Local writer publishes debut novel

Like many moments of inspiration, Polson author Milana Marsenich’s idea for her debut novel came in a dream.

“I woke up and wrote the whole thing down,” she said. “That’s the only time that’s ever happened.”

Now, more than 20 years later, Marsenich has crafted that vision into “Copper Sky,” a chronicle of courage and resilience in her hometown of Butte. Since the book’s publication in early May, Marsenich has held readings in cities across western Montana, including a June 9 signing at South Shore Greenhouse in Polson.

Based on the experience of two women navigating through life in the rough-and-tumble mining city during the early 1900s, Marsenich said writing Copper Sky was an exercise in both reflection and perseverance.

Marsenich, who works as a mental health therapist during the day, said she had the initial dream while pursuing a master’s degree in Creative Writing at the University of Montana in the 1990s. It wasn’t until 2003, however, that she decided to turn it into a novel.

Up to that point, Marsenich had primarily written poetry and short stories. She said carrying a storyline for hundreds of pages was difficult and required her to write individual sections separately.

“I like to think of it like sewing a quilt,” Marsenich said. “I rewrote the first part several times. It was sort of like combing out tangled hairs.”

While the story involves tragedy – “It’s Butte, so lots of people die,” she said – the tale comes together around the resilience and compassion in the community.

Literary tradition is rich with depictions of the former boomtown, but Marsenich said she approached writing about her hometown from an insider perspective.

“I really like Butte,” she said. “Part of what I wanted to do was reflect what I experienced there.”

Nevertheless, Marsenich said she wanted the history to be accurate, and referenced local newspaper archives during her research. This effort paid off when Marsenich hosted her first reading in the historic city.

“I was really nervous about the Butte reading,” she said. “But things went very well.”

In a recent review published in the Missoulian, Mara Panich-Crouch, of Fact and Fiction Books of Missoula, wrote, “Often, historical fiction tends to feel stale and repetitive. ‘Copper Sky’ sets itself apart by exploring the lesser seen people of Butte.”

Marsenich said she’s pleased with the book’s positive reception so far, however such acclaim did not come easy.

While pitching her book to publishers, Marsenich said she experienced one rejection after another.

“Every time I would say, ‘I can fix it.’ That became my motto,” she said.

Marsenich credited fellow Polson author Maggie Plummer for helping her strengthen the story.

Ultimately, she received five letters of interest from a variety of small publishers, eventually settling on Open Books based overseas in Greece. By then, however, Marsenich said she had become accustomed to rejections.

“I was surprised at how difficult it was to be accepted,” she said. “I was happy for five minutes and then panicked.”

Now that the book is in print, Marsenich said her nerves have settled. She said she is currently working on her second novel, “Swan Keeper,” based here in the Mission Valley. Although her debut took more than a decade to write, she said her next novel is coming along more quickly.

“I’m hoping to work on it over the winter,” she said.

For more information on “Copper Sky” visit www.open-bks.com/library/moderns/copper-sky/about-book.html.