Hi everyone,
If you’ve been following my blog, you know I’ve always been a bit of a “Reluctant Retiree“- mostly because I can’t seem to stop getting involved in one project or another!
And if you are new to my blog – welcome. How fabulous to have you along. I invite you to read on for my exciting news.
While I love sharing my travels and social musings with you here (and I still have days and days of last year’s visit to the United States to recount), many of you will know my attention has been pouring into three major writing projects. They are finally shaping up!
What’s on my desk right now:
- Louisa: An historical novel based on my great-grandmother. It’s a story close to my heart, following a woman’s struggle to find her own voice in a society that gave her no script to follow.
- Florence & Lucy: A journey into the ripple effects of intergenerational trauma and the long shadow of “illegitimacy”. Also written as an historical novel.
- Finding Florence & Lucy: A companion nonfiction work where I pull back the curtain on my own research and the real-life mysteries in the lives of the females who came before me.
Back in January of last year, (cue dramatic gasp) I triumphantly proclaimed that Louisa had signed on with the illustrious David Reiter of IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd). I boldly declared, in what can only be classified as a moment of sheer folly, my belief that no more revisions were necessary. Ha! Hope springs eternal, or so they say. I can honestly say, though, hand on heart, that every bit of tinkering has transformed the manuscript from a caterpillar into a dazzling butterfly. And now…
The BIG NEWS is that LOUISA is about to drop.
In coming blog posts, I hope to share “behind-the-scenes” snippets, research finds, and feedback from any early readers. In the meantime, I am thrilled to reveal the cover.
Without further ado, I give you, taa-daah … LOUISA.
If you – like me – have been anxiously awaiting her arrival, you can jump onto the publisher’s website and pre-order your copy, as a paperback or digital, in the currency of your choice. Here is the link:
Thank you for being part of this journey from the very beginning. I can’t wait to get her story into your hands.
Stay garrulous, Gwen Wilson
GWEN WILSON The Reluctant Retiree 
I am keen to read this book! It sounds marvellous!
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Thank you so much, Amanda. It is exciting that Louisa will finally reveal herself to the reader, Gwen
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I love the cover, Gwen. I guess it is terribly exciting to be finally at this point of the process. Or are you just exhausted? I can’t wait to read it, but will wait for it to be on the ‘dreaded’ Amazon site. 😆 I almost exclusively buy Kindle books these days, as it is just the simplest way for me. Wishing you many sales, and a lot of fun promoting it.
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Thank you so much Jolandi. I am quietly excited. The publisher does offer it in digital format, ePub, which is similar to Kindle but not identical. It is also available as a pdf. In both cases, the currency will switch to your local on account of recognising the geolocation of your provider.
If you jump onto this link, under “preview document” you’ll find the first six pages in pdf format. I hope you like it.
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Thanks for the link, Gwen. I will go check it out.
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It’s good to see you again, Gwen, and congratulations! The cover is beautiful.
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Thank you so much Lavinia. Hopefully, not much longer now to wait.
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It’s been a while hasn’t it. But the front cover promises that it will be worth the wait.
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It took years longer than I expected, and I am thrilled Louisa is finally going out into the world, and with such a touching cover.
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Now it is adding more to my cart – 5 copies at last go. I now don’t want to use this method of payment. Can I pay you directly when it comes out?
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Oh dear. What a pain. Thanks for trying. I will let the publisher know. Leave it for the moment, and in a few weeks, I will see if it is possible to get a reviewer’s copy into your hands.
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Thank you so much, Gwen. As you know I do want to read it.
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Hi Derrick, I’ve just sent an email to you about this. I used the btinternet.com address I had on file from our previous correspondence on family history. x Gwen
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Congratulations!
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Thank you so much!
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Congratulations Gwen. A lot of hard work and now the reward. Well done.
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Thank you for your congratulations. Now for the hard work of promotion 🙂
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Any local radio stations looking for literary guests – or not so local with the wonders of the internet?
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Yes, I’ll certainly be pitching to them.
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Congratulations, Gwen. As promised I have tried to order, but it is proving impossible – the checkout form is refusing to stay stable
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Hi Derrick, thanks so much letting me know. I spoke with the publisher who advises his website developed a fault yesterday which is hopefully now fixed.
When you have time, I would appreciate you trying again and letting me know how you get on.
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Congrats that is amazing work.
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Thanks so much Mike. You’ve been a long-time follower, and I am so glad to have your encouragement.
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