The only part that came easily was the idea. Birdie, the Versatile Quintet, and the other characters were itching to have their story told.
29 October 2025
The Back Flap
It’s the 1920s, and Birdie Stauffer is whistling on a train-traveling roadshow. To escape her strait-laced overbearing sister, Birdie auditions for the all-female Versatile Quintet, Chautauqua circuit’s opening act. Through the roadshow, she experiences a modern era of shocking flappers and smuggled whiskey, with the camaraderie of newfound friends. Her exceptional gift of concert whistling gains her national notoriety and she’s soon entangled in two romantic relationships. Birdie discovers even the best relationships can be filled with misunderstandings. She learns to trust her intuition, but it may cost her love interests, her sister, and maybe even herself.
About the book
What is the book about?
Whistling Women and Crowing Hens is an unconventional coming-of-age story about a young woman escaping her overbearing sister by joining a train-traveling roadshow, the Chautauqua circuit. Set in the tumultuous 1920’s, she uses her exceptional gift of performance whistling to entertain crowds while balancing two romantic relationships and figuring out what it means to be a friend, lover, and modern woman. She’s forced to trust her own intuition and doing so may cost her both love interests, her sister, and maybe even herself.
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing the beginnings of this story in the spring of 2016. I had to submit twenty pages to a writers workshop in order to attend. That writing weekend changed my life—it led to my debut novel; I made lifetime friends and eventually moved to North Carolina.
How long did it take you to write it?
It’s taken me seven years to get from that first idea to the “close-enough” manuscript. Then over two years to go from queries to it being published by a small press. So about nine years from the start to the published debut novel.
Where did you get the idea from?
I found a box of my maternal grandmother’s mementos under my parents bed when we had to place my mom into assisted living. That box had moved with our family all across the states, yet I’d never seen it. Inside were brochures, photos, newspaper clippings, and more from when my grandmother traveled with the Swarthmore Chautauqua circuit as a trombone player and performance whistler in the late 1920’s. You can read more about this in my Stay Curious blog.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
I struggled with many parts! First, I’m a “recovering” CPA—not a creative writer so I had to attend workshops, take online classes, read books, etc. to become a better writer. Second, I knew nothing about Chautauqua, performance whistling, nor much about the 1920’s so had to do a lot of research. Third, during all this, I struggled with moving this story from one about my grandmother to historical fiction—since my grandmother had died years ago, I found I couldn’t tell her story. And as all writers know, I had to keep writing, even on those days when I felt like a poser. My writers critique group saved me so many times—their encouragement, positive critiques, and accountability helped me get to a manuscript. And kept me editing! I did a major rewrite after my first draft, and many revisions after that. Then I had to learn how to query, market and promote myself in order to get it published.
What came easily?
The only part that came easily was the idea. Birdie, the Versatile Quintet, and the other characters were itching to have their story told. I wouldn’t say anything was easy after that and even though writing, researching, and editing, were challenging—I loved every bit.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
All my characters are fictitious and of course, they each contain bits and pieces of people I have known, just met or observed. And Birdie is quite similar to someone I’ve known all my life!
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I’ve always been an avid reader so there are many authors and an untold number of books that have influenced me through the years. A few that may have influenced my writing style are Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Jodi Picoult, Susan Meissner, and Kate Quinn. My favorite novels are ones with rich characters, unknown stories, detailed settings, and empowered women. Each of these authors have characters that I related to in some way or made the story world so real I dreamed about it, or taught me about something that I didn’t know about or all of them combined. These authors have developed their own unique style and voice and reading their books helped me develop my own as well.
Do you have a target reader?
My target reader is anyone with an open mind, who loves to read a page-turning novel about an unknown part of America’s history.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
My writing process is a bit haphazard. I prefer to write new work away from home—at a workshop, self-retreats, or coffee shop. I then edit, revise, rework at my desk at home. However, life doesn’t always allow me to get away to write, so I try sitting in different areas within my house when I’m creating.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I didn’t outline until after my first “terrible” draft. I found I needed to get the story out first and then outlined each section to figure out where there were holes or dropped threads or questions or more research needed. I plan to outline a bit more with my next novel but who knows, sometimes best intentions don’t always work out!
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit as I go and edit as I’m editing and still edit as I do readings. I don’t think I’ll ever be truly finished!
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I like having background music playing while I write. It’s usually eclectic playlists that I’ve created and all contain many songs from Iron and Wine, old classics like Fleetwood Mac or Neil Young, with jazz mixed in.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I pitched to agents and sent many query letters.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
After nine months of either rejections or no word (the worst) from agents, I had a talk with myself and decided what I really wanted was people to read my book. So I researched small presses and started querying them with much nicer and encouraging results.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
One of Sibylline Press’s owners, who published my novel, is the artist. I’m very pleased with the cover! She had me fill out a detailed questionnaire. I had an idea of what I wanted it to look like and she created something even better.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I started out just winging my marketing and have evolved into having a lot of help from my family and a fabulous publicist.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
First, finish the novel. Stick with your writing and believe in yourself! Second, do your homework—research the difference between traditional publishing, small presses, hybrid presses, and self-publishing. Any route you go—you’re going to need a publicist of some sort. Writing, editing, and polishing the novel is only a part of having a book published. If you want people to read your novel—you have to market it. And be realistic about what you’re capable of doing yourself and what you’re willing to spend.
About You
Where did you grow up?
We moved a lot because my dad was in the Navy. I was born in California, moved to Michigan, Ohio, Texas, (and back and forth a few times), Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Where do you live now?
North Carolina—I recently moved here because of life changes and my writers critique group.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I firmly believe that curiosity, researching, and dreaming are what keep me going each day. Reading has always provided inspiration for me and it wasn’t until later in life that I discovered I could be a creative writer. Stay curious—you never know what might happen!
What are you working on now?
I’ve got many ideas and beginnings for a second novel. I’m still figuring out which one to stick with for more than twenty pages! I’m also enjoying blogging and have weekly essays on Substack and my website.
End of Interview:
For more from Melora Fern, visit her website.
Get your copy of Whistling Women and Crowing Hens from Amazon US or Amazon UK.