Guess who got published? Louise Allan!

Yep not me, this post is all about the lovely Louise Allan and her debut book, The Sisters’ Song. It’s surreal watching a blogging buddy fly above and beyond to such new and unimaginable heights.

I’ve been following Louise closely after coming across her wonderfully popular Writer’s in the Attic’ series. It didn’t take me long to realise she was also getting published by Allen & Unwin. To say I was impressed is an understatement.

If you’re not an Australian native or connoisseur, Allen & Unwin are a well-established, independent book publisher here in Australia. They follow me on twitter, but I feel like they may have done that by accident.

Even though it’s not my book deal, it still feels pretty darn exciting. When I caught sight of Louise’s book in my local bookstore, I almost started jumping up and down like a proud relative.

I mean, this is the product of six years of hard work, not to mention the countless years of writing that came before. I can only hope to one day show as much dedication.

I was initially going to write a book review (this book deserves one), but then I realised, you know what, I’m actually pretty bad at writing reviews, so instead I’m going to paraphrase what most positive reviews are trying to convey:

BUY THE BOOK NOW!

Jks!

One thing Stephen King taught me in his novel, On Writing, of which I finally took the plunge and read over Christmas, is that we are readers first. Reading should be part and parcel of being a writer, which is why I wanted to make the effort to read more this year. Luckily, this coincided perfectly with Louise’s book release, as her book came out January 2nd!

I was immediately drawn to The Sisters’ Song because I too have a younger sister who can sing. She’s so wonderfully talented and yet underestimates herself all the time. Not to mention I also have close relatives who own a beautiful farm in Tasmania just out of Launceston, of which I have visited many times over (they even have a cottage on the property that you can rent!) It’s one of my most favourite places in the world.

I could go on and on about Louise’s book, but I’m not really good at that kind of thing (reviews require fancy literary-like words). All I can say is that I read it, loved it and would highly recommend it if you’re looking for a truly touching tale that tugs at the tear ducts (sorry, that was genuine accidental alliteration hahaha).

If you are keen for a more detailed review, check out Marie McLean’s book review of The Sisters’ Song over at her website. Marie is far more adept at writing reviews than I, so you should definitely check her out. You can also download a Kindle sample of Louise’s book over at Amazon 🙂

Happy reading everyone!

47 responses to “Guess who got published? Louise Allan!”

  1. Allen & Unwin Avatar

    We even read your blog too 😉

    Thanks for spreading the love for The Sisters’ Song, and sharing the joy in Louise’s publication.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thank you so much! 🙂

      I would do it time and time again for Louise 🙂 So much excitement for her!! Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next

      Like

  2. ~ Sarah ~ Avatar
    ~ Sarah ~

    Nice! I found it at the library, so I’ll have to read it soon. 😊

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      At the library! That’s so cool 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  3. […] Millie Schmidt posted such a lovely blog, I have to share it with you. Her enthusiasm for a fellow blogger and writer, and now published author, is infectious as you read the post and then the thread of replies. […]

    Like

  4. Viola Bleu Avatar
    Viola Bleu

    So exciting reading about Louise here on your blog; will definitely share this on mine 💫
    I love your enthusiasm for your fellow bloggers. It is infectious ☺️👌🏼

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Yay thanks Viola!! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Louise Allan Avatar

    You are amazing, Milly! Thank you so much for this! And I’m so pleased you liked my book.
    Gosh, I hope I can write a post like this for you one day! 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      I loved your book, it was wonderful!! I really enjoyed your writing style in particular, something to strive for! #oneday

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Louise Allan Avatar

        Your style is unique and special, Milly, so don’t forget that!
        xx

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

          You are too lovely Louise xx

          Liked by 1 person

        2. Milly Schmidt Avatar

          I have no clue why it was saying I wasn’t following your blog!! LOL.

