It’s been a good reading year for me. I completed my Goodreads challenge of 25 in plenty of time, getting to 28 books in total. It’s not the biggest target, but I’m pleased I made it.
I’ve read a mixture of romance, urban fantasy and fantasy with a couple of thrillers, a how to book and a graphic novel thrown in.
You can check out all the books I read on my goodreads challenge here.
I’ve been transported to some amazing locations and different worlds, I’ve been entertained and kept up too late at night on many occasions!
I try to read as many books as I can by fellow indie authors or those published by small presses, and I’ve discovered new to me authors whose work I will be searching out in the future.
I haven’t reviewed as many books on my blog as I would have liked in 2022, but I try to leave reviews or at least ratings on Goodreads and Amazon because as an author I know how important these are.
Looking back over the list on Goodreads, I find it almost impossible to pick a favourite. But If I had to, I think I would say The Switch by Beth O’Leary. I only picked it up because so many agents rate her work and having read this book I can completely see why. I highly recommend it.
Did you meet any reading challenges you set yourself? Have you got a favourite read you can recommend?
I will be back in the new year with some of the books I plan to read during 2023.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories
As this year draws to a close, I’m planning my writing aspirations for 2023.
This year has been very much focused on short fiction, but I’m determined to make 2023 the year I work on my longer fiction projects = the fantasy trilogy and my contemporary women’s fiction series set in Cornwall.
I have a few housekeeping issues that need addressing too, so I’ll list them first in the hopes of getting those tasks out of the way asap.
To Do List 2023
Publish all three short story collections as Large Print Editions – this is an experiment to hopefully make the books more appealing to libraries.
Consider whether it is worth producing all books in hardback format. They look beautiful but it costs more. Will libraries be more willing to stock hardback versions?
Approach libraries to stock my books.
Get the audiobook of Fantasy Short Stories produced.
Update all books with details of my new releases in 2022. This will involve updating the format of the books with the new style table of contents Amazon now requires.
Ensure all ARC copies I have to offer reviewers are updated versions as per above.
Contact more reviewers for both ebooks and audiobooks.
Attempt to join the RNA when the New Writers Scheme opens in January.
Writing Plans 2023
The Mermaid Hotel Series
Book 1 is pretty much complete and a much stronger book than it was this time last year. I’ve decided to approach agents and publishers direct to see what the feedback is like before deciding on the self publishing route. Once I make my decision it will be full steam ahead!
I need to develop the drafts of books 2 and 3 and hope to publish them in 2023 if that is the path I choose.
Work on the series bible, complete a series timeline, work out the arc of the series and draft the other novels asap.
Starlight Prophecy Trilogy
If I could just get over the block in my planning I could finish the first two books in 2023 and start planning book 3. I would also love to start publishing this series in 2023.
To achieve my goal, I need to strip the idea back to its basic premise and work out the series arc as well as for each individual novel. I also need to brainstorm the books with my husband as that usually helps me figure out plot issues.
Other writing
Short fantasy series – I have a couple of characters that arrived on the paper some years ago and I really want to get their story written. It feels like a strong contender for a short series, perhaps around 50k per book.
Silent Sea Chronicles – I’d love to revisit this world in 2023. Whether that is with short stories or longer works, I won’t know until I write them. I do know that I want to finish the prequel and I have ideas for future stories that need exploring.
Later in the year I may decide to write some more short stories for publication too. Another Christmas themed one, or paranormal stories maybe. I have a few romance ideas that need developing as well, though what length they’ll turn out to be I’m not sure yet.
For the start of the year I want to focus on just the two series, but everything else can still simmer at the back of my mind until I’m ready to get on with them.
Other Plans
Get a part time job. The cost of living crisis is taking its toll so at some point it looks like I’ll have to take the plunge into the workplace again. It’s a big decision for me as it will take away from my writing time. Somehow, I’ll have to be more organised. That, or we need to win the lottery!
That about sums up my plans for 2023, though no doubt something else will come along and distract me.
Whatever the new year brings, let’s start positive and have fun!
