30. June 2026

Small Wins, New Beginnings, and Moving Forward

This week was a reminder that success doesn't always come in big, dramatic moments. Sometimes it's found in the quiet victories that keep you moving forward.

One of the highlights of my week was attending an event at work. From a sales perspective, it wasn't exactly a record-breaker, I sold just three books. But strangely enough, I walked away feeling happy. The conversations I had with readers were genuine, I met some wonderful people, and it reminded me why I enjoy these events in the first place. Not every event has to be about numbers. Sometimes simply connecting with readers is enough.

On a less positive note, I had to deal with an unfortunate situation involving an artist I'd been considering working with. It became clear that the portfolio wasn't entirely what it seemed, with AI-generated work being presented as original artwork. As someone who values creativity and wants to support real artists, that was disappointing. It reinforced how important trust and transparency are in any creative collaboration.

Thankfully, every setback seems to open the door to something better.

I'm incredibly excited to share that I've found a wonderful new artist, Nina, who will be creating the artwork for my special editions and character arts going forward. Her style is exactly what I was hoping for, and I can't wait to see our ideas come to life together. This feels like the beginning of a really exciting creative partnership.

Another milestone this week was signing the contract for the Brazilian edition of my book, where everything started. It still feels surreal to write those words. Knowing that my book will soon be available again to readers in Brazil is both humbling and exciting. It's something I've hoped for, and seeing it become a reality is a reminder of how far this journey has come.

Of course, there has also been plenty of writing.

I've been making progress on my paranormal detective novel, and after a lot of thought, I decided to change the title. The book is now called Before the Clock Stops. Finding the right title is never easy, but this one finally feels like it captures the atmosphere and mystery I've been building. Sometimes a title simply clicks, and this feels like one of those moments.

I'm also delighted to be participating in a charity anthology organised by Sue. It's a privilege to contribute to a project that supports a good cause while working alongside other talented authors. My contribution is a short story titled Project Genesis, and I'm really enjoying exploring a different format. Writing short fiction has its own challenges, but it's been refreshing to dive into a new world and tell a complete story in fewer pages, that in the future I might become something bigger.

Looking back, this week had a little bit of everything: small successes, unexpected frustrations, exciting opportunities, and plenty of words written. Not every chapter of this publishing journey is dramatic, but each one moves the story forward.

See you next week.