Always By Your Side: My Journey to Publication By Julie Haworth
Always By Your Side: My Journey to Publication
By Julie Haworth
On the 9th of August 2022 my debut novel, Always By Your Side, was published by Simon & Schuster and I fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a published author. My journey to publication was a fairly unique story in itself and one that I wanted to share.
I’d always dreamt of writing a novel but it’s something I’d never really considered doing until the pandemic hit in 2020. I contracted Covid-19 in March 2020, just five days before the first UK lockdown. I was unwell for several weeks and I vividly remember thinking that as soon as I was well enough, I was opening my laptop and making a start on that novel! I’d always had a love of writing; I was that child who was constantly making up stories and sharing them with family and friends. I’d studied English Literature at University and gone on to become an English teacher, so books and reading had always formed a large part of my life. Despite this, I’d never written creatively as an adult, there always seemed to be a reason not to, whether it was being too busy at work, having too many commitments … the list was endless.
As the various UK lockdowns hit, I suddenly found that I had a lot more time on my hands and I kept the promise I’d made to myself when I’d had Covid, I opened my laptop and started writing and I didn’t look back. Writing became the perfect escape during the lockdowns. Whenever the real world was getting too much, I could open up my laptop and head to Blossom Heath (the fictional Sussex village which is the setting for Always By Your Side). The story I was creating became a place of safety to retreat to and I’d always come away from my writing sessions smiling again, no matter how tough things seemed in the real world. By October 2020 I had the very first draft of what was to become Always By Your Side. The question I asked myself next was … now what? I’d written the first draft, which felt like a huge achievement in itself, but was this where the dream ended?
In January 2021 I was lucky enough to join the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme (NWS) which was an absolute game changer for me. As a member of the NWS, I was able to submit my manuscript to the RNA and receive feedback from an experienced author. My reader report contained advice that was invaluable to me as a newbie author and it gave me the confidence I needed to start strengthening my manuscript and get it in good enough shape to submit to publishers.
In February 2021 the opportunity to submit to Books and the City’s Digital Originals imprint arose via the RNA and I took the leap and pressed send on my submission. I honestly didn’t expect to hear anything back, so when I received an email in April 2021 asking for me to send my full manuscript across, I was totally stunned! By August that year, I’d signed my contract with Simon & Schuster and my debut novel was scheduled to be published in August 2022! I don’t think I quite believed it was actually going to happen (I still feel a bit like that now if I’m honest!) and I’m incredibly lucky to work with Sara-Jade Virtue and the amazing team at Books and the City.
I’d absolutely encourage new authors to look for organisations they can join for support and guidance when they’re starting out. The RNA does amazing work for the romance genre and there are similar organisations out there for other genres of writing too. Since joining the RNA, I’ve had the opportunity to take part in 1:1 feedback sessions with agents, meet other local authors and study RNA Learning modules. Writing can be an isolating profession and being part of a wider writing community and connecting with other authors has really helped. Wherever you’re based in the world, check out your local writing groups and see who you can connect with, you’ll be amazed at how many writers you’ll find in your local area (I know I was!).
Wherever you’re at right now in your writing journey, don’t give up! The fact that I’m even sat here writing this article now is something I’d never have believed possible! As I write this, Always By Your Side is currently out as an e-book and is scheduled for release as an audiobook on 27 October 2022. The paperback release date is set for August 2023 and I literally cannot wait to hold a copy in my hands! It’s beyond anything I could have ever imagined when I cranked my laptop up to start writing back in 2020.
One question I often ask myself is if I’d have written Always By Your Side if the pandemic had never happened. I’m genuinely not sure what the answer to that question is. I like to think that I would, but deep down I’m not quite sure. It’s a strange feeling knowing something so wonderful came out of such a difficult period, it’s almost like something from the plot of a novel …
—
Julie Haworth writes uplifting stories about friendship and community, bursting with romance and charm, from her home in the bustling city of Chelmsford, Essex. Her debut novel, Always By Your Side, is being published by Simon & Schuster in August 2022. Julie is still pinching herself that she’s realised her lifelong dream of becoming a published author!
When she’s not busy writing or running her copywriting business, Julie can mainly be found shopping, drinking ridiculous amounts of coffee and hanging out with her two rescue cats. Julie is also a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Society of Authors.
Purchase links:
Social media links:
https://twitter.com/jhaworthauthor
https://instagram.com/juliehaworthauthor
ALWAYS BY MY SIDE
A warm, romantic story about community, friendship and following your heart, Always By Your Side is a feel-good delight, I adored it!’ HOLLY MARTIN
‘Always By Your Side engages the reader from the very first page, and immerses you into the lives of Rose and her aunt, in the delightful setting of Blossom Heath. I loved it’ PATRICIA SCANLAN
When school teacher Rose loses her dream job at a London primary school, her self-confidence takes a knock. Worse still, her stockbroker fiancé, Ollie, sees it as the perfect opportunity for her to join his firm, which only adds to the feelings Rose has that their relationship might be coming to an end.
An unexpected phone call, and an elderly aunt who’s taken a fall, means Rose must drop everything – including Ollie – and return to Blossom Heath, the Sussex village she grew up in.
With no job to rush home to, Rose decides to stay in Blossom Heath for the Summer, trading London for the idyllic countryside. Here Rose finds herself reconnecting to the village life of her childhood in more ways than one, including falling head-over-heels for local farmer, Jake.
So when her London life comes calling, Rose is faced with an impossible choice… to return to the high-pressure life of her past, or embrace the joy of a new life in the country.
‘Warmth, charm, romance and a dog named Scout, there’s SO much to love about Always By Your Side! An absolute delight!’ FIONA COLLINS
‘Heartfelt and a joy to read’ ROSA TEMPLE
‘‘Heart-warming and delightful. I completely devoured it!’ LAURIE ELLINGHAM
Bursting with romance and charm, Always By Your Side is the perfect uplifting Summer read for fans of The Switch and Rescue Me, from an exciting new voice in women’s fiction.
https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/Always-By-Your-Side/Julie-Haworth/9781398524309
Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
