Alumna recounts zigzag path to first published book

The publishing world can be competitive and ruthless, but that did not stop suspense writer and 1985 alumna Jennifer McGill Sadera for a second. Even through her arduous 12-year journey of publishing her first book, "I Know She Was There," in 2024, Sadera never gave up on her love for writing.

This love began when Sadera was only 8 years old. Her dad was her first mentor during this time, teaching her how to write and growing this youthful passion. Through the years, Sadera developed a desire to carry these interests to the news field, and discovering SUNY Oswego’s beautiful campus and broadcast communications curriculum became a no-brainer for where she was going to spend her college years.

On campus, Sadera was chosen to be a news anchor alongside Michael Teicher of the Class of 1986. She quickly realized that being in front of the camera was not her thing.

“I was just terrible,” she said. “I was awful. I didn’t have the voice for it. I didn’t really have the presence. I didn’t have the confidence that I have now. So, it just wasn’t working out at all.”

Following this experience, Sadera decided to take a step back and reassess not only where her strengths lie but what she actually enjoyed doing. She decided to go back to her roots.

“What I really love doing is the writing part of it,” she said.

Post-grad life

After graduating from SUNY Oswego, Sadera moved to New York City and sought out any opportunity that would allow her to write. She was first a junior copywriter at NAL publishers then worked at various magazines such as Women’s World, Redbook and Beauty Digest. As she was raising her kids, Sadera was also a freelance writer for many years. When her kids were all grown up and in high school, she decided to make a shift in her career.

“I just want to write novels,” Sadera said.

In entering this new field, she made it her number one goal to become a better writer with getting published as her secondary goal. In doing so, she would take classes taught by some of her favorite authors to enhance her skills and determine what genre her written voice would shine in the most. She often became close friends with them, taking as many classes as she could, even if that meant traveling to them.

Sadera was shocked by how the publishing industry really was. She was having a hard time getting her work seen and obtaining an agent. But even through the struggle in finding her way through this business, Sadera never stopped believing in her work. She would continue to promote her stories and network with others at various writers conferences and pitch fests.

In 2023, Sadera went to ThrillerFest in New York City, nervously pitching her story in front of 16 editors and agents. She knew she was finally onto something when all of them asked her to send her manuscript over. After 12 years and six novels, CamCat Books, Foreward’s 2023 INDIE Publisher of the Year, gave Sadera her first book contract.

Leading up to this point, Sadera’s number one supporter was her dad. Ever since she was little, he would read all of her books and help her through the writing process. But just four months before she got her first contract, he passed away. It was devastating knowing he was gone when signing to CamCat Books, but she knew, somewhere, he was still cheering her on.

“I do think that he probably had a hand in it somewhere out there in the universe,” she said. “It’s comforting to think that.”

Everything was looking up for Sadera after signing with this up-and-coming independent publisher alongside a ton of other authors. She began the editing process with the “fantastic” Helga Schier, the publisher’s editor-in-chief.

All was set in place with her advanced reader copy in her hands when she got an email that Sue Arroyo, the publisher, had died. Shortly after, Schier also died, both losses throwing CamCat Books into turmoil.

“It was a book in itself. You would never think that this would happen,” Sadera said.

The 150-year-old company Baker & Taylor, Baker & Taylor stepped in and bought CamCat Books. As the company was the largest distributor of books to libraries, Sadera thought this was fantastic news. But the excitement quickly vanished when Baker & Taylor declared bankruptcy within the same year.

Luckily, a children’s publisher, Marble Press, looking to expand into adult novels, came to the rescue and became the new publisher for "I Know She Was There," finally getting the book out in 2024.

After the thrilling journey of her first book, Sadera entered another pitch fest event on X just for the fun of it. Creative James Media loved her story and is now the new publisher for her next book, "Maybe You Lied," releasrf in September.

“It was crazy, but it turned out great in the end,” she said.

Looking back

Apart from the “great programs” SUNY Oswego offered her, the friendships Sadera made were vital in shaping her into the person she is today.

Two 1985 Oswego graduates — her college roommate Doris Eder SanGiovanni and her husband Peter SanGiovanni — are always her first readers when she finishes a book.

“Her writing has come a long way since the first pages I have read,” Peter SanGiovanni said. “As one of her early readers, we get to give feedback and suggestions which she receives with such welcome arms.”

Another friend and 1985 graduate, Deborah Healey Lee, helps promote her books by organizing book events.

“It was such an honor to have Jen come to Raleigh and lead a very special evening discussing her novel,” Healey Lee said.

Her friends have provided immense support and investment throughout her career. They emphasize their pride in her dedication and work ethic.

“Jen has worked so incredibly hard at her craft,” Doris Eder SanGiovanni said. “She is so deserving of getting her books published.”

Sadera is grateful to have people around her that help each other out, whether it’s with their lives or careers.

“It’s really good to have those connections,” she said. “They turn out to be key.”

Sadera’s time at SUNY Oswego was filled with lifelong friendships and reassessment of her career goals. It was the foundation for learning the person she was and creating a path for the author she is today.

If you are interested in checking out book I Know She Was There, visit her website at www.Jennifersadera.com.

— Written by Kayla Kubelka of the Class of 2026 for University Advancement