See you again soon for some of my favourite reads of 2022.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories
I love to look back over the year’s achievements before planning the next year’s goals. 2022 has not had all the publishing success I was hoping for but I have achieved a lot and can’t grumble too loudly!
Publishing three short story collections is pretty good going and I’m particularly proud of the latest one – A Christmas Wish. It was such fun to write 8 stories in just over a month and I proved to myself that if I set my mind to a task anything is possible.
Although I didn’t get my romance series out into the world, I have got book one in a much stronger place and I’m still really excited about the series working as a whole. I have yet to decide how best to approach the publication of it. I love self publishing, but would an agent and traditional publisher have a better chance reaching more readers?
I’ve also just found out the RNA (Romantic Novelist Association) are opening the New Writers scheme in January so that is another opportunity I need to explore. I’ve heard how brilliant it can be, so it’s worth giving it a shot. It’s all about who gets online the quickest, so I think it will be as hard to join as getting tickets to a Coldplay concert in the Albert Hall – something I tried and failed to do this year!
As the above are all small books I’ve experimented with publishing hardback copies and I have to say they look fantastic on the shelf and are lovely to read. The biggest drawback is the cost.
I’ve also recently managed to get ‘A Christmas Wish’ and ‘Love, Loss and Life In Between’ produced into audiobooks. Watch this space for the release date of the later. I am on the look out for audio reviewers, so please leave a comment below, or use the Contact form if you are interested.
Fantasy Short Stories is more difficult to produce in audiobook as it focuses on characters from previous books that have already been narrated wonderfully by different narrators. I’m thinking that is an issue to resolve in 2023.
Other events / achievements in 2022
I attended a fantastic writing retreat in the summer run by Janet Gover and Alison May, met agents at Winchester, attended the local Christmas fair with my new books (see the post here), and have stuck to meeting with my library writing group almost monthly, only missing once when I had Covid back in March.
I’ve enjoyed several blog tours run by Rachel’s Random Resources which are a great way to celebrate a new publication and share it with reviewers.
I’ve also enjoyed taking part in the Advent Train Story through December where 24 flash fiction stories were shared by different authors. Here’s the link to my story. There are some great stories amongst them so you can check out the list on Ari’s website (Ari was the mastermind behind it all).
The year has flown by with many plans left unfulfilled, but that just means I need to get my head screwed on and focus more next year.
My plans for 2023 will follow shortly. It’s a post I enjoy writing even more than this one!
Thanks for reading and enjoy what’s left of 2022.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories
It’s Christmas Eve. I have the smell of baking flapjacks making me hungry and flashing Christmas lights brightening the dull English day, along with some festive music playing in the background. I’m taking a quick break from the usual preparations to wish you all a wonderful day tomorrow.
I also have some important news to share – the audiobook for A Christmas Wish is now live! I got the news late last night so this is the first chance I’ve had to share it. I’m really excited to see what people think of my first audio short story collection. A big thank you to my narrator Emily Lynn for turning it around so fast and for doing such a great job.
Plus to make the day even better I woke up this morning to a lovely review from The Strawberry Post. Here’s a snippet – ‘I devoured each one and am looking forward to reading them again. They all make for such wonderful reading at this time of year… eight wonderful heart-warming tales with such perfect endings!’
Writing these stories and seeing my characters preparing for their own Christmas celebrations has really made me appreciate my own family time at Christmas. I’m really looking forward to this year’s big day and hope you all are too.
Have a wonderful time whatever you are doing and see you next week with my writing and reading round ups of 2022!
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories
Welcome to the Advent Calendar Story Train, where you can read through 24 stories under the theme The Gift. Thank you for reading today’s story. The next one will be available to read on December 18th, titled “A Special Visit“. The link will be active tomorrow when the post goes live.
If you missed yesterday’s you can go and read it here.
A Christmas Wish
‘Attention everyone.’
Cassie watched as her boss, red-faced and tipsy, pranced across the makeshift karaoke stage at the back of the pub. He tapped the microphone, which crackled and screeched.
‘Sorry.’ He shouted just as someone turned down the Christmas music.
‘Grab your drinks and gather round.’
Cassie took her wine from the bar and stood at the back. Lynn, her best friend, sidled up beside her pulling a face. ‘This’ll be good.’
