This has been a long time coming, but I've got some exciting news: I have today signed a publishing contract for my debut novel!
The Tapestry Garden (subtitled a 'literary love story') is set in England in 1936. It's a sort of Secret Garden for grown-ups featuring a renowned children's writer who discovers, through her work, what her life has been missing. It's an old-fashioned story full of music, books, gardens and pleasant places (typically 'Cornflower-y'), and I very much hope that readers will feel it lifts the spirits - that was certainly my aim as I wrote.
I'll tell you more about the process from initial idea and inspiration onwards, but for now I must say that along the way I was blessed to find Gaia Banks of the literary agency Sheil Land Associates who has expertly shepherded me and my manuscript to this major milestone. It was Gaia's strong view that the book would have an appeal abroad as well as at home, and interestingly it's a German publisher - Goldmann Verlag - which has been first to take it, bringing it out in spring 2023 under their Wunderraum imprint.
While I wait for that I'm busy working on a continuation of the story, but whatever happens next I'm thrilled to be able to talk about this one at last as not only has it been quite a long haul, it's also very dear to my heart.
Congratulations, Karen - what an achievement! It sounds fascinating - I want to read it already!
Posted by: Mary | 21 April 2021 at 08:44 PM
Aw, thank you, Mary! It's been a real labour of love but also tremendous fun!
Posted by: Cornflower | 21 April 2021 at 09:15 PM
Coming out of lurkdom to say how wonderful that is! I am really happy for you and hope eventually a US publisher will pick it up, but I won't wait and look forward to snapping up a copy as soon as it is out. Congrats! So nice to hear some good news!
Posted by: Danielle | 21 April 2021 at 11:10 PM
Congratulations! This sounds wonderful and is such exciting news.
Posted by: Claire (The Captive Reader) | 21 April 2021 at 11:18 PM
Wonderful news! Many, many congratulations on a great - and inspiring - achievement. I shall really look forward to reading The Tapestry Garden as soon as it’s out. The wider world definitely needs a dose of your creative and ever generous outlook on life :)
Posted by: Caroline | 22 April 2021 at 08:38 AM
How exciting! Huge congratulations. I look forward to reading your novel as soon as it is published.
Posted by: Jenny | 22 April 2021 at 08:52 AM
Thank you, Danielle! A bit like putting a message in a bottle and throwing it in the sea, it will be interesting to see how far my story goes in terms of other lands.
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 April 2021 at 09:45 AM
Thank you, Claire! It's so lovely that people are sharing in the excitement.
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 April 2021 at 09:47 AM
What a lovely thing to say! Thank you, Caroline.
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 April 2021 at 09:47 AM
Thank you so much, Jenny!
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 April 2021 at 09:48 AM
Gosh, well done; it sounds great and just the sort of thing I'd like to read.
I have my original childhood Puffin copy of The Secret Garden with the cover shown in your picture. It was my favourite book.
Posted by: callmemadam | 22 April 2021 at 11:21 AM
Congratulations! What an accomplishment! It sounds very much like a book I would like to read.
Posted by: Maudie | 22 April 2021 at 12:16 PM
I am so thrilled for you, Karen! I'm already drawn to your story and perhaps a post about the process of choosing the cover art. Congratulations!
Posted by: Cosy Books | 22 April 2021 at 12:18 PM
It's a book which has had a great reach, hasn't it? I hope mine lives up to its inspiration.
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 April 2021 at 01:07 PM
Thank you, Maudie, and I hope you'll get the chance to read it before too long.
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 April 2021 at 01:08 PM
Thank you so much, Darlene! Yes, I'm very keen to see what sort of cover the book gets.
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 April 2021 at 01:09 PM
I am also coming out of lurkdom to send you my congratulations on this wonderful news!! I know how difficult it is to land a publishing contract (my husband has three books under his belt, with another in the works) and I can imagine the joy and excitement you felt when you got word of your contract. I will eagerly await more news about the book and if it's released in the UK before the US, I will find a way to get a copy as quickly as possible. Best wishes to you, Karen! What a thrill!
Posted by: Lesley in OR | 22 April 2021 at 04:59 PM
Les, that's very kind - thank you!
