Happy New Year everyone!

And wow, what a year 2012 was!

After almost 30 years of writing, 21 years since I’d written my first paranormal romance and 16 years of Blackthorn in the making, 2012 was the year when I finally became a published author.

My avid followers will no doubt have picked up on the fact I haven’t had a moment to breathe since then. No sitting with my feet on my desk, sipping Pepsi whilst I dreamily doddle plotlines in my notebook in-between gazing out of my study window. Oh no.

In April of 2012, I’d resolved I’d had enough of sitting on the Blackthorn series and needed to seriously pursue publication. I set up a blog (a must, I was told by my new writerly friends) and, in June, started submitting to publishers.

I’d prepared for the long-haul – weeks, months, maybe even years of waiting. Okay, the latter is an exaggeration – I’d decided I’d self-publish if it came to that. But on Friday 13th July, came the request from Bookouture that changed everything. Less than a month later came ‘The Call’ along with a very impressive book proposal and fantastic plans for Blackthorn.

September was the month of secrets. I blogged about being offered a three-book deal, but had to remain hushed about who by until Bookouture was launched and all the finer details were tied up – not least the contract! And, gee, was it tough keeping quiet!

Finally, at the end of October, I was finally able to announce that I had signed with Bookouture and my brand new website was launched. News of my signing went global and there were over 1,000 hits on the news feed in the first couple of days.

As if that wasn’t exciting enough, straight after, Hollywood came calling. Yes, they really did! I didn’t say much because, well, basically I knew the chances were minimal. It was still amazing to have had the book requested though and the feedback from the head of creative affairs, although a no, was great:

“I really enjoyed BLOOD SHADOWS, Lindsay is a wonderful writer. She’s crafted one heck of a world with Caitlin, Kane, VCU and the Soul Ripper. A few of us really took to the book and world creation but, alas, the consensus was that it isn’t exactly what…is looking for.”

I didn’t have time to dwell though, because we were already in November – and what a month November was!

First came the cover reveal for Blood Shadows. And for anyone who has got a hardcopy and seen who the designer was (yes, I know some of you have!) you’ll know why I was so ecstatic about who took the project on. Shortly after came the first of the fantastic and fun Blackthorn Bites. Within days there was the release of the awesome Blood Shadows book trailer. On Thursday 15th, I shed a tear when I held a copy of my book in my hands for the first time. Then on the 27th November (give or take a few days…) Blood Shadows was finally officially launched.

The promotions kicked off instantly and haven’t stopped since, not least with my U.S. book tour starting on 28th December and running through the whole of this month.

And the reviews. Ah, the reviews. I have come to discover that reviews are single-handedly one of the most rewarding and, at the same time, utterly terrifying parts of being a published author. I’ve been lucky that, apart from a handful of ratings (rose bombers spring to mind anyone?), the reviews have been amazing. So thank you to every single person who has taken the time and the effort to share what they think on Amazon and Goodreads. There is no better way to get my books into the hands of new readers than through those reviews, so believe me when I say I appreciate your effort more than I can possibly express here.

And during all of this, I’ve feverishly been working on revisions for Blood Roses, which I sent back to Bookouture on New Years’ day. Yay! More about Blood Roses very soon…

But before I go, when I announced by blog tour last Friday, I did promise to tell you about my Christmas present this year.

I’m the kind of girl who, as long as I get a couple of notepads and a pack of pens or pencils, I’m usually a pretty happy bunny as far as presents go. Throw in a bottle of my favourite Thierry Mugler’s Angel now and again and you’re guaranteed to raise a satisfied smile. Fortunately, I have a husband whose imagination, year after year, spans beyond my feeble attempts at a creative list for Santa.

I must be honest though, this year I did give him a hint of what I wanted. I didn’t quite expect the end result though. Welcome to my new study wall…

Now if that isn’t motivation enough to keep writing Blackthorn books, I don’t know what is! And yes, if you wrote one of the earlier bites, you are up there! So huge thanks to Michele Hauf, CC Mackenzie, Fiona Chapman, Lindsey Clarke, Amity Grays and RomFan Reviews.

But that wasn’t all. As you’ve probably guessed, I’m a fan of personal gifts. So when this little chap was handed to me, overwhelmed doesn’t begin to describe it. Say hello to Batty…

This little chap was handmade especially for me by exceptionally talented, local artist Minerva (of Minerva Twist). She’s thrown a creative spin on a variety of animals but this was her first attempt at my personal favourite – a bat. Not only is he reading a copy of my book (and the glasses are uncannily like mine too!), but she even went to the trouble of joining the oo’s together just like on the cover of Blood Shadows and putting a dot after the ‘J’ in my name. Now that’s the attention to detail I like. Thanks Minerva, you ridiculously talented lady, he’s absolutely gorgeous!

And that’s it – here’s hoping 2013 brings just as much excitement!

Finally, huge thanks to my super-supportive, long-suffering husband who makes sure I eat, drink, sleep and, on occasion, get suitably socialised. Massive thanks you all my wonderful, wonderful supporters, including my fantastic new-found writing friends – to those who have been published this year and those who are going to be published in 2013, here’s wishing you every success. And for those who haven’t got there yet, I’m rooting for you with every digit crossed. I’m a walking example that dreams can and do eventually come true. DO NOT give up.

So here’s an extra special thank you to the amazing Oliver Rhodes, founder of Bookouture, for not only making my dreams come true in 2012, but for making my first two months as a published author more exciting and fun than I ever could have imagined.

xxx