The holidays have come and gone, which means a New Year has officially begun! As the planners are pulled out and a fresh slate of twelve months full of possibilities stretches before us, I've been taking some time to reflect on all the beauty and big moments of this past year.
It began with a wonderful bang: signing the publishing contract for my debut novel with Jenny Hale's sparkly new, romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road Press! Opening my welcome letter from Jenny was such an exciting way to start this author adventure.
The Winter brought a whole new world of settling into author life and editing, as I worked with the Harpeth Road team to polish up my romance manuscript for publication. Lots of long days spent at the computer - coffee was a must!
As a flower lover, one of the most joyful seasons of each year is Spring, when all the gardens and greenery slowly come back to life, before bursting into vibrant colour. The cherry blossom, tulips, and magnolias did not dissapoint this year.
Summer was full of author-life firsts and the usual fun in the sun. I celebrated the completion of my first round of edits - in fitting fashion with ice cream and roses - and took advantage of the gorgeous, balmy days to soak up every last bit of sunshine and warmth.
So much of the inspiration for my writing is drawn from the beauty of nature, and Fall has always been one of my very favourite times of year. There's something truly magical about the landscape lighting up with warm, golden and amber hues, and the crisp, rainy days were perfect for nights spent putting the finishing touches on my novel.
And then, Christmas came again, brimming with the season's customary sparkle and coziness. A time for family and friends, baking and decorating, goodwill and giving - and this year, getting the amazing gift of proofreading through the professionally typeset pages of my debut novel in preparation for its fast-approaching book launch!
Looking forward, the coming year is set to start off with another thrilling bang. My debut holiday romance is scheduled to be published in January, right in time for Valentine's Day. Through the pages of this sweet story about family, friendship, and following your heart, I can't wait to bring an extra special dose of hope, joy, and holiday magic to the beginning of your new year too!
xoxo, Emma