When I began thinking through The Shadows the Ocean Keeps, I was in love with the idea of writing about submarine warfare in WWII. Seriously, there are so many incredible stories that could be told that I had the opportunity to learn about during my submarine qualifications. Even when I began writing, I was motivated by the scenes of action. Those that showed the crew actuating the torpedo tubes, inhabiting the boat, and even things as mundane as loading food. Now, though, I’

Music has always been a big part of my life. It’s part of how I process complex emotions. It has been the center of friendships, and brought me closer to people through mutual interests (and sometimes exposure to new artists or songs). So it’s fitting that music has played a big role in writing “The Shadows the Ocean Keeps”. As I was developing my main character, Thomas Landry, I came across the song “Hurricane” by Band of Heathens. The song’s portrayal of resilience in New O

“The Shadows the Ocean Keeps” is set aboard Gato-class submarines in WWII. Today, there are multiple Gato-class submarines on exhibit throughout the country, one of which is in Cleveland, OH — just under eight hours from my hometown by car.

It wasn't until I finished reading Madeline Miller's "The Song of Achilles" that the idea for "The Shadows the Ocean Keeps" entered my mind. I was in awe of how Madeline brought to life a story that I'd long known, but yet it felt new. The details she added, the story of Patroclus - it was fresh, imaginative, yet felt accurate to the mythology I'd always enjoyed.

Hello, and thank you for joining me on this journey! My name is Caleb H. Edwards and I’m an author working on the manuscript for my debut novel “The Shadows the Ocean Keeps”, a queer historical fiction work. A United States Navy submarine veteran, I’m excited to bring some incredible stories from history to readers in the present. More content will be posted soon on this blog, my Instagram (@calebwritesdotcom), and my TikTok (@calebwritesdotcom).