November is Writing Month

We've reached my high-intensity writing month of the year, AKA NaNoWriMo. I used October to finally wrap up Nugget #4 - which will be the last Nugget the Space Chicken book for a while. Now that is off to the proofreader and the illustrator and we're on to the next project on my list: Godmother.

Godmother, a YA fantasy stand-alone came to me in a moment of inspiration in 2023. I quickly committed a rough outline to a Word file and set it aside for November. Sadly, I only wrote one chapter before getting distracted by some other shiny new project. Oops. 

Now I'm working on expanding my YA book offerings so I need to get Godmother on the page. As of writing this post, I'm on chapter 6. I'm aiming for 60-70K, keeping this similar in length and with the fairy tale vibes of Spindelkin. 

Princess Poppy and Astra, her fairy godmother, initially agree to switch places for a few days. Astra is fed up with her life of granting wishes for others, wanting to enjoy life for herself for just a little while. Poppy doesn't want to marry a stranger, no matter if he is a handsome prince or not. The princess scrambles to keep her cover when the godmother council arrives to cite her for numerous negligent duty violations. If she doesn't figure things out quickly, her magic will be stripped and she'll never be able to return to her true life. Meanwhile, Astra falls for the prince. She doesn't want to give up her princess ruse, but if she's found out, it will ignite a war between two kingdoms.

If I manage to get a draft of this book done, I need to get back to one of my perpetual projects: Interface. That one is YA sci-fi, more geared toward boys so it will be a good addition to the book rack. Interface has been glaring at me since 2015 when I got 2/3 through the first draft on another November writing frenzy. It's been partly revised several times and is kind of a frankennovel at this point, but I have made sporadic strides this year toward smoothing it out. The story has promise, it just takes a lot of brainpower to sort out all the iterations of it into one coherent piece. And then there's the writing the last third of it.

Book Signings

I've only got one event for the rest of this year so I can concentrate on writing until March. My schedule is mostly booked for 2027 already. Hooray!

Life Beyond Books

The garden is cleaned up for the winter and I've decided to expand it for next year so that's under construction. The chickens are stocked and the coop is prepped for cold weather. Yard clean up is in progress. The flower hill was 95% completed with my reclaiming efforts this summer. I ran out of steam at the end, but it's back into much more manageable territory for next spring. I also planted a bunch of new plants so we'll see how those hold up.

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers. 

Onward to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question of the month: Do you have any favorite themes you like to explore in your stories?

Lately, I've been playing with what makes a person unique and how does it impact those around them - both in my children's books and adult. I like to find out what makes a character tick and what they can do with what I've given them once we get that sorted out.

I've also toyed with eugenics, and how grey I can make a character while still making them a redeemable/sympathetic MC. All of that is flavored with a healthy dose of snark and darkness.

Thank you to this month's co-hosts: Kalpana, Kim Lajevardi, Rebecca Douglass, Jennifer Lane, and Cathrina Constantine 

Writing Time and also Ren Faires, and...

I'm headed out to my last outdoor show of the year this weekend, a first year renaissance festival. This means October camping outside in Michigan. I figure it can't be more challenging than April camping (always my first outdoor show of the year), so we'll see if I just jinxed myself. LOL

Beyond that, just two more shows and then it's quiet time for this very tired author. I've already set up my schedule for next year and so far, it's down from 31 events to 24 so hey, I'm attempting to make it a more "relaxed year". We'll see if I stick to that. I wouldn't be opposed to adding one or two, but definitely not looking to top this year. I mostly dropped underperforming events, and really, not dropped, because I wouldn't be opposed to doing them again, but more of a giving them a year off kind of thing. 

My chicken sales ladies did a great job at the 
Newaygo Logging Festival, winning us the 
Crowd Magnet Award.

