Sayville Resident Self-Publishes Novel Featuring Local History

SAYVILLE, NY—"The Bayman's Daughter" is the fifth self-published novel by Sayville resident Theresa Dodaro and one she says she wrote with the Sayville community in mind. Dodaro released the book on Kindle and is printing out copies on demand, exclusively available at Sayville Village shop The Catbird Seat.

"The Bayman's Daughter" was inspired by Dodaro's research on her own home in Sayville, once owned by a bayman. That became the launching point for the novel which follows a bayman's daughter, and another bayman's daughter in West Sayville she befriends, in 1912. The novel has a time traveling plot and explores the cultural landscape of the area.

Dodaro told Patch she always wanted to write a novel and after becoming very ill, promised herself she'd follow through on that lifelong dream. She created a trilogy inspired by her childhood in Baldwin and later, a historical novel about two girls in World War II called "The Porcelain Doll."

Dodaro spent three years researching her latest work, poring over historical documents at the library and watching a 2010 series of interviews done with long-time Sayville residents. Dodaro runs the popular Sayville community Facebook group Sayville Happenings & History.

"Sayville has generations of people who've lived here and they are very fond of their history."

Dodaro also took inspiration from local historical sites like the historic Meadow Croft estate. The young protagonist's mother in the novel is an Irish maid working at the country estates that once dotted Sayville and the South Shore.

Dodaro said she once hoped to find a traditional publisher for her work, but has found an enthusiastic reception from a local audience and has sold 200 copies of her latest work in the last week.

"So far this book has surpassed all expectations."