Hazel and Holly

by Sara C. Snider

  Those of you who read my blog know that Hazel and Holly originally started as a flash fiction story I wrote as part of a blogging challenge. You know that I decided to expand the story after some readers expressed a desire to read more, which resulted in my serializing the novel on the blog as I wrote it. But I’m not sure you know how grateful I am to you for that.

  Hazel and Holly was, for the two years or so it took me to write it, a light in my life. It was my “fun project” (and then later my only project), that was very much like a little vacation every time I sat down to work on it. It was the story I gave myself permission to have fun with. To silence that inner-critic that likes to tell me what I’ve written is rubbish. And you, who read the installments each week and commented or mailed me with how much you were enjoying the story, helped me believe that not only could I do it, but that it was also worth doing.

  If not for you, this story would not exist. These characters would not have found their way to my heart where they will undoubtedly stay for the rest of my life. And for that I am profoundly grateful. So thank you.

  As always, many, many thanks and ridiculous amounts of gratitude goes to Anders Nyström, my partner in crime who not only puts up with me being a writer but actively supports me in it. Many thanks to the Stockholm Writers Group for their thoughtful and patient feedback and for helping me become a better writer. Thanks to Ray Rhamey for his thorough editing and Jennifer Zemanek for the beautiful cover and chapter artwork.

  Lastly, thank you to every person I’ve talked or written to who’s expressed their support and encouragement for this writing adventure I’ve undertaken. You all help make the road a little less bumpy.

  About the Author

  Sara C. Snider is a fantasy writer, cat wrangler, and multi-purpose nerd that likes to crochet and play video games. Originally from northern California, she now lives in Sweden where she is one step closer to fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a forest hermit.