Carley Fortune, a former journalist, transformed her career during the pandemic by writing Every Summer After, which became a best-seller and a hit television series. Struggling with burnout after years at Refinery29 Canada, Fortune found inspiration in her childhood memories at a Canadian lake.
From Journalist to Novelist
In 2020, Fortune faced professional challenges that led to her creative awakening. "I spent most of my time arguing on behalf of my team with the company," she shared in an interview. After a frustrating phone call, she vowed to write a book by year-end. This decision marked the beginning of her journey into fiction.
Fortune dedicated herself to writing, waking up early to meet her daily word count. Reflecting on her younger self, she drew from her teenage journals, writing about girlhood experiences through an adult lens. Remarkably, she completed Every Summer After in just four months, never intending to publish it.
The Success of Every Summer After
By 2026, Fortune's passion project had evolved into a widely acclaimed novel and a television adaptation titled Every Year After. The adaptation faced hurdles, including a writers' strike, but ultimately gained traction, especially after producer Harris joined the team. "When it came time to talk to producers and streamers about adapting it, it felt very farfetched," Fortune admitted.
Fortune sold the book rights to Amazon in summer 2022, shortly after its release. Despite initial doubts about the adaptation, she found reassurance in Harris's vision for the show, which maintained the heart of the original story while making necessary adjustments.
