Local author finds success with debut novel, 'Knightess'

Oct. 15—ORWIGSBURG — After 20 years of writing, rewriting and revising, J.A. Stein has published her debut novel, "Knightess," a sprawling, genre-bending romp through medieval Europe.

Set in the 12th century, the novel follows a woman named Eleanor, or Lady Eleanor de Levan, whose status as a "knightess" has been discovered and who must fight to reclaim her identity.

At a recent meet-and-greet at Market Square Coffee House, Stein signed copies of the book and discussed some of the themes and ideas driving the novel.

"It's about a woman in the 12th century that is running from her past," said Stein, a lifelong Orwigsburg resident. "She's running from her husband, and basically, she leaves him on her wedding night, and she goes into hiding as this maid. But she's not a maid at all — she's actually nobility."

"Knightess" is the first book in a planned series of novels centered around Eleanor. A prequel, "Lady of the Tournament," will be released in the spring, while the third book, "The Order," is expected to be completed in 2024.

"She eventually has to rise above her circumstances and kind of become an independent woman again," Stein said, "and to retake her name, retake her title, and she becomes a knight."

Stein classifies "Knightess" as historical fiction "with a very strong romance line," although she says it does not fit any one category or genre.

"Which is, in part, why I didn't go the traditional publishing route," she said, "because it is kind of a cross-genre thing and I wasn't sure what they would do with it."

Released in September, "Knightess" has received rave reviews, with readers praising its gripping storyline and bold, unpredictable twists.

"I read it in two days," said Cheryl Ash, of New Tripoli. "I couldn't put it down."

Ash, who is Stein's writing instructor, received an autographed copy of the book during her visit to the coffee shop.

Stein began working on what would become "Knightess" when she was in high school, and the book has undergone several changes and revisions since.

"There's a scene in here that was in the original thing that was 20 years ago, when I was sitting in study hall in high school," Stein said. "But the core storyline was the same."

After years of hard work, Stein emerged with a 106,000-word manuscript that she was finally ready to present to the public. She decided to self-publish the novel, feeling it was too unique to be classified or marketed as one particular genre.

Stein, who describes herself as a voracious reader, said she did not want to mimic or take too much influence from other writers, but she cites the works of Bernard Cornwell, an author of historical novels, as a significant inspiration.

At a recent Orwigsburg Library book club meeting, Stein was delighted to hear that readers had enjoyed "Knightess" and its fluid narrative and plot twists. Stein was kept incognito at the meeting until the last minute.

"A lot of people are reading it in a day, which is really exciting to me," Stein said. "I've had a lot of people that have said they started it before bed, and then they stayed up until 3 a.m. because they couldn't put it down — and that's the biggest compliment to me."

"Knightess" is available on Amazon in both physical and e-book formats. It is also for sale at Market Square Coffee House, and Stein is working on bringing the novel into bookstores.

Stein's advice to aspiring writers is to "keep writing," to write regularly and to never give up on a project.

Over all the years she has spent working on "Knightess," she said, she has improved as a writer and never lost sight of what she wanted to accomplish.

"It's always been a dream and a goal to publish it," Stein said.

Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085