Dear Readers,
Yes, I know, I promised you the apple story, but that was before I realised that today would be on new years day weekend, and I would want to write something to mark this special occasion. So January 9th: apple. Promise. And something extra has happened to add to that tale anyway. You’ll like it.
My New Year Video To You
Just in case you didn’t catch it on Facebook or other social media, here it is:
Looking Both Ways
So, as you probably know, ‘January’ comes from Janus, a Roman deity with two faces, not in the duplicitous sense but simply because it’s a watershed. A time for looking back on the old year and forward to the new. So let’s do that. What developments occurred in the Amanda Cadabra World in 2021?
Highlights of 2021
Book 6, Amanda Cadabra and The Strange Case of Lucy Penlowr was released, and Book 1 was published in large print. A Google Map of Amanda’s world, and 5 Cozy Quizzes were added to the website. I made 5 field trips for research, new photographs and stories for your entertainment. Book 1 gained a brand new cover for both ebook and paperback editions and, Book 2 was given a new cover for the ebook. The first and second drafts of Book 7 and the first 2 editing passes were completed. A+ Content was added to the Amazon page for each book. And to top it all, Book 1 attained to a BookBub Featured Deal with Book 1 free for 4 days, resulting in some 25,000 downloads and a welcome host of new readers. Quite a year!
20
22
What can we look forward to in 2022? Without making any promises, I now share with you … my vision:
Editing and launching Book 7. Book 8 and, possibly, even Book 9. More large print editions. An audiobook version of, at least, the first book. More field trips. More quizzes, maybe other games being added to the site. A secret project. Another secret project. Yet another secret project.A new paperback cover for Book 2 and a new cover for both editions of Book 3. New readers joining us on the journey.
Special Thanks
At this point I would like to extend thanks to all of you for interest in, and support and enthusiasm for, the Amanda Cadabra series. Special thanks to all of the readers who have written to me and continue to write to me. When I see an email or a message from one of you, it’s like a little light comes on inside me; A little lift and little link.
I write books because I can’t help myself, but I write them with you in mind; I publish them because of you, for you. And out of the thousands who buy, download, read them, there are you few, you happy few, you band who kindle the spark on days when the creative fire might be burning a little bit low. I see your message — it might be only a few words long — and suddenly the flame burns brighter. It always makes me smile and sometimes moves me to tears of joy. (I’ve checked, and that’s normal!)
And ther
e’s more. For all of those who don’t have the time or the words or the means or the inclination to write to me, that’s all right because the few who do remind of you too. I know you’re there. I also know that you’re waiting for the next book. So I’ll go and tend to that, shall I? And make sure the letter to you about Amanda’s and my apple is brushed up for next Sunday.
So there we have it. The year that was and hopes for the year to come. I don’t know how many of the things on my wishlist will appear in the coming 12 months, but I do know that whatever does manifest will be even better. May the same be true for you, dear readers, dear production team, dear friends.
Happy New Year,
 Holly
PS If you want to start the series now:
Thank you, gentle author, for the warm wishes and kind thoughts about us, your faithful readers.
I love the covers and honestly, it’s what drew me to read the 1st Amanda Cadabra book. Now, I’ve read all 6, plus the gifted short story of Tempest. I look forward to #7’s release.
Love the map! Thank you for putting it in the book. I like all the characters, but I really like the Inspector–like Tempest, I am scornful of how slow the bipeds are to get together. Also love the grandghosts, Uncle Mike, the old ladies at the Range…and the atmosphere of village life in a simpler time. WELL DONE!
Many thanks, Lucy, for your kind words and encouragement. You made my heart glow. I’m especially happy that you liked the map! A great deal of love goes into those and the thought that someone delighted in those details gives me tremendous joy.