It’s Sorta Like Hiking
We just returned from a family vacation in Norway. My family is pretty active, so while there, we zip-lined, kayaked, went whale watching, snorkeled with seals, and hiked three times. It was all incredible, all of it, but the last day and the last hike reminded me so much of publishing. (Allow me to wax poetic for a moment, then I’ll get into the fun stuff.)
My husband and I at the Geiranger Skywalk
I found this highly rated Lofoten hike on AllTrails that promised incredible views and seemed the perfect distance - 2.2 miles out and back. One blog I read said it should take 30-60 minutes. I didn’t note the elevation gain until we got in the car that morning. Fifteen hundred feet. Given the short distance, that meant it would be steep.
“No worries,” I thought. “It’s rated as only a moderate hike. We can handle it.”
Ha.
Ha ha ha.
Two and a half hours later, after one of the most incredible and incredibly challenging hikes of my life, we finally got back to the parking lot.
View from the Skreda parking lot.
And that’s what publishing a novel is like.
At first you think it will be easy. The hard part was writing the book, right? Somewhere between 500,000 to 1 million book titles are traditionally published each year. So many! Surely someone will want to buy my book.
You start climbing the hill, and it gets steep. Fast. Whoa, why so aggressive?? Did we take the wrong trail? You check the map SEVERAL times to ensure you’re on the right course. Hmm. Appears so. Well, I’m sure it will level out in a bit.
Offersøykammen view from about 100 feet up.
And it does. You get an agent. Whew! Hard part’s over!!! Surely that’s a book deal on the horizon.
But no, first you need to put in the work. Tons of revisions. Push push push. Send it off to your agent, then turn around to catch your breath and admire how far you’ve come. Wow!! That view! Must be nearly there.
WRONG! You’re not even halfway. Push. You go on submission. Push. You join TikTok. Push. You wait twenty months for a book deal. Whoa, this looks incredible. You’re sweating through your shirt, but you’re getting closer.
View from halfway up.
More revisions. Push. Create content. Push. Write another novel. Push. People are passing you left and right, seemingly unwinded while you struggle to catch your breath. You feel the need to apologize to your family for choosing such a hard trail. Why did I do this to them? To myself? Why is this so freaking hard?
And then, somewhat unexpectedly, you look up from your never-ending search for solid footing, and there it is. You’ve reached the summit. And it’s, omg, far more beautiful than you could’ve imagined, than any photograph could ever convey. Holy shit, you did it! Your family smiles and trades fist bumps. We sit and enjoy the view. Look what we accomplished.
View from the Offersøykammen summit (1489 ft).
Soulmatch publishes July 29th, 2025 with SimonTeen.
The hike down can be just as challenging as the one up. That’s when you’re more likely to stumble, where your exhausted legs start trembling, but the best part about the return trip is encouraging those heading up themselves, who look just as weary as you once felt.
“You’re almost there.”
“Yes, it’s tough, but it’s so worth it.”
“You’ve got this.”
After five years, I’m now only 12 days from publication of my debut novel. I’m both excited and exhausted. But more than anything, I’m proud of pushing through and grateful for those who accompanied me on the trip.
Here’s what I’ve been up to over the past month… besides hiking in Norway.
I got to hold the finished copy of Soulmatch in my hands. It’s EVEN PRETTIER in person! Wow!
I published an article in PEOPLE MAGAZINE (!!!), matching new dystopian novels with dystopian favorites. Yes, that People Magazine.
I published an article in Paste Magazine about romance in dystopia. Love that I’ve been able to shout about my friends’ books!
I wrote several other articles that will be posted soon. Check my Press Kit for updated links as they’re published.
I had four podcast interviews and one newspaper interview (and more in the works)! Links as they’re posted will be in my Press Kit.
I’ve created a bunch of content on socials. Have you seen any of it? Click the icons below to follow me!
I received revision notes for my second novel, which has an official title now! Predestined!
I saw an in-progress version of Predestined’s cover, and it looks soooo good!!
I started to create launch-day graphics!
I rolled out my book tour dates! Can you make it to any of these?
Come hang out with me! Please!!!
You have until July 25th to place Soulmatch preorder at Middleburg Books and receive stickers, bookmarks, character art, and a signed copy for the same price as big retailers. If you’d rather get 15% off, order through Bookshop.org!
Preorders help create buzz in the industry, which leads to more publicity and opportunities. They also count toward first week sales, which could land Soulmatch on bestseller lists. Thanks for considering!!
Receive this and more by preordering through Middleburg Books by July 25th!
That’s it until launch day — July 29th! So excited!! Just enjoying this brief moment to catch my breath first.
