The author of “The Seven” talks about writing on the open ocean, divine inspiration, and why horses hold the key to humanity’s redemption

Alison Gieschen’s life reads like an adventure novel itself. After selling everything—including a horse farm—she and her husband embarked on a decade-long journey to circumnavigate the globe by sailboat. Between ocean crossings and exploring 47 countries across four continents, she’s penned her latest work, The Seven, a profound tale about humanity’s final judgment that asks a startling question: What if horses, not angels, were chosen to decide our fate?

Published by Defiance Press and now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook at all booksellers, The Seven weaves together the stories of seven individuals from across the globe in a divine test that will determine mankind’s future. We caught up with Gieschen between ports to discuss her unique writing process, life aboard their sailboat Equus, and the inspiration behind this extraordinary novel.

Your journey to becoming a writer started with your mother’s request. Tell us about that pivotal moment.

You know, it’s funny—I had an English degree from UNCC and dreamed of being a travel journalist, but life had other plans. I got married right out of college, started a family, and we had this horse farm. I became a teacher so I could have summers and holidays off with my three children. Writing a book never even crossed my mind until my mother called one day, frustrated with the books she was reading, and said, “You should write a good one.”

I sat down at my computer, and four weeks later, I had a manuscript that met her specifications, tailored to her age group. I published it through iUniverse and actually won the Rising Star Award for that very first novel. When I held that finished book in my hands, I thought, “Wow, I can do this. I can be an author.”

That led to quite a dramatic life change—selling everything to sail around the world. How did that happen?

[Laughs] Well, I met my husband Dan during a sailboat race on my mother’s boat. That very weekend, he said, “Someday, I want to sail around the world.” I replied, “Me too!” He proposed two weeks later. We had this dream, and we decided to actually do it. We sold everything—yes, the horses and the farm—to make it happen.

The timing felt right because we wanted to share this journey with our aging parents. My mother is now 95, and Dan’s father is 93. They’re both still healthy and active, and they were actually the inspiration for us to start sailing. Dan’s father, who’s a Lutheran minister, married us on the yacht club lawn in New Bern, NC, where we met. He loved the area so much he bought the lot next to my parents and brought his sailboat down from the Chesapeake Bay. Our parents became neighbors and best friends for 20 years.

You’ve named your sailboat Equus—Latin for horse. There’s clearly a deep connection between your equestrian background and your sailing life.

Absolutely! I owned horses my entire life until we sold the farm. Naming our boat Equus was perfect because now I can travel across oceans on our “sea pony.” That equine knowledge became crucial for The Seven because I selected horse breeds with fascinating histories and backgrounds. These breeds, along with their notable traits and personalities, are all explained in my “Story Behind the Story” blog posts on my website.

Speaking of The Seven, this book came from a dream. Can you tell us about that?

It’s ironic—I went to college to study writing, learned how to construct well-plotted stories, and then threw all that schooling out the porthole. My writing style is completely different from what my professors taught me. The Seven started with a dream, and that thread of an idea just dangled in my brain until I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

When I sit down to write, the story plays out in my mind like a movie. I don’t always know where it’s leading, but I go with it. I’m often surprised by the twists and turns. I actually cried at the surprise ending of The Seven. It was shocking, really—I had no preconceived notion of that plot twist.

The premise is fascinating—horses judging humanity instead of angels. Where did that come from?

The theme of The Seven is that all of humanity, regardless of country, continent, religion, or race, shares fundamental values that unite us as one people. I wanted to explore the deep connection between humans and animals, specifically horses, who have carried us through history. These majestic beings know our hearts better than we know ourselves.

The story carries a resounding message about humanity uniting, working together for what matters, and learning to fight for one another rather than against each other. When we bond together as humans, we’re strong enough to overcome individual faults by uniting our strengths. The key theme is that if we bind together for a common goal, there’s nothing we cannot accomplish—we could literally save the world.

One of the seven characters, Ivan Novak, seems particularly close to your heart.

Ivan is one of my favorite characters. He’s the only sailor in the book, and his story is so organic. He had a passion for sailing that he had to keep hidden because his father expected him to continue the family business. Ivan is a pure soul—unassuming, gentle, and his journey is so unique.

When you read Ivan’s story, you become immersed in his narrative. You feel his emotions, root for him, cry for him, and are totally shattered at his reckoning moment. Even as the writer—or more appropriately, the person who wrote down the movie playing in my head—I still cry when I go back and read his story. It’s raw, real, and redeeming. Ivan will restore your faith in humanity.

You describe yourself as “the world’s bravest chicken.” What’s the story behind that?

[Laughs] Everyone tells me how brave I am for sailing around the world, but the truth is, if it weren’t for my husband’s competence, patience, and incredible abilities as a merchant marine and sailor extraordinaire, I would never have made it this far.

On our very first ocean crossing, we got caught between two storms—like something out of The Perfect Storm. Twenty-foot waves crashed onto our deck, ripped our dinghy and solar panels off, and tore through our lifelines. We could have lost our mast. It was terrifying. I developed PTSD after that and struggled whenever the seas became unexpectedly rough.

Twice, we could have sunk. I’ve learned to live with fear and battle it often. My mantra has become: as long as we’re still alive, still in love, and still afloat, I’m going to make it around this world. Meanwhile, writing is my refuge.

What’s next for you?

I have a children’s book coming out next month called Seanna—Mermaid Tales. I’ve always loved mermaids—I named my daughter Kathryn Ariel after The Little Mermaid. This early reader chapter book features real sea creatures and highlights human impact on our oceans. It’s illustrated by a five-time international award-winning children’s illustrator. Spoiler alert: the sequel about a boy merkid named Marlin is already written!

I’m also working on Riding the Waves of Reality II: Mediterranean Mayhem and Magic, the sequel to my nonfiction book about our sailing adventures. As an avid scuba diver, I’m deeply connected to marine life and want to share that fascination through my children’s books.

How can readers connect with you and follow your adventures?

We’re very active on social media under “Sailmates”—we have a YouTube channel, Instagram, and Facebook. On my author website, alisongieschen.com, people can sign up for my newsletter for insider tips and stories. I also maintain our sailing blog at sailmates.org. We share our adventures because it’s important to us that our family, friends, and book followers can live vicariously through these amazing experiences.

Any final thoughts for readers considering The Seven?

This is such a unique book that I decided to create “Story Behind the Story” blog posts for each of the seven characters. Each story is based on a person or place special to me—I’ve either visited those places or know someone from that country. The characters are spread across continents and around the globe.

The Seven will challenge you to think about what really matters, about the choices that define us, and about our connection to the creatures who share this planet. It’s a story of redemption, second chances, and the extraordinary bond between humans and animals. Most importantly, it asks whether humanity has strayed too far from its purpose to be saved—and the answer might surprise you.

The Seven by Alison Gieschen is available now in paperback, ebook, and audiobook from Defiance Press and all major booksellers. For more about Alison’s adventures and upcoming releases, visit alisongieschen.com or follow Sailmates on social media.