So, the year 2025 comes to a close. A Universal Year 9 in the world of numerology, closing the nine year cycle that begin in 2016. It has been both a quiet and eventful writing for me, with conclusions to some projects being made, to make the way for new adventures in 2026. Here comes a summary of the most notable take-aways/ experiences and achievements I have made this year.
Securing a Book Deal for Book 2:
After spending the first half of 2025 editing and polishing, I finished my second novel – Wolf Hour, bringing a six year project to an end. I spent the summer and early autumn submitting the MS to agents and independent publishers. Three months went by, after which I got an email from the publisher at Stairwell Books – an indie publisher in York, saying she loved my story and absolutely said yes to publishing it. That same day we hade a zoom call, and at the end of that call I had a book deal. The following day she sent me the contract. Once again, I was a contracted author, a huge boost of confidence following the closure of my old publisher, Unbound, earlier this year. Wolf Hour will be out next year in the autumn, as will a new edition of my first novel, Embers, of which the first edition has almost run out.
A Successful Query Doesn’t necessarily Depend on Numbers
We all hear from various author help pages on social media and the internet how writers should send out at least 40 or 50 queries during submission rounds. Although sending out to a large number of agents and publishers statistically increases your chances, I have learnt from this year that submitting to people just for the sake of submitting can be a waste of your energy and their time. The key isn’t about submitting to loads of people but doing careful research. An agent or indie publisher isn’t a fit for you just because they are looking for manuscripts in the genre / specific themes or generic narrative arcs you write. For them to be a fit, they must connect with your story on an emotional, aestethic and moral level. I sent my MS to countless of agents looking for crime thrillers with a literary bend, that sat in between genres and featured strong female narratives, unusual concepts or LGBTQ themes. In the end, Rose at Stairwell Books gave me an offer because she understood the soul of my book, what I wanted to say with my story. Possibly, coming from the States, she could more easily relate to the deep forest landscape, the hunting culture and the characters’ connection to the landscape, in a different way to UK publishers and agents. So, if I am to give one single piece of advice to querying writers, it is to make sure they submit to agents and publishers who understand the book, what they are trying to achieve, at the deepest core level. Truly having shared values or something that can help them relate to the content of your book more than the average reader.
Give yourself time to celebrate writing achievements
I took a couple of weeks off working on my PhD novel while I secured my book deal. Things were also happening in my personal life, and so I took the time to celebrate my achievement with friends and sitting in that happiness, recharging my batteries, before ploughing onwards with my next book. Securing a book deal is, literally, a huge deal. Celebrating that does give you new energy to get on with the next project, and re-affirm that you are doing well. In essence, it helps with your confidence.
Writing doesn’t always need to be chronological
I have struggled a bit with the structure for my third novel a while as it involves two parallell narratives: the main one in the present time, and the alternative one following the elder futhark rune alphabet, involving the protagonist’s sister, as well as the POVs of nature/ mythic time. After a PhD workshop where I got feedback from other writers and tutors I have realised that trying to fininsh the main narrative, for a sense of continuity, might help me figure out more how the scenes in the paralell narratives will pan out and complement / respond to the main narrative. I have never written in this non-chronological order before, but the experience has told me to just trust the process. The story knows which scenes need to be written at what time.
The Hardest Moments Can Be Our Greatest Source of Strength
A number of things came to a close in my life in the latter months of 2025. Structures and dynamics changed. I had to let go of many things, to clear the way for new things to grow, so that things may come back to me in a new form. Throughout these changes writing as been my constant. The energy source I can tap into and use as an outlet for my emotions. A vessel that can transform all those feelings. A writer friend told me that what I have produced this winter for my third novel may well be the strongest and most powerful writing I will ever do. In the hardest moments we turn to our art, and realise we never truly have been broken at all. Only wounded, and all wounds heal with time. Creative arts, writing especially, allows me to heal, come back to myself, recover, and return stronger than before. Whole in a different way. I hope this reflection can inspire and be helpful for others who have experienced difficult moments this year. Sometimes, the answers to uncertainties can come to you as you immerse yourself in the creative process.
Wishing you all the warmest blessing for this New Year.
Yours Truly,
Josephine