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Interview with Susan McGuirk, Author of Dear Missing Friend: A Novel of Irish Immigration, Sag Harbor Whaling, and Women's Ambition in 1840s America
- Sea Crow Press
- Apr 21
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
At Sea Crow Press, we believe the most enduring stories are the ones rooted in place—where landscape, history, and human longing converge. In Dear Missing Friend, Susan McGuirk brings us a novel born from a single haunting newspaper advertisement. It traces one Irish immigrant woman's journey through the whaling wharves of Sag Harbor and the streets of 1840s Manhattan.
Catherine McGuirk's story of ambition, independence, and self-determination unfolds in towns where the past still lingers in the architecture and the air. Her choices feel as vivid today as they must have then. We're delighted to welcome author Susan McGuirk to talk about the vanished advertisement that haunted her imagination, the resourceful women who forged paths across the 19th century, and the places that preserved their footprints long enough for us to follow.
"We honor the women of the past who endured so the women of the present can prevail." Susan McGuirk, author of Dear Missing Friend
1. What first drew you to Catherine McGuirk’s story, and why set it during the whaling boom and Gold Rush era?
Catherine found me, not the other way around. While doing family research, I came upon an advertisement her husband Michael placed searching for her. It wasn’t until I found another advertisement placed by him four years later, still looking for Catherine, that my imagination went into overdrive. Why didn’t she answer him? Why did he use her maiden name? A story was born. The settings were places they actually lived, and I researched their travels and pursuits to follow the tale wherever it led me.
2. Catherine makes a bold early choice to reject security for possibility—how does that decision shape the woman she becomes?
At this particular juncture, Catherine is a sheltered teenager. There is an element of naïve reaction present that accompanies the decision to stick to her teaching ambition. When another proposal with heavy strings attached presents itself, Catherine reinforces her original decision. She accepts that her fate lies elsewhere, no matter how much she’s reminded of the cost.
3. What did you want to explore about women’s ambition and independence in the 1840s?
Many Irish immigrant women traveled alone to the United States, so they already experienced some independence. Many were from farming families, so hard work was no deterrent. After crossing an ocean, fanning out across the country seemed a logical next step. They were looking for one opportunity from which a life could be wrought. These were energetic, optimistic, and resourceful women.
4. Catherine is caught between a missing husband and a rising, wealthy suitor—how did you approach building that emotional tension?
The two men were so different that they presented a stark contrast on their own. Patrick is a practical man determined to build a life from any foothold he can obtain in the new world. Michael is a dreamer who follows circumstances instead of dictating them. Catherine has traits that mirror both but had her love of teaching to fall back on.
5. In Dear Missing Friend by Susan McGuirk, Sag Harbor and Manhattan feel richly alive—what details from your research most influenced the world of the novel?
Both places have much of the past preserved in them. Sag Harbor was economically depressed for most of the century following the whale fishery collapse. Nothing was torn down or built up for a long time, so it still looks very much the same. In New York, when I look down from the Highline on 14th Street at the still relatively low-rise landscape, now closed to most traffic, it’s easy to imagine horses lashed to hitching posts along the street.
6. How does Catherine’s experience as an Irish immigrant shape her identity and the opportunities available to her?
Catherine and her brothers arrive in New York City several years before the Irish Potato Famine diaspora but still face much discrimination, though more directed at all immigrants. In Sag Harbor, they find a measure of tolerance because of the prevalence of the whaling business. There were folks walking the streets of the small town from all over the world, and free Blacks and Native Americans were full participants in the trade. Employment that supported the industry was available, enabling Catherine to secure work at a hotel for whalemen. The experience of making an independent living emboldens her, and upon returning to the city, she finally wins a teaching position.
7. What do you hope readers take away from Catherine’s journey through love, loss, and self-determination?
I have a blog on Substack called The Storied Sisters Society. I end each post with this code:
“We honor the women of the past who endured so the women of the present can prevail.”
I believe we all stand on the shoulders of the women who went before us. Sometimes, it is the women in our own families, even ones we haven’t heard of, who were brave and fierce. They forged paths through difficult terrain, arguably rougher than our own, that benefit us still.
The Importance of Place in Storytelling
Place is more than just a backdrop in storytelling; it breathes life into the narrative. It shapes characters, influences their decisions, and reflects their inner struggles. In Dear Missing Friend, the settings of Sag Harbor and Manhattan are not mere locations; they are integral to Catherine's journey. The wharves of Sag Harbor, once bustling with whaling activity, echo the dreams and aspirations of those who sought a better life. Similarly, the streets of 1840s Manhattan serve as a canvas for ambition and heartache.
Catherine's experiences in these places reveal the unique challenges faced by women of her time. They had to navigate a world that often limited their choices. Yet, through her journey, we see how place can also offer opportunities for growth and self-discovery. The rich details of the settings enhance the emotional depth of the story, allowing readers to connect with Catherine's struggles and triumphs on a personal level.
The Legacy of Women in Literature
Literature has long been a space for women to share their stories. The voices of women like Catherine McGuirk remind us of the resilience and strength found in the narratives of the past. These stories are not just historical accounts; they are reflections of our shared humanity. They resonate with the struggles we face today, reminding us that the fight for independence and self-determination is ongoing.
As we read Dear Missing Friend, we are invited to honor the legacy of women who came before us. Their stories inspire us to continue forging our paths, to seek our voices, and to celebrate our unique journeys. Through literature, we can connect with the past while envisioning a brighter future.
Read Dear Missing Friend
Dear Missing Friend by Susan McGuirk is available now from Sea Crow Press. Order your copy here or request it from your local independent bookstore. Follow Susan's ongoing work honoring the women of the past at The Storied Sisters Society on Substack.
About Sea Crow Press
Sea Crow Press is a woman-owned independent publisher based on Cape Cod. We publish coastal literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and poetry inspired by place, history, and the natural world. Explore more of our authors and titles, or submit your work for consideration.
Readers who enjoyed Dear Missing Friend by Susan McGuirk will find a kindred spirit in Virginia Ryan's forthcoming novel The Healer of Corky Row
Details
Publisher: Sea Crow Press (May 19, 2026)
Audio and Print & Ebook Available
Length: 268 pages
ISBN13: 9781961864542
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