I'm a Published Author! Get to Know Ghost Writing and Ghosts of Christmas Presents
- sweetfrivolity
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Hello, friends! Normally, this space is full of gift guides, lifestyle musings, and all sorts of sweet frivolities—but today, I’m stepping in with a different kind of update. The past several months have been an incredible whirlwind: I’ve been busy with my very first novel, Ghost Writing, published October 13, 2025, and now I’m thrilled to announce its follow-up holiday novella, Ghosts of Christmas Presents.
Ghost Writing, which I'm thrilled to say both hit bestseller status and has been honored with a pretty major award (details to follow soon!) introduced readers to Callie and Will’s slow-burn love story — equal parts tender, nostalgic, and hopeful. It’s a story that has resonated with readers in a way I could have only dreamed of. And now, with Ghosts of Christmas Presents, readers can return to their world just in time for the holidays.
Some readers carry both joy and grief into the holiday season, and this follow-up explores exactly that, along with the magic that can coexist with real life. It's cozy, sweet, and fun, just like I hope your holidays will be!
Here's the press release from my publisher about Ghost Writing:
Astralumen Press is thrilled to announce that Ghost Writing, the debut novel from Danielle Smyth, is now officially published and available wherever books are sold.
You can find Ghost Writing on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, local bookstores online, and directly through Astralumen Press.
Ghost Writing tells the story of Callie Sheffield, a young woman with dreams of becoming a novelist who finds herself ghostwriting for others instead. Her latest project, a finance book for her long-time boyfriend’s boss, leaves her feeling stuck and uncertain about her own ambitions.
Seeking a change of pace, Callie takes her laptop to the local library, where she meets Will Pearson, a charming and slightly mysterious library clerk. Their growing connection forces Callie to confront what she truly wants in life—and to imagine a future where she writes her own story rather than someone else’s.
Full of millennial nostalgia—from Clueless references and 90s music to late-night Gilmore Girls marathons—Ghost Writing is a cozy, slow-burn romance filled with heat, heart, and the bittersweet reminder that love and loss often walk hand in hand.
Discover Ghost Writing today at your favorite bookseller or directly from Astralumen Press.
Here's the press release from my publisher about Ghosts of Christmas Presents:
Some stories stay with you long after the final page, and for many readers, Ghost Writing, the award-winning debut by Danielle Smyth, was one of them. Callie and Will’s slow-burn love story resonated deeply — equal parts tender, nostalgic, and hopeful. Now, Astralumen Press is thrilled to return to their world with a brand-new holiday novella: Ghosts of Christmas Presents by bestselling author Danielle Smyth.
If you’ve ever faced the holidays carrying both joy and grief, or wondered whether magic could coexist with real life, this follow-up is just right.
A season of love, uncertainty, and second chances
Callie has always adored Christmas — soft lights, holiday movies, family traditions. But this year, something is different. She and Will are hosting their first Christmas together, and the house should be filled with joy… yet Callie can’t shake the feeling that something is off.
Unexpected guests arrive. Will seems distracted. And while she tries to make the season bright, Callie finds herself haunted by memories, what-ifs, and the fear that she might lose everything she’s finally gained.
At the same time, she’s holding onto a quiet, impossible hope: she’s still waiting to hear back about the book deal that could finally make her dream of becoming a published author come true.
What follows is a holiday filled with surprises — some painful, some beautiful, all transformative. Secrets come to light, relationships deepen, and the past returns in ways Callie never expected. Through it all, she learns that Christmas magic isn’t loud or perfect… it’s found in honesty, forgiveness, and the people who choose to love us even when it’s hard.
A cozy story for the holidays
This novella is perfect for anyone who enjoys:
Romance that feels real and grounded
Characters who love deeply and imperfectly
Found family dynamics and heartfelt conversations
A balance of warmth, humor, and emotional depth
Christmas comfort reads that stay with you long after December
Ghosts of Christmas Presents continues Callie and Will’s story while standing firmly on its own — equal parts hopeful, romantic, and healing.
Available now wherever books are sold
Readers can order the novella in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats from:
Leaving a review or recommending the book to a friend is one of the most meaningful ways to support a small press and a working author.
A new holiday tradition begins
Whether you're reconnecting with characters you loved in Ghost Writing or discovering Callie and Will for the first time, Ghosts of Christmas Presents is the kind of story that invites you to slow down, get cozy, and believe — even cautiously — in love and wonder again.
Here’s to a new kind of Christmas magic.
Want to Learn More About My Author Journey?
If you'd like to stay up-to-date on my author journey, feel free to check out my author site at https://www.daniellesmythbooks.com. You can also follow me on Facebook or Instagram, or subscribe to my email list. I look forward to connecting with you! Happy holidays!
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