The Winding Narrative Turns Five

It’s hard to believe another year has flown by. The Winding Narrative has reached its half-decade anniversary, so it’s time to review progress.

Brightside Story Studio

My book editing business, Brightside Story Studio, has reached a good pace with me balancing time for my own writing. I love working with authors to help bring their stories to life.

Sarah Hawthorn helped me with a major project, which was a fun collaborative effort. I also contracted out some work to a few talented beta readers.

Check out our Clients’ Book, which shows the works I’ve had an editorial hand in, either through Brightside, NAC or as a key beta reader. At least another five books will be added to this list by the end of 2023.

New Authors Collective (NAC)

I have continued as Head Editorial at literary agency, NAC, although I haven’t taken on any new authors this year, as my plate has been overflowing. It is a joy to help our talented authors prepare their novels for submission to publishers.

Expat Writers Facebook Group

I continued growing the Expat Writers Facebook group for writers whose work is influenced by living overseas. This group is steadily growing, and we welcome new members whether you write novels, articles or letters home as either an expat or immigrant. Our members come from all corners of the globe. Find out more here.

The Winding Narrative

To allow time for my editing work, I reduced the frequency of my blog to once a month. I still managed 16 posts – interviews and short fiction. Most of my interviews were with people in the book business, particularly writers with expat experience.

My most viewed blog of the year was an interview with Caitlin Avery on Life of Cyn and the #MeToo Movement. My most viewed blog of all time is still The Book Publishing Flowchart. The most popular blog this year (based on likes on the blog site) was my short story, That Moment When.

Novel Writing

My third novel is nearly ready for submission. Who knows? This could be The One!

I hope you’ll stay with me through 2023. It’s already shaping up to be a busy year.

To see where we were last year: The Winding Narrative Turns Four
Next time: an interview with Pauline Yates on science fiction – it isn’t all about spaceships