Lafourche native pens his first novel

By Jewel Bush
The Courier

HOUMA -- Ernest de l’Autin released his debut novel, the first in a trilogy, "Reach to the Wounded Healer," in May and already has the second book completed.

In fact, de l’Autin is 12 chapters into the last installment of the series and has laid out plans for his second set of three books and even a screenplay.

The Thibodaux native, currently residing in Nederland, Texas, has an inexhaustible work ethic.

"When it hits, you have to put it down on paper," de l’Autin said.

"I’ll hear a song, see something or experience something, and I’ll go away for two hours and come back with a chapter. I take notes in church. I will even buy cloth napkins in restaurants to write on."

De l’Autin has always been awestruck with classical literature, but after graduating from Central Lafourche High School in 1975, he chose to study chemistry at Nicholls State University.

He also pursued advanced training, which includes a master’s degree plus 60 credit hours from the University of Southern Mississippi and post-graduate biochemistry studies at Tulane University in New Orleans.

De l’Autin, the eldest of two siblings, set out for a successful career in science research and for more than a decade he met and exceeded his goals.

He taught chemistry at Nicholls from 1984-1990, did internal consulting work for various companies including managing Y2K compliance for a Fortune 500 company, and worked in organizational development, performance improvement and change management.

In 1998, the pressure of near-constant travel, the stress of raising teenagers and the sorrow of losing a loved one began to weigh on de l’Autin.

He said he decided to take a sabbatical from his lucrative executive position and put his passion for writing first.

His wife, high-school sweetheart Debra Anne, and their three children supported his choice.

"I was unfulfilled in what I was doing. When I got to corporate America, I was disappointed when I got to the top," said de l’Autin, now 46. "I thought I would be able to make a profound difference in the lives of people."

He downsized his family’s lifestyle, selling the boat and camp. For six months, de l’Autin ate, slept and perfected the story of Paul de la Moret’s inner struggle with unwelcome visions.

"Reach to the Wounded Healer," a self-published venture that came to fruition with the help of the North Carolina-based Ivy House Publishing Group, has been 23 years in the making.

Busy with his career, de l’Autin was never able to give the project his full attention. He wrote an occasional chapter about Paul’s attempts to uncover the truth behind an apparition on a journey that leads him and faithful friend, John, from the Houma-Thibodaux bayous to Russia and the Ukraine.

Having put off "Reach to the Wounded Healer" long enough, de l’Autin committed to making the project a success. He hired an editorial consulting firm to assist with the book.

For nearly three years, the group edited and rewrote "Reach to the Wounded Healer," and, in the process, chapter 25 became the first chapter and chapter 19 became the second.

It was at the firm’s suggestion de l’Autin turned what was originally intended to be one book into a series of three. The concept for "Reach to the Wounded Healer" is based on de l’Autin’s admiration for such prose as "St. John of the Cross" and "The Dark Night of the Soul" in addition to his experiences as a college professor and scientist.

De l’Autin describes his first novel as a "prayer" that encourages self-exploration as well as a trip down memory lane. Legendary New Orleans weatherman Nash Roberts, Dufrene’s Bakery in Golden Meadow and Mae Mae’s Snowball Stand in Chauvin are among the historical, factual references.

Since the book was released nearly four months ago, de l’Autin has received notable praise. Readers often comment that "Reach to the Wounded Healer" is a page-turner that is hard to put down.

KBTV, a Nederland TV station, gave his book rave reviews and the local Barnes & Noble store named "Reach to the Wounded Healer" the August book of the month.

"Writing is a passion for me. Even when I’m tired, I’m never too tired to write. I’m never too tired to do something that involves writing," de l’Autin said. "I’ve loved every step of the process."

Today, de l’Autin balances his new profession as an up and coming author with his full-time career as an independent consultant and coach.

De l’Autin will be at the Nicholls State University Bookstore from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday signing copies of "Reach to the Wounded Healer."

On Oct. 23, de l’Autin will return to Louisiana for a book signing in New Orleans. He is planning a mid-November book signing in Baton Rouge.

"Reach to the Wounded Healer," a hardback, is available in most bookstores and online.

For information about de l’Autin visit http://www.ernestdelautin.com/.

Courier staff writer Jewel Bush can be reached at 857-2207 or jewel.bush@houmatoday.com.