Author Sarah Domet shares debut novel at CMU
Author Sarah Domet reads from her novel on Oct. 12 in the Baber Room at Park Library.
The Baber Room of the Park Library was filled with eager students and faculty on Thursday, Oct. 12 as author Sarah Domet shared her debut novel “The Guineveres.”
The novel was released from publishing company Flatiron Books in Oct. 2016.
Holding a doctorate in literature and creative writing from the University of Cincinnati, Domet never thought her book would receive the attention that it did.
“Writing a novel is a risk,” Domet said. “I didn’t even have an agent at the time of writing this novel.”
Domet’s novel tells the story of four girls, all coincidentally named Guinevere. The girls become friends when their families force them to join a convent. While in attendance, the girls learn about personal grooming, sexuality and self-discovery all while planning to escape together.
The Ohio native’s main inspiration for writing the novel came from her personal experience with Catholicism from grades one through 12.
“(Religious experience is) a bizarre experience,” Domet said. “Things that you think are normal are not normal to other people.”
Domet also explained how her and her peers’ watches and other personal belongings were taken away when attending religious camp to ensure the children are focused on their faith.
Central Michigan University English professor Darrin Doyle met Domet in 2002 during their years in the graduate program in English at the University of Cincinnati. He explained how they are both a great support system for each other.
“We were apart of a cohort of students in the graduate program and are friends both in and out of school,” Doyle said. “When you write, it is very isolating. You do it on your own. It’s great when you can have other people to share your miseries and triumphs with."
Domet and Doyle have been following each other’s careers for years.
“I’ve never read her fiction before, but I knew she was very bright and a hard worker," Doyle said. "Once she got into the Ph.D. program (at U of C), I knew she would produce something very good. I couldn’t be more happy for her.”
Freshman Brandan Strickland, with an interest in psychology and English, explained how the event affected him.
“It’s always great to hear the author read her own work and give their own feedback on it,” Strickland said. “If (the student) is interested in writing or English, it is a good event to attend.”
The attendees were given the chance to purchase her book “The Guineveres” or her 2010 how-to book “90 Days to Your Novel” as well as given the opportunity for a signing and a greeting.
