Shortly before Christmas, a trusted friend made a couple of predictions.

First, he said that 2010 will bring me a very big publishing deal.   It’s also something that he described as a “360 degree” change, and something completely different for me. (Yes, he said 360, not 180. I’m a little baffled, since that could be interpreted several ways.)

Since I’ve recently become involved with an independent publishing house, he wasn’t sure if that was related to his prediction, but it could be.

I can hardly wait to see what happens next!

My friend’s other prediction was not a surprise.  He said that I haven’t finished my relationship with Gavin Cromwell. (He had also worked with Gavin, and knew what had happened between us.)

The reason why I say that’s not a surprise is because, in my last conversation with Gavin, it was important to say that if he ever needs a friend — no matter what — I would be there for him.  My “gut feeling” was that it wasn’t a goodbye, and I needed to let him know that.

Though I’d be very cautious about renewing a professional relationship of any kind, Gavin’s friendship meant a lot to me.

People have wondered why I’m not angry with Gavin.  I’m not.  I never felt that what happened was personal.

I don’t know how large Gavin’s role was in the events that led to my professional break from him.  Frankly, I don’t care.  I learned from the experience, and I hope I will not make that kind of mistake again.

But, on a personal level, I felt so sorry when I learned that Gavin had put all of his handmade dolls into a shop, to sell them.   You see, he and I were working on a book about his dolls.  It was going to be a book of doll patterns & designs, so people could be inspired by his original designs and create their own.

Gavin’s handmade dolls are wonderful.

However, when I heard that he was selling his dolls… that’s when I knew he probably wouldn’t return to the States for quite awhile.

Professionally, that’s probably a good decision.  Personally… that’s another matter.  I know how much fun he had when he was on his own, exploring places like Salem.

So, those two predictions keep rattling around my thoughts, and I wonder what they mean and how soon I’ll understand them better.

Meanwhile, I’m working on new books, with a goal of having 30 books  — my own and some that I’m editing — in print by the end of 2010.