Exciting News!

Sophie’s Secret Quest

As a few of you know, I’ve been fortunate enough to have my series of children’s books for 5-7 year olds accepted by a publisher. I’ve still had to pinch myself, but now there’s some information about it on the publisher’s website so I’m starting to believe it more now.ย  I’m not sure of the exact date when the first book is coming out, so I’ll keep you posted.

For anyone who’s interested, here’s a little bit about the series:

Sophie Berryโ€™s long, boring summer holiday suddenly becomes one of excitement and adventure when she finds a tiny statue of a dragon at the bottom of her garden.

What appears to be a statue turns out to be a real-life dragon from another world. Lilly, the dragon, has come to the human world because her world, Mandoreum, is in danger. Gnarla, Queen of the witches, has tricked everyone and cast an evil spell ridding Mandoreum and its people of their magic and beauty.

Fairy Godmother Grace manages to produce a counter-spell involving the finding and solving of six clues in order to restore Mandoreum and to banish Gnarla forever. The solving of the six clues will also restore Lilly, who is no longer her magnificent self; her scales keep falling off, she has no teeth, her wings are broken, her long tail is now a silly stump of a tail, cotton-wool balls have taken the place of claws and Lilly can no longer breathe fire.

So begins the first of six books in the โ€˜Sophieโ€™s Secret Questโ€™ series, telling the story of Sophie and Lillyโ€™s discovery and decoding of the six clues. With the solving of each one, a little part of Mandoreum, its people and Lilly is restored.

***

At one time, I didn’t think I’d ever become a published author, but this just shows you should never give up on your dreams.

never_give_up_close

59 responses to “Exciting News!”

  1. AnnMarie Wyncoll Avatar
    AnnMarie Wyncoll

    Congratulations! I am thrilled for you ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! That’s really kind of you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  2. That is excellent. A FAB FRIDAY!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Geoff. Hope things are going well for you. Have a great weekend ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you yes; no publishers banging on the door but can live with that! You back in full get-go mode post holidays?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Just about, Geoff! Need the weekend though ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Wish you all the best. Indeed a great news.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  4. JasonMoody77 Avatar
    JasonMoody77

    Brilliant! Great news. I look forward to reading them myself! ๐Ÿ˜„

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much, Jason ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  5. Congratulations! Wishing you all the best ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Congratulations, Esther! That’s fantastic news and I love the sound of your stories too – I’m sure they’ll do really well ๐Ÿ™‚ xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Helen. That’s really kind of you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome – look forward to seeing the books when they’re published ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Congratulations!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Congratulations Esther!!! And I’m glad you didn’t give up. That is an encouragement for me and it keeps me going.
    All the best.
    Shalom,
    Pat

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much. It’s really kind of you. You keep going! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  9. Congratulations, Esther! It’s success stories like this that keep the rest of us going!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Sally. Hope everything is going really well for you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  10. That sounds great – really exciting – not just the news of your success but the stories themselves! Massive congratulations!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks very much, Jane. Your comment means a lot ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I love childrens stories, although my favourites are picture books. Maybe your success will encourage me to look for an agent or publisher. I have four children’s stories tucked away – I haven’t done anything with them because I’m terrified of rejection.
        I’ve been wondering – is it possible to make a good living as a professional failure? Are there any openings for me out there?

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Yes, there is, Jane. I’ve been rejected lots of times – you just need to keep going and one day, it’ll happen. Perhaps sooner than you think ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  11. I’m so thrilled for you Esther, how exciting, I wish you much success and happiness. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Marje. Really kind of you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Love dragons! Sounds fun… x

        Like

  12. blondeusk Avatar
    blondeusk

    Congrats ๐Ÿ™‚ so glad I met you now that you will be famous

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha! Not so sure fame and forune beckon, but it’s exciting nevertheless ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. blondeusk Avatar
        blondeusk

        I can say “I sat next to her at Pizza Express” ๐Ÿ™‚

        Like

  13. Congratulations, that’s wonderful news. Truly wonderful ๐Ÿ˜€

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! You comments means a lot ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Congratulations! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome! Have a nice
        weekend. ๐Ÿ™‚

        Like

  15. Linda Sage Avatar
    Linda Sage

    Fantastic news, Esther. Well done. Glad you had a great holiday too. Missed your posts.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Linda. That’s lovely of you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  16. What fantastic news! Congratulations, I’m chuffed to bits for you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks ever so much, Julie ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  17. Looks like all is going to plan. Good to see things progressing and look forward to hearing more as things develop. Incidentally… Essie? Is that how I should address you from now on?

    Like

    1. Thanks, Graeme. Re Essie – my mother-in-law calls me that and I’ve always hated it! But there’s another ‘Esther Newton’ writer out there (I know, how dare she?!) so I wanted to make sure I wasn’t confused with her. The name ‘Esther’ also isn’t that memorable for children so I talked things over with the publisher and she loved the name ‘Essie’! My friends call me ‘Ess’, which I like, so I will answer to ‘Esther’ or ‘Ess’, but not ‘Essie’!!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Okay. Just as long as I know…

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Dear Esther,That’s awesome! I’ll anticipate your new book. Wish you all the best for it! ๐Ÿ˜‰
    Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2015 14:12:56 +0000
    To: tanenxi05@hotmail.com

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! That’s really kind ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  19. Hearty congrats, Esther! I’m so happy for you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Jacqui. You are lovely to say so ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  20. will Richardson Avatar
    will Richardson

    Fantastic news, Esther, congratulations!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hi Will, thanks for that. That’s really kind of you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  21. This is so so so sooooooo
    AWESOME. I cannot wait to read these to my boy. I love the sound of them let alone him!! I also love the fact the publisher uses purple on their site!! Haha.

    You are an inspiration Esther, you really are. You make me believe that dreams really can come true ๐Ÿ˜Š๐Ÿ’–๐ŸŽ‰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww, you’re making me blush! Thank you so, so much. Your comments mean a lot to me ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Wow, Esther!! ๐Ÿ˜€ wonderful news and so happy for you. Congratulations,you deserve this. Love the story premise of the books, although slightly (ha!) older than your intended readers I want to devour these. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for your lovely words. I’m thrilled you want to read the books ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  23. Fabulous news Esther, many congratulations. I’m looking forward to reading your dragon story to my grand-daughter, I know she’ll love it and we can enjoy together!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Diane. That’s really lovely. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  24. Congratulations!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you very much ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Congratulations ๐Ÿ™‚ Great achievement!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

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