That time again ...

This year's flown by (I'm sure I say that ever year) and it's been an exciting one writing-wise, and my most productive to date. Since joining Bookouture I've finished two of the three novels I've been contracted to write, and it's been so enjoyable, knowing there's an end result; that my books are going to be published and (hopefully) read!

The cover reveal for the first in the series was posted on social media this week, and although the book won't be launched until 2nd March, it's now available to pre-order on Amazon. It was exciting to see - I have to keep pinching myself.

I have to write book three next, and as it's going to be set around Christmas now would be the ideal time to get going, but I've only just finished book two and MUST do Christmas for real first. I've done nothing so far, and there's a big old tangle of fairy lights with my name on them. I'll probably bin them and buy new ones as usual ...

Whatever you're doing, I hope you remain tangle free.

Have a wonderful Christmas, and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.

Good news

A wonderful start to September, as I've been signed by award-winning digital publisher Bookouture for a three book deal.

I'm going to be writing a series of romantic comedies set in a Dorset seaside town, and the first - The Beachside Sweetshop - is due to be published next March. All being well. I still say that, as I feel like I'm tempting fate otherwise.

I'd been looking at Bookouture's website at the beginning of the year, after reading how well they'd done in a short space of time, selling almost 3 million ebooks, and realised they publish a lot of authors whose books I've read and enjoyed.

I was daydreaming that my writing might be a good fit for them one day, so was utterly delighted to be approached to write a series, set in a particular location, where characters from one book would pop up in another.

I love writing rom-coms - more com than rom - so it was really a no-brainer, and growing up in a seaside town made it easy to think of a location. I managed a first draft of the first book in around 3 months, and while waiting for editorial feedback I'm getting on with the second.

I've been to feel very welcome already and it feels wonderful to be part of a supportive and talented team - I feel I'm in strong and capable hands.

It's also great to have a goal to work towards, and a brilliant incentive to write every day, but of course that doesn't happen as I'm still amazing at procrastinating, and only knuckle down properly once the deadline can no longer be ignored.

And now it's getting to that stage, so it's sleeves up, head down - time to Get On With It.

Summer Days

How the months fly by when you're having fun. Or when you're busy. I've been writing A LOT over the past few months - some exciting news may be on the way, she says cryptically - and in between have managed to squeeze in a summery visit from my mother, with associated days out; one at a grand manor house with beautiful gardens, as my mum doesn't have one of her own and loves photographing flowers.

I've also become a volunteer dog-walker at our local rescue centre, which is rewarding - though on my first walk with a patient and dogged (see what I did there?) little fellow called Hovis (from Romania) I managed to get lost, my sense of direction no better than it's ever been, resulting in a far longer walk than either of us had anticipated. I had visions of him sleeping soundly for the rest of the week, and hiding if he ever sees me again. Though he's hopefully found a new home now.

I was delighted to have a 'spine-tingling' short story published in The People's Friend this week, but the short stories are more or less on hold for the time being as I've a novel draft to write. And I've a visit to Devon with friends next week, then a short trip to Jersey with Lovely Husband in September. We've never been there, and are looking forward to exploring the island.

I hope you're all enjoying your summer, which seems to have started late in terms of the weather, but it's so beautifully sunny today I may slip my cardigan off ...