Hilari Bell

I'm the poster child for persistence. The cover montage represents seventeen years spent writing, seriously, for publication, before my first novel sold. During those years I had my office in several places: a corner of the kitchen table, a corner of the basement, a corner of the living room, and its current location that used to be the TV room but is now...the office. And in every room (except the kitchen and living room) I kept the wall over my desk empty—blank. No posters, no writing tips, no photos or prints—that wall was for my book covers. Seventeen years of blank walls. But right now, if I lift my eyes from my computer screen I see these book covers, in the same configuration that you see them here. Inspiration, maybe. Perspiration for sure. But also, Persistence. For as long as it takes.