Still to be Written

Image by Peter H from Pixabay

​2019 witnessed one of the most incredible moments of my life as a writer to date, and one of the worst. At the start of the year I signed my first book contract. In the fall, a few weeks before my debut novel was set to be released, the publisher announced they were closing - effective immediately.

The closure was a shock. In retrospect there were a few warning signs something was wrong, but nothing that hinted at them folding.

While being told my book would not be published four days after receiving the paperback proof is not the result I was hoping for, I’m grateful for the experience of working to publish my novel. I learned a lot.

I learned about the process of editing and preparing a book for publication. I also got a glimpse of the marketing side and how to work with new media to spread the word about my novel. I’m far from an expert, but I know so much more now than I did before.

I’m also grateful for the feedback I received from those who read my novel and agreed to be on my review team. The support I was given by those around me (both online and in the real world) is something I cherish and strive to reciprocate. That has been a wonderful experience.

And even when things got rough, and I was angry at the entire writing experience, one truth has always stayed. Whether they reach publication or not, there are more stories to be written, more tales lurking inside my mind waiting to be unleashed on the page.

I’m the best version of me when writing is a part of my daily routine. And when I was feeling grumpy and bitter about the publication process, sitting down to write a new story helped re-energize my love of storytelling.

One day everything will fall into place, and I’ll get my writing published. In the meantime, there is always another story to tell.

I look forward to the new and beautiful stories 2020 will bring to both me and everyone else.
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Happy New Year!