The origin of Beneath the Surface Waters:

Growing Up in Wolfeboro

Growing up in Wolfeboro, I used to stare out across Lake Winnipesaukee, wondering what might be hidden beneath that deep, shifting water. To a kid, the lake felt like a world unto itself, full of secrets and stories waiting to be discovered. The smell of pine, the tremelo of loons at dusk, the hush that falls over the lake after a winter storm. Those memories stayed with me.

When I started writing Beneath the Surface Waters, I knew I wanted to return to that place. I wanted to capture what it felt like to grow up in a small New Hampshire town where nature loomed large and imagination filled the gaps between what we could see and what we couldn’t under the surface.

A Middle-Grade Fantasy Rooted in the Lakes Region

At its heart, Beneath the Surface Waters is a middle-grade fantasy adventure where three brothers (Reuben, Jack, and Berry) discover a hidden world beneath Lake Winnipesaukee. It’s a place where ancient creatures stir, dormant volcanoes whisper, and family bonds are tested in ways they never expected.

The story began with a simple question: What if there was more beneath the surface than anyone imagined? From that idea grew an entire hidden world called the “First Waters,” a prehistoric realm encapsulated during the Great Eruption, filled with dangers just below the familiar lake we all know.

How the Landscape Shaped the Story

The Lakes Region isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a character in itself. The ancient caldera of the Ossipee Mountains fascinated me as a kid. I’d stare up at those ridges and imagine what once boiled beneath them, what forces shaped the granite ledges and winding coves of the region.

That sense of geological history became part of the book’s foundation. In my imagination, the ancient magma flows beneath the Ossipee Range never truly went cold. They pulse and breathe, influencing the mysterious First Waters where the brothers find themselves. Writing about these familiar places made me appreciate how deeply our landscape shapes not just the stories we tell, but how we see the world.

The Brothers and the Bond of Family

Much of the story revolves around the brothers, each one carrying a piece of my own childhood memories and the people I grew up with.

Jack is the protector, the one who feels responsible when things go wrong. Berry is the curious mind, always looking for the scientific answer to every mystery. And Reuben, the narrator, is the observer. He’s the dreamer trying to make sense of a world that’s suddenly much bigger and stranger than he imagined.

Their constant banter, arguments, and moments of loyalty reflect what it was like growing up in a small town. The story may have fantasy elements, but the push and pull between brothers feels real to me.

Beneath the Surface: Creating Lake Winnipesaukee’s First Waters

When I started building the fantasy side of the story, I wanted it to feel vast, layered, and strangely believable. Lake Winnipesaukee became a hidden world filled with ancient life where trout are warriors, turtles are sages, and long-forgotten monsters rule the deep.

Mykira, the rainbow trout princess, lives bound to the Chamber of Life. Captain Onchory leads the Onchorian guard, defending their kingdom with quiet strength. Tortuga, the old turtle beneath Rattlesnake Island, carries the wisdom of ages. And far below them all, the mighty Arcetos, an ancient Dunkleosteus, rules the dark depths.

Writing these characters was pure joy. They let me blend the wonder of childhood storytelling with the mystery of the natural world. Every scene beneath the surface became a reflection of what I used to imagine standing beside the lake.

A Story Grounded in Home

Even though Beneath the Surface Waters is filled with fantasy and danger, it’s deeply grounded in what I love about New Hampshire: its rugged landscapes, quiet lakes, and strong sense of community. I wanted that spirit to shine through every page.

More than anything, this is a story of growing up in the Lakes Region, exploring its waters, forests, and backroads. It’s about curiosity, courage, and finding your way home, even when home turns out to be far deeper than you ever imagined.

Where to Find the Book

Beneath the Surface Waters will be released on November 4, 2025, through local bookstores and online retailers via Ingram Spark. If you’d like to get an early glimpse, you can read a sample here.

I’ll also be celebrating with two local bookstore events on November 8:

• The Country Bookseller in Wolfeboro from 11 AM to 1 PM
• Innisfree Bookshop in Meredith from 3 PM to 5 PM

If you’re nearby, stop in, say hello, and share your own memories of the lake. This book was written with this community in mind, and it’s a lot of fun to bring it back home.

Link to details and purchase options