Cassie hid a snigger as Derek launched into his speech. Polite laughter followed his lame attempts at humour. Not that Derek was a bad boss, he just wasn’t very inventive – same venue, same food, same speech every year.
She hid a yawn behind her hand.
Lynn nudged her. ‘You’re slow tonight.’ By the slur in Lynn’s voice, Cassie knew she’d already consumed enough alcohol for them both.
‘I’m not feeling it.’ She stifled another yawn; she needed the two-week Christmas break. Lie in’s, no commute – bliss.
‘Where’s Cassie?’ Derek’s words filtered into her thoughts.
Lynn waved helpfully. Cassie wanted to melt into the floorboards along with the sticky stains beneath her feet.
‘Cassie’s been working on a special project for me. Thanks to her, tonight is an extra celebration. With this new contract secured, I’m pleased to announce this year’s Christmas bonus is doubled!’
Enthusiastic cheers rang out and glasses were raised in her direction.
‘When I step down next year, I know the company will be in good hands.’
Cassie forced a smile, her cheeks blazing. Ten years she’d coveted that role but now she only had one dream, and it wasn’t being CEO of Derek’s company.
‘The next round’s on me.’ Derek’s words sparked a mad scramble for the bar.
Disco lights flashed and the music throbbed. The smell of party nibbles and spilt beer mingled, and she fought back nausea. ‘I need some air.’
Lynn took her arm and barged through the throng of people to the door. Outside cool, fresh air washed over them.
‘Better?’
She nodded.
Her friend sipped her drink, rubbing a bare arm as the winter chill wrapped around them. ‘I’m booking myself a winter sun getaway with that bonus. What about you?’
‘IVF. We’re going to start trying again in the new year.’
‘Oh Cass.’ Lynn squeezed her hand. ‘It’ll happen one day.’
She tried to smile but there was an empty ache inside her only a baby could fix. ‘Two years we’ve tried. It’s like we’re not meant to be parents.’
‘Rubbish, you and Scott will be great parents.’
‘I hope so, otherwise it’ll be me up there making awful speeches every Christmas.’ When did she lose her passion for the job? Around the time her biological clock kicked in she supposed.
Cassie sipped warm wine. Grimacing, she tossed it away.
‘Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been looking peaky recently.’
‘Just overworked. I can’t wait to spend the day in bed.’
Lynn downed her drink. ‘Best have something to recover from then.’ She cackled, her laugh always turned filthy after a few rums.
‘Actually, I’m heading home.’
‘You can’t leave me. I wanted your help putting the moves on Hot Harry.’
‘You don’t need my help. And I’m tired. I might be coming down with something.’
Lynn squinted at her. ‘Are you sure you’re not pregnant already?’
‘It’s hardly likely. I’ve been working too hard to bother trying.’
‘My sister acted like this when she fell. When was your last period?’
‘I don’t know… a while ago. They’re so irregular I lose track.’
‘Maybe it’s a Christmas wish come true.’
‘Don’t.’ She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but anticipation fizzed in her belly all the same.
Lynn disappeared inside and returned with their coats and handbags. ‘There’s a late-night chemist up the road.’
‘I can’t do it now.’
‘Course you can.’
Ten minutes later Cassie found herself back in the pub, perched over the toilet peeing on a stick.
‘Hurry up, I’m busting,’ Lynn called through the door.
Cassie left the stall, pregnancy test hidden in her bag. Suddenly overwhelmed, she couldn’t bear to find out while surrounded by drunken colleagues. ‘I’m going home.’
‘Wait, I can’t stop mid-flow.’
‘Sorry. Call you tomorrow.’
Cassie snuck out the back of the pub. She squeezed the strap of her handbag as she ran to the tube station, too scared to look at the result. Every negative took her closer to the CEO role and further from her dream of motherhood.
She needed to get home. Scott knew how to make the darkness go away.
***
‘Hi.’
Scott looked up from watching TV. ‘That finished early. How was it?’
‘When you’ve been to one piss up…’ She shrugged. ‘Fancy putting the kettle on while I get changed?’
‘Sure.’
