I just signed a book deal!

It’s true! I have just signed a contract with publishing giant Penguin Random House that will see my debut novel released in mid-2023. This is where you can imagine me jumping around with the abandon of a three-year-old on her birthday. Squealing. Dancing. Hanging off people’s arms. I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am. This is dream-realising territory. I just never dared to imagine that Secrets of The Huon Wren would be picked up by a major publisher like Penguin.

But then, that’s how God works, isn’t it? He is extravagant beyond our wildest dreams. He has inspired and infused every word, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that he is doing the same now, in the publishing process.

How did it happen, you ask?

Here’s a timeline so you can grasp the patience required to see a book from inception to publication!

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Feb 2020: I started writing The Huon Wren.
Oct 2020: I finished the first draft.
Nov 2020: Editing. And some more editing.
Nov 2020-Feb 2021: I sent the manuscript out to a select handful of people for feedback, including a professional editor.
Feb-Apr 2021: Editing. Editing. Editing.
Apr-Oct 2021: I submitted my manuscript to many Australian literary agents.
Nov 2021: I signed with Fiona Johnson at Beyond Words Literary Agency.
Jan-May 2022: Fiona was busy making my manuscript visible to important publishing people while I sunbaked on beaches in Victoria, SA and WA (we’re on a caravanning trip around Australia this year), trying not to think about it (and failing!).
May 2022: I signed a book deal with Penguin Random House. Woot woot!
Mid-2023: My book will be launched to the world!

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I have many people to thank, but at this point I just want to name one person: my agent, Fiona. What a joy she is to work with, and what a spectacular result she has delivered.

Oh, and one other: my hubby, Phill. Because he is just as excited as I am, and it’s the best ever thing to catch each other’s eye from time to time and just shake our heads with the wonder of it!

What next, you ask?

I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work with all the professionals who make up the Penguin Random House tribe. I will have the absolute delight of now working with editors, cover designers, typesetters, marketing experts, distribution pros and my lovely publisher herself, Ali Watts. Amazing. So, that’s what comes next. Lots of learning and insights into this new world I’m stepping into, and it’s my intention to bring you along! If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog (just enter your email below) to make sure you don’t miss any of the action. You can also follow me on Instagram (@clairevanryn) and Facebook (@clairevanryn.writer).

Love, Claire.
(still buzzing!)

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