Looking Forward by Kate Walker

Last time I was here on Tote Bags 'N' Blogs, I was writing about the past - about the 25th anniversary of my very first published book and all the memories that evoked. (I was also asking you ifyou recalled your very first Kate Walker novel - or which were your favourite Top 5 of my romance. That contest is still open if you'd like to enter. Just take a look at the contest page on my web site - but ignore the closing date details. I'v e moved them to the 31st January 2010 instead)

Anyway, looking back was a good theme for December - but it really doesn't fit with January - does it? The new year has just begun with whole twelve months (less a couple of days) stretching out before us, just waiting to be filled with interesting and maybe exciting things. It's rather like the layer of fresh, crisp, perfect snow that covered the ground when I opened the door on New Year's Day. There it was, immaculate and untouched . . . just waiting . . .

So what is waiting for you this year? I know I have plenty to look forward to. It's one of the things about being a writer, that the books are always scheduled for publication months, sometimes even years ahead, and so there are always the publication dates to note in my diary and to anticipate with excitement. Yes, even after 25 years and 50 something books, I still find the release of a new title an exciting project, still get that special thrill to see my new title on the bookshop shelves. So that's definitely something I'm looking forward too.

And looking at the schedule I have that special thrill coming up at least three times on the next 6 months or so - starting with my next title, The Konstantos Marriage Demand which is out in just two weeks here in the Uk, then a little later - March 16th in Presents EXTRA in America. the next one up is A Good Greek Wife? (did I tell you that the Presents series titles are going through a change this year? That's something else to look forward to) This book is published in July in the UK and is in a special mini series of four books based on the Greek Myths.

And coming up in April in the UK is a special 3 in 1 volume that I'm really looking forward to. Normally the Mills & Boon By Request 3 in 1s are reprints of books by 3 different authors but this one - Claimed by the Sicilian - has three reprints of my books with Sicilian heroes.

So what else am I looking forward to? One of the great things about the success of my 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance is the fact that so many places ask me to run workshops or teach writing weeknds and this means I get to travel all over. In 2010 I will be travelling almost the length of the UK from Southampton in the South to Inverness and Ullapool in the wery north of Scotland. That's something, particularly the Scottish trip that I'm really excited about.

And then of course there are the books that I'm going towrite this year. I've already started the one that will come out after A Good Greek Wife? and I'm enjying getting to know my new Sicilian hero and his heroine and starting them out on their journey towards a happy ending. After that is another special project that I've been asked to write by my editor and I'll tell you more about that when I get closer to having it appear. Because of course the books I'm writing now will not appear until later in 2010 - and maybe not even until another new year!

So there's lots to plan ahead for, lots to anticipate - and that's without the Romantic Novelists' Assocation Conference, the other teaching I'll be doing in Wales (twice) later in the year. And of course there's lots of family stuff, and non-work events that will be coming up. And probably things I don't even know are just round the corner.

Whatever happens, 2010 is goingto be an exciting and busy year for me.

I hope it will be very special for you too. I wish you a truly happy year in 2010, with lots of happiness, fun, success and the best sort of joys life can bring. So that by the time it comes round to looking back again in Decmeber 2010 you will have lots of wonderful memories to treasure of the 12 months of this year.

So what are you most looking forward to in 2010? Do you have a holiday planned? Or is there some exciting event coming up for you and your family? Maybe a wedding or the birth of a new family member? I'd love to know about the good things you're anticipating. Let me know in the comments and I'll get Sid the Cat on the job of picking a winner so that one of you can have a small prize to start your new year off well.

You can find out more about the books I have coming up on my web site. If you want to know about my teaching, appearences and othe events then that information is on my Events page, and all the latest, most up to date news is on my blog where you can find out exactly what I'm up to.

Happy New Year!

PLease forgive me for the delay - life has been hectic, I'm on a very very tight deadline and I've only just found a moment to get back here - but Sid the Cat has been busy and he's chosen a winner - and the winner ins HOST - host can you please email me - kate AT kate-walker.com and send me your postal address so that I can send you your prize. I see you live in Coatia - I haven't sent a prize to Croatia before. Thanks for being my first!