My first year at IEC
2025 was a year of many firsts for me
For the first time in my 34 years, I’ve experienced:
being made redundant
navigating the unemployment world as someone with a lifelong chronic illness
starting my own business
completing a bookkeeping sheet
learning about self-assessment tax returns
understanding how trademarking works
marketing myself to publishing professionals
attending fantasy fiction events as an editor, not just a writer and reader
designing onboarding experiences for my clients
creating templates
founding a unique editorial approach.
And because of all this, I have had SO many fantastic opportunities. I’ve:
worked with publishers in London, publishers in the US, and clients from both sides of the Atlantic
rolled out my bespoke services and received incredible feedback (testimonials to come!)
picked my academic research into magic systems creation back up
submitted my own novel to literary agents after almost a decade of setting my goals aside for my career (say WHAT!)
had the confidence to reserve a stall at THE London Book Fair 2026! I mean, seriously! LONDON BOOK FAIR!
Honestly, starting a large chunk of your life again at 34, whilst navigating a new diagnosis and seeing your plans disintegrate in a few short months is NOT something I’d recommend. However, there can be positives even amidst all that rubbish. By framing my redundancy and health challenges as an opportunity (yes, I know how cheesy that sounds), I’ve opened doors I never knew existed and doors I’ve never had the confidence to open … until now.
I have big plans for 2026, but I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for 2025.
Here’s to next year, and here’s to me (because it’s important to celebrate your successes – yes, that’s a change management fundamental! You’re welcome!).
Until next time,
Heather
(p.s. here’s my dog, Rufus. Excellent cuddler, terrible christmas tree guard, cute but lazy editorial assistant).
25% silly boy, 5% editorial support, 70% cutie pie