Many of you have asked what’s next from Eileen Goudge. During this past year with everything in flux, I didn’t know how to answer. I’d written a book that I ended up withdrawing from submission. The timing wasn’t right due to shifts in the market, so I’ve set aside until a later date. One of the peculiarities of my profession is that when you start a book it’s a snapshot of the zeitgeist for that time period and by the time you finish it might be an entirely different zeitgeist. At no other time in my life was that more true than during the year 2020! When we rang in the new year on January 1, 2020 no one could have predicted how the next 12 months would unfold.
It was the year that rocked the entire planet. There was COVID coinciding with the Black Lives Matter movement. Both have impacted book-buying trends. Readers are veering toward familiar authors and comfort reads, as one might expect in times of stress and uncertainty. The Black Lives Matter movement has thrown a spotlight on diverse authors. We’re seeing titles representing a wide variety of ethnic experiences climb the bestseller charts, which enriches us all as readers. But what about those of us who wrote the right book at the right time only to find it was the wrong book at the wrong time by the time it was done? If you’re me, this is when you say, “Time for Plan B.”
While the world was going upsy-daisy, I decided to write the book I wanted to read. My Plan B is a series set in the California gold country. I just finished writing the first book in the series, titled “A Hero Lives Here.” It’s about a diverse group of women who call themselves The Tattooed Ladies Club and their adventures (and misadventures) in the fictional town of Gold Creek, California. I still have some revising to do, but will keep you posted on my progress as I go forward.
“It’s always something. If it’s not one thing, it’s another,” to quote my favorite wacky newscaster, Roseanne Roseannadana, played by Gilda Radner on “Saturday Night Live.” When you’ve seen as many ups and downs and shifts in trends as long as I have, you learn to expect the unexpected. The best thing I can say about this past year? It didn’t kill me. Not sure if it made me stronger, but you’re only as strong as your weakest point, and I’m nothing if not adaptable. Like a tree in the wind, I bend with the times.
I am sorry you have pulled your book and I am looking forward to its release in the future. I have loved all of your books that I have read so far and am sure that I will enjoy the future books. I have never started one of your books and later put it down because I lost interest. To Me that is the best it gets in my reading world !!!! And I sure love to read.
Music to my virtual ears 🙂 Thank you for the boost to my confidence. Took a bit of a beating this past year.
You bounced back like that rock star you are. I cannot wait to read A HERO LIVES HERE!
Thank you, Meri! It means so much that you read and comment on my posts. I hope to have a book for you to read soonn.
I love all of your books and am hoping you forge ahead and release soon! I think people read for enjoyment and need your type of writing to relax and get away from all the drama of life these days.
There seems to be a shooting every day in our Midwest town and it makes me sad!
Glad to hear you are at least writing for us who love your books!!!
The news can be depressing for sure. Which is why I prefer my fictional worlds. Thank you for sticking with mine through the years.
Looking forward to any and all of your books!
I so appreciate that!
Patience is a virtue! I’m happy to wait until you are ready Eileen, and it gives me something to look forward to 😀
Thank you for being among my faithful readers through the years!
I loved all your books, but my absolute favorite is Garden Of Lies. Looking forward to your next release
Thank you! That’s so nice to hear. It inspires me.