A Note of Thanks
Before I start sending Tempered in Shadow out to agents and publishers, I wanted to pause and acknowledge people whose have already made a meaningful difference to this project.
Kathryn Marples, Friend and Primary Beta Reader
I want to begin by thanking Katy Marples.
Katy has been there through much of this project, long before it reached the stage where I felt ready to share it more widely. She has been patient while I info dumped huge plots, character arcs, future books, twists, emotional beats, and probably far more detail than anyone should reasonably be expected to absorb.
Across different stages of the manuscript, Katy acted as a steady beta reader, sounding board, and trusted early reader while the story changed shape, grew darker, and found its emotional centre. Writing can be a lonely and uncertain thing, especially when the world you’re building has become so big inside your head, and having someone willing to reflect, question, encourage, and simply be there has meant more than I can properly put into words. She encouraged me when my imposter syndrome crept in and believed in the characters when I was still trying to believe in the book myself, which gave me the confidence to keep going.
Without Katy’s encouragement, I’m not sure I would have had the confidence to share my work with the world.
It also has to be acknowledged that Adel is Katy’s firm favourite, which probably says as much about Katy as it does about Adel. Katy has also been extremely enthusiastic about my future plans for the little miss!
For that, I am genuinely grateful.
Working With Jovan T. Nikolovski
Building this website was a process.
At the start, Jovan and I had very different ideas. I came in with a strong vision of what I wanted, and some non-negotiables that, once they settle in my head, are extremely difficult for me to let go of. That decisiveness is part of who I am, but it can also make collaboration challenging at times.
What stood out immediately was Jovan’s patience.
He listened, even when I went off on long tangents before eventually getting to the point. He took the time to understand not just what I was asking for, but why it mattered to me. There were elements of the site that were genuinely difficult to implement within constraints, but instead of pushing back or cutting corners, he worked tirelessly to find solutions.
The result is a site that feels immersive, considered, and alive, which is exactly what I wanted. On top of that, many of the ideas that really make the site pop were his. Ideas I wouldn’t have arrived at on my own.
I’m genuinely looking forward to continuing to develop and evolve the site with him as the series grows, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Jovan to anyone looking for a website built with care, creativity, and patience.
Editing Tempered in Shadow With Charlotte Colwill
At the same time, Tempered in Shadow is underwent professional line editing with Charlotte Colwill.
This is the first book I’ve ever written, and handing over a full manuscript was both exciting and nerve-wracking. From the very first sample edit, Charlotte’s approach immediately put me at ease. Her edits were thoughtful, respectful of voice and intent, and framed as collaboration rather than correction.
What I’ve appreciated most is how clear and calm her communication has been throughout the process. Despite having a long waitlist, which is usually the sign of a highly sought-after professional, she has always been responsive, measured, and generous with reassurance.
Her editing style strikes exactly the balance I hoped for: constructive, honest, and focused on helping the work be the best version of itself, without stripping away what makes it mine.
I’ve only seen sample edits so far, but I’m genuinely excited to receive the completed work and to learn from the process as an author. Knowing the book is being handled with this level of care gives me confidence as I move closer to the next stage of submission.
Writing can feel like a solitary act, but books don’t reach the world alone. I’m grateful to be working with people who bring professionalism, patience, and skill to the process, and I wanted to take a moment to say thank you.
