2014 was a year of Holy-Crap-My-Dreams-Are-Coming-True. I survived the book release! I have a book! It’s available in libraries in Wellington, New Zealand and Singapore and everywhere in between! Most every Barnes & Noble in America carries it, and about a dozen airport bookshops, too. How crazy is that?
I do wish I had the chance to write more short fiction this year. I’m down to just a couple stories in circulation–one of those nice problems, as it means everything else sold. It still bugs me, though.
My original post for my 2014 goals can be read over on my LiveJournal. I fulfilled everything but #6, as I did not write a second book.
I’m not sure what 2015 will bring. My two-book contract is fulfilled, with my final edits on The Clockwork Crown turned in just before Christmas. I already have a small Secret Project in the works that I can’t quite discuss in public yet, but I really want to write more novels. So let’s cross fingers and offer burnt butter cookie offerings that good stuff will happen!
Here are my goals for 2015:
1) Meet the deadlines for the three parts of my Secret Project. These are spaced out throughout the year.
2) Prepare comprehensive marketing plan for release of Clockwork Crown in June. This includes regular updates on my personal blog, scheduling interviews and blog posts for other blogs and sites, participation in Novelocity, and seizing other viable opportunities.
a) Don’t have a mental breakdown.
3) Release Clockwork Crown in June.
a) Don’t have a mental breakdown.
4) Participate in Write 1 Sub 1’s Light Ray option and write a new story (fiction or nonfiction) or poem each month, if balanced with novel obligations. Aim to have at least ten works on submission at all times.
5) Write stories to fulfill invitations to anthologies; at least four at this time.
6) Write at least one novel.
7) Continue to participate in 50book challenge, LibraryThing, and Goodreads, reading at least 50 books during 2015 and posting reviews for all.
8) Attend several conventions and book festivals; at this point, I am planning on Tucson Book Festival (March 15th), Phoenix Comicon (May 28-30th), and WorldCon/Sasquan in Spokane, though nothing is set yet.
9) Be honest with myself about my stress and personal limits. Don’t hold it all inside. Reach out to writer friends. Let my agent know what is going on. Take time out for my husband, son, cat, and family. Read. Bake. Go thrift store shopping.
10) Don’t give up. I’ve come a long way in the past year and there’s plenty of mountain left to climb. If tired of climbing, use dynamite.
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I’ve just finished The Clockwork Dagger (read it because Kevin Hearne recommended it), and I loved it! Will be looking forward to the second installment. Also pleased to see you bake, will be trying that cookie recipe soon.
Thanks so much! I’m delighted that you enjoyed the book! I post new recipes every Wednesday, so I’ll have a lot more yummy stuff to come.
I finished “The Clockwork Dagger” in less than three days. I seriously couldn’t put it down! I very much loved the world, the politics, the characters, and the drama. It was saturated with adventure and intrigue.
And then I got on the website only to find that the book will be out later this year and admittedly almost literally wept at the sight because I was so enamored and excited to find out what happens next!
Please do keep us updated! I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. I love all of your goals, by the way. I wish I could come and meet you at a con or festival; maybe one day! But until then, I look forward to your books eagerly. <3
Wow, thank you so much! I hope to have more good news to announce soon–and to share the cover art for Clockwork Crown! That book was originally going to come out in September but it was moved up to June. Hooray for a shortened wait time!
Your comment pretty much made my night. Thank you again for sharing your joy!