With the event season winding down, I've already started prepping for next year by purchasing new totes for my books. My old ones had been dropped several times and were being held together by duct tape. Nice, new, waterproof totes are now stocked and ready for these last few events. I also ordered a new stand up banner to replace my original one that I've been "making work" for most of this year. It was my original show banner stand and while I've replaced the banner a few times, the stand itself had seen better days about two years ago. I definitely got my $ out of that one. I've also designed a new cloth table banner and will be getting that ordered this week. My current one is four years old and faded. The new one features cover art from some of my more recent books and also mentions children's books and has my current tag line. If I can get another four years out of the new one, I'll be very happy. Beyond that, I've updated my promo materials and headers on various socials with this year's new books, along with my wholesale price list for direct sales to bookstores. Yes, I do that. And, I'm generally better priced than Ingram. 

This is why waterproof totes are very important. 
This year's Muddy Maumee Book Festival wasn't
so much muddy as very wet. Even with my old totes
no books were harmed, but that was sheer luck. 

October until March is my quiet time. I'm hoping to get some sleeping, writing, and reading done in the months where there's no place I'd rather be than under a warm blanket in my comfy chair. 

What's on the agenda for this year's writing months? 

Finish Nugget #4 - I'm currently on chapter 10 of 14.

Revise and finish Interface. This project is on the list every year and really really needs to get done. I've been working on this one since 2015. *grimaces* 

Finish Godmother. This is another one that keeps lingering on my list, though only on year four. I'm only two chapters in and I really like it. We just need to hope that some shiny new project doesn't bump it yet again.

Funky Ferndale continues to be my top selling event.
132 books went to new homes that weekend.

Our inaugural Holland Lit Fest was a big hit. We estimate around 1,000 people shopped 75 authors throughout the day. There were a few small hiccups, but that was to be expected, given it was our first year. We've already met about what we can do better next year and picked a date. Authors are eager to sign up for tables, but we want to revamp our website first so they'll have to hold on until early 2027. 

Our fearless lit fest committee. 

Also on the agenda for the quiet months is getting the author alley for the Mid-Michigan Women's Expo and the Lakeshore Art Festival filled. At least I can manage author wrangling from my comfy chair. 

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers. 

Let's get to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question so I can get back to my quiet activities. If authors who use AI should disclose that, should those who use ghostwriters, have to disclose that too?

Yes, they should. If someone else is doing the work, they should get credit. I think it's important for readers who know who is writing the book they are reading. Someone paying someone else to write the book for them without publicly acknowledging it is not any different than paying the smart kid to do your homework for you. 

Rolling into 2026.02

I had a great January with zero events and some days I didn't even have to leave the house. It was awesome. My Oct/Nov writing project is almost through the first round of edits and will be going out to beta readers soon. I'm hoping to have Siphon out in May. We'll see how that goes.

Winter has also been a time for adding new lives to my task list. Meet Zero, the newest chick who hatched on one of the many frigid mornings two weeks ago. 

In addition to feathered pets, we also have a dog who has been looking for a new friend. We'd been on the lookout for another terrier, ideally an older one as our current boy is 11. Instead, a text from my dog dealer (nearby dog foster rescue volunteer) one morning lead to us claiming this 10 month old male Cheagle the next day. They've been getting along pretty good and it's been fun to see the grumpy old man playing like a puppy.

Book events start up this month. Though, thankfully only one long weekend to break back in slowly. Then we're off and running in March. If you're in the Lansing, MI area, stop out to the Mid-Michigan Women's Expo and visit the nineteen book slingers in author alley. 

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers. 

What else did I do in January? What a timely question...

This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question is: Many writers have written about the experience of rereading their work years later. Have you reread any of your early works? What was that experience for you?

One of my fun annual January indulgences is to reread some of my books. This year I read all seven books of my Narvan series. 

Why would I reread my own books? I mean, I wrote them, don't I know them already? *Side eyes  the stack of books I've written* Um, yeah, but I wrote all those too and after a while, things get hazy. I write what I like to read so why shouldn't I get to read the books I wrote? As a writer, you know how many times we read over our work in countless rounds of edits. It sucks the fun of the story right out of it. So now that all that is behind us and a little distance has happened, I can read to enjoy the story.

