Another year done, and if 2025 were a book, it’d be one of those novels with a shock plot twist nobody ordered.
Highs? Oh, there were belters. I landed a book deal with Vinci Books — an actual, pinch-me moment that briefly convinced me I was a publishing professional and not someone who just Googles “bleed settings” and “how to get more book reviews” on frequent occasions. I also taught myself a bit of graphic design and video editing, proving that with enough stubbornness, you can learn new tricks without a film crew or emotional support intern.
I escaped for a week-long motorbike trip around Northern Ireland (and a smidge of the south), a wind-in-your-face reset that felt like free therapy. I wandered Loch-side in my own imagination, and jetted to sunny Girona for a surprise party that filled my heart to the brim. Add in a trip to the Lake District, a long-overdue catch-up with an old friend and publishing Forever, Maybe, my first book baby of the Glasgow Girls series. Oh, and I wrote A TONNE of words.
The lows…? Ah, well. My sister died in November, and the grief is tangled up with guilt and regret — a reconciliation story that can now never happen. My mum’s dementia has continued to progress, a quiet heartbreak we live alongside every day. And yes, my ego took the occasional kicking from low sales and my utter lack of sparkly success on social media.
Still, life is messy. Stories matter. And I’ll keep writing them even if the algorithm continues to ignore me.
Here’s to 2026. May it bring gentle joys, good adventures and the strength to carry the heavy moments when they come, one word, one mile, one memory at a time…
Emma Baird is an award-winning writer, specialising in romcoms and fiction that focuses on relationships, and a type 1 diabetic. She is also the co-author of The Diabetes Diet, co-written with a doctor. Most importantly, she is the guardian of one very spoiled cat…
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One foot in front of the other Emma. You’ll get through this. A better New Year in 2026.
Thank you – and all the best to you and yours.
Hi Emma. A very happy new year to you and yours.
Many thanks, Neil – and the same to you.
Emma, I wish you and yours the very best for the New Year. Life is messy, and sometimes the roller coaster of highs and lows can be frustrating. One day at a time, we do what we can, and hope luck and good fortune choose to come along for the ride.
Many thanks, Bruce – and all the best to you and your loved ones for 2026.
Hi Emma I realise WordPress must have kicked me off following your blog. So sorry that happened! And very sorry for the sadness and loss you have had to face in 2025. I hope things are more sparkly for you in 2026. X
No worries – I changed my website so that’s probably what happened. Thanks for your kind wishes. X