Welcome to The Wave đ
If you love immersive historical fiction with characters who stay with you long after the story ends, youâre in the right place. The Wave is the home of my serialized historical novel, When the Sea Was Still. Itâs a story of survival, courage, and secrets, set in 1914 Paris on the eve of World War I.
About the Novel
When the Sea Was Still is a historical novel inspired by Titanic survivor Helen Ostby. While the heroine of the story, Nora Osterly, is entirely fictional, her journey draws on the incredible life of Helen Ostby. After surviving the Titanic disaster and losing her father, Helen went on to help run the family jewelry business, Ostby & Barton, which required her to face the sea again for business in Europe.
The novel begins two years after the sinking of the Titanic, when Nora Osterly is forced to cross the Atlantic againâthis time aboard Titanicâs nearly identical sister ship, the Olympic. To save her fatherâs legacy, Nora must do the one thing she swore she never would: return to the sea that nearly killed her.
Subscribe free to receive a new episode every Thursday.
As a subscriber, you can expect:
For free subscribers:
đ When the Sea Was Still
A new episode of my serialized historical novel arrives every Thursday. Follow Nora Osterlyâs journey from the RMS Olympic to 1914 Paris as she fights to save her fatherâs legacy on the eve of World War I.
âď¸ Monthly Author Letter
On the last Tuesday of each month, Iâll share a letter from my writing life, including what Iâm working on, whatâs inspiring me, and whatâs coming next.
đż From the Archives
Explore my collection of articles inspired by my first book You Donât Have to Stay: Leave the Job That Drains You for a Career That Lights You Up.
For paid subscribers:
đ Behind the Story
Go deeper into each episode with exclusive historical notes, real locations, research discoveries, and the fascinating true stories that inspired the novel.
đ Subscriber Extras
Throughout the year, paid subscribers also receive occasional bonus stories and exclusive content available only to members.
About the Writer:
Iâm Amy Burbank. After a layoff, a travel business derailed by the pandemic, and another layoff, I decided Iâd had enough of letting life happen to me and started to build the life Iâd been dreaming about for years. The second layoff was the third strike that kicked me into gear. I threw out the fears that had held me back for decades and began to build a new life that revolves around what I love: writing, travel, nature, and the relentless desire to keep improving myself.
That decision led to two books (and counting) and this publication, The Wave.
Here, youâll find two stories of reinvention unfolding side by side: my own journey from corporate burnout to full-time writer, and the story of Nora Osterly, a Titanic survivor rebuilding her life in Europe on the eve of World War I. Together, they explore what happens when life forces us to start overâand what becomes possible when we find the courage to begin again.
A few favorite articles:
đ This Is What a Calling Feels Like
đ One Year Ago Today I Was Crying on a Plane. Today My Book Is in the World.
Beyond the Writing
When Iâm not at my desk Iâm usually planning my next trip to Europe, hiking the trails of Arizona, or spending time with my familyâincluding my two beloved cats who have strong opinions about when itâs time to stop writing for the day.
Find me elsewhere at:
đ¸ Instagram
đ LinkedIn
đ Website
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
