Happy New Year to you! I’m sure you are getting lots of “year in review” and resolutions-types of posts, so I’ll keep this brief.
Goals are nice and all that, but what matters are results. And the publishing world can sometimes feel so slow that it almost feels like nothing happens, nothing is getting done. But then you look back, take stock, and surprise yourself. Here are some of my results from 2024:
I sold my first picture book manuscript. Tic-Tac-Toe Chicken will be published August 2025 by Third State Books. The cover is finalized (!), but I don’t yet have permission to share it (next newsletter).
I wrote my first chapter book series. I can’t wait to bring this one into the world, but until then, mum’s the word.
I wrote the first draft of my first novel, a result of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, aka November). I spent four months researching and planning, but just one month writing. I never knew I had it in me. I can’t share what it’s about yet as it is also top secret stuff. It needs more time (and words) to ripen.
A proposal I wrote for one of my clients won a $2 million award from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. It was double what we asked for.
I had my first school visit with 60+ second graders in Georgia. So fun!
Going forward into 2025, I’ve got my list of results I’ll be working towards all year, but I’ll keep that to myself for now. I’m a private person, as you can see. But when there is news to share, you’ll be the first to know.
May the start of your 2025 year be light, bright, and brilliant! Wishing you all the best.