Sooooo – I’ve been writing and research the true crime story of the Hunt murders for seven years. I thought I was done in the fall of 2016, but feedback on the manuscript suggested I was not before it goes off to another publishing house. While the edits were minor they improved the flow of the story. One university press had the book for over year before they came back without even reading the book and said, “It needs more work.” The book itself has been revised 18 times since I put all the research into a book format.
From the beginning of placing the thousands of research pages into chapters, those chapters have been moved around, large amounts of text have been relocated to other chapters and I edited out a lot of nonessential wording.
Many people don’t understand the process of writing a nonfiction book or any book for that matter. It is one thing to revise a blog post, a research paper or even an article and a 300 + page revision of a book is overwhelming. I will admit that even during my many revisions I found new errors and even identified errors in spelling of names throughout the book.
The last person to give me an honest read-through feedback liked the writing and the story. She even came up with her own questions regarding the murders. She’s read true crime books and mysteries all her life, so I trust her. Another reader offered her insights about not including my side stories of my research process or even putting them at the end. That suggestion I’m still considering.
The title of the book has evolved over time, yet nothing I came up with really sat well with me. The proposed titles never seemed to jump off the page and connect the complicated story of this journey. A recently proposed title of “A Journey from Small Town Murder to Mystery” may be the perfect fit. The book is a documentary of the attempted murder of Dr. Roy Hunt, the actual Hunt murders, along with all the trials, along with the murder of the sheriff whose trial ties into the Hunt murders in the most unique way.
Thank you to the friends who’ve given me honest feedback. A Journey from Small Town Murder to Mystery – may be the title this book has long needed…
Onward.
Forgotten Winds 
I received a copy of the book today. Let me just say my brothers and I learned of these events as teenagers. Mom told us about her parents murders and we had seen all the court documents, newspaper clippings, etc., and our children had as well. While Jane might not have been aware of all the details, we certainly were. This was not a secret in our family. This might have been Mom’s first time to publicly speak of these events, but it was far from the first time she ever spoke of them.
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I see the release date of the book has been pushed back once again. What is the reason for the delay?
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When life happens to both author and publisher things get pushed back a little.
Big news A&M Press released the book February 8th.
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My father passed away in 2014. Amongst his things I found several newspaper clippings about this case. His family is from the area and there were old b&w photos indicating that my family may have been involved with raising Jo Ann afterward. I wasn’t close to my dad’s extended family but I’m trying to find out more. Love to talk with you or read your manuscript.
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TY, my condolences on the loss of your dad. Reach out to me at: christena.stephens@gmail.com.
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My previous comment indicated Jo Ann Hunt died in December 2019. She actually passed away December 2018.
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I am the daughter of Jo Ann Hunt. I would like to know if you have published this book yet. My mother told me she had spoken with you but never heard back about the book. She died in December 2019.
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Hi, Nancy.
First my condolences on your mom’s passing. Sue had shared Jane’s email with me back in 2018. I was stunned and heartbroken Jo Ann had passed. I’ve always strived to get this book published but life took over in areas I was not expecting, especially in 2018. The current update is the book is in the final revision or tweaking process before it goes back to my editor sometime before the first of March. The title has changed about twenty times and will likely change again. Time does not wait and people are dying that helped me with this research and book. I feel so bad about that.
Thank you for reaching out and contacting me.
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My sister, Velma, took care of your mom and aunt after the tragedy in Vernon, Texas in Dr Bogart, home.
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Thank you, Brenda for sharing your information.
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The Hunt girls are my mom and my aunt. Funny, neither of them mentioned that they met with you. I’ll have to ask them about that.
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Hi Christena, I am interested in reading your book as well. Have you been able to interview people from Littlefield who were living there when the murders occurred? When do you expect to publish?
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Hi Jo. Yes – I have interviewed several people in Littlefield that are/were still alive. I’m hoping to get this book to a publisher by end of 2018. Thank you for stopping by and for your interest.
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Roy and Mae are my grandparents. I will be interested in reading your book.
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Thank you, Jo, for letting me know. It is truly a small world. I did meet with the Hunt daughters or girls as I call them and got their story. Sue Sexton, Roy’s niece has been so helpful and supportive to me during this research, writing, and editing process.
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I just read the article in the Lubbock A-J newspaper. I am born and raised in Littlefield where the Hunts lives and his story has always peaked my interest as the murder happened a few doors down from my great grandparents.
I googled your “A Journey from small town murder to mystery” hoping to find the book. But was unable to locate. Has this been published and if so, where can I purchase it?
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Jennifer thank you for your interest in my forthcoming book. It will be published in 2018. May I ask who your g-grandparents were?
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Christena, I am more anxious than ever to read the finished product!! I have a sincere and real “link” to you AND the book, and hope to own the very FIRST copy!Please keep me notified. Much love and admiration to you, SUE
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Thank you Sue for your friendship support and admiration. Yes – I’m planning on you owning the very first book. Love to you.
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