But it never is all just fun, is it? Why? Because we can't turn edit brain off! So while my reread mind is happily eating up words, edit brain is pointing out tiny tweaks, an occasional missed comma, an extra space, and the inevitable ninja typo that is somehow still lingering after all these years. How? OMG, whhhhhy? 

So yes, I enjoy reading my work, early and more recent, and while I'm there, I do a little light housekeeping so that the next printing is even better for my readers. Do I get the urge to do more than that on the really early books? Sometimes, but I haven't (yet - not saying I never will) because: 1) I have too many new projects to work on. 2) It wouldn't be the same story if current writer me rewrote it. 3) It's good to see how far you've come with your writing skills. 

And now I have to get up and go do things and wake this tiny furball. Until next time, may your laps be warm and your words be plentiful!

 

2026 Goals

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers. 

Well now, that year flew by fast! Looking at my schedule, I'm guessing this one will too. And as usual, I'm going to attempt to be productive while I'm at it. Since this happens to be the topic of this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group blog hop, I'm feeling totally on theme for once. Woohoo!

What's on the agenda for the new year?

Edit and publish Siphon (I wrapped up the first draft last week. Hooray!)

Finish my secret project (that I'm starting this week). NAUR is for all of you who have been after me to write another parody. The synopsis is complete, blurb is written, and cover concept is complete.  I'm never this prepared before I even start writing, but it's going to be a fun one and I'm looking forward to it.

Finish the draft of EITHER Godmother or Interface. I'm hoping this stipulation will allow me to not fail this one yet again.

Write and publish Nugget the Space Chicken Book 3. I'd hoped to have an outline and plan in place for this one by now but  I don't, so that's also on my list.

Continue progress on reclaiming the flower hill. I made good progress in 2025 so I have to be out there to at least maintain that and hopefully continue onward while I'm at it.

Work on the veggie garden concrete project. I dry poured several large blocks last year to see how they'd hold up in the Michigan winter, and I'm not impressed so I'm glad I didn't dive into all of them that way. Back to good old wet cement mixing it is.

Read two books a month. I was semi-successful with this in 2025 so I think its possible. I also need to keep better track because maybe I did make it and my crappy reading record keeping just didn't record it. LOL

Didn't make it to everything on your list from 2025? It's not a fail, it's a second...err third...okay fifth chance to get to it this year. :)

How were 2025 Sales? Most events I returned to were down because: economy.  However, I did more events than ever before and that made up for a lot. There were a few events that performed really well, one even far exceeded my expectations. You bet I'm doing Funky Ferndale again! There were also a handful of events that were at no cost to me (either as a guest or tables were free) so that negated low sales at a few of the others in terms of expenses. In 2025 I sold 400+ more books than 2024, ending up at 1,731 books sold. Given that spring events were all pretty dismal sales-wise, I'm pleased with how the year turned out. 

I've updated my event schedule with everything that is currently booked or applied for (that I'm fairly sure I'm good for). There are several more to add that applications are not live yet and there are, as usual, a couple new to me events I haven't heard back on yet.

How was Galaxy Con Columbus you ask? HUGE. I traveled with author pal TL Shively (YA fantasy), and we had a good time. There were lots of celebrities to run by and gawk at but we didn't have time to wait in the massive lines. And so many artists! I sold enough to cover all my expenses which was saying something considering how many hundreds of vendors and artists there for people to buy from. I would maybe do it again in a few years when the economy is better, but this was a pricey event to be at and I kinda gotta do shows that allow me to pay daily life bills AND cover event expenses. #priorities

This is a quarter of the celebrity zone

I was one of over 200 artist alley booths

I have no idea how many vendor booths there were 
but they went on and on and on

There was even a full size wresting ring.

