Author Carley Fortune, whose novel is the basis for a new Prime Video series. (Illustrative AI-generated image).
From Frustrated Editor to Bestselling Author: The Carley Fortune Story
Carley Fortune, once a busy executive editor at Refinery29 Canada, found herself needing a change. The high-pressure corporate world and constant deadlines left her drained. Seeking solace, she returned to the place that felt like home: the lake where she grew up.
This lake, nestled in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, was the backdrop to Fortune’s adolescence. It was a place of summer memories, laughter, and first loves. When she decided to write a story purely for her own enjoyment, the essence of that lake naturally infused her narrative. She crafted a tale about a young woman returning to her childhood summer cottage, compelled to confront a past romance and a long-buried secret.
Her initial intention was not publication, bestseller status, or a Carley Fortune Prime Video series. Yet, that is precisely the path her debut novel, “Every Summer After,” took.
Released in 2022, “Every Summer After” is a coming-of-age romance set against the familiar landscape of Barry’s Bay. The story centers on Sam and the boy next door, whose lives are intertwined over six summers of friendship, love, and heartbreak. When a tragedy forces Sam to return to the lake after years away, she must face the secrets she left behind. Fortune’s writing, honed through her years as an editor, brings a crispness and emotional depth that resonated with millions. Within months of its release, the novel sold over a million copies, a remarkable feat for a debut author. This success placed Fortune among a new wave of romance writers whose works are being snatched up not only by readers but also by Hollywood producers eager to capture the genre’s devoted audience.
The novel’s popularity quickly led to interest from television and film studios. Prime Video acquired the rights, and the adaptation, titled “Every Year After,” premiered on the streaming service just two weeks before a recent Fast Company interview with the author. The series quickly charted in the top 10 on Amazon Prime Video, proving the cross-platform appeal of Fortune’s storytelling. The show, like the book, draws heavily on the sensory experience of a Canadian summer: the smell of pine, the feel of cool lake water, the warmth of a lakeside bonfire. For viewers who have never been to Barry’s Bay, the adaptation offers an escape into a sun-drenched world of second chances and unresolved feelings.
A Shift from Journalism to Novel Writing
Fortune’s journalism background at Refinery29 Canada profoundly influenced her writing style. As an executive editor, she was accustomed to crafting compelling, concise narratives that hooked readers within the first few sentences. She brought this skill to her fiction, ensuring that every chapter of “Every Summer After” pulls the reader deeper into the story. The corporate pressures she felt in her day job-the relentless push for clicks, the need to chase trends-had begun to chip away at her passion for storytelling. Writing the novel was, in her own words, something she did entirely for herself. She allowed her characters to be flawed and vulnerable, and she let the summer setting breathe without the constraints of a commercial checklist.
This liberation is palpable on the page. Critics and readers alike have praised the authenticity of Fortune’s dialogue and the visceral descriptions of lakeside life. The lake is not just a backdrop but a character in itself, shaping every decision and emotion of the protagonists. Fortune’s understanding of how place shapes identity came from her own youth in Barry’s Bay, where each summer brought new adventures and, sometimes, new heartaches.
Five Books in Five Years
Since her debut, Fortune has published five best-selling books in five years. This extraordinary pace has kept her in the literary spotlight and deepened her connection with fans who crave more of her signature blend of nostalgia and romance. Each release has been met with strong sales, solidifying her place as a leading voice in contemporary romance. The rapid succession of novels also reflects her discipline as a writer-a trait she developed during her journalism career, where deadlines were non-negotiable. She has managed to maintain high quality across multiple books, a challenge many authors struggle with when output is high.
Her bibliography includes titles that continue to explore themes of homecoming, family secrets, and the transformative power of love. While she has ventured beyond Barry’s Bay in some works, the emotional core remains the same: characters seeking reconciliation with their pasts and with the people who shaped them. This consistency has won her lifelong readers who preorder her books and follow her social media for hints about upcoming projects.
