Shutterstock / Coatesy©As the 2022 approaches, we’re all naturally looking back at the year that’s turning, and looking forward to the year that’s ahead.
2021 — working from home
Like everyone on the “Friend” team, we’ve spent this year working from home.
Our IT teams set us up to work from home right at the beginning of the pandemic, in March 2020, and that’s how we’ve worked ever since.
Looking forward to 2022
I asked the team for their thoughts about the year we’ve just had, and the year ahead of us.
Manon
“The highlight of 2021 work-wise was creating the Map Jigsaw Puzzle for the ‘Friend’. It was a demanding task and seeing the final product filled me with joy. On a personal level, that’s a very easy one: I got married this year!
“My hopes for 2022 are to be able to socialise more: a return to the office is right on my list, and to be able to see my French family a little bit more, too.”
Tracey
“My highlight of 2021 has been the brilliant debut authors that we have introduced. They have read the magazine and hit the spot. They’ve brought something fresh to the ‘Friend’ and in 2022 I’d like to see more of them.”
Abbie
“It’s been a tough year, but it wasn’t without its highlights!
“We missed out on Christmas last year, so we made up for it in summer when we could finally meet up with family again. My dad even put the tree back up!
“In 2022, I’m looking forward to meeting up with the team. Perhaps this will be the year that I finally get to meet Manon and Alan, after almost two years of working with them!
“I have big travel plans, too, so I have my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to make them a reality next year.”
Alan
“I enjoyed reading diverse types of stories from both new and established writers. I look forward to seeing more of the same in 2022. On a personal front, I hope to catch up with some old friends.”
Lucy
“Although 2021 has been a trying year for many, working on the “Friend” is a reminder that the magazine has been with its readers through thick and thin, both past and present.
As one of our contributors said in an email this week, “Throughout all this, the “Friend” has been a lovely constant”.”
Happy New Year!
However you’ll be seeing in the New Year, we wish you and yours health, happiness, and a more settled year ahead.
See you next year!
Lucy Crichton Better known as “Fiction Editor Lucy”, I am always on the look-out for the very best short stories, poems and pocket novels. As well as sourcing enjoyable content, I enjoy working with our established contributors, encouraging new talent, and celebrating 155 years of “Friend” fiction!
