Meet Emma Mugglestone, author of the gorgeous new small-town romance novel The Reality of Us.
One of the best things about editing is getting to read great books before everyone else. The flip side is that after working on the structural edit for Emma Mugglestone’s novel The Reality of Us earlier this year, I’ve had to wait patiently for everyone else to read it too! Thankfully, the wait is over. It’s out now, and if you love small-town romances, an opposites-attract vibe and plenty of spice, you’re in for a treat.
The Reality of Us is Emma’s first full-length novel and the first in a series that follows four brothers in the fictional regional Aussie town Wattle Junction. It’s already won hearts – and awards – well before release: in 2023 it took home the Romance Writers of Australia’s Emerald Award for an unpublished manuscript and the US-based League of Romance Writers Emily Award for contemporary romance.
The series kicks off with Owen, a disillusioned big-city lawyer who has just moved back to his home town of Wattle Junction to establish a law practice he can be proud of. He’s not back long before he runs into Alice, a reality TV star whose picture-perfect life has just come crashing down in spectacular style.
Here, Emma shares how she got into writing, why she chose the indie publishing path, and the irresistible pull of a series set in a small town.
Congrats on the release of your novel, The Reality of Us! How long have you been dreaming of this moment?
Thank you! I’ve been working on my Wattle Junction series since 2019 with a few false starts so to finally be releasing the first book in the series is so exciting.
Tell us about yourself and your writing journey. Where did it all begin for you?
Several years ago, I fell in love with romances and after reading across different sub-genres, I started to wonder if I could write one as well. My ‘gateway book’ into romance was Jasmine Guillory’s The Wedding Date and it’s still one of my all-time faves.
When my kids were little I stayed at home and had the best time ever with them but once it was time for kinder and school to start, I knew I didn’t want to go back to my old career of advertising/administration and I’ve always loved reading and writing, so I figured I’d give it a go.
Can you tell us a bit about Owen and Alice’s story?
The Reality of Us is a spicy, small-town, opposites-attracts romance set in Wattle Junction, a fictional town west of Melbourne. At its core, it’s about learning to trust yourself and being open to new beginnings – including love.
The Reality of Us is the first full-length novel in a series you’re planning based around the small fictional town of Wattle Junction. Why did you decide to embrace the series format?
There are a few reasons. The first is that as a reader, I love a series. Getting to fall in love with side characters who eventually get their own books is *chef’s kiss*. And I’m always happy when previous main characters reappear and you get a glimpse into what their life is like post their own HEA.
The first full-length novel I wrote was Owen’s eldest brother Rafferty’s story. It’s a second-chance romance with a criminal investigation sub-plot that will eventually be released as the final book in the series. Once I finished drafting it and I was thinking about what I’d like to write next, I struggled to leave the idea of Wattle Junction behind and then realised that I didn’t have to because Raff had brothers! Given that Raff and Cassie’s story has the biggest climax, though, they got shifted to the end of the series.
I love the way you brought Wattle Junction to life as a small Australian town with a vibrant community. Do you have a country or small-town background yourself?
I’ve never lived in a small town like Wattle Junction but I did grow up in Cairns in the eighties so it was a little similar. Small-town stories have always appealed to me though and Gilmore Girls will always be a fave show.
This novel has already been super successful – it’s won two awards before it’s even been published! How did it feel to take home not one but two big awards?
Honestly, I’m still surprised that The Reality of Us won The Emily and The Emerald. Not because I don’t think it’s a deserving winner (excuse the humble brag!) but because I know how magnificently talented the other nominees are. It’s exciting to know it was well received and the story resonated with all the judges.
“When I first started writing seriously, I told anyone who would listen that I had no interest in self-publishing because it sounded like a lot of work. You know what they say about never saying never …”
You’ve chosen to self-publish your Wattle Junction series. What drew you to indie publishing?
When I first started writing seriously, I told anyone who would listen that I had no interest in self-publishing because it sounded like a lot of work. You know what they say about never saying never … And, while it is a huge amount of work and a very steep learning curve, it suits my lifestyle right now and I’m eager to start sharing my stories with the world.
What advice would you give other authors who are considering self-publishing?
I attended the Romance Writers of Australia conference earlier in the year and Steffanie Holmes gave an absolutely magic keynote speech about not quitting before the miracle. One thing that really resonated with me was her advice that you can do anything, but you can’t do everything and I’m applying that to self-publishing. It helps to be honest with yourself about what your strengths and weaknesses are. I’m not a very quick writer so I wanted to make sure that I had at least two of the other books from the series drafted before I released The Reality of Us. I’m a little behind on this goal but that’s okay. Hopefully I can catch up and if not, the beauty of indie publishing is that I can shift my deadlines around if I need to.
