Elsewhere Turns One!

Today marks one year since the release of my debut novel, Elsewhere. This book marked a big step in my author career, finally getting me in the door of the traditional publishing industry. Since then, it’s been a whirlwind of firsts – first paperback, first audiobook, first book signing, author events, meeting readers and more. I had an interview on the radio, a feature in the local paper, and plenty of lovely Goodreads reviews that keep me going.

But how did we get here?

I first wrote Elsewhere (formally known as Gifted) back in 2021. This particular story came very easy to me, and it was finished within 3 months. Later that year, I began querying. About nine months later, I got a response from Wombat Books, asking for a full synopsis. I sent it through then completely forgot about it, until three months later when I got another response, asking if I’d like some feedback. At the time, I didn’t know what that meant. I now know that any publisher willing to give you feedback is a HUGE sign. So I took the feedback on, made the necessary changes and sent the manuscript back.

It was about another twelve months before I finally got my acceptance and signed my first book deal. The wait was long but totally worth it. A year later, I signed the deal for Somewhere and a year after that, I joined the Rhiza Shorts writing group and signed a deal for a novella coming 2027.

Though my experience with publishing hasn’t been the fame-and-fortune dream I always had, it has taught me a LOT about the publishing industry and how it works in reality. So far, I’ve learned that working with a small press is nothing to be ashamed of. They keep in contact with me, they take on my suggestions and feedback regarding cover design, and they continue to push backlist so that older books aren’t forgotten about once new stuff comes along. I’ve gotten to know some of my fellow Wombat authors too, and it’s great to have people in my circle who feel like coworkers, who cheer each other on and support each other’s books.

I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting new readers at events, seeing their eyes light up at the gorgeous cover (courtesy of the talented Carmen Dougherty at Wombat Books) or at my simple selling phrase: “It’s like Narnia meets Matilda!” I met a lovely little girl who received a specially-made, limited edition crochet doll of Elsie from me. I’ve heard stories of parents/grandparents reading the book with their children/grandchildren and what a beautiful memory that made for them. I hope the sequels can do the same.

Elsewhere has given me a lot to be thankful for, but it’s also given readers a lot and that’s what has made me the happiest. Artists often say on release day, “X is now yours” and I think I finally understand what they mean. The story of Elsewhere, the characters, the world, doesn’t really feel like mine anymore – not after all the editing and development it’s been through. But it belongs to the world now and maybe that’s okay. I hope the world continues to enjoy it and that it does the one thing I intended when I wrote it – to bring people joy.

Here’s to another year of Elsewhere. May it continue to find new readers and bring people together.