Happy 2025! We are already halfway through this decade, and it’s amazing how quickly time flies. As I look back on the past five years, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences and milestones that have shaped me. The publication of Sommaren på Nornö in 2021 marked the beginning of an exciting journey in the Swedish literary world. My daughter graduated from university in 2023 and is working and playing in a bustling metropolis, reminding me of my exhilarating days in the 90s. My son is enjoying his second year of college stateside, and whenever he comes home for breaks, I’m struck by how food shopping and laundry once dominated my life! Empty-nesting has been an adjustment, but my husband and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, and the love, bond, and support we share make this phase full of new plans and adventures.
Yet, despite the joy and fulfillment in my personal life, I found myself at a professional crossroads. Books and writing have always been my passion, and having a career as an author has been a dream come true. Therefore, it was with a heavy heart that I parted ways with the publisher of Sommaren på Nornö a year and a half ago. I was super pleased with our collaboration and proud of what the novel had accomplished—selected as a summer serial in over 40 newspapers across Sweden and selling thousands of copies in all formats. We had verbally agreed that I would write a sequel, and after a year, I delivered a completed manuscript. However, months passed without their feedback—despite my multiple attempts at outreach—and I began to doubt their commitment to the project. This lack of clarity and communication was not how I expected our working relationship to be, and the situation eventually became untenable. I ultimately made the difficult decision to move on in order to preserve both my professional and artistic integrity.
My instincts told me I had made the right call, but our “breakup” left me with mixed emotions. I kept wondering what I could have done differently, particularly the importance of securing a signed contract in advance! I felt embarrassed discussing my predicament, afraid of being seen as a failure or overly sensitive. Literary pursuits—reading, writing, blogging—which had once been my haven, became stinging reminders of what I had lost. I became disillusioned with an industry I long revered. To heal, I needed to distance myself from it and shift focus—friends, travel, mentoring—anything to distract me from thinking about my languishing manuscript.
However, with time and reflection, I adopted a more philosophical outlook. I came to believe that these challenges protected me from making choices that would have felt inauthentic. They forced me to confront difficult questions about the kind of author I aspired to be and the collaborators I wanted by my side. I learned to trust the process and have faith that these detours were guiding me toward the right path. I also realized the importance of timing; my book wasn’t meant for the moment I had originally envisioned, prompting me to reassess my goals and priorities.
Once I let go of regrets, my mind opened to different possibilities. I explored new ways to rekindle my passion and reclaim my identity as a writer. Reconnecting with my book was the first step, and I sought the guidance of an independent editor who encouraged me to dig deeper and write without fear. Oftentimes, I felt mentally drained, but the process of revising and refining unlocked creative pathways and brought fresh energy to my manuscript. I also commissioned a Swedish translation and found myself loving the story even more. Svenska språket enriched the narrative, firmly linking the characters and plot to the first book. Although pitching a sequel to new publishers was a hard sell, I developed a more neutral mindset and did not take rejections as personally as I once did. Instead, I began to see them as proof that I was taking risks, putting myself and my work out there.
As I step into 2025, I am positively buzzing with excitement for the future and sharing Nornö 2.0 with a Swedish audience! Finding valuable lessons in challenging situations wasn't easy or painless, but my transformation—from roadblocks to resilience—restored the power within me and reaffirmed my sense of purpose.
Thank you for reading and your support. I hope your year will be brimming with inspiration, growth, and fulfillment!
All photos by Stefan Anderson.
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