Looking Back on 2024

Apologies for the lack of posts over the last few months. I last posted about 'hooks in books' on September 17th and that is the longest period without a post since I started the blog in January 2014. I have been writing, editing, attending meetings, giving author talks and selling books at book fair so I am very much still involved in the writing world.

Every year at this time, I look back and reflect on what my goals were for the year and consider how many I've managed to achieve. 

In 2024, I wrote 15 blog posts, way down on the year before. The year started well with nine of those being posts from guest writers who wrote about their forthcoming books. For me, supporting other authors is one of the most rewarding features of running a blog and I regret not inviting more writers onto the blog in the second half of the year. I love hearing about the 'stories behind the stories', the research writers have undertaken and about their writing journeys. 

Although 2024 was a lean year for blog posts, it was in fact the most successful for me since I started writing. In February, I remember my shock and thrill to receive an email informing me that my fourth novel, The Secret Sister, had been shortlisted in the Romantic Saga of the Year in the 2024 RONAs. I was sworn to secrecy until the shortlists were publicly announced on April 9th. I was bursting to tell someone! As you know, I absolutely loved writing that novel, having visited beautiful Sicily on a research trip the year before. 

Before the awards ceremony in May, in April, my first three novels were given new titles, covers and blurbs and this revamp resulted in considerably increased sales and ratings/reviews.

In May, my daughter and I took a whistle-stop research trip to Kefalonia where novel five is set. It was so good to walk in the footsteps of my characters. I was able to allow my senses to see, hear, taste and smell what Eleni would have done on her first visit to the stunning Greek island. I hope that sense of place will come over to you, the readers, when the book is published next year.

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Back from the trip, it was down to London for the awards evening. What an amazing experience that was! I didn't win but was so delighted to have been shortlisted. You may read the blog post about the RNA Awards and the Joffe Garden party two days later HERE.

 

In 2024, I attended three book fairs and gave two talks about my books and my writing journey. As well as selling books, it was so good to talk about the stories and where my inspiration came from.

Giving a talk at Llandrindod Library
my home town.

All ready for the Winter Book Fair, Pontypridd.

In August, I attended the RNA Conference at Royal Holloway University. Again, it was excellent; I learned so much and enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new ones. 

I was pleased to have two of my flashes included in the Worcestershire LitFest Flash Fiction 2024 Anthology again this year. Because the date of the launch clashed with the Winter Book Fair, I read out one of them via Zoom.

In November, the year ended on a high for me. I signed a contract for two further books with my publisher, Joffe/ Choc Lit. With working titles of The Silent Sister set in Kefalonia and The Stolen Sister set in Crete, I'm excited to know that two more stories will be reaching my loyal readers. Watch this space for publication dates soon!

So how did I do in achieving my goals?

• to complete the first draft of The Silent Sister  - ✅                          
• to edit and polish it until it is as good as I can get it - ✅
• to submit to my editor - ✅
• to make a research trip to Kefalonia where the novel is partially set - ✅
• to start a newsletter and build up a list of subscribers - ❌
• to attend the RNA Conference in August at Royal Holloway - ✅
• to continue to support other writers - partially ✅. Have tried to share cand repost on social media but could do better on my blog! 
• to start researching and planning novel six, to be set in Crete - ✅.                                                                                      

Thank you for reading and for all your support in 2024. I'd like to especially thank all of you who have bought or downloaded my novels. The number of reviews and ratings have blown me away and help so much to calm down the old Imposter Syndrome that's ever present!

🎄🎄Happy Christmas to you all. See you in 2025! 🎄🎄                                                 .

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For more information about me and my books, please visit my Amazon page.