Starbase Indy, another new to me event, was also fun, but in a much more relaxing and productive way. The event table was free so all I had to do was cover my gas and hotel room - which I did do with sales. I travel with my own food. Foot traffic was slow (as is usually the case with hotel cons), but the people were great and unlike a busy show, I didn't feel bad about getting some reading and writing done at my table. I also got a good deal done after show hours. So as far as a weekend writing retreat goes, it paid for itself and I slept great. I would maybe do this one again if I could take another author along to share the hotel expenses with the intent of making it a writing weekend.

Laya traveled with me and was much loved
by everyone. She got to meet the
celebrity guest, Lisa Wilcox

May you have a fantastic and productive new year! 

 

End of Year Writing Check In

Here were are with another year almost behind us. Whew, what a ride!

I'll be heading off to Galaxy Con Columbus tomorrow for a long weekend of peopling. My last weekend away until February. Woohoo! I'm looking forward to my hibernating months.

Before we get to this month's IWSG post, we have a few follow up items to attend to.

First up: How did November writing month go? I did manage to get in 52K new words on Siphon, which is now sitting at 71K and probably has another 10-15K to go. I'm enjoying this story and it and a conversation with a friend inspired yet another writing project that I need to get a jump on before mid-January for reasons related to a certain book club meeting. *rubs hands together, grinning madly*

Then let's check in with this year's writing goals:

Publish Nugget the Space Chicken - DONE and a second book in the series! Bonus points!

Publish I9 - DONE!

Finish writing Godmother - Total fail. I haven't even touched it. There go those bonus points. :(

Finish writing Interface (Shaking my head at this one. Poor Interface) - I did a few chapters of this cleaned up and through my local critique group and I sort of know where it needs to go now. But finished? Nope. FAIL

Successfully juggle enough book stock for all those events - It was tight and I did run out of a few different titles at various events but the benefits of having so many titles, I plenty of other books in stock. So will go with win.

Read two books a month - I got close to accomplishing this, but not every month. I did read at least one every month so not a total fail.

Keep working on the overgrown flower garden - I did make continued progress on the flower hill. Much effort is still required but it's looking not so wild out there anymore so I'll call it a win.

And now this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group Question:

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers.

As a writer what is the best gift you've ever received?

Conversations with readers who have enjoyed my books. Followed closely by posted reviews.  Personally, I love the conversations, but in terms of helping me sell books, reviews are a wonderful gift to give an author. 

What has been your favorite writer gift?

Tune in next month for my 2026 writing goals. 

Which means I should start thinking about those. LOL

July Brings New Chicks

July is my relaxed month for the summer. I say this looking at the fact that I have three events scheduled, but one is a one day bookstore book signing that's not too far from home so yeah, we'll call two weekends away relaxed(ish). My year is half over with 17 more events to go. #buckleup

In non-writing news this month, Laya has been taking a break from meeting readers to hatch a few eggs. We welcomed three new chicks to the flock over the weekend. 

How's writing going with 21 events down so far for the year? Yeah, not so much writing happening. Big surprise, I'm sure. 

• Nugget the Space Chicken and the Haunted Cave of Korabumba is written and off to the illustrator. #progress

• Interface is glaring at me.

• i9 is also glaring but I have been working on the cover art so sorta progress?

If you're in the market for ebooks, Smashwords is having their big July sale. You can pick up Dreams of Stars and Lies or Not Another Bard's Tale for only .99 or dip your toes into The Narvan with One Shot at the Sphinx for FREE.

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers.

And that brings us to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question: Is there a genre you haven't written yet that you'd like to try?

I've written western and mystery, though that was a long time ago, but I've always wanted to give a choose your own adventure type book a try. I've had one percolating in the back of my mind for about a year now. Looking at my to-do list, it's going to stay there for another year or more before it gets any real consideration. It would be fun though, assuming I can pull it together.

 

Back at Home Base, Hooray!

