Yesterday, my inbox held a familiar message for any aspiring (or even established) author: a polite, professional rejection from a literary agent. And let me tell you, no matter how many times you’ve heard it, it still stings. It’s a quiet ache, a momentary dip in the roller coaster of emotions that is the author's life.

For anyone who dreams of seeing their words in print, whether self-published or traditionally, the path to finding an agent or publisher can feel like an Everest expedition without a map. It's a world of gatekeepers, of subjective tastes, and of incredible competition. You pour your heart and soul into a manuscript, spend countless hours polishing every sentence, craft a query letter that feels like a tiny, sparkling diamond, and then you send it out into the void. And you wait.

Sometimes the silence is its own form of rejection. Other times, like yesterday, a kind but firm email lands, telling you that your story, your precious story, isn't quite the right fit for them.

And in that moment, it’s easy to let doubt creep in. To question your craft. To wonder if this dream is just too big, too difficult, too elusive. "Maybe I should just stop," whispers the tired part of your brain. "Maybe this isn't meant to be."

But then, something else kicks in. Something stronger. It’s the fire that made you write the first word. The characters who refuse to be silent in your head. The pure, unadulterated joy of crafting a sentence that sings.

Because here’s the truth about this journey: It is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a test of endurance, of patience, and most importantly, of belief. Not just belief in your story, but belief in yourself.

I've been writing since I was a teenager, and I've found incredible joy and connection in self-publishing my nine emotional women’s fiction novels. Launching 'Reasonable Lies' in 2020 to raise awareness for breast cancer was a milestone I’ll always cherish. Each book has been a piece of my heart sent out into the world. And now, with COUNTRY HEARTS, I feel a new level of excitement and purpose. This story, with its three London sisters finding love and new life on a Nashville ranch, feels special. It pulses with themes of sisterhood, finding where you belong, and the courage to take a leap of faith – themes that resonate deeply with me right now for many reasons.

So, yes, the rejection stung. For a moment. But it didn't break me. It reminded me that every "no" brings me closer to the "yes." It reminded me that this path is paved with persistence.

I will keep writing.

I will keep honing my craft.

I will keep believing in my stories and my adorable characters.

And I will absolutely keep trying to find the right agent or publisher who connects with my work, who sees the magic I see, and who wants to help me bring even more stories to readers.

To all my fellow authors out there navigating this challenging, yet incredibly rewarding, journey: keep going. Your words matter. Your story deserves to be told. Let every setback fuel your fire, not extinguish it.

And to that perfect agent out there? I'm coming for you. And I'm bringing COUNTRY HEARTS with me.

In the meantime, readers, authors, agents, publishers & even screenwriters.... if you're looking for a heartfelt read, my latest novel, 'Country Hearts,' is available now on Amazon: https://mybook.to/countryhearts