Sam Humphreys

Oh, this is lovely! (Although is it wrong that a part of me is slightly disappointed it’s not an extract from WINTER’S WISHFALL…?) x

What are you reading atm? I’m reading two novels (one is for my book club), and loving both: THE PHOENIX BALLROOM by Ruth Hogan and THE SONG OF ACHILLES by Madeline Miller.

I am going to do the same from now on!

And, just in case you’re wondering, THIS was the perfect ms bag — except mine was white. (Also, I wish I’d bloody kept it, because this one is selling for over £100…!)

As a general rule, I’d print out 50 pages of a submission and take it home to read. But sometimes it was hard to remember which printout came from which submission. Also: if it was brilliant, 50 pages was NOT enough. And if not, 50 pages was too many…

I did find one — but, oh my goodness, keeping on top of submissions was tricky…

Back when I started as an editor, email (rather than physical) submissions had become a thing but we still had to print them out to read… I became OBSESSED with finding the PERFECT manuscript bag.

Ha! This is me practically every walk I ever take with my golden retriever…

Oh — that’s brutal!

Ha! Thank you for clarifying but I’m sure it WAS a FORTUNE. It must seem insane to anyone submitting now, when it’s all done with the touch of a button!

I got my first job in publishing in 2002. Looking back now it seems incredible, but at the time agents still submitted physical manuscripts by post. And publishers read and then returned them by post (unless they made an offer on them, of course). Agents and publishers spent a FORTUNE on postage!

Now I’ve realised that, I’m going to start trying to make time for those moments! That’s the plan, anyway…

One of the reasons I’ve been so quiet on here is that I switched from X at the same time as I went from working in-house to freelancing. The former lends itself to regular posts (look at the cover/proof/finished copy, etc), whereas with freelancing, I’ve realised you have to create your own moments…

I’ve not been very active on here but have decided that’s got to change! I used to love bookish Twitter and really miss engaging with people there — so I’ve made a (very belated!) New Year’s resolution to visit blue sky more regularly…

In case you need proof…

Ah, I know the feeling, tbh…

Oh… sending love to Old Dog… x

Congratulations to you all, you have completed January. Please progress to Level 2.

Spot the dog…

That dark patch on my jeans? Yes, that’s epoxy glue. It is not meant to be on my jeans. It is… very solid.

I often wonder if those criticising the current Prime Minister remember any of the previous five.

Ha! My secret is basically forgetting to water them…

All three of my orchids are flowering, at the same time. I think this might be the greatest achievement of my life.

What's the point of the state if it's not managing basic resources and industries. Railways, healthcare, power, water, post office and more should be publicly owned. In any sane system this wouldn't even be up for debate.

I have ALWAYS wanted a little armoured one…

I would never have taken the leap if I hadn’t been made redundant — but I am really, genuinely, enjoying myself. I love the freedom and the flexibility — and I STILL get to work with some amazing authors.

And, second, I’m in a publishing freelancers WhatsApp group, which has made freelancing feel a lot less lonely and a lot more friendly. Whether it’s a quick work question, the occasional rant, or pet photos, it’s (almost) like having colleagues, and that’s been amazing.

First, I’ve worked directly with authors (rather than publishers), and that’s meant I’ve still had the author/editor relationship — and for me, ultimately, that’s always been one of the things I’ve loved most about my job. Yes, the book is important, but it’s the people that really matter.

I’ve been freelancing for just over a year now, and have completed my first ever tax return (ahead of deadline too!). It’s actually surprised me how much I’ve enjoyed freelancing; I thought I’d miss having both a routine and colleagues — but a couple of things have really helped…