Year in Retrospect — Roselle Lim

One year ago today Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune was released to the world! What a year it's been!

My publisher organized a fantastic launch at Queen Books in Toronto. I was humbled by the turnout. After years of work, sharing my launch with family, friends, and readers was unforgettable. Plus, the punny ginger lime cookies were a hit! People were sneaking handfuls home.

In August, I flew to Paris. I had been drafting what would become Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop. I knew I needed to immerse myself to fully capture Vanessa's experience. I cannot begin to describe the sensation of walking the city of lights's famous streets. Inspired. Awed. Motivated! I'm a sensory writer; it's the seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling, and tasting that then seep into my writing.

Like everyone, COVID-19 impacted my 2020 plans. The pandemic cancelled the only US conference to which I had been invited. Traveling to a reader's conference is a bucket list of mine. I hope I'll have another opportunity. Unfortunately, COVID-19 brought back painful memories of the SARS outbreak in Toronto in 2003. From January to May, I've been struggling under a thick fog of anxiety and depression. Uncertainty and turbulence made everything worse.

A bright spot within these troubled times was the confidence my editor showed in me and my stories. I'm honored to have the opportunity to continue sharing my stories with readers around the world. I can't wait for you all to meet Sophie Go, my intrepid matchmaker, and the grumpy old bachelors.

It's two months until the release of Vanessa Yu's Magical Paris Tea Shop. So much in the world has changed since my trip to Paris. But I think we can still find joy in Vanessa's story.

I can't thank readers enough for reaching out, for leaving reviews, and for recommending my books to others. Sheltered and isolated, these connections contain the fuel to keep going, to keep telling stories, to keep affecting others.

Stay safe and keep reading!