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
Another great festive read from Jo Thomas. First off, I love the cover. It’s joyful, colourful and pretty, perfect for a Christmas story. It is also a very good reflection of the story itself.
Blurb
Four friends Twenty-five years ago, Freya and her three best friends created a bucket list. The future seemed bright, full of hope and most importantly guaranteed . . .
One promise Now they are travelling to Iceland in memory of the friend they’ve lost, determined to fulfil her dream of seeing the Northern Lights at Christmas.
A life-changing adventure They didn’t count on an avalanche leaving them stranded! Handsome local, Pétur, comes to the rescue, showing them how the community survives the hard winter. With Christmas approaching, Freya and her friends throw themselves into the festivities, decorating and cooking for the villagers using delicious local ingredients.
But will the Northern Lights appear so they can honour their friend’s wish? And can Freya’s own dreams come true, this Christmas?
I really enjoyed this story and escaping into Freya’s world. I liked the premise of keeping a promise to a friend that is no longer with you and fulfilling their dream of seeing the northern lights. However driving out into a building snowstorm? That was never going to be a good idea. Cue Petur, and what a savior he turned out to be!
I loved the friendships and sense of community with this story. I wasn’t let down in the romance department either.
I felt like I went on an adventure with Freya and her friends, though admittedly I hate the cold so you wouldn’t catch me getting up to some the things Freya did! I much preferred snuggling up under the covers and imagining the experiences as I read about them.
I recommend you pick up this book and devour it with a hot chocolate next to an open fire!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC copy and apologies I’m so late posting this review. I’ve been working on a little of my own Christmas magic in the form of festive short stories.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy, heart-warming romance and short stories
It seems like only yesterday I was celebrating the release of Love, Loss and Life In Between but now I have a new short story collection publishing just in time for Christmas!
I can’t believe I only came up with the idea for this collection on 8th October this year. Somehow in less than 6 weeks I was near enough ready to hit publish. One story is an extended version of Not Just For Christmas from Love, Loss and Life In Between. Thanks to Cat for putting the thought into my head about extending the story.
A Christmas Wish is out now in Paperback and Hardback now, and it is available for pre-order on Kindle. The official release date is 3rd December 2022. See it on Amazon.
Here’s the cover…
Blurb
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.
I’ve included a cheeky little picture of Daisy in the book. She was my inspiration for the first story, Santa Paws, and I’ve dedicated the book to her. She’s such a sweetheart!
If you fancy a little festive reading, please consider picking up a copy of A Christmas Wish.
I’m looking for reviewers, so if you’re interested in an ARC in exchange for an honest review please get in touch.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy and heart-warming romance
It’s been great seeing new reviews being shared of my latest short story collection, especially when the reviewers pick their favourite stories. It’s cool to see reviews being shared on other platform as well, including Instagram. Here are a few snippets and links to the reviewers Instagram posts;
Jen_loves_reading says ‘This is a very emotive and thought provoking collection of short stories that cover grief and finding love, as well as moving on and finding peace either with themselves or others. Some of the stories will stay with me longer than others, whilst there were a couple that just pulled at the heartstrings.’
Seduced with Literature says ‘This has to be the most emotional collection of short stories I’ve come across to date. Suzanne had really mastered capturing raw, painful emotions in very few words.’
Library of Louise says ‘If you are someone who enjoys short stories then you is one full of variety and solid writing, and perhaps one you may consider.’
InsomniacBookwormBookReviews says ‘Emotionally, heartwarming collection of short stories that are written beautifully.’
Pooled Ink says ‘Suzanne Rogerson has such an ability to explore a vast array of human experiences and threading them through with a breath of magic. These short stories were easy to read in a day, quick yet poignant.’
Tea leaves and book leaves says ‘Love loss and life between are short stories and all of them are written beautiful and very meaningful. I do like Suzanne Rogerson writing it is engaging and emotive and all the stories touched my heart.’
Tizi’s Book Review says ‘…reading each story put me on a rollercoaster of emotions. There were sweet stories in it, heart – warming ones, heart – breaking ones, hopeful stories. But there was also one story that gave me the creeps…’
Tomes and Tales says ‘I loved each of the stories. Rogerson writes beautifully, and her style is warm and concise. The mixed genres make every story different and interesting in its own way. Her way of writing about human emotions and commonplace issues strikes a chord.’