 

After 11 weekends of events in a row, I'm finally back to a more manageable schedule. This month's events are only traveling to and from home with no overnights or long distances. Hooray! Do I endeavor to break this record of insane booking? No. No, I do not.

 

Did I intentionally schedule myself so heavily? Sort of, but when doing so, I had not planned on having exchange students. I also didn't plan on having storm damage that wiped out my entire home network including work stuff that put me a week and half behind at my day job, nor did I plan on having a major day job equipment issue that required an bringing in a tech to fix that also set work behind a week before the storm damage happened. All of those things required a lot of $ that I'm not exactly swimming in because continuing to breathe air is expensive these days. It's been a stressful time, to say the least.

The good news is that day job work is back up and running so $ is coming in to pay bills. The exchange students have been fun, but are nearing the end of their time with us so that will free up evenings a little more for writing time. Because, holy cow, I do not write when under stress. I'm even out of stuff to watch on Netflix. You may have a problem when you look at the 'because you watched this, you may also like this' lists and you can say that you've already watched all of those suggestions that look even remotely interesting. So I've been reading. This is a good thing I suppose, because it's making a little dent in my towering To Be Read stacks. Yes, I have multiple stacks. Four of of them, actually, and that's not counting what's lingering on my Kindle. Wooooo boy.

Ok, enough of the state of the author... on to positive things. I'm hoping to add another book or two to this stack before the end of the year. 

That means it's time for the monthly project update.

I9 is glaring at me and supporting fans are nagging me. Yep, I know I need to get on this one, but I haven't had the brain for it lately. Edits take a lot of brain.

Interface is also glaring at me, however, I'm so used to angry looks from this book that I can shrug it off. I'll get back to it. Really, I will. Yes, really, I mean it this time.

Nugget #2 has been the only project making a little progress because kids' books are my brain level right now. That said, I'm only four chapters from the end, yet I still haven't written those four chapters. (headdesk)

Sahmara's audio book is still in progress. The narrator tells me she's on chapter 7. This one is out of my hands currently so, um, yay? I guess? To be fair, our agreement was for a fall release, so that's on track.

One project is on track! woohoo! Small victories.

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers.

Let's get to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question: What books impacted you as a child or young adult?

All of the books.

Oh, you want examples? Ok, fine. 

As a kid I was a huge fan of the Black Stallion series. I still have all those books. It was my 'I like horses' phase, even though I rarely got to ride a horse—as in it was a one or twice a year thing— but..but...horses! I also read a lot of Linda Craig mysteries, because horses! But also because: mysteries! My mother was an avid reader of mysteries so that's where I went in my first forays into chapter books and series. That included the entire Trixie Beldon series at one point. I think I'd gotten over horses by then. After that, I veered hard into Tom Swift books and then vanished into Narnia. I've been on a fantasy/sci-fi jag ever since.

Did your childhood genres stick with you?

Springing into Spring

 March was fun, with some new to me events. 

We started the month at Mona Shores Comic Con, which was great because it was free for vendors, and also, many of my fellow author and vendor friends were there so we got to catch up. This one was put on by a high school so we met many students as well as some of the general public. I've been informed that next year, the chicken should also be in attendance. 🐔

 I even had a few early copies of Nugget for Fantasticon.

Next, I ventured over my first Ohio event in Toledo. Fantasticon was full of new to me vendors. New friends were made and I got to chat with a few old ones too. It was great to get to meet a new audience and introduce them to my books.

I had a tiny table for Third Coast so we had a book 
mountain instead of my usual spread.

Then came the inaugural Third Coast Book Festival near to home. The short travel time was much appreciated after the trek over to Ohio. Stationed throughout Grand Haven, 140 authors sold books to the public and then we dispersed for a few hours, during which, my local author gang hung out at one of the breweries for a tasty beer. We spent the evening at a Gala where we made lots of new author friends and also got to chat with readers and enjoy delicious snacks from local restaurants. Much networking was accomplished.