I loved working on the structural edit for this novel earlier in the year. I know editing can be a bit of a nerve-wracking experience for authors – how do you feel about the editing process?
I know I always end up too close to my stories so, while sharing my work is still anxiety inducing (with anyone, not just editors), it’s an integral step to ensure the story shines as brightly as it can. And the feedback is always so incredibly helpful. I’ve also been very lucky to work with editors who are supportive, kind and look after my characters and stories as if they were their own.
“Editing is an integral step to ensure the story shines as brightly as it can. And the feedback is always so incredibly helpful. I’ve also been very lucky to work with editors who are supportive, kind and look after my characters and stories as if they were their own.”
Were there any takeaways or lightbulb moments from your edits that you could share?
So many things. That no matter how many times I read the manuscript and self-edit I’ll miss things and a fresh set of eyes and opinions is truly invaluable. Also, it’s essential to find the right editor who ‘gets’ your story and writing style.
Aside from editors, who else is essential on your publishing team?
I’m so lucky to have a group of wonderful writing friends who beta read my stories and give me constructive feedback and advice. It’s truly invaluable. I’ve also done several writing courses through The Australian Writers Centre and Romance Writers of Australia.
One of the highlights for me working on your novel was your skill with characterisation. Even the supporting characters were richly drawn and gave the novel so much heart.
I really want readers to fall in love with every character in the story even if they’re only on a few pages because the best thing about small-town romances (in my opinion) is the people who live there. They drive the stories and give them so much depth. I’m also conscious that I tend to have quite a lot of characters, so I try to make sure they’re all there for a reason and readers know who is who. And finally, because The Reality of Us is the first book in the series, several future main characters are also being introduced.
“The best thing about small-town romances (in my opinion) is the people who live there. They drive the stories and give them so much depth.”
Speaking of characters – readers might notice the dog on the cover of this book! Murphy the Bernese mountain dog is such a great character and plays a key role in Owen and Alice’s story. Are you a dog lover and what was it like writing a furry character with a big personality?
How cute is Murphy on the cover? I’m so in love with him. I am a huge dog lover and have always grown up with them. Now my family and I have two Chesapeake Bay retrievers named Bear and Artie and I’m planning on including a dog in each story of the series. I especially wanted Murphy to be an impractical breed choice for apartment-living Alice to highlight how she often fails to consider everything when making a decision (like the fact she has no idea what a Bernese mountain dog is and decides that if his breed includes mountains in the name he’ll love running in the mountains with her). And I loved the idea of him being an unruly puppy to throw some tension between her and Owen.
What do you find the most challenging – and rewarding – about writing? Do you have any tips for surviving a tough day on the tools?
I’m not a fan of the first draft because even though I know it doesn’t need to be – and can’t possibly be – perfect, I’m always impatient to get to the stage where it isn’t such a mess. I once heard the first draft described as gathering sand and that second and subsequent drafts are when you can make your sandcastles. I’m constantly reminding myself of that during the first draft.
My husband always says to me “they can’t all be diamonds” and that’s what I remember on the inevitable days where the words just won’t come, or I don’t hit my goals. It’s all a learning curve and while I’d rather not leave things unfinished, learning to recognise when I’m just spinning my wheels and getting frustrated has been a game changer. Now I try to step away for a bit, take the dogs for a walk or read or watch something.
What would you like your stories to be known for? How do you want us to feel after spending time in the Wattle Junction world?
I want every reader to recognise a little bit of home in Wattle Junction, whether that’s from the family dynamics, the small-town vibes, the way the community rallies together or the friendships.
When can we expect the next book in your Wattle Junction series?
Nate and Eloise are up next in The Story of Us and it will (hopefully) be released in June 2024. While the central themes of the series (learning to believe in yourself and being the best version of yourself) still feature heavily, their story feels softer and sweeter to me. It’s about noticing and finding love in all the quiet, little moments that often get overlooked.
Finally, what are you reading now?
I’ve been dipping my toe into the world of romantasy (I’m normally quite a staunch contemporary romance gal) and like the rest of the world have been reading Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. After I finish those, I’m diving straight into Christmas romances because they combine two of my absolute favourite things!
Follow Emma Mugglestone on Instagram and TikTok @emma.mugglestone and pick up a digital or paperback copy of The Reality of Us here. You can also grab a free ebook of the prequel novella Wattle It Be? here.
Interested in a structural edit for your WIP? Get in touch for a free discovery call.