Ok, so first off, thank you for being interested enough to have made your way to this page. Or perhaps you’re just a careless clicker – I still thank you.
I’m still trying to figure out this whole author/self-publisher/self-promoter/blogger/platform thing. I guess I just want to start by opening the door to any questions or feedback any readers might have on me or my novel Hearts Left Behind. There was a short article (“article” seems generous…blurb maybe?) in a local paper this past week that provides some of that background info. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
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The lingering effects of a personal tragedy inspired Derek Rempfer to write his first novel.
His new novel, “Hearts Left Behind,” was inspired in part by the unexpected death of his son in 1998.
“Hearts Left Behind” was released as an e-book on July 15. Rempfer describes the 195-page book as a literary mystery inspired by personal events as well as the real-life murders of Melissa Ackerman of Somonauk and Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville in the 1980s. Brian Dugan, serving a life sentence, was convicted of both girls’ murders.
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So, yeah, that’s all true. The topics are tragic, the tone is nostalgic. It’s certainly a sad story, but my hope is that readers will walk away with a sense of connectedness (I think that’s a real word). We are a community of mourners. My hope is that the sorrows found within Hearts Left Behind are ultimately overshadowed by an undercurrent of faith and perseverance that flows through the story.
Derek Rempfer 
I am one of your mom’s cousins from here in Mendota. We are going to dinner with her, Kitty and Aunt Mary tomorrow and I can’t wait to hear about all of this!!! I don’t have a kindle but I can’t wait to read your book!! Is it or will it come out in book form! I’m so sorry you lost your son, I can’t imagine the heartache you’ve endured!! God bless you and I pray you have continued success!! Deb
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Hi Deb – thank you for the encouraging words and for your interest in Hearts Left Behind. Believe me, my mother will be happy to discuss it with you. If you have any other topics you want to discuss with her, best to bring those up first…:)
Unfortunately, there is not a print version of the book available yet. That’s something I’m still looking into and hope to have an offering within the next few weeks. In the meantime, you can actually download and read the book without having a Kindle. Amazon offers a Kindle app that can be downloaded for free on any device.
Thanks again for your kind words and I hope you enjoy your dinner tonight. Say hi to Aunt Mary for me.
Derek
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Well, of course, I expect her to go on and on… that’s what we mothers do 🙂 Thanks for the info and I WILL be loading it! Hard to get an autograph that way though… Aunt Mary had to cancel, she is sick, but we “girls” are still meeting. Blessings to you and yours! Deb
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Derek. I don’t know I f I’m doing this right. Have never posted on a blog. Just want you to know that. I just finished hearts left behind and I hated for it to end!!! I couldn’t stop once I started reading it and I kept hoping that there were some other books out there by you. PLEASE write another one soon. I want the book form because there were so many things I wanted to highlight and remember. I’m so sorry you lost your son but God has given you an awesome talent for writing. Please don’t waste it. God bless.
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Hi Barbara,
No worries – I’ve never written a blog before. 🙂
I can’t tell you how much it means to me to hear from people who enjoyed the book. We’re all so busy these days and we have so many distractions, yet you took the time to share your thoughts and feelings and for that I thank you. (There might be a 2nd thank you in it for you if I could persuade you to post your comments as a positive review on the book’s page on Amazon 🙂 )
I do not have another book written yet, but I am working on one and you have no idea how positive comments like yours motivate me to work harder. Thank you, too, for the condolences and kind words regarding Ethan. It further strengthens my belief that his life served a purpose and that that he is here with me now.
Thanks for fueling my fire!
Derek
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