A constant grey fog hanging overhead, large wooden deer and moose statues on almost every corner, and not a single green emblazoned grande cup in sight. If you ever have been to the Canadian town of Hope, you will know that is a small and sleepy little town—in every sense.

In other words, the exact opposite of the bustling tower-scape of New York city—where a young Kate Jacobs moved to after shaking off the misty tendrils of her hometown and going on to build a successful career in the magazine and publishing industry, in addition to writing the million-copy selling book, The Friday Night Knitting Club.

As one writer amongs thousands, it’s easy to feel like the odds are stacked against me, and that the prize of publication will never be mine.  But hey, crazier things have happened—after all who would have a thought a girl from tiny little Hope could have taken on the Big Apple—and won?

So thank you Kate Jacobs, you give me Hope.