Decades in Development: The Code of The Bestia, The Angel of The Hearth 

September 21, 2020, Professional Editor Devon LaBonte:

RE: “The Code of the Bestia”

Your manuscript was brought to our attention at the latest editorial board meeting where we discussed its potential, and the possibility of it being published. Having read all the reports and taken note of the editors’ opinions, I can confidently state that your work was found to be a highly imaginative story that will engross readers from the very first page. In this entrancing work, the immersive world created within the text contributed to this creative retelling of Lilith’s story. Moreover, the editorial board felt that the overarching themes of morality and resilience will captivate the imaginations of a wide audience of readers.

The Code of The Bestia: The Angel of The Hearth is available in both paperback and ebook format.

The Code of The Bestia, The Creation…

Sheila Wanite, 2015

Although Sheila had been writing manuscripts throughout her teens and into her early 20's, in 2003 she attended her first Algonkian Writing Conference & writing retreat facilitated by Michael Neff. It wasn't until 2012 that she returned for another publishing industry gathering. Her delay was due to being trapped in a toxic relationship with four small children. At this time, Neff asked her if she had her fantasy novel ready. He felt he could sell her writing with one industry phone call, knowing her abilities. 

Although Sheila did not have a strong first draft completed due to life events and being a single mother of four little boys, after the trip she further developed her epic fantasy concept and book drafts with alternative scenes and back stories. Throughout 2015 to 2017, Neff and Sheila periodically touched base on her writing.

Sheila's original working title for the epic fantasy series was Hell’s Canyon, but she knew it wasn't thee series title. She did, however, have the sub-title for book one: The Angel of The Hearth, which is a Victorian era expression. The angel of the hearth was a term used that signified a woman is to be the perfect wife, an angel of the house and home. After more brain storming and receiving more suggestions for an official series title, nothing seemed to adequately capture the essence of her epic fantasy series.

Sheila travelled to Morro Bay, California, in November of 2017 to pitch her book series to Industry giants. The series continued to draw and peek interest from a majority of industry professionals who heard her pitch. She continued to follow her instincts on the high concept book series that, after years, refused to dissipate.

An idea… highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it’s almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed, fully understood…

From the movie Inception

Keen Interest From The Publishing Industry Continues for The Code of The Bestia...

While Sheila was in Morro Bay, California, Dr. Kenneth Atchity was one of many Industry leaders that took a keen interest in her epic fantasy series. Atchity, who has an award winning company Atchity Productions, has extensive experience in the writing and publishing industry with literature and film. He is credited with discovering and producing both literary and movie blockbusters such as The Meg and Joe Somebody. Sheila’s most memorable moment pitching to Atchity occurred when, within the first couple minutes of her pitch, he leaned forward with great interest. 

 

I knew I had one of the greats I wanted to work with very interested in my series when, after I gave him my hook line in the first couple minutes, which is:

As an ancient demonic force slithers over mortal earth’s atmosphere, he searches for the one incarnated soul who was instrumental in his creation. The original woman designed in the Garden of Eden before the time of Eve. Lilith. She unknowingly holds the keys of destiny for all realms of existence - Nirvana, Earth and Hell.

Kenneth Atchity leaned forward, and said “Send it to me. Send me the manuscript”. He then asked me a of couple questions, including where I was from. I replied that I was from a remote area in the middle of Saskatchewan, Canada. He was the most coveted person we pitched to at that event, and there were a couple Industry notables. So, he was the one I chose to send it to, as once an agent requests a manuscript, etiquette and protocol for many requires that you to wait for their reply before sending it out to others. It can take a year or more. 

At this point, Sheila was still looking for the perfect series title. In 2019, while Atchity was reviewing Sheila’s revised manuscript in the series, she finally had a title for her entire Epic Fantasy Series.

The title for my epic fantasy series struck like lightning during one of my last English Literature classes at the University of Saskatchewan, in the History of the Book class. I quietly rolled it off my tongue to see how it sounded, The Code of The Bestia, and grinned to myself. This title had me excited and indeed stuck, and struck like spider lightning, and proved to gain more interest in my series. ~ Sheila Wanite

Sheila travelled to New York in 2019 to network in the publishing industry. Her series continued to draw interest from the industry and public, and she was becoming known as “the woman who should have already been published 10 years ago”. However, toxic people and environments had created challenges to overcome… but this time, after all those years, she finally had an official title for the entire series and a revised manuscript.

Elements of Dark Fantasy, Horror and Gothic Influences...

Sheila Wanite, recent photo

The Epic Fantasy series is written with elements of Dark Fantasy, Horror and Gothic influences. The first book, The Angel of The Hearth, in The Code of The Bestia Epic Fantasy Series is based on the high concept of an Ancient demonic force slithering over mortal earth’s atmosphere in search of the one incarnated soul who was instrumental in his creation. Although she is incarnated on the Earth Realm as a modern day woman, she is the Original Woman designed in the Garden of Eden before the time of Eve. Lilith. The Ancient demonic force hunting her is the one she created and unleashed at the beginning of time.

The entire series is based around Lilith, a resurrected energy that resulted from a poem Sheila wrote for an English class in 2004/2005. Part of the concept for the series is also inspired by an Ancient Proverb that states “To everyone is given the key to Heaven, the same key opens the gates of Hell”. Lilith unknowingly holds the keys of destiny for all realms of existence - Nirvana, Earth and Hell.

Behind the Spine of The Code of The Bestia, On The Backside…

The Sacred Master Scroll’s seals are breaking. As the forces of the heavens collect lost and trapped souls from the Earth Realm and prepare for Lilith’s arrival, the seventh phase of war has bugled its announcement. The dark forces are recruiting mortal babies and children to build their armies by stealing their souls. With a rip in the Celestial Tree of Life, Arch Angels, Arch Demons, various legions of souls, beasts, creatures, along with both mortal and immortal animal energies, are invading and roaming the Earth Realm through the rip at its roots. An inter-realm war is imminent.

Meanwhile, in a quiet country setting, death is inevitable for Lilith who waits, seeking to escape her current circumstances of enslavement by Adam. Freeing herself from him, she accesses and enters the Other Worldly Realms to rediscover her true heritage and destiny as prophesized. The purpose for her creation: to besiege the dark side and stop its domination while resisting temptations into it.

While the truth of Creation is exposed to Lilith and the reality of her mission, she is faced with the power of choice and freewill to influence the rebellious revelations. All worlds are about to collide and seal the fate of Lilith, mortality and immortality… 

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