Hi friends, it’s been a while! 🥰 While we’ve had no shortage of author spotlights and book reviews in the past month, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been scarcer than usual. Not as much as when I had the typhoon and the wedding to deal with, but still mostly MIA compared to the early months of the previous quarter. And I did say I was going to give you an update, so here’s the tea. 🍵
First off, I’m actually relocating and in the thick of processing my papers. I will need you to keep your fingers crossed with me please that there will be no hiccups, but tl;dr — my husband got employed in the UK and flew out early in January (not even a week after our wedding LOL) and I’ll be heading out there to join him soon. Hopefully. Come spring, everything permitting. 🤞 It’s literally a fresh start for us, and it’s also an opportunity for me to focus on my writing since he’s agreed to support me if I want to pursue that. It’s a massive undertaking for a rookie author though, so let’s see how things go for me!
In line with the move and the writing focus (and travel, as much as finances allow 😇), I’ll be taking a page from what some of you have been doing and going offline on weekends. For the blog, that means cutting down two days’ worth of posts a week, which should also help me get caught up and reply to your comments (and emails) more promptly. Of course, you’re all still free to contact me for author spotlights and book review requests, but I just won’t be replying on Saturdays and Sundays. ☕️
Another thing that kept me busy last month was finishing the first draft to the Hotel Fen sequel! 💪 It was a grueling task considering everything that’s been going with me, but Meri and I still managed to beat our February deadline, hurray. (It was still the 28th for her when we considered it done, so. 😛) Not really an improvement from last year as we finished at exactly the same time, but we only had the end of the year holidays to contend with then, and a smaller word count. Here’s to hoping we do better come book 3 and actually finish it during NaNo season 🤣
Anyway, my March newsletter is going out tomorrow, and so far I’m really liking Substack! It’s so easy to use, with a simple but attractive UI, and a helpful dashboard. I still have to figure out the whole onboarding thing and other newsletter stuff though. But the next issue will have a brand new flash piece exclusive for subscribers as promised, plus some digital bookish swag 🥳 Please feel free to sign up if you haven’t yet, and let me know if you ever want to do a swap! Or, you know, point me to yours so I can subscribe 💖 I’m pretty sure I’ve subscribed to most of you, but I’ve also been busy so I won’t be surprised if I actually missed out on some others, whoops.
So yeah, that’s what’s been going on with me! 😅 How about you fam, how’s it going? Anything fun happening this March? Writing projects, cool books you’re reading, travel plans, pet shenanigans… 😄
Got a book you’d like me to review or an author you’d like me to feature? Drop me a line! 💕 You can also subscribe to my newsletter for free short stories, special offers, and writing opportunities.
Marie Sinadjan 
This is very exciting news, Marie! Thank you for the update. 🙂 I’m really happy for you and it must feel surreal to have a lot of changes happening these past couple of months. I look forward to keeping up to date with your 2 blog posts/week. Also, happy writing!
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Thank you so much, Sara! 🥰 And it’s great to see you here. It’s been a while, though I’ve been following your nature and fashion tweets still, haha.
It really is surreal. It’s like everything ground to a halt in 2020 then restarted with much panic late last year 😂 But also very exciting. Just have to endure the long distance thing for a while longer.
PS. I would love to feature you in one of my spotlights sometime! 💖
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You’re super sweet. Thank you for offering to feature me. 🙂 Happy to have you back here more regularly again. ❤
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Congratulations on finishing the sequel and wishing all the best with your move to the UK! We’ll almost be neighbours once you’re on our little island 😉 hugs 💕🙂
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Thank you, Harmony! And yes, we’ll be neighbors soon 🥰 I’ll be further to the northeast from you if my geography is right, but so much closer that I’m hoping to be able to meet you at some point 💕 Hugs!
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I’m super excited for you, Marie! You have so many wonderful things in the pipeline. Congrats on finishing the first draft of your sequel to Hotel Fen, and especially on your upcoming move. It all sounds fabulous.
As someone who is offline on weekends (and often on Fridays) I can attest that having that time to recharge is essential in getting things done. At least for me, LOL. 🙂
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Fabulous and surreal, Mae! 😄 Haha, I’ve been juggling mixed emotions from everything that’s going on, but I’m hopeful and excited for the opportunities and good things all these changes might bring 😊
My current way of recharging is through writing and reading on weekends, as I most definitely need a break from the number-crunching from Monday to Friday, LOL. That’s changed from pre-2020 where I would be traveling or performing for parties instead. But my situation’s going to change again with the move, plus the pandemic thing has improved a little, so I’m already itching to go exploring on our days off, haha!
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