This time last year my social media platforms were flooded with images of my debut novel, The Daughter in Law. I was so thrilled to have been offered a book deal to write three psychological thrillers for Boldwood to be published between 2019 and 2020 and I was making sure everyone knew about it. There was a definite buzz around Boldwood as a brand new publishing house and the first book that they were publishing, which just happened to be mine.
Would I ever have thought all those years ago when I was intermittently pulling out the manuscript, giving it a dust off and resending it out to agents and publishers that there was this wonderful independent publishing house waiting for me? Yes I did. I just knew it was a matter of time.
Like many writers, my journey to publication was not straight forward! I spent many years perfecting the same manuscript and taking breaks in between to work and raise a family. My goal of publication always remained on the horizon; sometimes a mere, will-o’-the- wisp like flicker, only I knew I would one day reach my goal. Then in February 2019, I signed my very first three book deal and The Daughter in Law was published 1st August 2019.
Looking back over the last 12 months, the highlight for me would have to be my first publishing meeting in London. I met with my literary agent, CEO and founder of Boldwood Books, Amanda and my editor, Nia. The four of us talked through the marketing campaign and enthusiastically toasted The Daughter In Law over a delicious boozy lunch in the sunshine. That was the pinnacle moment, when I truly felt like a proper (slightly inebriated) author. I was still on a high days later as I enjoyed dinner out with girlfriends to continue the celebrations. Halfway through my main course, as I was raving about my new life as a fully-fledged author, my phone rang; my editors name flashing on the screen. By the time I had excused myself to take the very important call from the literary world, she had rung off. Minutes later a text came through explaining she called me by mistake. But for a moment, I was a character in my own movie, receiving calls from my editor over dinner! A year later I am still riding that high; whenever I see an email or receive a call from my editor, or anyone from Boldwood, I still get that fluttery feeling in my stomach because I can guarantee it will always be good news.
One particular email that got my pulse racing was the one where I was told The Daughter In Law had sold over 50,000 copies!
I feel so proud to have been a part of the Bloodwood journey from the start and watching them grow so successfully as a publishing house over these last 12 months. I am incredibly lucky to have forged a cracking relationship with my editor, we are literally on the same page when it comes to cover designs, edits and titles and I am unbelievably excited to have recently signed a second 3 book deal, which will see me publishing books into 2022. I have also thoroughly enjoyed seeing the work from the other authors of Boldwood. I have even had the pleasure of reading a couple of them and reviewed one for my book podcast, Sniffing The Pages.
So Happy Birthday Boldwood, thanks so much for having me, congratulations on a fabulous year and here’s to many many more.