Reflections on my debut year…
The year got off to a great start with two YA short stories
accepted for publication. One in Northern Gravy, and one in PaperBound magazine.
Another YA short story made the Searchlight Short Story Award longlist.
I’ve been able to work on a YA that received Arts Council funding,
and have had the chance to work with the amazing Patrice Lawrence and Emma
Roberts.
I got a contract for a reading scheme book and wrote it this
year.
Another huge event this year was making the shortlist for
the Wells Lit Fest Children’s Novel award with a YA novel, and the WriteBlend shortlist for Autumn Moonbeam.
I’ve done BookJiveLive the online open mic event for
children’s writers twice this year.
I was a tutor for my first ever workshop on writing chapter
books.
Autumn Moonbean being featured in the Irish Examiner top children's books from 2022.
2022 has been a huge year for me, my debut year for my
Autumn Moonbeam chapter book series. Having a book published has been something
I’ve dreamt of since I was at school, so 2022 has been a dream come true.
If I was starting 2022 I would give myself (and other
writers) this advice…
Celebrate all the wins – no matter how small. It’s a
hard slog and a long journey this writing malarkey, so print out good reviews
or a positive comment so you can read it on the harder days. It’s always easier
to remember the bad and not the good.
Seeing my book available for pre-order, then in bookshops has
been amazing. Sadly, my first book came out as Waterstones had their system change and it's meant even now there's not many branches with copies instore, but it's been amazing to see it in those that have. Big shout out to Wolverhampton Waterstones, my local branch, as they have been so lovely and supportive.
The most exciting thing about being a debut is probably signing a book for a child
for the first time. She came to me clutching a copy she’d already read; I cried
happy tears afterwards, and probably will every time I'm asked to sign a book!
It’s okay to be scared – Nothing could really have
prepared me for how scared and anxious I’d be this year. I think it’s good to realise
that it’s normal to go through a mass of emotions, including the bad ones, even
when it’s your dreams coming true. It’s stressful and a big change and there’s
so much out of your control, so focus on the things you can do and what you
enjoy doing.
Despite being absolutely terrified of standing up and
talking in front of people, one of the biggest things to celebrate this year has
been doing school visits. I especially loved talking to the kids during the Q and
A sessions and hearing all their questions, especially the slightly unexpected
ones.
Write – Don’t forget you wrote a book because you
love writing. Sometimes when you’re caught up with the marketing and trying to
promote your book you lose sight of why you are there in the first place. So
find that happy place again and write something new, and write something you
feel excited about.
It has been a really busy year promoting the Autumn Moonbeam
books, and I sometimes forget I also wrote a first draft of a new YA, and a
reading scheme book, and lots of bits of freewriting and research along the
way, and those shiny new ideas that forever try to derail me from what I’m supposed
to be writing!
Find your tribe – I’ve been so lucky to be part of
some amazing writing groups, and I can’t stress how important this has been for
me. Being part of the writing community and being connected via social media
and in person is such a privilege. I have met so many lovely friends along the
way.
If you’re a debut writer, I can guarantee there’s a debut
group out there for you to join. I was part of two Debut22 groups, one with
just children’s authors, and the other with a mix of authors writing for all
age groups. It’s made my debut year so much better to have friends going
through the same ups and downs and it’s so much nicer to be able to cheer
others on and spot friend’s books in shops.
Mental Health – It’s a whirlwind in your debut year,
sometimes it’s tumbleweeds and other times it’s hyper speed (isn’t it at every
stage as a writer?!). It’s so important to remember that no matter how much you
want to, you just can’t do everything, think about what you actually enjoy
doing and do that. Take time for you, and rest, it’s physically and mentally
exhausting at times and it’s so important to take the time to rest and recharge.
I’ve loved doing school visits, both virtual and in person,
and connecting with readers by sending letters and signed postcards to schools
and indie bookshops or doing workshops in my local Waterstones. It’s been wonderful
and exciting, there’s nothing better than getting a great review or seeing a
child reading your book but burn out is real and this year I’ve been
anxiety-ridden and burnt out in equal measure. Don’t feel guilty to take time
for you and rest. Just read, or do something just for you, being published isn’t
going to suddenly vanish if you take some time out.
Most importantly – your words are out there in the
world, and that might be scary at times but it’s also the most amazing feeling.
You’ve achieved something many never do, you’ve finished a book and it’s out
there or going out into the world, be proud, and in the words of Autumn Moonbeam…
you’re spell-tastic!
Here's to a writerly 2023, and thank you to everyone who has made my 2022 so special!
If you'd like to buy a copy of Autumn Moonbeam: Dance Magic, or Spooky Sleepover they are available to order from indie bookshops, Waterstones, Amazon, online and on the Hive bookstore website.
