—some with six-figure contracts and even two with movie deals. During one seminar, author J.D. Barker spoke about the importance of writing page-turners. He explained that younger readers connect deeply with stories that reflect their own emotions and experiences, making relatability more important than ever. Looking back, this moment shaped my publishing journey in ways I never expected.

Keeping his words in mind, Kiffer approached me that Memorial Day and asked if I would consider “kicking the book up a notch—or two or three.” She felt the story straddled reading levels and would be better suited for middle school readers.

What she didn’t mention at first was the timeline.

Five days.

I emailed Kiffer and told her I welcomed the challenge, but five days wouldn’t allow me to create the quality readers deserved. Thankfully, she extended the deadline by two weeks. I put everything else aside and got right to work.

I am so grateful I listened to her.

Both levels of The Knock went on to win first place in their categories. What an incredible feeling. More importantly, I was able to tell readers that my story could offer not only an engaging read, but also a meaningful experience rooted in real emotion and history. It was a powerful introduction to the publishing world.

I only wish I could share this news with Nancy.

The last time we spoke, she was moving to a residential facility closer to her family. Her phone has since been disconnected, so I know our conversations have likely come to an end. That realization leaves a deep void in my heart. This news would have meant so much to her.

During our final visit, she shared that her husband was a Vietnam veteran—just like my dad. Later, he became a writer for Frank Schaffer Publications, a company that was every teacher’s dream throughout the 1980s and 1990s. What a special connection that was, and one I will always treasure.

Thank you, Nancy Back Channel Press will always hold a special place in my publishing journey and in my heart.