The Romance Renaissance and Beyond
Fortune’s rise coincides with what many are calling a romance renaissance. Publishers and producers have recognized that romance novels are not just a niche market but a cultural force. Authors like Colleen Hoover, Emily Henry, and Christina Lauren have seen their books dominate bestseller lists and spark bidding wars for screen rights. Fortune’s work fits neatly into this trend, but she brings a distinct Canadian sensibility and a journalist’s eye for concrete detail.
The Fast Company interview, which forms the backbone of this article, delves into Fortune’s thoughts on this resurgence. She speaks candidly about how romance, once dismissed as frivolous, is now being taken seriously as a lens through which to explore universal human experiences: loss, hope, forgiveness, and the messy business of falling in love. Fortune notes that the genre’s popularity is not a fluke but a reflection of readers’ desire for stories that affirm that second chances are possible and that happiness is worth pursuing.
The Prime Video Adaptation: Every Year After
Adapting a beloved novel for screen is a delicate process. Fans have strong opinions about casting, setting, and which scenes must stay intact. Fortune has been closely involved in the adaptation of “Every Summer After” into “Every Year After,” working alongside screenwriters and the showrunner to ensure the spirit of the book remains. The series stars actors who, Fortune says, “felt like they walked off the page.” The adaptation expands certain subplots and introduces new scenes that deepen the backstory of secondary characters, giving even those who have read the book a reason to watch.
The series’ charting in the top 10 on Amazon Prime Video is a testament to its broad appeal. Viewers who may not have picked up the novel are now discovering Fortune’s world through the screen, and many are then reading the book-and her other works. This synergy between print and streaming is a powerful driver for sales and for the overall visibility of romance as a genre.
Future Projects at Netflix and Expanding Horizons
Fortune’s success has opened more doors. She currently has two projects in development at Netflix, details of which are still under wraps. This expansion onto another major platform signals that her brand of storytelling is in high demand. While she remains committed to writing novels, the chance to see more of her characters brought to life on screen is clearly an exciting avenue. She approaches these projects with the same meticulousness she applies to her books, trusting her instincts but also collaborating with seasoned producers.
In interviews, Fortune has expressed gratitude for the opportunities but also a desire to stay grounded. She never lost sight of the fact that her career began with a simple act of writing for joy. That joy, she believes, is what readers and viewers ultimately connect with. As long as she can preserve that authenticity, she is confident that her stories will continue to resonate.
For aspiring writers, Fortune’s journey offers both inspiration and a cautionary tale. The path from a stressful corporate job to a thriving creative career is not linear. It involves taking risks, writing without guarantees, and remaining open to opportunities that emerge from unexpected places. Fortune’s willingness to step away from her editor role and pour her heart into a story set in a place she loves is what set everything in motion.
Looking Back at Barry’s Bay
Returning to Barry’s Bay for the book’s setting was not just a nostalgic choice; it was a strategic one. The town, with its mix of seasonal cottagers and year-round residents, provided a rich ecosystem for conflict and connection. Fortune drew on her own memories of long afternoons at the beach, bonfires that lasted into the early morning, and the bittersweet feeling of watching summer end. These sensory details ground the story in a specific time and place, making it feel universally relatable to anyone who has ever had a summer they wished could last forever.
She has visited the area during book tours and signings, often bringing fans along for virtual tours of key locations. The community of Barry’s Bay has embraced her success, and local businesses have seen a boost from tourists who come to see ‘the lake from the book.’
Conclusion
Carley Fortune’s journey from a frustrated editor to a bestselling author with a Prime Video series is a testament to the power of creative authenticity. Her debut novel, “Every Summer After,” sold over a million copies and launched a career that has produced five best-selling books in five years. The adaptation “Every Year After” has already found a wide audience on Prime Video, and with two projects in development at Netflix, Fortune’s influence in both the literary and screen worlds is only set to grow. At its core, her story is a reminder that sometimes the best stories are the ones we tell ourselves first, without an audience in mind. And when we do that well, the audience often finds us.
