I want to start this author blog with a thank you. Thank you for searching out this little corner of the internet for Emily Refermat, YA Fantasy, or The Invisible War. Whatever search term brought you here, welcome. Here’s a bit about what you’ll find here.
My YA Debut: The Invisible War
For months now, my debut novel has been under contract to be published by a Texas publishing house called Black Rose Writing. They’ve been great, and I’m very excited to join them as an author of YA books.
As I write this blog, the cover and full details of the release are secret. But not for long. I’ll be posting on social media when I can announce everything, show the cover, and talk about my release day events. Or you can always join my subscriber list to get that information in your inbox.
My Story: What I Was Doing All That Time
Something else you will find on this website is more about me. There is a short biography of Emily Refermat on the pages of EmilyRefermat.com, but for those interested in a more in-depth version, it follows, along with some acknowledgments.
My road to publishing was far from straight or smooth. But I like to think that this made it all the more exciting (at least in my positive moments). For most of my career, I worked in media, from writing articles for trade magazines to being the lead editor of a print magazine and online portal for the vending industry. It was a great job, and I met many outstanding people who will probably never know how much they shaped my life in very meaningful ways. However, I always wanted to write, to capture the stories that play in my head about anything that catches my eye. Mostly those stories are not about the every day, but adventure, fantasy, mystery, family dynamics, secrets to be revealed, and maybe a bit of romance. Finally, in 2018, in what I can only describe as a moment when the planets aligned, I had a choice. I could continue as I had been. Or, I could seize an opportunity to step back from a full-time job to be a more involved mom, wife, and…here was the clincher…finally have time to write, so I could get a book published. It was only due to my wonderful husband that this was even an option, so I can’t thank him enough for this.
Since you are reading this blog, you know which I chose. I jumped in, burning the boats, so to speak. Of course, soon afterward Covid happened, which set my plans back, but I was also so thankful to be at home during that difficult time. Fast forward, and I found a fabulous writing coach, Kathie Giorgio, at Allwriters Workplace & Workshop who helped me edit and polish up my novel, so it was ready for the big time. Traditional publishing company Black Rose Writing accepted it and this summer my YA book, The Invisible War, will be in my hands. Possibly yours as well.
This is Only the Beginning
Now that I have a foot in the door, don’t expect The Invisible War to be a stand-alone YA novel. I’ve already started work on a follow-up. And there’s editing I could do on the very first fantasy story I ever wrote that only my oldest friend Tina Guevara has read in its entirety. (It was single-spaced in Times New Roman. Sorry, Tina, I know better now.) I like to think she was my first fan, and I would love to share that story with others someday who might like it.
In the meantime, I hope you’re excited, dear reader, for a new YA fantasy that will (hopefully) steal your heart. The Invisible War is coming soon to an online book retailer or bookseller near you.
Emily Refermat 