Bound4Escape says ‘These short stories feature several genres. Many of them are sweet, many are about grief and the first steps of moving on, and one I would even categorize as horror.’
Today is the one day blog blitz for my newest release – Love, Loss and Life In Between.
Some great reviews have already come in and I will share the links with you below. First though, I’d just like to thank Rachel for organising another blog blitz for me.
It’s always nerve-wracking publishing something new, but even more so when that is in a new genre. Thankfully Love, Loss and Life In Between has been well received. Take at look at some of the comments below and follow the links to read the full reviews. I’ll share another update later or tomorrow with links to the remaining blogs.
Just Katherine says ‘Love, Loss and Life in Between is an incredibly well-written short story collection. The emotions in each story are so powerful and the writing style is excellent, with each word carefully chosen to give maximum effect and make the reader feel.’
The Strawberry Post says ‘This is a lovely set of short stories, each of them quite different from the others but all of them centering on the subjects of love and loss…’
Jenny Lou’s Book Reviews says ‘This is a lovely collection of short stories, you can have heart-breaking, heart-warming and shocking moments all in one collection.’
Mai’s Musings says ‘…I was surprised at just how much emotion Suzanne managed to inject into each of these small but perfectly formed tales.’
MJ Porter Author Blog says ‘…This really was a delightful collection of short stories. The author has a lovely turn of phrase and manages to evoke strong feelings in her characters which make them believable, so that in only a few words the reader is already rooting for them.’
I have been terrible at sharing my reviews lately, even though I’ve read some great books this year and want to rave about them!
For now I will focus on the books I want to read before the end of 2022. I have a huge TBR pile to choose from, but at the beginning of the year I wrote a list of the books I definitely want to fit in. I won’t get through them all now, so I have drawn up yet another short list.
Romance
As I’m writing romance at the moment, I find myself drawn to read it more than ever. I used to read one or two a year, but now it’s mainly what I reach for when it’s time to pick a new book.
The first book I must get to is a Netgalley request – Jo Thomas – Keeping a Christmas Promise
Claire Huston – The Only Exception (I’ve really enjoyed Claire’s other books)
Nancy Borane – New Hope for the Little Cornish Farmhouse (I love the premise of this book)
I do enjoy a Christmas themed story. Closer to the big day I have a collection of charity shop buys set during the festive period to delve into.
Urban Fantasy
I’ve actually read quite a bit of this lately rather than my usual go to epic or heroic fantasy. I’ve really enjoyed the change and have a couple of series I really want to continue. I want to make some of these a priority for 2022.
Laura Laasko – Echo Murder – Wilde Investigations bk 2 (I also own book 3, and book 4 is due for release this month). Book 1 was excellent!
Talis Jones – Fifth Sun series. I really enjoyed books 1-3 (and must post my reviews) so am looking forward to 4 and 5.
Josie Jaffery – Judgement Day – Seekers book 2 (Bk 1 May Day was brilliant).
Fantasy
Fantasy is my first love when it comes to writing and watching on TV / films and I have read some wonderful books in this genre. I’ve been so distracted by romance that I don’t even know where to begin choosing my next fantasy read.
I do want to complete the Fire Walker Series by a fellow self-published author Emma Miles – it’s brilliant and I haven’t completed all my reviews for this yet either. Raven Fire is book 4 and the final book, although there are also spin off books I’ve yet to read as well.
I do want to read Jessica Thorne’s book 2 Nightborn, but I’m loathe to start it when I know book 3 isn’t out yet. I really loved the first book and wish there were lots more to look forward to.
Non-fiction
I’ve brought a couple of Rayne Hall’s Writer’s Craft books that fit what I’m writing at the moment and want to get stuck into them to help me focus my ideas. Writing Romance and Writing Short Stories.
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That is probably too many books and I usually go off track anyway, but I’m hopeful of ticking some off the list. Have you read any of these books?
Do you have any fantasy recommendations?
Do you have your own list of books to complete reading in 2022?
I’ll be back at the weekend with reviews from the blog blitz of my new publication – Love, Loss and Life In Between.
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Suzanne Rogerson – Author of epic fantasy and heart-warming romance
Suzanne Rogerson Fantasy Author 