Back At It... Finally.
It would be a gross understatement to say that it's been a little while since I've last touched base with you. It has, in fact, been entirely too long. And though my extended writing sabbatical was intentional and necessary, it has also left a huge void that I'm eager to fill.
I don't have to tell you how crazy things have been for us these past couple of years. And if you're anything like me, it's been difficult at times to regain footing in the new normal. But I hope you've found your way back, taken the necessary time for self-care, and read lots of beautiful books. :)
My life during the pandemic resulted in personal setbacks, including the death of a parent, that derailed several planned projects and left me with precious little creative bandwidth to see those projects through to completion. As a result, I was forced to shelve two books for more than a year.
I was fortunate not to experience any physical health issues, but the mental and emotional fatigue certainly took its toll. My only response was to step away from writing entirely to focus on my personal wellness, my fantastic family, and the shifting dynamics of the world around me.
I accomplished much healing, but the pull to get back to my work was constant, as was the fear of losing touch with those of you looking forward to my new projects.
The publishing landscape has dramatically changed since my last book in 2019. There are a lot more talented writers out there vying for your attention. And while my absence has been beneficial personally, I'm not sure it's done me any favors regarding my marketplace position.
I'll have an uphill climb to reclaim some of that lost attention, but I can say with absolute conviction that I'm up to the challenge, and I'm looking forward to what's in store for the rest of 2022 and beyond.
The Last Good Agent, the fourth book in the Grisham & Sullivan series, is available for preorder on Amazon. It is tagged for release in 2023, but I can assure you that it will be published much sooner. There is also a new Camille Grisham series in the works that explores her life in the FBI before The Strategist that I'm very excited about.
I couldn't be happier to be back doing the work that I love to do, and I hope that the new material will reflect the joy and passion that I've been so fortunate to rediscover.
In closing, thank you for reading, being patient, and most importantly, for the fantastic support. It's been a long road back. Now that I've made it, I won't be leaving any time soon.
Stay safe and healthy until next time (which will be soon).
John
