Unless I am myself, I am nobody

The year has turned and I am awash with emotions — a mix of gratitude for all I’ve achieved, fatigue after working so very hard, and tentative hope for everything to come.

Forestfall was published worldwide, and my first duology is now officially concluded. Writing a series was a strange experience — sequels don’t receive the same fanfare and enthusiasm as shiny debuts, and I did feel like it was a much quieter, more intimate celebration of this story. Which, in hindsight, was perfect.

I’ve come to terms with the fact my writing is not for everyone (one look at my goodreads ratings will reveal all, heh), and this was a book for my readers, for those who fell in love with Leta and Rowan during Lakesedge and followed them to the end of their journey. I’m so proud of this book, and so glad I could share it with all of you.

And, I have the pleasure to announce… my third book: Unholy Terrors. A new standalone set in a completely different world.

This book is my love letter to misfit girls, the fragile magic of adolescence, and all of the dark, bloodied books which were my lifeline as a teen (and in the years beyond): Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite, Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, and A Song of Ice and Fire by GRRM. She will publish October 2023 in North America and Australia, with my fingers tightly crossed that a UK editor will fall in love very soon…

Somehow putting a third book into the world is the most terrifying thing I’ve done as an author. I feel like with everything I write, there’s also an intense emotional journey. Where I excavate my relationship to success, to work, to the balance of being present while also dreaming ambitiously.

I struggle so much with being “enough”, with wanting only the best for my books, and for everyone to love these stories that are so close to my heart. Whilst also knowing that writing is a completely subjective industry and it’s impossible for any book to be universally adored.

I still don’t have a solution, perhaps it will always be a work in progress. But I am holding tight to all of the wonderful parts of being an author— my readers, my writing community, the friendships I’ve made, the chance to keep telling stories. Hopefully with time all of the other things can fall away; like I am shaking tiny pebbles through a sieve.

The Last of the Lily Maids by Larissa Nash

Some of my fav moments from 2022, in no particular order: rediscovering my love of collage & digital art; the one trade review I received for Forestfall; being a guest at Adelaide Writers’ Festival seeing Chelsea Wolfe live in concert; staying in the fanciest hotel for the Sydney Writers’ Festival; my first interstate author event; the gorgeous Owlcrate edition of Forestfall; getting a full sleeve tattoo filled with moths and pomegranates and my favourite flowers

Thank you all for being here, for reading, for listening, as I set my thoughts adrift like paper boats into an uncertain sea.