Author friends, old and new

I wrapped up with month with my annual across the state college con in Alma, MI. Attendance was down this year due to a lack of advertising, but I did meet some new readers, as well as visiting with a few fans and I got a lot of reading done.

There are lots of places to find me in April on the list -->

Now that Nugget the Space Chicken is out in the world, I'm onto the second project of the year, I9. I closed the window on beta comments on Monday so now comes the fun of compiling feedback and digging into revisions.

Audio narration of Sahmara is also in the works. I'm guessing I'll have a few more chapters in my inbox at some point this month.

Interface is making slow but steady revision progress and going well with my critique group. 

I also may have started writing the second Nugget book.

Can one have too many projects going at once? Nah. Ok, maybe, but I'll do it anyway because that's how I roll.

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the other participating writers.

Onward to this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group Question: What fantasy character would you like to fight, go on a quest with or have a drink with?

Have a seat, Vlad, we're gonna have a few beverages and see what happens.

It would probably start as a drink, then we'd get talking and either end up in a fight or find ourselves on a quest or a combination of the two because really, what's a quest with a fight in there somewhere?

 

New release: Nugget the Space Chicken and the Dragon of Ishenor

March begins the busy times that will continue until September. Deeeeep breath and GO!

The first book in my new Nugget the Space Chicken series releases on March 22. Pre-order links are live on all the usual online locations. Book two is outlined and on my writing schedule for 2025, along with Interface. I9 is currently in the hands on beta readers, and I've been hearing good things. Hooray! I also wrapped up an editing job and the first two chapters of the Sahmara audiobook are in my inbox for approval. #somanyprojects

Nugget the Space Chicken aims to fill the early reader gap in my book catalogue, offering something fun for kids between picture books and full chapter books. Aimed at ages 6-10, this fun sci-fi  series will follow the adventures of Jasper and Opal and their pet chicken, Nugget as they explore new worlds with their parents. 

Jasper and Opal’s first mission with their scientist parents is to study the world of Ishenor to see if it could be a home for humans. They travel to the planet’s surface with Nugget, their pet chicken, to collect samples. Everyone has a job to do.

While their parents explore the landscape, Opal gathers plants and Jasper collects rocks. Nugget’s job is to stay out of trouble, but hunting for bugs leads her to a lost baby dragon.

Can Opal, Jasper, and Nugget get the dragon home safely before their parents return, or will they all be grounded forever?

Amazon / B&N / etc. and also signed copies direct from me on that handy tab above

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the other 

participating writers.

This month's ISWG Question is: If you could be anyone or anything in the world, what would it be?

I'm pretty happy with being me so other than the improvement of being me with enough $ that I don't have to worry about bills being paid every month, I'm good as is. If you'd like to help the improvement come to fruition, links to all my books are over there <-- 

Last month was my return to book signing events after the holiday hiatus. Our Michigan Author gang had a good time at the Mid-Michigan Women's Expo. 

After three long days of pitching books, most of us 
still managed to smile.

I also did a small comic con and a tiny library event with Laya.

Hanging out at my booth at the Women's Expo

Last weekend was the Mona Shores Comic Con, another small local high school event, but with lots of author and vendor friends. Next weekend, I'll be driving to Toledo, Ohio for Fantasticon, then staying closer to to home in Grand Haven, for the Third Cost Book Event, and finally, venturing over to Alma, MI for Alma Con. Busy busy!

We're Off and Running!

Last weekend was my first comic con of the year. A small show but perfect for getting back into the swing of things after the holiday break. It was fun getting the con vendor gang back together and meeting new readers. 

This weekend I'll be remembering how to do three day events again at the Mid-Michigan Women's Expo. Our author alley will feature eighteen Michigan authors (who will likely be chugging a lot of caffeinated beverages). Books are stocked and my event gear is ready to roll.

In writing news...

