Sheena began writing as a young girl, scribbling the happenings around her into the pages of her Lisa Frank journal. As boxes began to overflow with journals, a thought occurred to her: “Maybe you should chase this writing thing down a bit,” and she registered for creative writing classes in middle school.
Her love for writing eventually landed her a scholarship for a journalism degree, which she completed and then added on an English degree. Her work has appeared in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Washington Examiner, Waterborne Magazine, Sailing Scuttlebutt, and the anthology, Facing Fear Head On: True Stories from Women on the Water.
She has been featured on TODAY.com, the Inspired Woman’s Podcast, the Roanoke Times, and in 2016 she was awarded “Millennial on the Move” by CoVaBiz Mag.
During her travels, she was the host of podcasts Breathe Full and Seas Life for Good, as well as the producer of a sailing YouTube Channel that gathered over 10,000+ engaged followers.
Sheena is a certified Wellness Coach, yoga instructor, as well as a dance instructor and birth doula. She lives by the river in Richmond, VA, with her husband, Stephen, and their children, Arlo and Maeve.
The Writing of Living Tidal
words from the author
This book began as journal entries in 2016. I didn’t know what was happening at the time, but I knew it was something big, different—something so outside of everything I’ve always known. Writing is my way of understanding the world around me, so I grabbed a journal and pen and started writing the who, the how, the what, when and where of it all.
My journal and lap top came with me when we moved onto the boat, and I kept taking notes. When we untied the dock lines and set sail, my note taking ramped up because I started noticing massive changes within me emerging. Along with that, new characters started entering our lives, so I captured their names, boat names, locations and how they were leaving forever imprints on our memories.
At each anchor drop, I would pull out my journal or lap top and write, write, write—some of it I loved; some of it I hated—but I kept it all. Eventually, the salt water, eating away at the insides of my lap top, started making it blink and I only wanted to save one thing: my notes. In Florida, I ran into a tech store and purchased a hard drive. At the time, I wasn’t sure what I was protecting, but I knew I needed to try. I transferred all of the notes onto the hard drive, stuck it in a plastic bag and wrapped it with a hand towel to protect it from the elements. Then I hid it in a drawer hoping the salt or mildew wouldn’t touch it.
In Colombia, we anchored next to two world sailors who we invited to dinner one evening. “She’s writing a book,” was casually mentioned over our meal and wine. Was I? I wasn’t sure. I mostly just had a smattering of thoughts and events. One of our guests was a published author. “I’ll connect you with an editor I know.” Cheers. We clinked wine glasses and a WhatsApp number was exchanged, but I was way too scared to reach out. I had nothing that resembled a “book.”
I left the boat in February 2019, and after emerging from the slobbering, crying mess of healing from relationships ending (one with my partner and the other with the boat), I sat down and tried to pull together an attempt at a manuscript. When I had something (maybe?) I willed myself to be brave enough to text that number I received months earlier in Colombia. This began the journey of turning hundreds of pages of notes that took three years to collect into a manuscript that would eventually take five years to complete.
In 2020, I was living at the top of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado when I “finished” the first real draft of the book, a draft that would inevitably change a million more times. My editor never gave up on me.
In 2022, after an entire year of querying, I received a book offer! The manuscript ended up in the hands of two more fantastic editors who helped me mold the book into what you’re holding in your hands today.
One thing is clear about book writing: it takes an entire team and a tireless will to not give up on it, even when your insecurities tell you over and over “it’s time to give up on it.” I began writing this book as a 30-year old, and from its beginnings to the time it was published, eight years passed: I met and married my husband and birthed my two children. I changed entirely, writing about a 30-year old I once was.
I hope you enjoy it, the way I ended up—after countless wrestling matches with it—absolutely adoring it.
Sheena
"Lovingly evocative."
/ Michael Paul Williams, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, Richmond Times-Dispatch /
Reviews of Living Tidal
“This is a triumph! So tender and illuminating. A riveting journey of self-discovery, Living Tidal illuminates what's possible when you let go of fear and say 'yes' to adventure. Filled with heart, humor, and high seas exploits, Jeffers' evocative prose made me feel like I was right there with her on the sailboat. Her story shows sometimes you have to leave behind the life you know in order to find out who you really are and what you really want out of life.” // Olivia Campbell, New York Times bestselling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine
“Part adventure tale, part love story, Living Tidal is a remarkable true tale which reminds us that sometimes, to restore wind to our sails, we need to try a different tack. This heartfelt, courageous memoir had me immersed in Jeffers’ journey of self-discovery, tasting the salty sea, watching the constant moon, and rejoicing in the extraordinary act of being alive.” // Jill Witty, prizewinning author of Witticisms
“Living Tidal is a poignant, funny memoir that will resonate with everyone who has recognized a desperation for action and a frustration with their status quo. This book teaches you how to change your life.” // Kate Lewis, essayist with work featured in The New York Times, Washington Post