Vibrant Imaginative People

September 2024, Issue No.31

Your VIP Newsletter from Soulla's Writing Room

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Hey there my VIPs!

It feels like just yesterday we were diving into summer, and now here we are fast approaching October, with autumn peeking around the corner.

What’s new in your life? Do you have any exciting plans lined up? I’ve been busy soaking up inspiration for my next projects. This month’s newsletter is packed with updates, stories, and a few surprises I can't wait to share with you. As always, I’m eager to hear your thoughts and stories too—what's making you smile lately? Drop me a line or a comment; it's always great to hear from my amazing community.

Let's dive into October with full hearts and open minds. Here’s to another month of inspiration, growth, and a little bit of magic.

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Faber Fireside Chat

I attended a fantastic event a couple of weeks ago that I just have to share with you. I attended a "fireside chat" at Faber with the brilliant Hanif Kureishi, author of The Buddha of Suburbia. If you haven't heard of it, I highly recommend you get your hands on it. It's a classic and has me not only laughing out loud but feeling a little sad too. His writing is brilliant.

The evening was absolutely captivating. Kureishi's charisma and storytelling had us all hooked from the get-go. He came across as a brutally honest person in a way that made me connect with him immediately and appreciate his book even more. He shared insightful anecdotes about his writing process, and some behind-the-scenes stories from when the book was first published. It was both enlightening and entertaining—a real treat for anyone who appreciates literature with a touch of humour and depth.

The atmosphere was buzzing with literary enthusiasts, all eager to soak up every word. It was such a wonderful opportunity to connect with other fans and dig deep into the themes of identity, culture, and the ever-comedic trials of suburban life. It's experiences like these that remind me why I love being part of the literary community.

What do you enjoy most about attending in-person events? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

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Competition Time!

I'm thrilled to announce that my latest book, The Magic of Miramare, is set to hit the shelves on November 8th!  This story has been a labour of love, and I can't wait for you all to dive into its world.

The Magic of Miramare is a contemporary romance novel that takes you to the beautiful Miramare Resort in Kefalonia, Greece, where love and relationships get pretty interesting. It follows a diverse cast of characters, each dealing with their own relationship ups and downs, from the thrill of new love to the challenges of staying committed. The story dives into how misunderstandings, life changes, and secrets can shake things up and shows how the magical setting of Miramare plays into it all. With themes of resilience and forgiveness, it really makes you think about your own relationships and what makes them tick. 

This book isn’t just a love story—it’s a journey that entertains and leaves you appreciating the complexity of love, reminding you that there's magic in keeping your heart open, no matter what.

To celebrate the upcoming release, I’m hosting a fun little competition where you can win an advance copy of the ebook!

Here’s how it works: Guess the colour of the book title on the cover of The Magic of Miramare, and three lucky winners will be selected to receive an early digital copy. Just a heads-up, to get your advance copy, you'll need to share your full name, email address, and Kindle email address with my publishers.

Ready to make your guess? Reply to this newsletter with your prediction! I'm so excited to share this story with you all and can't wait to hear what you think of it.

Good luck, and let the guessing begin! 

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It's True... Opposites Attract

Looking back over the past fifteen years with my partner Alan, I'm amazed at how our completely different worlds fit together so well. As a book editor and author, I live in a world of words and screens, while Alan, my partner, a window cleaner/gardener in London, brings a hands-on, practical vibe that keeps me grounded.

Before Alan came into my life, I was often frazzled by the corporate hustle and bustle, which wasn’t great for my health. But Alan has this relaxed, no-fuss attitude that’s contagious. His ability to roll with life's punches has taught me to focus on what really matters. Alan and I come from different worlds, which adds richness to our relationship. He always knows how to put my work stress in perspective, reminding me there’s more to life than deadlines.

Our story kicked off with friendly chats at my doorstep when he was cleaning my windows. Alan’s kindness, like offering to pump my kids' bike tyres, eventually led to us dating—after he asked me out three times! On paper, we might seem like an odd match—me with a Master's degree and Alan having left school at seventeen—but it works because we’re not competitors; we’re a team.

What I love most is that we value each other for who we are, not what we do. Alan’s deep knowledge of music, soccer, and fishing makes him a hit at my networking events, and he’s really grown to enjoy being in those settings. We learn from each other’s strengths and support each other through everything.

Do you have an opposites-attract relationship or friendship? I'd love to hear from you!

Our relationship isn't just about our solid love; it’s about finding balance and knowing two different paths can naturally merge. If you want to read more about our story, you can check out a Business Insider feature article here.

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Until next time...

Thank you for taking the time to read this month's newsletter. I hope you found inspiration, excitement, and maybe even a bit of comfort in my stories and updates.

Remember, I'm always eager to hear from you, so don't hesitate to share your thoughts, stories, or even just say hello. Don't forget to participate in the fun competition for a chance to win an advance copy of my upcoming book, The Magic of Miramare. Simply guess the colour of the book title, and you could be one of three lucky winners to get an early digital copy.

The cover reveal and pre-order link is going live on the 4th of October so make sure to get your guesses in before then.

I can't wait to hear your guesses and share this story with you. Good luck and thank you for being such a wonderful part of this journey!

Speak to you soon! Lots of love

Soulla x

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