No Stone Unturned: Philomena Meets Lion

Interview with Adoptee & Author Nadean Stone

Tell us a little about yourself? 

I was born in Blind River Ontario, Canada, graduated from Windsor University in 1973 with a BA and McMaster University in 1976 with an MBA. I obtained a Certificate in Journalism in 2002 and a Certificate of Legal Management, CLM in 2011. In 2004, I helped launch a weekday one-hour talk show on NBC Miami, FL as the show’s Booker and Celebrity Producer. I am a Legal Management Consultant and author.

How would you describe the story you tell?

Between 1945 and 1973, about 350,000 unmarried Canadian mothers were coerced or forced into giving their babies up for adoption. Many babies, like me, were illegally given away, like a puppy at the pound, for a nominal donation to the church. 

My book is Philomena meets Lion – the story of an orphan abandoned on Christmas Eve by her young, unwed mother and the 44-year journey undertaken to find her utilizing DNA technology, a village of 150 previously unknown DNA cousins from Ancestry and 23andme, and innovative detective skills.

Has this been published?

The first edition of No Stone Unturned: A Remarkable Journey to Identity was published in March 2019 on Amazon KDP. Second edition was published in April 2021. The memoir is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple, KOBO, Scribd and IngramSpark for libraries and bookstores. It’s available in paperback, eBook, and hardcover. The story was particularly relevant to current events at that time, so I decided to self-publish rather than wait to find an agent and publisher. 

What prompted/inspired you to write this book?

In life, a person might be confronted by one immense personal challenge that will alter the trajectory of his/her life forever. The protagonist in my story faces numerous daunting trials that “would bury a lesser person” as one reviewer wrote. Yet, “she soldiers on.” My goal in writing the memoir is to inspire the reader to find faith, hope and the courage to persevere, despite the odds. To continue to dream. To never, ever give up! Reviews on Amazon which are all 5 stars, and 4 stars are enormously heartfelt. The story has touched so many in a profound meaningful way. That is my goal. 

Are there themes or key issues you focus on in the book?

While the main theme that runs throughout is the search for my birth mother, the story is so much more. It contains drama, pain, suspense, romance, royalty, politics, and multiple unexpected twists and turns. At the end of the day, one realizes that we are never alone. Total strangers might reach out to us in moments of desperate need. Life is never perfect, but it may contain many perfectly memorable moments! Continue to dream. Never give up!

Where did you do most of your writing for this book?

I worked during the day as a Legal Administrator so wrote in the evening at the kitchen table. My goal was to write the book in six months. I committed six months to the project. I started writing in August 2017 and completed the book in February 2018, in six months. I wrote almost every night, sometimes well past midnight. An occasional glass of pinot grigio accompanied my typing. Sometimes I laughed uproariously at the situations I found myself in. A few times I sobbed uncontrollably. It was a cathartic experience.

Is there anything you would have done differently, either in the research, writing, or publication process?

I was not familiar with the publishing industry when I started my memoir. Although I did research about self-publishing and whom to hire such as a professional copy editor and book cover designer, I did not know how to market the book once published. If I was to start over, I would hire a professional copyeditor and book cover designer which I did but would also work on the marketing well in advance of the publication date. I would send the book out 6 months in advance of publication to garner reviews and would organize a whole pre-launch campaign. I’d recommend joining IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association) and Writer’s Digest while in the writing process for excellent advice on how to do all of this from the beginning. Also check out Jane Friedman’s website on publishing. An excellent resource. 

• https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership
• https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-nonfiction
• https://www.janefriedman.com/

Anything you would like to add?

Taleflick, an LA based company has recommended No Stone Unturned for a film or TV series and selected it as a Taleflick Pick: 

This memoir represents a remarkably compelling and emotional story. The protagonist is determined and courageous, yet at the same time so much of her strength comes from her deep feelings. The willingness and ability of the author to share with the audience the vulnerability in her own story is what truly makes this a must read. She is honest and heartfelt on every page, and it effortlessly sweeps the reader along for the ride. The anecdotes within are at turns comedic and tragic, and they’re all unique and specific to her experience. This is a story that will stick with you

More About Nadean Stone

Nadean Stone was born in Blind River Ontario, Canada, graduated from Windsor University in 1973 with a BA and McMaster University in 1976 with an MBA. She obtained her Certificate in Journalism in 2002 and her Certificate of Legal Management, CLM in 2011. In 2004, Nadean helped launch a weekday one-hour talk show on NBC Miramar, FL as the show’s Booker and Celebrity Producer.

Nadean is a Legal Management Consultant and author. She works as an advocate for children and adoptees, with an interest in public policy and legislation. In July 2018 she filed a petition with the UN Commission on the Rights of the Child illuminating numerous Articles of the UN Convention that the Province of Ontario has violated in its treatment of illegally adopted children.

Nadean spent 44 years searching for her birth mother, challenging the current law in Ontario Canada regarding non-adoptee’s access to their birth records. To access Birth Search Resources in Ontario Canada, click here.

She is currently exploring the transformation of her memoir No Stone Unturned: A Remarkable Journey To Identity into a screenplay and is also working on a series of children’s stories about her adventures on her grandmother’s farm, as well as a story about her much-loved Aunt Roberta. She and her husband Bill divide their time between their home in Florida and their cottage in Vermont.

Follow Nadean

• on Facebook and Instagram.
• Join Nadean Stone’s Mailing List by clicking here.
• Official book trailer can be viewed on TikTok, here.
• www.nadeanstone.com
• nadeanrs@aol.com

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