It has been a gift to work with John Trudeau on publishing his first novel, a historical fiction set in the 900s in Iceland and beyond. Studying at the College of William and Mary (Virginia) and the University of St. Andrews (Scotland), John has been writing and perfecting Muireall’s Iceland: A Viking Saga since his family’s vacation abroad a few years ago. 

The novel tells a story with vivid attention to detail that puts readers right in the heart of the Viking Age. John’s use of native languages and names brings this historic and foreign world right to your imagination – complete with voyages and gruesome battles. Inspired by his family’s trip to Iceland in February of 2020 – and his enjoyment of historical fiction and books by Bernard Cornwell – John hand wrote the entire beginning of the novel while overseas. He completed the book as his last project before graduating high school. His grasp of the history in the 900s is impressive, even for a history major!

This summer, collaborating with Watermark owner Dawn Dinnan on proofreading, editing, and publication design has brought the tortuous clashes of Vikings and Norsemen to life here in our Munson Meeting Way studio. 

John is excited about being a published author. His ideal reader is anyone interested in history – especially that of Viking times. The story is swashbuckling, yet plausible, he said, adding that the dynamic female protagonist is underrepresented in the genre. The saga keeps true to its historical roots, but John also created characters his readers could relate to in the modern age. So, while the book takes place in a reality starkly different from our own, centering around Vikings, or what John calls “robbers with a cooler aesthetic,” readers of today will comprehend the characters and what drives them.

John grew up in Connecticut, but his roots in Chatham are strong. He has come here every summer to a home established in the late 1950s by his great grandmother. This summer, when he wasn’t here at Watermark preparing his novel for publication, he was volunteering at the Atwood Museum with the Historical Society, serving as a game day intern for the Chatham Anglers, or spending time with his family.

Combining his experiences with his passions, John Trudeau has crafted an intriguing novel that we cannot wait to see in print! He’s off to college in Scotland, but when his first book is available, we’ll be the first to share the news.  

Blog post by Afton Fay, Watermark intern

 

Watermark was thrilled to welcome a part-time intern, Afton Fay, to experience publishing and community collaboration through hands-on projects this summer. A senior at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. and Chatham resident with a passion for writing and publishing, Afton was excited to assist with our graphic design, writing, and all-things-creative services. 

Afton helped Dawn with dozens of communications projects — working together in the Watermark studio surpassed their hopes and expectations. Afton appreciated gaining skills she’ll use in the professional world after college; Dawn thrived on being a mentor and sharing small business insights. 

Dawn has seen the positive impact from past experiences with interns in technology and communications roles. The professional development model is ideal for aspiring writers, designers, and creatives who are eager to learn and be involved in the community. At Watermark, our part-time intern helped us meet deadlines, gave value-added services to our local non-profit friends, and boosted our motivated intern with a paid, portfolio-building job. Afton impressed our customers with her initiative. She created an uplifting video montage in celebration of the Chatham Conservation Foundation’s inaugural Garden Party fundraiser — coming soon to their website. Dawn said it was helpful to bounce ideas off Afton, an ally who will surely make her mark in our field.

Afton loved sharing her skills with local businesses, writers, and nonprofits. Her reliable, cheerful support this summer was greatly appreciated. Have a phenomenal senior year, Afton!  

The stars aligned in mid-2023 when Don Aikman, my beloved late father and long-ago business partner, connected me to local artist and Watermark founder Marie Williams of Chatham. Marie had served the local community’s ‘desktop publishing’ design and editing needs for over two decades, and she was searching for the right person to continue to support her customers. Marie and Don had served together on Chatham’s Tercentennial Committee in 2012 – the year my dad first planted the Watermark-ownership seed in my head. At the time, I was committed to a career path with a local nonprofit, and to the swirling activities of two school-age kids.

Eleven years later, Don and Marie’s chance meeting at the Chatham dump (transfer station) last year created the path for me to join Marie in this bright, artsy, tucked-away Munson Meeting studio. Life circumstances pushed me to take the business ownership risk… Eternal gratitude to my father and younger brother Dennis who inspired me to follow my dreams and be closer to family here in Chatham.

By the end of 2023, Marie’s ‘labor of love’ was my own small business, Watermark Office Services, Incorporated. It’s an extra thrill to be next door to supportive friends at The Cape Cod Chronicle, where my communications career began after graduating from Syracuse a few quick decades ago…

I’m honored to continue the graphic design, editing, and printing services that have brought so many locals to Watermark. Through our periodic blog, “Ripple Effects,” we’ll share snippets of the organizations and the people who are launching us into the next 25 years of Watermark Office Services.

Thank you, Marie, for your mentorship and dedication to our community. Happy retirement!    

 ~ Dawn Dinnan, August 2024