Boothbay Harbor native Jerry Farnham has had the plot for a first book in his head since he was 16 and sternman on his father Fred’s boat. Out on the water summers, yachts anchored in the outer harbor and beyond are a fairly common sight. Farnham found himself wondering who might be on them; perhaps a famous Hollywood actress? And what if somehow they got to talking and he invited her to the lobster boat races? Would their different worlds collide or compliment each other somehow?

Those musings were the jumping off point for Farnham’s debut novel, “Red At Night.” Six years in the making, the e-book was published Nov. 4 by Bookbaby. There have been some great reviews on Amazon and it is available as a Kindle book (you can read a healthy excerpt on Amazon, too), iBooks and Barnes & Noble, among others. Farnham found out about his first book being out there when a friend told him they’d seen it. “I said ‘Are you kidding me?’ and then I just started to cry!”

Many of the characters in the book were inspired by Farnham’s family and friends; his affection for them and Boothbay Harbor is unmistakable. “Anyone who knows me and my family will easily recognize them,” Farnham said. “There are a few who are themselves: Clive Farrin, Billy Hallinan, Jim Lowe and Nick Upham,” who Farnham made Boothbay Harbor’s police chief.

“I’d go in to work (at Strout’s Point Wharf Company in Freeport) early to write. I’d look up at the clock and it’s already 5:55 a.m. My boss would ask if I was starting work today, and I’d say five more minutes or at 6:30,” Farnham recalled. “I’d just get sucked in … Writing at home for hours and when I looked up at the clock and it was 1 in the morning! Other times I’d get so frustrated I’d just push the laptop away from me. I’d be done and wouldn’t write for a month. It’s a process.”

Back to the story line: Boothbay Harbor lobsterman Jack Flynn is out lobstering one day, a day like any other, until he sees a kayak overturn – and a pretty blonde woman struggling in the water. He motors over, rescues her and once he gets her on board, recognizes her to be the Hollywood actress, Melissa Andrews! She’s had some really bad tabloid press and had to get as far away as she could from Tinseltown. Maine, clear across the country, seemed a place she could find some peace and quiet and just “be.” Melissa is running from her present while Jack is still living in the past with the memories of his deceased girlfriend. Has love come to town again for Jack? And what’s the deal with that drug smuggling operation on the waterfront?

The lead character, Jack, is based on the author, who sometimes misses being a lobsterman. Jack’s father, Russell (Farnham’s favorite character), has some of Beaver Hodgdon’s traits –  in particular, his “comical, spitfire attitude.” Hodgdon was Farnham’s dad’s best friend and was like an uncle to Jerry. Russell smokes a pipe like another “uncle,” Jim Lowe. Russell’s wife, Ann, is a combination of Farnham’s mom Michelle and his mother-in-law. He said think stereotypical Maine women: They can cook without recipes, are strong, and can handle what comes.

The similarities between the novel’s characters and the family are so strong Farnham’s cousin Vicky said she knew right off the bat when she read that Russell nicknamed Melissa “Hollywood” that ‘it had to be John Oscar Farnham, right there.’ My Uncle John had nicknames for everyone – my mom was “Moneybags,” my dad was ‘Guv’nor.’”

Then there’s the waitress at Ebb Tide who can take Jack, Melissa and Russell’s breakfast orders – and remember them – without writing them down. Who could that be?

Farnham mentions the Boothbay Register in the book, too. “When I was a kid being in the Boothbay Register for sports was a big deal.”

Boothbay Harbor is a character of the book as well, including its traditions of everything from Harbor Lights to the residents who are always looking out for one another.

A few of Farnham’s favorite storylines include: Melissa as sternman out with Jack’s dad, Russell; the “Pretty Woman” reversed storyline where Melissa takes Jack to Hollywood. This trip, Farnham said, “bridges the gap between celebrity and the real world.”

The book cover art is by Bryan Soames. Farnham found the artist on an online book forum and sent the artist a photo of his dad’s fiberglass 38 Young Brothers (Jerry’s dream boat) with the color scheme he wanted. The sizing of the image and finalizing of the cover was done by Ruth Lowell at Time Bouys.

Farnham wrote a powerful dedication for his first book to “All those that were told they couldn’t, shouldn’t, or wouldn’t. I had people in my life call me stupid, say that I wouldn’t get anywhere. Yet here I am with my book before your eyes. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Be brave. Step up. Be the person in the arena.”

“I’ve had a lot of support from family, friends, and my boss. To work for a place that not only supports you in your work, but gives you a push, too, is incredible,” Farnham said. “My boss promoted my book in the last company newsletter sent to 200 customers and clients. I’m like, holy cow!”

Still doing the daydreaming, Farnham began writing book two as soon as “Red At Night” went into editing. 

“My goal is to sell enough books online to make some money,” he chuckled, “to be able to print some copies. To be able to have a book signing, and at Sherman’s, sitting at a table covered in my books – that would be the biggest privilege in the world.”