Maine author Jennifer Elwell Comeau’s debut historical fantasy novel, A Moon In All Things (12 Willows Press), is set to launch this week after a decade of meticulous writing.
The novel, a rich blend of Irish mythology and personal growth, is set in 1820s Galway Bay, Ireland, and follows 16-year-old Morrigan Lane, a defiant and adventurous young woman who is determined to live life on her own terms. Disinterested in traditional expectations for young women in her village, Morrigan yearns to captain a boat like her fisherman father, rather than conform to societal pressures like perfecting domestic skills. Her story, deeply inspired by Ireland’s mythological Otherworld, weaves a tale of healing, personal discovery, and the restoration of balance between humans and the natural world.
In Irish mythology, the Otherworld is a magical, invisible realm inhabited by supernatural beings such as fairies, gods, and spirits—a fitting backdrop for Morrigan’s transformative journey.
Comeau’s personal life and experiences mirror the path her protagonist takes. A child of the 1980s, Comeau, like many women of that generation, followed a conventional career route after high school, pursuing degrees in engineering and embarking on a career in the automotive industry and information systems. However, after decades in the corporate world, Comeau found herself at a crossroads.
“I did whatever it took to get the achievement, the ‘atta girl,’” Comeau reflects. “But I didn’t know who I was anymore. I was living a life that wasn’t aligned with my true self.”
At the age of 37, Comeau began reevaluating her life’s direction. Money and status no longer held the same appeal. She recognized her true nature as an empath—a sensitive soul who had long been buried under the weight of corporate success.
“I kept asking myself, ‘How do I get out of this trap I’ve created for myself?’” she said.
Comeau’s healing journey began by revisiting the hobbies that had brought her joy as a child—writing, singing, and connecting with nature. She began to teach herself guitar and eventually penned lyrics that led to the production of two albums, one of which earned finalist status in a Maine songwriting competition.
A move to Maine with her husband 25 years ago further fueled her creative expression. There, Comeau became a certified forest therapy guide, drawing inspiration from the state’s serene, wooded landscapes.
Her Irish heritage, alongside her mother’s genealogical stories, sparked a vivid dream one night—a dream of a woman standing on the cliffs of Galway Bay. It was this dream that ignited the idea for A Moon In All Things.
Determined to hone her craft, Comeau pursued writing workshops, steadily refining her narrative as Morrigan’s tale took shape. The novel’s protagonist is called upon by the Otherworld to defy societal expectations and embrace her destiny as a healer, both for her village and herself.
To deepen her connection with the setting, Comeau took a four-week trip to Ireland, investing her savings in the experience. “I didn’t pressure myself to write anything,” she said. “I just walked everywhere and absorbed everything. My mantra was, ‘Quiet mind; quiet mouth; open heart; empty vessel.’”
During her time in Ireland, Comeau also collaborated with Irish History Professor Niall Ó Cíosáin, further grounding her narrative in historical and cultural accuracy.
“That trip made me trust my intuition and break old patterns,” she explains. “I’ve come full circle to fully appreciate the skills I now have, and I believe the world is ready for a novel like this. After years of dystopian fiction, people are yearning for something different—magical relationships, nature, and the Otherworld.”
A Moon In All Things is now available at Left Bank Books, independent bookstores, and online retailers.
