#Rebranding - Time for a New Start

So many of us reinvent ourselves in the New Year, so we're asking authors who are rebranding themselves - through choice or necessity - how they go about a writerly reinvention.

As part of our special PHS Rebranding Edition, Rachel Brimble is talking about the freedom that's come with a surprise change...

As of January 2018, I’ve had twenty of my twenty-two completed novels published, and I’m currently looking to place my latest historical and contemporary romances.

Eight of my books were published by Harlequin Superromance and were, collectively, my Templeton Cove series. Unfortunately, back at the end of the Summer, Harlequin announced that Superromance will be closing in June 2018 and, as of October 2017, would be closed to submissions.

Over four years and eight books, Superromance and my amazing editor, Piya Campana, became my home…where I was the happiest. I was writing the books I wanted to write, had a series of my own which was a lifelong dream and worked with an editor who entirely ‘got me’ and what I wanted to achieve with my stories.

When it was announced Superromance was closing, I was stunned, shocked and left reeling with what to do next and who on earth would want my stories.

Three months on and I’m over the shock, but can honestly say, I’m still concerned if and when I will find a new publisher who wants my contemporary romances. Being a novelist is HARD. There’s no easy way to write a book. The same is there is no easy way to get published.

It takes a thick skin, dogged determination and a passion for what you do and write.

So I start 2018 without a publisher and—after making a very hard decision—without an agent. You could say, this is a brand new beginning for me.

Am I scared? A little. Am I wondering if all my work will have been for nothing? Occasionally. Am I excited about a future where anything could happen? Absolutely!

Jumping into the unknown, starting over, taking risks in order to find out who we are supposed to be, is what life is all about. I’m a spiritual person at heart and truly believe we’re all born with a path. We’re inevitably going to falter from that path. Make mistakes that will have us wondering what we were thinking a few months—sometimes years—later, but I believe we will fulfil our destinies if we LISTEN to our inner voices and live life CONSCIOUSLY.

Eleven years ago, I dreamed of having a book published. Then I dreamed of having a second book published, a third book…you get the picture. My aim soon became acquiring an agent, and during my career, I’ve acquired two and go on to part ways with both out of choice. I was terrified of making the wrong decision, but when I really listened to my inner voice and took action, the result was me feeling happier. As though a weight had lifted.

Which, of course, means my decision was the right one for ME.

So, where am I now? I’m free.

Free to create. Free to find rediscover the joy of writing. Free to experiment. Free to embrace new challenges and meet new people.

Bring on 2018, because I more than ready to face whatever happens next in my journey!

Rachel's latest release, A Stranger in the Cove, is out now. For more information about her and her writing check out her website, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.