          Liked by 1 person

  6. mariemclean Avatar

    Thank you so much for the shout-out for the review I wrote on The Sister’s Song, Milly.
    Can you believe it? Six years of hard work, writing a book that takes so little time to read because it’s so absorbing and you’re racing through pages, trying to find out what happens next. It blows me away every time I hear a ‘path to publication’ story like Louise’s.
    But the end result is amazing – and I agree with your words, ‘Buy the book now’. 😊

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      The review you did was on point! When I read it I was like, ‘well I can’t best that!’ It’s so exciting seeing Louise’s book, as you said, six years of hard work and there it is! I should have paced myself instead of reading her book in one sitting – oh well! 🙂 I LOVE reading those ‘path to publication’ stories!!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. mariemclean Avatar

        Hopefully we’ll be reading YOUR path to publication story some time soon… 😉

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Milly Schmidt Avatar
        2. Viola Bleu Avatar
          Viola Bleu

          Yes, come on Millie!!!!

          Liked by 3 people

    2. Viola Bleu Avatar
      Viola Bleu

      Sounds like I need to order this book. Great post – great review from you! Congratulations to Louise too. Great example of what can happen if you keep plugging away … ✍️✍️✍️

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

        Yes you have to! Louise is a prime example of what can happen if you preserve and never give up 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Viola Bleu Avatar
          Viola Bleu

          She’s brilliant. So pleased I have met you both 💃🏼💃🏼
          Good luck with your own writing journey Millie x

          Like

      2. mariemclean Avatar

        Thanks, Viola! Yes, it’s inspiring to see what happens when we don’t give up on our dreams! 😊

        Liked by 3 people

        1. Viola Bleu Avatar
          Viola Bleu

          I shall scoop up your beautiful words,

          Along with broken pieces of confidence..

          File them in order where they belong,

          And hold head high, write and enjoy the consequence. 🌸☺️

          Liked by 1 person

          1. mariemclean Avatar

            Beautiful! 💕

            Liked by 1 person

  7. Lionelson N.Y. Avatar
    Lionelson N.Y.

    Congratulations to her and all the best for you too!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar
  8. Deborah Makarios Avatar

    Congratulations to Louise! It takes so much invisible work to get that visible book on the shelf. Well done.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Yes, so much invisible work involved! Louise has done such an amazing job (especially all the historical research she would have had to do!) It’s stories like her’s that gives us hope 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  9. Timeless Classics -- Poetry by Ana Daksina Avatar

    You are a good friend and a worthy world citizen! Way to work on behalf of the community.

    Reblogged this to my sister site, Success Inspirers World

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks so much for the reblog!! 🙂 🙂

      Like

    2. Viola Bleu Avatar
      Viola Bleu

      What a good idea … I think I may do the same and spread the love a little further 🌸

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Louise Allan Avatar

      Hear, hear, about Milly being a good friend and worthy world citizen! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  10. redbirdie Avatar

    Congratulations!!

    Liked by 4 people

  11. George F. Avatar

    6 years…I’ll have to expand my timeframe…

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Me too! I started one of my novels in Aug 2015, that’s technically only 2.5 years ago! I’m just an amateur it seems

      Liked by 3 people

      1. Viola Bleu Avatar
        Viola Bleu

        I have a friend in an online writing group who wrote a book, left it shelved for 10 years! Then went back to it, re-wrote parts and it was self published last year and she’s doing really well!! Kiltie Jackson…

        Liked by 2 people

    2. Viola Bleu Avatar
      Viola Bleu

      If this was Louise’ debut, she may never have that option to prepare for that long again! Her publishers might set her a target for book 2 … and give her a timeframe … eeeek! 🥂

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Louise Allan Avatar

        I’d quite like that problem! 😉

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Viola Bleu Avatar
          Viola Bleu

          Good things come to those who …. drink an occasional vodka and keep writing 💃🏼💫👌🏼

          Liked by 1 person

  12. bonniejtoomey Avatar

    You are Published, keep up the great blogging! I got a gig as a columnist because I had 28 follows! Crazy, huh?

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Wow that’s awesome!! I’ve applied for a few writing jobs – I’ve never had any luck! Maybe I should keep trying lol

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Viola Bleu Avatar
      Viola Bleu

      🥂💃🏼

      Like

  13. Leo Avatar

    That’s awesome! Soon it will be you 🙂

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      I know how cool is it?

      One day!

      Liked by 2 people

  14. Eva O'Reilly Avatar

    “Read it and loved it” works for me 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

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I’m Milly

Welcome to my blog, my little corner of the internet dedicated to all things writing. Here, I invite you to join me on my (very, very long) journey to becoming a self-published author.

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