When I was thirteen/fourteen, I wrote my first full length novel.

Now, with my thirty-first birthday looming on the horizon I have made around twenty-five euros from my writing.

At least, in theory.

The money was never deposited in my account, because I messed up the paperwork. Yeah, I know.

Not to brag, but I have also received a few free anthology books with my stories and earned a trip to Krapina, in Croatia. Yes, it’s a miracle I have managed to stay so humble.

With more than ten full length novels behind me, you would think I would be more bitter about the fact I’m not a New York’s Time Best Selling author (yet). And, to be perfectly honest, a part of me is jealous of writers getting seven figure advances for their first novels, or getting signed in a matter of weeks while I’m still in the query trenches.

Usually, I take that part of me and I beat it over the head until it stops dragging me down. If I let it, it will infect me, taking over my whole mind and soul. That’s not why I’m writing. Even if I never managed to publish anything, I would still be doing this, because I love it. If I can’t write for more than a few days for whatever reason, I actually get sad. It’s basically half of my personality.

Don’t get me wrong. Artists cannot and should not live off of “vibes” and “inspiration” alone, hoping muses will pay their rent and stuff their fridge with food. Stupid, toxic idea. Like a lot of my fellow writers, I would like to make enough money to quit my job and do this full time. I would love to see my books turned into big budget movies and do a few hilarious and charming interviews on late night TV.

If it’s not in the cards for me, so be it. I’ve written for myself for years and I will continue to do so.

But, I won’t have to for long.

My debut novel, Swallows of Mostar will be out this year! A a sapphic romance set in Bosnia and Hercegovina about an obscure sport of bridge diving? What were the odds that someone in the USA will take a chance on it? But, they did. Big thanks to the lovely editors at NineStar press for believing in this story as much as I do.

The road ahead is difficult, with lots of editing and the dark depths of marketing, the thing I fear most. I fear flopping or being roasted alive with bad reviews. What it worse? Being ignored or being mocked?

And yet, I am excited for this new step forward; telling you all about this book, talking about the real city of Mostar and whole of Bosnia and Hercegovina, discussing the uniqueness of being queer in such a half-way place. I’m looking forward to telling you about my other books, the writing and querying process, how to write a book and how to fall in love with the process.

So, will you accompany me on this journey?