Romance Novelist's Unexpected Financial Journey

Carley Fortune, a 42-year-old author, has achieved remarkable success with her five romance novels, all of which have become bestsellers. Her debut novel, "Every Summer After," was adapted into an eight-episode series for Prime Video, which began streaming on June 10, 2026. Additionally, her 2024 novel, "This Summer Will Be Different," is slated to become a Netflix series.

Her latest work, "Our Perfect Storm," continues this trend by debuting at the top of the bestseller list and transports readers to Tofino, a picturesque Canadian location. Fortune's own path to becoming a celebrated author was unconventional. She previously worked as an editor for notable publications like The Globe and Mail and Toronto Life.

The pivotal moment for Fortune's writing career occurred during the pandemic while she was at a cottage. A particularly frustrating work call about advocating for a staff member's pay raise, where promises of advancement were never fulfilled, galvanized her to pursue writing for herself. This realization prompted her to reflect on her past and brainstorm ideas based on her teenage years spent by a lake.

She meticulously planned her writing schedule, aiming for under 500 words per day, a target she felt achievable given her journalistic background. The process of revisiting her teenage journals was deeply emotional, bringing back feelings of loneliness and a yearning for validation. She channeled these emotions into her writing, focusing on themes of teenage angst, romance, and a lakeside setting, ensuring a happy ending to provide comfort during uncertain times.

Fortune described the initial financial anxieties and stress surrounding her career change, especially while nine months pregnant and navigating a move. She also shared her experience with postpartum OCD after both her sons were born, a condition she initially struggled to disclose due to fear of judgment. With the support of her husband and therapist, she made the leap to full-time writing during her maternity leave.

The success of her first novel was significantly boosted by platforms like Bookstagram and BookTok. Fortune also expressed her satisfaction with the television adaptation of "Every Summer After," emphasizing the importance of keeping the series explicitly set in Canada, her homeland, and her childhood community of Barry's Bay, Ontario.