Hello, lovely reader! I hope that your holiday season was bright and beautiful and that you are entering the new year well-rested. If you’re not, that’s okay too. Settle in and let’s catch up.
In this newsletter you’ll find:
- Some highlights from my time away from work
- What I’m looking forward to in 2025
- My upcoming availability update for editing packages
- Recommendations & cat corner (because this newsletter can always be counted on for the cute cats).
Holiday Highlights
After what was a hectic end to 2024 (see my December newsletter for details!) I was very ready for a break. My batteries were well and truly drained, and while I think there’s still some recharging to do, I’m in a much better place after a few weeks off.
I celebrated Christmas with loved ones, slept in, and ate delicious food. My husband and I have a tradition of making a gingerbread house together. I also had a baking day with some loved ones, which was a lot of fun.
Over the holiday period, I usually make it a point to watch a lot of Christmas films, but this year the range was really something. From Hot Frosty and Merry Gentlemen all the way to the wholesomeness of A Muppet’s Christmas Carol, holiday movies in all their forms help me unwind. We even watched Love Actually for the first time (I know, I know, I’m late to the party!)
Over New Years we enjoyed some beach time, catching up with friends, and generally unplugging. January for me tends to have a bit of de-cluttering and the post-Christmas purge of putting the house back together after the haze of those few weeks. It might not be for everyone, but there’s something very satisfying about deciding what to bring into the new year.
We also visited the Werribee Zoo! The weather wasn’t too hot, and we had a fantastic time visiting the animals. If you haven’t been before, go check it out. There’s also a baby rhino there, which if you follow me on Instagram you’ve seen his adorable face. The giraffes were also pretty incredible too.
2025 coming up
While the year has only just started, and I’m letting myself ease back in, there are a few things I’m looking forward to:
- The wonderful stories already on my books for 2025. Both new and returning clients, I’m excited to dig into the fantastic worlds my authors have created. The diversity of my work is genuinely one of my favourite things about my job: no two books are ever the same.
- I’ll be Interviewing S.K Stapar at her book launch for Midnight Gate. S.K Stapar has been my critique partner for the last year and I’m absolutely thrilled to help her launch her book into the world. If you’re Melbourne-based and love a romantasy novel, come along on February 13th for a Galantine’s event. The night will feature a conversation between myself and S.K, a second-hand book swap, goodie bags, and drinks and nibbles. Tickets are free, but bookings are essential – BOOK HERE.
- GenreCon. I’ll be attending the Genrecon writing conference in Brisbane in late February. I’ve not been before, but I can’t wait. The program sounds amazing and I think it’ll be an absolute blast.
- Live theatre. One of my favourite parts of 2024 was the number of live shows I was able to attend (both amateur and professional). There’s just something special about storytelling in this form. In 2025, I hope to see a couple of shows
Upcoming Availability
I’m opening up my books for editing packages! If you’ve got a book you’d like to have edited in 2025, please get in touch.
My editing spots do tend to fill-up quickly so it’s best to send me a message a few months ahead of time, to avoid disappointment.
I will also have a few manuscript assessment spots open, so if you’re not quite ready for a full edit or you’d like some direction for your self-edits, this can be a great option.
Updates regarding my availability will be posted periodically on my Instagram so if you’d like to stay up-to-date on future availability, follow me over there.
Recommendations
Over my holidays, I haven’t read much. Instead, I’ve been rewatching some of my favourite TV shows (Bones and Smallville). I enjoyed the latest Wallace & Gromit: Vengence Most Fowl, which made me nostaligic and was great fun!
There are so many upcoming releases that I’m excited for in 2025. Just a couple on my radar:
- Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (Hachette, 21st of January 2025)
- A Curse Carved in Bone by Danielle L. Jenson (Penguin Books Australia, 13th of May 2025)
- Holly Brunnbauer’s debut, What Did I Miss? (HarperCollins Australia, 2nd July 2025)
Cat Corner
I’m not the only one who enjoys gingerbread… well, Magnus at least is enjoying this cat-scratcher gingerbread house. Our Christmas tree has come down, but this is going to be a fixture of our living room for a lot longer!
Thanks for reading!
What’s a book release you’re looking forward to in 2025?
Steph Huddleston 