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 April 2021 at 05:17 PM
What wonderful news. I've been a follower of your blog for some years and always love your writing. It's great you've expanded into fiction. Looking forward to reading the book - will it be published in English in the UK? Please keep us posted.
Posted by: Pamela N. | 22 April 2021 at 06:27 PM
I very much hope so, Pamela, and shall certainly keep you posted! Thank you for your kind words.
Posted by: Cornflower | 22 April 2021 at 06:41 PM
Tremendous news, Karen. Congratulations. Look forward to reading it. Won't mind ordering from UK if it's not available in US.
Posted by: Mary | 22 April 2021 at 11:06 PM
I knew it was coming and was hoping you would be able to say something before too long. Fantastic news and very well deserved. I will be reading it with great interest naturally. Much love from the darkest cat x
Posted by: Dark Puss | 23 April 2021 at 08:38 AM
Thank you, Mary - everyone's enthusiasm is tremendously encouraging!
Posted by: Cornflower | 23 April 2021 at 10:06 AM
Thank you, DP, and you may be surprised to know that there are cats in the book!
Posted by: Cornflower | 23 April 2021 at 10:07 AM
Many congratulations! We will have to be patient ... Something to look forward too. :)
Posted by: Grace | 23 April 2021 at 11:52 AM
Yay Katze :-)
Posted by: Dark Puss | 23 April 2021 at 07:48 PM
Thank you, Grace!
Posted by: Cornflower | 23 April 2021 at 09:18 PM
Congratulations! What fantastic news. I will certainly be purchasing this enchanting sounding read 💙
Posted by: Nora Veitch | 23 April 2021 at 09:44 PM
Congratulations! This is wonderful news and indeed something to look forward to.
Posted by: Freda | 24 April 2021 at 03:01 AM
Oh . What good news ! Congratulations. If you have any book signings, I look forward to coming. Anne
Posted by: [email protected] | 24 April 2021 at 07:43 AM
Thank you, Nora - I'm so glad it sounds appealing.
Posted by: Cornflower | 24 April 2021 at 09:56 AM
Thank you, Freda, I can't deny it's a really big thing for me!
Posted by: Cornflower | 24 April 2021 at 10:03 AM
Thank you, Anne, that would be so nice!
Posted by: Cornflower | 24 April 2021 at 10:03 AM
I am just so excited about this!! And very proud of you! Looking forward to the book, which I will buy the minute I see it for sale!
Posted by: Nan | 24 April 2021 at 08:59 PM
Thank you for such kind thoughts and words, Nan - all hugely appreciated!
Posted by: Cornflower | 25 April 2021 at 09:35 AM
Congratulations on the publication of your book, it sounds intriguing. When I held the hardcover copy of the first book I co-authored, I felt that like a baby, it had taken many months to nurture and create.
Posted by: Terra | 03 May 2021 at 09:30 PM
A little late seeing this, but coming out of lurk to say many congratulations! It's a huge achievement. I hope you enjoy celebrating your success, and contemplating it with a smile in quiet moments.
I look forward to reading this happy book with music, and gardens and cats. Just what I need at the moment. Helen
Posted by: Helen | 04 May 2021 at 05:26 PM
Thank you, Terra, and you're right about the many months of nurturing!
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 May 2021 at 06:51 PM
Thank you, Helen, and I do hope anyone who reads it will think of it - as you so beautifully put it - as a happy book. I should mention that alongside the cats there is also a dog!
Posted by: Cornflower | 04 May 2021 at 06:54 PM
Well done and congratulations! Look forward to it. Let us know if you're having a signing in Edinburgh.
Posted by: Claire Milne | 07 May 2021 at 12:15 PM
I shall, Claire, and thank you!
Posted by: Cornflower | 07 May 2021 at 08:21 PM
Karen, congratulations! What an accomplishment! Looking forward to reading it.
Visiting your blog is always enjoyable, and new treats abound every time.
Posted by: Marlene C English | 19 June 2021 at 12:43 AM
Thank you, Marlene!
Posted by: Cornflower | 21 June 2021 at 09:14 AM
Congratulations!! I look forward to your book's release.
Posted by: Missi | 10 July 2021 at 08:23 PM