Vibrant Imaginative People
October 2024, Issue No.32
Your VIP Newsletter from Soulla's Writing Room
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Hello my VIP and welcome to your October newsletter!
As October comes to an end, the air is turning crisp, the days are darker, and a certain electric thrill fills the atmosphere—it’s spooky season AND I’m also getting ready to launch my next book!
It’s the perfect time to take long walks with the crunch of autumn leaves underfoot, indulge in big mugs of tea (or hot chocolate with those squidy baby marshmallows) and curl up with a book that’ll give you the chills—whether it’s the love-bug that pinches you or a spooky jump-out-of-your-seat tale. Either way, the world is full of the golden yellows and vibrant colours of the changing season and this past week I have been busy with my little Eleni carving out her baby pumpkin while she's been decorating her miniature gourds.
What will you be spending your time doing as we turn towards longer, colder evenings?
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Vibrant Colours of an Ionian Island
I’m beyond excited to share that The Magic of Miramare is set to release on Friday 8th of November and is currently on pre order so I hope you will order your copy.
“Imagine three women, each with their own relationship mess,
meeting on holiday in a dreamy, sun-soaked resort.
There are secrets, drama, friendship, and just a
hint of magic guiding them
toward self-love and new beginnings.”
And to celebrate, I’ve been planning a launch event with my intern, Diellza, on Thursday, 28th November 2024. We have finally selected the most perfect and beautiful venue in north London, Grecian Artisan Wine Co. We’re designing and printing posters, sending invites, and working with the venue’s sweet owners who’ve made this process such a joy.
And décor? Think pink accents, seashell details, and those dreamy Mediterranean vibes. With so many brainstorms about the best ways to make the space feel like a little piece of the Ionian coast, it’s shaping up to be an amazing event!
I’m looking forward to having my friends, family and fellow authors there. If you’re into heartfelt stories with a sprinkle of magic, this book’s got you covered.
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When Imagination Goes BUMP in the Night
Do you enjoy books that make you jump? I'm not overly keen but if you have read If We Were Villains, then The Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio, Diellza tells me, is a must-read—"this eerie novella will pull you right back into her captivating, mysterious world. Set in an old, forgotten graveyard (because where else?), Rio spins a gothic tale full of mystery, ghosts, and all the moody vibes many of us crave this time of year. Her writing pulls you in so deep, you might want to leave a light on… just in case,” Diellza says.
In an impromptu discussion she told me what makes The Graveyard Shift even more interesting.
Though it didn’t take off immediately after release, the pandemic brought more time for readers to discover the book, and suddenly it was flying off the shelves—its blend of campus life and dark intrigue fitting perfectly into the dark academia wave. It’s proof that great books sometimes just need a bit of time to find their moment.
To top it off, I’m super excited that Diellza and I have tickets to attend M.L. Rio’s event at St. James’s Church in London on the 6th of November, hosted by Waterstones. If you’re a fan of Rio’s work—or just love to be surrounded by book lovers during ghostly season—this might just be the perfect way to cap off autumn.
I will let you know how we get on!
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Author People I Work With—and Three Things That Connect Us
One of the coolest parts of freelance editing is seeing just how many authors balancing day jobs are still finding time to write, and it makes my heart soar.
It’s genuinely inspiring to watch these writers make it work, fitting in writing sessions around full workdays and busy weekends. What’s even better is that their “day jobs” too often which end up shaping the stories they create.
Three things that connect us?
Firstly, I work with authors who have a wide range of careers—from nursery nurses and dental nurses to paralegals, hypnotherapists, computer analysts, and even a luxury-brand shopper. There are also teachers, youth programme leaders, graphic designers, and more. Every job brings its own quirks and challenges, and that experience often colours their writing, giving their characters, plots, and settings unique depth and authenticity. I too, have worked many different jobs and have had a multitude of careers in my lifetime which have found their way into my stories.
Secondly, these authors cover it all: rom-com, children’s books, horror, historical romance, dystopian, sci-fi, cosy mystery, memoir, time-slip fiction, fantasy, and classic romance. Seeing them pull from their everyday lives to shape such a range of stories is incredible. It’s a reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere—and that whatever your day job, there’s always room to tell your own stories. My books are feel-good stories with nitty, gritty real life themes which connect me to so many of the themes I end up reading when I am editing.
Of course, connecting with people doesn’t just happen through the editing commissions I take on.
Thirdly, networking is huge for staying connected (writing is a solitary muse) so meeting other industry and creatives goes a long way in staying motivated and up-to-date. I recently went to a networking lunch at The Phoenix Arts Club, Soho, hosted by Business Junction, and events like these are such a great way to meet potential clients, swap insights, and stay up to date on what’s happening not only in publishing but other industry areas too.
If you’re a freelancer in any creative field, I can’t recommend these types of events enough. They’re ideal for building a solid support system and uncovering new opportunities. Do you recommend any business networking events?
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Until Next Time...
That’s all for this month but look out for November’s newsletter, releasing on Saturday, 30th November (a couple of days later than usual) with some special Book Launch photos!
Sending you all lots of love,
and thank you for your continued love and support.
Happy Halloween and Happy reading!
Soulla xxx
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