Nugget the Space Chicken and the Dragon of Ishenor is ready for ARC readers. If you're interested in a review copy of this early reader chapter book aimed at ages 5-9, there's a sign up form here.

I9 is out with beta readers while I ponder cover art. The blurb is done. It's looking like a May-June release.

In non-writing news...

We've been attending small concerts almost weekly. Lots of great music! Including blasts from the past Big Head Todd and the Monsters and an excellent ABBA tribute band. 

The exchange students are halfway through their USA adventure and are doing well, enjoying snow days off of school, and doing their favorite thing: taking naps and reading books. Two things I can get behind.

Which brings us to...

This month's Insecure Writer's Support Group question:

Is there a story or book you've written that you wish you could go back and change?

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the other 

participating writers.

Change as far as go back and entirely rewrite? No. 

That said, I do go back and read my published books every couple of years for two reasons. 

One: Because I wrote a story I wanted to read. 

Two: To fix little things that I now see with my more experienced eyeballs. So, no, not rewriting, but tweaking here and there. Not changing the content or story, but more the mechanics behind it. Smoothing out a sentence, inserting a better verb, or fixing formatting errors or ninja typos.

Thankfully, my books are all printed POD so I don't have to sell off a couple hundred copies before new readers get the most polished version of my books. If you pick up a copy with a current 'Also by' page, it's likely the newest edition of that book. 

I don't publish and forget it. These are my book children and even through they're grown up now, I nag them get a hair cut now and then and I still buy them new socks for Christmas.

2025 Goals

If you're not familiar with 

the Insecure Writers Support 

Group, check it out here 

and find links to all the 

other participating writers.

Welcome to the first Insecure Writer's Support Group post of 2025 (AKA my incentive to write a monthly post - and yes, I'm posting early. Look at me go.). I'm bypassing the optional question this month in favor of a quick chat about goals. Every January I update my new goals and check in on the old ones to see how I did. Goals are what keeps us going. Well, that and breathing.

Let's see what was on the agenda for 2024 and how I did.

New books I hope you'll see in 2024:

Frayed - out with ARC readers RELEASED!

One Shot At The Sphinx - in the last round of edits RELEASED!

Laya's Vacation - waiting for illustrations RELEASED!

Projects I hope to get to or wrap up in 2024:

Godmother - currently just notes I did start this one. So yay? Is it wrapped up? Nooooooo

i9 - first draft in progress First draft complete! Hooray!

Interface - first draft in progress Ooooooh, yeah, so uhh..... FAIL. AGAIN. Sorry, Interface. 

On the bonus side, I did write Nugget the Space Chicken, which wasn't even on my list (currently out for edits and a reading by my target audience). Woohoo!

Other goals for 2024:

As always, I'm hoping to read more. I have so many books on my TBR stacks and on my kindle.  I did get at least one if not three books read a month, so I'll call this a win. Did I also add to my TBR stacks so I looks like I accomplished nothing? Yep.

I'd like to get out in my flower garden more. We'll see if my body cooperates. I did return to the flower garden and cleaned out / replanted several large sections, redid my stone stairway, AND built a large raised vegetable garden out of five pallets full of very heavy blocks. #muscle  

Maybe work a little less. Yes, I'm laughing at that one while looking at my 2024 events over there on the right, but we're back to that hope thing. On paper, I did work less. A little. I only did one book event Sept - Dec so yay me. The down time would have been fantastic had I not also taken on two exchange students in Sept for the rest of the school year. Are they fun kids? Yep. Are we having a good time? Yep. Am I relaxing? Umm Nope.

Which brings us to... Goals for 2025:

Publish Nugget the Space Chicken

Publish I9

Finish writing Godmother

Finish writing Interface (Shaking my head at this one. Poor Interface)

Successfully juggle enough book stock for all those events ---> 

Read two books a month

Keep working on the overgrown flower garden

Did you have a good year? Do you have goals for the year ahead?