On October 22, History Through Fiction will publish its tenth novel—The Rhino Keeper, a debut by Jillian Forsberg. Even before its release, The Rhino Keeper has garnered significant positive attention. As of now, the novel holds a 4.75 average rating on Goodreads from sixty-eight ratings. Recently, it was named one of the most anticipated historical fiction novels of fall 2024 by Paste Magazine. It also has endorsements from New York Times bestselling author Sarah Penner and Washington Post bestselling author Olivia Hawker, among others. But how did a debut author achieve this kind of attention with a small independent press, and how can you achieve the same success? As the founder of this small press and the editor of The Rhino Keeper, let me share my thoughts.

A Passion for the Job

I met Jillian Forsberg at the Historical Novel Society North American Conference in San Antonio in June 2023. Before meeting Jillian, I could see she had a spark. Anyone who has met Jillian can attest, she HAS a spark. She navigated the conference, soaking up wisdom from everyone she could. Witnessing that inspired me to say hello. That’s when Jillian told me about her manuscript, The Rhino Keeper. Her passion for the job was evident. Jillian lit up with energy when she talked about her beloved rhino, Clara. She shared the story she had created around Clara's history and her desire to share it with others. Like a good job interview, within a few minutes, Jillian convinced me she was not only qualified to tell Clara’s story but that she was the one who needed to tell it.

An Openness to Collaboration

After reading Jillian’s manuscript and considering if it was right for our press, I offered her a contract. Immediately after signing with us, Jillian proved to be a dedicated and effective partner. After my first editorial pass, I gave her a long list of recommended changes, including writing a whole new first chapter. Jillian did not shy away from constructive criticism. She was never too proud or narrow-minded to accept feedback. Instead, she worked quickly to incorporate my edits, maintained good communication, and recognized the value of collaboration to improve her story.

A Dedication to the Process

Writing a novel is a long process, and many first-time authors can become overeager to publish their work. However, the publishing process requires patience. From editing to design to marketing, each stage needs its own time and space. Rushing the process creates errors and unforeseen hurdles. To Jillian’s credit, she respected and appreciated the process, even while her author colleagues, Eric Z. Weintraub and Ezra Harker Shaw, were publishing books before her. Jillian has been patient and trustful, understanding that while this is her first published novel, it is not ours. She trusted the plan we put in place and supported it the entire way through.

A Relentless Generosity

The final check mark in Jillian Forsberg’s journey to publication has been her relentless generosity. Although Jillian, like most authors, wants to see her novel on the shelves of every bookstore and library, she has done what book marketers recommend—she has promoted others before promoting herself. Yes, Jillian loves to share Clara's story on social media and everywhere she goes, but she is also immensely supportive of others. She shares the work of other writers, celebrates their successes, and commiserates about the challenges of being a writer. Before she shows up for herself, Jillian shows up for others. She does it daily and naturally. This genuine kindness goes a long way, especially in the writer community, a job that requires individual sacrifice and grit without any promised return. Jillian is relentlessly generous with her time, talents, and platforms, and that resonates with writers and readers alike.

You Can Become Our Next Success Story

No one is guaranteed success. And for better or worse, being a good writer is not the only qualification for publishing success. As the founder and editor of History Through Fiction, I’m thrilled to have partnered with Jillian on her novel The Rhino Keeper. It’s been an amazing journey, and we can’t wait to help Jillian share her novel with more readers. If you want to find publishing success, look at Jillian and follow in her footsteps. Discover your passion, be open to collaboration, respect the process, and be genuinely kind. Do this, and you could be History Through Fiction’s next success story.