A novel use of the Wheaton network

While working on her first novel, author Janis Robinson Daly ’84 reached out to her contacts at Wheaton for research assistance, copy editing, publishing advice, sensitivity readers, marketing and more. Her historical novel The Unlocked Path follows Eliza Pearson Edwards as she enters medical school in the early 20th century. In September 2022, Daly offered a reading in Mary Lyon Hall. She shared more about the novel-writing experience and the support she received from Wheaton connections:

“During a genealogy search on my great-great-grandfather, William Peirce, one return hit featured a snippet from FamousAmericans.net: He took an active part in founding the Woman’s Medical College [WMC] of Pennsylvania. As a 1984 graduate of Wheaton, then a women’s college, this piqued my interest. As I learned more about WMC, I discovered similar supportive relationships established among students, faculty and alumni as I had found at Wheaton. I was moved to write The Unlocked Path to spotlight the courage and determination of early WMC graduates.”

Research assistance: “By contacting the chair of the Biology Department, I secured two recent Wheaton graduates, then in medical school, to take part in a survey and interviews as I collected input into the life of a female med student. [Rochelle Clarke ’18 and Allison Cox ’18]”

Publishing advice: “Within the Wheaton magazine, I noticed an announcement that Ashley Sweeney ’79 had published her first historical fiction, Eliza Waite. I contacted Ashley, requesting advice or tips. She immediately replied with not only a few tips, but has become a mentor, trusted advisor and cherished friend.”

Copy editing: “ Through the algorithms of LinkedIn, the name Lisa Phillips Goodrich ’89 popped up in my feed. Lisa’s profile highlighted her skills in copy editing, and she lived on Cape Cod, less than 20 minutes from me. She delivered my manuscript back to me marked with edits at least 10 other readers had never spotted.”

Sensitivity readers: “The Unlocked Path includes two secondary characters in a gay relationship. To feel confident that I portrayed that relationship in a respectful and thoughtful manner, Kerin Stackpole ’84 and her wife read the manuscript. They provided suggestions.”

Marketing: “Several Wheaton ’84 classmates assisted with a variety of pre-launch marketing projects [Anne Tafe Graw, Emily Johnson Goode and Mariellen

Mooney O’Hara].”

Pre-publication readers: “I have booked author appearances with two classmates [Emily Johnson Goode ’84 and Irja Sheppard Finn ’84], who run local book clubs. They each contacted their local libraries requesting copies of The Unlocked Path be purchased, so book club members will be able to check it out from the library.

I hope other Wheaton graduates will learn from my experience and see the possibilities of leaning into this powerful and empowered community.”

—William Walsh, director, advancement communications

Read the full interview online on Wheaton’s blog.