Hello 2019: A Writer And His Plans For The New Year

Well, I guess I haven't posted a thing on this website in about three months. And, to top it off, one year ended and a brand new one has begun. I thought it made sense to finally return to this blog with a new post on the first day of 2019. I'm not sure if it's to strike the right sort of tone for a new year. There are so many possibilities when a full calendar year stretches out before you. Good and bad will likely mingle over the next twelve months as they did with the previous one. Still, I hope the good will outweigh the bad and it will be one of great promise and successes.

So, I welcome 2019 with open arms. I welcome to those who stop by to read what this writer has to say. Stick around as there is much already planned and I might just have a real writerly comeback this year.

But, let me look back on the last half of 2018 for a moment here.

Honestly, I managed to cram quite a bit of writing and publishing work in those five to six months--and some of it isn't finished yet at the time I write this but it will be very soon.

I got back to writing in July and started working on children's book that I've co-written with one of my sons. I'm happy to report that I finished the first complete draft of that book in December. Now, it is entering the editorial phase and I will be working with an artist to commission the cover. Stay tuned for that because I will be sharing it here. I'd add that the plan is to writing at least two more books in what will become series of books aimed at children between the ages of 8 and 12 years, or what is commonly called "middle-grade."

Meanwhile, I am finishing a novel that I started a while back and it will mark the second adult fantasy novel with the same character, so another series continues. I working on that book the second half of December and the work continues into this new year. And that's the thing really, I am focusing on series this year. I've heard again and again that series do perform better and that the more books you have out there the better your chances are in terms of discoverability and in gaining readership overall. (I do spend lots of time studying this since it is crucial as a publisher to focus on what is working in the business.) I will be sharing the cover for that as well when I have it.

I'm excited to get back to writing and I hope I can keep it up and add to my own catalog of titles by year's end. Part of that makes me think of resolutions. We all make them but only a small number of people follow through with the promises they made to themselves for the new year. I hope I can keep a promise to myself.

Here's to a happy new year, friends. Happy 2019!