Where I’m at this February
Hello!
I thought I’d do a little monthly update on where I’m at in my publishing journey. So, what has 2026 brought me so far?
Querying
I had three full requests in January (now at nine in total). They’ve all come back as rejections now, but I’m not put off. A lot of my earlier full rejections had constructive feedback in them. Generally that the pacing was too slow, and one comment that it was too cosy. However, I’ve revised the pacing in Act 1 with the help of Cara Castro, my AlmostSmoochPit mentor, and the seed of an idea from Alexandra Vasti helped me get Act 2 into a darker, less cosy place. Anyway, my January rejections were all along the lines of ‘Great story, loved XYZ, but not quite right for me’. One agent even said it was a very close call. I’m not sure how helpful this is to know! I still have 26 queries outstanding from that January batch, so waiting to see if I get any more interest.
Writing
I never meant to write a second book to VALOUR, honest. But then I just couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t leave the characters and the world! I finished the first draft at the end of January (started it in July). It really beautifully dovetails into the very first novel I wrote (I know, the first novel I wrote somehow ended up being book 3 of the series. Go figure). I also finished a novella that sits between VALOUR and ROGUE (book 2), currently untitled, but it’s a fun sapphic monster romance, based on the siren character from VALOUR. It spilled out of me over Christmas. I’m taking a little break before diving into the final book, and have gone back to a YA fantasy WIP that I thought I might polish up the first three chapters of and enter into some novel awards. Slight issue being I only have 4 chapters of this book! But I have a vague plot, so hopefully it could be done by the time judging happens…delulu goals and all that…
Art
I’ve been using Procreate for quite a few years, but only really for line art. Now I’m trying to draw my own artwork, because I look at how many pieces authors have on their socials and I’m just like “how do you afford all that?!”. So I’m trying to teach myself. I do find rendering quite hard still, but I’m learning. If I’m not writing or working you’ll probably find me watching time lapses of artists rendering their work!
Life
I started a new job! Last year I closed the small business I started in 2019 (I ran a very successful children’s nature book subscription) and have been at a bit of a loss since then. My friends were definitely getting fed up about me whining I’ve had no money! Sorry, guys. I even signed up for a supply teaching agency (I swore NEVER to teach again, ha!), but a chance encounter with a new, local small business has landed me my dream job. I’m guiding hikes, facilitating women’s adventure weekends and heading up the marketing for a lovely business called Set Wild. Literally couldn’t think of anything better to go alongside my writing career.
I think that’s all for now…
Check back next month for another update!
Amber x