Local publishes book on skiing adventure

SUSSEX — Sussex local Jim Warner delves into the publishing world with his debut novel, “The Ski Dream.”

While it might be his first novel, it has been in the works for quite some time.

Publishing process
"I wrote the first draft in 1987," he explained. "I thought it was a really good story. When I was little my family had a business in Manhattan and when we would walk through the streets my father told me that there are some people that are born and die and never leave Manhattan. I guess I just realized how fortunate I am that I get to go and see and do what I do."

There is a reason that this book is almost 30 years in the making.

"It's based on a true story but there is a lot of fiction," Warner said. "I wanted to tell that true story but I wanted to make it a story that people wanted to read. Not everyone wants to read an autobiography. Some people want to read more about stories that they will wonder about."

The publishing process has certainly evolved since Warner started.

"It wasn't on a computer when I started it," he said. "It was typed and then had to be retyped and I only wrote the second half recently. There have been so many recent advances in self publishing. That's what made it possible. I was able to use the internet and found Elance a self publishing website."

The Ski Dream
“The Ski Dream” is set in a not too distant past and has many themes that resonate with readers.

"It is about growing up in the 60s and 70s for a motivated male character," Warner said. "It touches on learning disabilities and finding yourself. At that time coming out of New Jersey, skiing wasn't a big thing so to go from New Jersey to Vermont was a good tale."

Publishing a book is really just the beginning today with so many major films being made from adaptations.

"I think it would do well as a movie," said Warner. "The gentleman that helped me to edit it for grammar urged me to do that. I think it is just something that would be a really fun screenplay. That's something I would have to look into and read about."

While putting out that first book may be just the tip of the iceberg, Warner still isn't sure what the future holds.

"I have some ideas so I will have to wait and see," he said. "I'm not a great writer. English wasn't my first subject. I think that you have to write a book to learn how to write a book because writing is hard but writing something people want to read is harder. This has some fiction because that is what people want to read. They want to read something that is really fun. They read what inspires them."

Since the release of his book, Warner is taking it one day at a time.

"I'm a local guy," he explained. "I did coach division one. I'm a ski coach that is nationally certified but I'm a licensed professional counselor in Sparta most of the time. I still just like to ski and ride my motorcycle."

Warner’s book, “The Ski Game,” is available on Amazon in hardcover and paperback as well as for e-readers.