Sometimes life takes us on unexpected detours, and sometimes they are ones we didn’t realise we needed.
Last year, I had two books with looming deadlines. I knew the timescales were tight when I took on the contracts, but I was confident I could deliver them. We have all done it, when we know a target is ambitious, but think 'I can handle this'. However, for whatever reason, the universe had other plans.
Circumstances changed, new challenges presented themselves, and as the time ran out it became obvious I wasn't going to be able to complete either manuscript by the date expected, or at least not to a standard I was happy with. Instead, I decided to speak with the publisher, explain the situation and see what could be agreed. They were fantastic, they fully understood, and revised deadlines were agreed. One book, Secret Perth, has since been published, with the second, Celebrating St Andrews, being due for release in April.
Despite the positive outcome, I had decided to focus on other works for a while, rather than take on more contracts. There were specific topics I wanted to explore, ideas that didn’t necessarily fit into the narratives most mainstream publishers look for. My decision was made.
2025 has already proven to be an incredibly busy year. I’m currently deep into a complete rewrite of an earlier fictional novel, and while working on it, I decided to tackle another rewrite, although that will likely wait until next year. Beyond that, I have plans for several new books this year, including an exciting new series I will be co-writing, more on that to follow in the coming months.
Then, I received an email from my publishers. asking if I’d be interested in some more titles. Out of curiosity, I checked the new themes they were looking for and realised one was a perfect fit for one of the books I had been planning, and there was an opportunity for another stand-alone title as well.
Nothing is confirmed yet, but my proposals will be submitted this week, and I’ll hear in due course whether they have been accepted. A long delivery date has already been discussed, as I have no intention of dropping or changing anything I’d already planned. But at least two of these books may now find a home with a mainstream publisher, giving me the perfect balance I had envisioned between independent and traditionally published titles.
There is a lesson to be learned in these ramblings. No matter how tough things may seem, don't give up. What appear as obstacles may actually be stepping stones. If you are struggling, speak to someone. The outcome is rarely as bad as a stressed mind will make you think, and they may just have the answers you need. Sometimes slowing down a bit, is the best way forward. I could have rushed to submit substandard work, but that would have been unlikely to have delivered the outcome that just pausing for breath did. And keep dreaming, you never know what may come of it.
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