Upstairs she stripped off the party dress that emphasised her flat, empty stomach and tossed it on the bed. Pulling on her favourite flannelette PJ’s, she felt a little better though her hand still shook as she reached for her handbag.
Two cooling cups of tea waited on the coffee table when she eventually returned. Scott lifted the throw, and they snuggled together on the sofa.
She handed him a small parcel.
‘What’s this?’
‘A gift.’
‘It’s a week until Christmas.’
‘So?’
Scott grinned and tore at the Christmas wrapping paper like a little boy. Two plastic sticks fell onto his lap. Turning them over, he stared at two sets of identical blue lines.
‘Does this mean…’
‘We’re pregnant!’
He squeezed her in a hug. ‘My god, how?’
She laughed. ‘You’ve had enough practice to work that out for yourself.’
‘I can’t believe it.’
‘Our wish finally came true.’ The words caught in her throat. This time next year they’d be a family; the promotion would have to wait.
‘This is the best gift I could ever ask for.’ Scott nuzzled her neck. ‘I’ll miss all that practice though.’
Cassie kissed him, all trace of tiredness gone. ‘I’m still up for a little practice if you are.’
If you enjoyed A Christmas Wish, it’s part of my Christmas short story collection which published on 3rd December 2022. Please take a look on Amazon – A Christmas Wish. The collection is only 99p. The audiobook will be out before Christmas too!
Happy Christmas everyone!
Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy and heart-warming romance
Yesterday I ventured out into the cold to run a bookstall with a fellow author, GJ Stevens. It was a local town event – Ashford Wide Christmas Fair (Surrey). We got there super early and were one of the first stalls to set up in our row.
We’re attended several times in the last few years, but this year I was hoping it would be a little different as I’m attending with my first ever collection of Christmas short stories. A Christmas Wish was written with this event in mind, and was a challenge to say the least considering I only decided on the idea in October.
It wasn’t the roaring success I’d hoped for, but the new book did draw the eye and get some interest.
It was still good to physically see the result of my hard work spread out for sale and I received some lovely comments and words of congratulations. The highlight of the evening was a young lady who has previously bought all my fantasy books, asking if my new trilogy was for sale yet.
It was a shame to disappoint her, but it has given me the kick up the butt I needed to get back to work on the Starlight Prophecy series. Hopefully 2023 will be the year for it!
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A Christmas Wish has been out a few days now and I would love to get some reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. If anyone would like a free ARC in exchange for an honest review, please message me.
That’s it for now. I’ll be back soon with end of year wrap posts on reading and writing, and hopefully some audiobook news too!
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories
My collection of festive stories is out today in ebook!
The price will remain at 99p for the rest of the year, so it’s the perfect time to pick up a Christmas read. And if you’re looking for a present for a reader in the family, the paperback is only £4.75. It is also available in hardback. I’m seeking a narrator for the audiobook, but considering the date I’m not sure it will be released this side of Christmas.
If you love animal stories we have Blaze the therapy dog and a naughty puppy named Buddy. Family and friends feature in many of the stories and there are small acts of kindness that may just change peoples’ lives.
Read on for more information…
A heart-warming collection of feel-good stories showing snippets of family life and friendship during the festive period.
Santa Paws Delivery
Blaze delivers Christmas cheer to a care home.
Christmas Wish – Part One
During the office Christmas party Cassie is forced to re-evaluate her life priorities.
For the Holidays
A stepdaughter’s not just for Christmas.
Chance Encounters
Two brothers must unite to do the right thing when faced with a life-threatening choice.
Christmas Wish – Part Two
As Lynn contemplates another lonely Christmas, can Harry provide a welcome distraction?
The Icing on the Cake
Preparing for a big family Christmas, will the day go as Jess plans?
Not Just For Christmas (extended version)
The Shelton family welcome a new addition to the family, but could it spell disaster for Christmas?
One Good Deed
Struggling with life after University, Sam is stuck in a rut until he meets a homeless man with an unexpected gift.
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I would love you to share the news and help me reach as many readers as possible. And if you fancy getting in the Christmas spirit, why not pick up a copy here.
Thanks for your support.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories
Suzanne Rogerson Fantasy Author 