When I first started writing, I used to believe that if I was lucky enough to acquire an agent and a publishing deal, it would be onwards and upwards from that moment on. Further – bigger and better – publishing deals would follow as surely as day follows night and I would frolic happily in uplit pastures, the querying trenches a dim and distant memory.

Ha!

It’s different for everyone but, for me, the post publication journey has been more South-West Coast Path than flower-strewn, ‘The Hills are Alive’ meadow. Luckily, I love a good yomp along the cliffs and it’s just as well because the steep climbs, multiple inlets and destinations that look two miles away and end up being ten certainly aren’t for the faint hearted!

I’m so happy and grateful for my journey so far. Three books published in the last two years; two genres, two names, two fabulous publishers. I remember writing the first line of Another Us, not sure I would finish the page or the chapter, let alone the whole book … and then fast forward to the thrill of publication, the wonderful messages from readers, the first category bestseller tag, the first {only) foreign deal. I remember contemplating writing a historical saga and remarking to my husband that it felt as alien as tightrope walking … and then falling in love with the research and the period and the total joy at the first category bestseller tag there too. And I think about all the wonderful people I have met along the way – many of whom have become lovely friends – and I realise just how lucky I am.

And now I’m out of contract.

Standing at the crosswords, I’m not entirely sure of what route I’ll take or even precisely where I’m headed.  There are a myriad of possibilities, some tantalising X’s on the map and even the glimpse of an exciting destination on the horizon – however far away that horizon might turn out to be. But, always, there is the utter joy of writing, of crafting a story, of wordsmithing a sentence …

Time to tie up my walking boots, face into the wind and put my best foot forwards.

Onwards and upwards!