Twelve Years In The Making: A Tasty Tale By A Local Author

by Cathy Miller

Sandi Rusch, a featured Person of the Week in September 2021, has had an interesting couple years, not the least of which was the publication of her very first book, titled “Summer of Sara.”

Belvidere author Alexandra “Sandi” Rusch recounts the tale of a quiet summer getaway at the Jersey shore that takes an unexpected turn when sassy artist Sara finds herself drawn to her next door neighbor, hunky author Erik…oh, no, enter the vixen Drea!

Published on March 28, 2023 (her husband Jeff’s birthday), “Summer of Sara” is the perfect read for summertime at the shore (Jersey or elsewhere). Sandi believes it would also make a heavenly Hallmark movie with Sandra Bullock playing the role of Sara, the protagonist, and Robert Downey Jr. portraying the alluring love interest Erik!

Already receiving glowing reviews, and readers clamoring for a sequel, Sandi pondered, “I don’t know if I can do this again. Knowing what it entails, it may be easier the next time.” Bringing a book to fruition was nothing like she anticipated, and the hidden expenses were daunting. Although she doesn’t rule out a follow-up, her current goal is to break even with “Summer of Sara.” There are myriad stories waiting in the wings if the time comes.

Twelve years to write, Sandi explained the delay. “I used to work in spurts. I’d write a whole bunch, then take a break, sometimes for years.” Interestingly, that’s not uncommon among first-time authors.

Hoping for some simple tips, she joined a Facebook group for fiction writers. It was simply overwhelming. She lamented, “I just wanted to tell my story and get the book to my girlfriends, my Scrapdawgs, my circle of internet friends born on scrapbook messaging boards.”

Regarding the characters in “Summer of Sara,” Sandi took the adage “write what you know” to heart. She said, “I wrote about the people in my life. Each character in this book is a real person. Even though I started the book prior to my divorce, the lead, Erik, became Jeff very quickly. Heidi, Jeff’s daughter, turned into Dani, Erik’s daughter. Our friend Lori and her dog Tosh are in the book. Lori’s character is Lisa. Tosh is Tosh. The next-door neighbor/vixen is a conglomeration of a couple people.”

Sandi expects readers will relate to Sara saying,”She’s clumsy and awkward and the right words don’t always come out of her mouth. Sara is definitely me, only she’s younger and prettier and has a really hunky next-door neighbor!” It’s a book to make people laugh – boss beach read – no heavy lifting, just fun.

The homestretch! Did she know when “Summer of Sara” reached its conclusion? Sandi replied, “I definitely knew the ending as soon as I started writing the book. I didn’t know the details. I filled the book with stories about things that have happened to me and in that final burst of writing, I got there. I couldn’t believe I was actually writing the final page. I typed ‘The End’ and burst out crying – happy tears, tears of relief.”

The novel is finished, let the adventures in publishing begin!

Editor and long-time friend Nikki Busch, who’d patiently waited over seven years for the manuscript, told Sandi, “Great. Start editing.” Computer edits, red pencil edits, more than Sandi’s brain could handle. Nikki’s edits were more technical, but as Sandi said, “She did so well at keeping my voice. That was my selling point to my girlfriends – the story and the voice. Nikki maintained that voice through all the changes. I am so grateful for that.”

As the book approached completion, Nikki advised Sandi to consider the cover, suggesting she use her own art. Sandi wanted a beach look and found the perfect piece in her files, but photographing it proved to be problematic. Next?

A dear friend and fantastic artist, Barb Given, had been practicing techniques in acrylic pours for three personalized tumblers. She sent a sample to Sandi, who knew it would be perfect for her cover as soon as she saw it.

A friend photographed it, capturing the vivid colors and glitter of the original abstract tile. Sandi said gleefully, “It looks so much like a shoreline. I couldn’t have asked for anything more beautiful. I’ve sold a few books just based on the cover!”

Barb was honored that Sandi chose her art for the book cover. She replicated the look to personalize their annual shore vacation tumblers. “For the past 19 years, my real-life Cell, Barbara Given and Lisa Wallace, have emailed each other daily, we’ve never missed a day,” Sandi explained. “They come to New Jersey every year. We stay at the shore and have a ball.” And use their tumblers!

What’s next? Hire a formatter. Based on recommendations of other authors in a self-publishing group on Facebook, Sandi found someone who formatted the entire book, along with the cover, over one weekend. She uploaded the artwork to KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon’s publishing platform), and within days held “Summer of Sara” in her hands for the first time!

At the time Sandi was experiencing some health concerns, so working on the book kept her brain busy. “It hasn’t completely sunk in yet. I’m happy. I’m proud of myself. It feels surreal,” she described.

Marketing lurks just around the corner. “Summer of Sara” is the first time Sandi has officially publicized her work in a big way. A talented multi-media artist, her creations have previously been geared toward Facebook friends and the occasional music festival.

She planning some targeted promotion. “Summer of Sara” takes place in Lavallette. The house that Sara summers in is real, but named differently in the book. Erik the Hunk’s house and Drea the Vixen’s house are both there, as described. Even the house with an overgrown front yard and a big cement statue appears prominently in the book. It’s all real places and real restaurants. With Jeff acting as her agent, she noted, “I booked a long weekend at the shore to visit the stores, gift shops, and restaurants, hitting as many shore stops as we can, and leaving a short stack of books at each stop.”

She looks to schedule more local book readings/signings – Warren County Library system, a couple stores in Belvidere, a date at the Ramsaysburg Amphitheater summer concert series. She’s participating in a reading/signing event on July 16 at the Little Falls Farmers’ Market with five other new, first-time published authors.

Lesson learned: Bookstores will not carry books published through Amazon. Because of this, Sandi is looking into utilizing a different online self-publishing company. She calmly said, “I understand that. Amazon offered the best price to print ‘Summer of Sara’.” If switching publishing platforms will land her book in bookstores and libraries, that’s what she’s going to do!

Sandi expressed an interest in pottery when Inside Warren last spoke with her. She has since developed a love of clay and respect for clay. She smiled, “Pottery is my favorite art to do. I think it’s because I like to ground and working with clay is grounding me via my hands instead of going outside and grounding with my feet. I own a portable wheel if I want to throw, but I prefer to hand build. My pottery muse, who has a full set-up at her house, is a “snowbird.” Having worked on dozens of pieces over the winter, they all sit on my shelf waiting to be fired and glazed when she gets back home.”

Sandi has a new granddaughter, Lily, the light of her life. “This tiny human owns me, and at fourteen months, she knows it!” Two older grandchildren – Logan, 6, and Emily, 4 – round out Sandi’s official grandmothership title.

A new book, a new hobby, and a new grandchild – life is grand for Sandi Rusch.

Alexandra “Sandi” Rusch’s book is available on Amazon, search for “Summer of Sara.”

Since this article was written Nikki Busch unexpectedly passed away on April 25. Most sincere condolences to her family and friends.