Join author author Gail Cleveland to discuss her historical fiction novel, "Settlers by the Sea", and her ongoing work. "Settlers by the Sea" explores the imagined life of a real settler named Zelhpia Haynes, who arrived in Maine in 1760 at the age of 16. After finding Zelhpia’s gravestone, Cleveland was inspired to dive into the complex and fascinating story of survival on a rugged, unfamiliar coast.

A professional artist for over 40 years, Gail Cleveland owns and operates Smart Studio, the gallery her mother Wini Smart established in Northeast Harbor, Maine. Writing runs deep in her family, and her dream of becoming a writer too was realized with her debut novel in 2024.