The rebirths of my bestselling novel Whale Song

Anyone who has followed my career knows that author life for me started with one plot and one title--WHALE SONG. It was my "baby", my debut novel back in 2003, and oh the wonderful journey it has been on ever since.

People were immediately drawn in by the mystical allure of the original cover, which featured stunning artwork by world-renowned artist David Miller. His painting Sanctuary grabbed my heart from the moment I first saw it online, and it has never let go. David graciously granted me the license to use Sanctuary for my debut cover, and everywhere I went--every book signing I attended--people were mesmerized by the beautiful image of a small pod of killer whales swimming underwater. One fan actually gave me the puzzle version of Sanctuary that she'd received as a gift. Later, I purchased and framed a huge poster of Sanctuary (and other David Miller works) for my family room.

Whale Song was first published in 2003 and went on to great sales and reviews. More importantly, it made an impact socially and emotionally with my readers. Over the years, I've received so many emails from fans telling me my novel made a difference in their lives; a couple said I'd changed their lives with my words. I'd always known that words were powerful, but I hadn't known HOW powerful mine were until these emails arrived.

Why has Whale Song affected people so profoundly? I think because of the various themes of friendship, family, bullying, racism, abuse, deception, forgiveness...and the most controversial theme, assisted death. Many readers have experienced the first seven themes, which is why so many have connected emotionally to Whale Song. With regards to the last theme, I make no claims to know the answer to whether assisted death (often called assisted suicide) is right or wrong. I believe it's a deeply personal decision and that some situations warrant that right to choose to die with dignity, as many of us saw portrayed from all points of view in last night's episode of Grey's Anatomy.

It seems fitting somehow that my book about death should have so many rebirths itself. In 2006, Kunati Books, a new traditional publisher, picked up Whale Song and it was re-released in 2007 with a new cover and expanded text. To me, the story became bigger and better. I was extremely happy with the new version, though I'll admit, I missed the original cover. But I have to give credit where credit is due. The new cover with the girl's face underwater added a suspenseful element to the excellent new cover for Whale Song. My novel went on to even more sales and success, achieving bestseller status on Amazon in Canada and the US. In Canada alone, I have sold over 5000 copies of Whale Song, which I've been told makes it a National Bestseller. Then in 2009, right before my publisher went under, I got the news that Whale Song was going out of print. I was heartbroken over this news. So were my fans.

Since then, I've received frequent emails asking me when Whale Song will be published again. It has been frustrating to not have an answer. The Kindle version of the 2003 edition was on Amazon for a while, but as it was an unauthorized e-book, I had it removed. I have no idea where the money from the sales went. The only copies available are through the Amazon Marketplace and in a few bookstores in western Canada.

But now I have news of another rebirth!

Whale Song will be converted to an e-book shortly and will be available as a Kindle (authorized, this time) and as a KoboBooks.com e-book, to start. You may have read that Kobo is getting ready to launch their new eReader in May. I am hoping to have Whale Song ready by then. The new e-book edition of Whale Song will feature the same text as the 2007 expanded version AND a new cover.

You can check out the new cover right here on my blog TOMORROW! I'll let you all know as soon as the e-book of Whale Song is available.

In the meantime, please check out David Miller's stunning artwork at Maui Arts in Florida or visit http://www.mauiarts.com

~Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.whalesongbook.com