New York, New York

When I first started thinking about writing a novel, getting published seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream. Never did I imagine that, just over five years from sitting down to an empty Word document on my MacBook, I’d be visiting the offices of Penguin Random House, New York, as one of their published debut novelists.

It’s well known that the road to publication is rocky, but I don’t think I was quite prepared for all the anxieties, stresses and worries that come with actually having your book out there for the world to judge. Nevertheless, I know how incredibly lucky I am to be in the position I’m in, and to say it was a dream come true to visit the Big Apple, meet my incredible publishing team and actiually see my book on NYC shelves is honestly a huge understatement.

Perhaps one of the biggest highlights was walking into McNally Jackson at the Rockafeller Centre and being greeted by bookseller Pedro, who asked if I needed any help. When I told him I was looking for a book called Wild Ground, he responded ‘Ah, yes! By Emily Usher!’ It is truly a moment I will never, ever forget. I’m so enormoulsy grateful to all the booksellers who get behind debut authors like me. Big love <3

New York has been on my bucket list since I was a little girl, so I was looking forward to putting a big tick beside it. But, like so many before me, the city has truly gotten under my skin. If I have my way, I’ll be back time and time again…