Looking Back (2017) & Looking Ahead (2018)

Usually I have last year’s post to start with so I can look at my original goals for the year and think about which of those I accomplished, which I didn’t, and anything the surprised. me. But this year my website went down and I lost a lot of blog posts including my goals. Sigh. No worries, I can still look back at my accomplishments and set goals for 2018…

2017 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

This was a huge year for me when it comes to my books. A few less publications than the previous year, especially in the paranormal space, but setting up for a run of books over the next few years. Here are some of the highlights:

  • PUBLICATION – 3 books released!
  • MY PEOPLE
    • A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this a great year. Especially those who really believe in my books and AOAD! In particular:
      • My awesome readers. You make my days brighter, sharing these worlds and your lives with me. xoxo
      • My husband & kids
      • My mom
      • Evan Marshall
      • Heather Howland
      • Nicole Flockton
      • Anna Stewart
      • Alyssa Day
      • Tracy Goodwin
      • Sinclair Sawhney
      • Tara Gelsomino & Julie Sturgeon
      • Dawn Dowdle
      • The awesome teams of folks who make me a better author in so many ways @ Entangled Publishing, Tule Publishing, Crimson Romance, and Wild Rose Press.
      • Every author I get the opportunity to share my love of writing with throughout the year, because y’all are my people, my tribe, my friends.
      • The fantastic bloggers/reviewers who took the time to read my books an post reviews. You rock!
  • FUN & FRIENDS – Great times with fellow authors
    • Loved every second at the FRW Cruise, @ RWA Nationals, and @ InD’Scribe, as well as on writing retreats, at my ARWA chapter meetings, and online with friends. I’ve truly found where I belong.
  • CONTRACTS – 14 books contracted
  • WRITE BOOKS – A ton of words written
    • 451k words written
    • 6 novels & 1 novella written
    • 1 novella converted to full length novel
    • 1 novel rewritten for submission
  • AWARDS – An award or 2…
    • PRISM Award | Her Demigod Complex | 2nd Place | Novella
    • RONE Awards | Her Demigod Complex | Finalist | Novella
    • Paranormal Romance Guild Awards
      • Moon, Mist, & Magic (Paranormal Romance Anthology) | 1st Place | Best Series
      • Her Demigod Complex (Legendary Consultants #1) | 2nd Place | Best Novella
      • Her Demigod Complex (Legendary Consultants #1) | 3rd Place | Best Series
  • AOAD – Authors On A Dime
    • The business took off with word of mouth spreading to help me build a clientele.
    • Now I get to work with 4 contractors to help me get it all done.
    • Have taken on the awesome (really fun) role as a Virtual Personal Assistant for author Alyssa Day.
  • EDUCATION – Get Better
    • It’s a goal of mine every single year to continue to improve as an author by attending lots of workshops. Between 3 conferences, my awesome local RWA chapter, and online chapters, I took a ton this year. Feel like I learned a lot!

2018 GOALS

  • PUBLICATION – Look for the following releases…
    • Saving the Sheriff, Hills of Texas #1 (contemporary) – Jan 23
    • White Knight, Camelot Rising #1 (paranormal) – Jan 29
    • Resisting the Rancher, Hills of Texas #2 (contemporary) – April 24
    • One Week to Claim a Mate, Hotshot Crew Prequel (paranormal novella) – late sprint/early summer
    • The Boss, Hotshot Crew #1 – fall
  • FUN & FRIENDS – Great times with fellow authors
    • I am planning on attending RWA Nationals this year. And, of course, spending time with my tribe of awesome author/editor/agent friends. One of the best parts of what I do!
  • CONTRACTS
    • I’m fairly busy with the contracts signed in 2017. I have 2 more contracts I am crossing my fingers come through in 2018 which books me solid for the next few years. Don’t want to jinx them though, so hold for announcements (if they come).
  • WRITE BOOKS – Contracts to fulfill means a ton of words to write… (between 400-500k words total)
    • Finish edits on and submit…
      • Resisting the Rancher, Hills of Texas #2 (contemporary)
      • The Boss, Hotshot Crew #1 (paranormal)
    • Write and submit
      • The Rookie, Hotshot Crew #2 (paranormal)
      • Blood King, Inferno Rising #2 (paranormal)
      • Partnering the Playboy, Hills of Texas #3 (contemporary)
      • The Faller, Hotshot Crew #3 (paranormal)
      • Loving the Lawman, Hills of Texas #4 (contemporary)
      • Warrior King, Inferno Rising #3 (paranormal) – won’t finish this one in 2018, but not long into 2019)
  • AOAD – Authors On A Dime
    • Continue as a Virtual Personal Assistant for author Alyssa Day.
    • Continue to grow the business (goal is to double revenue YoY)
  • EDUCATION – Get Better
    • It’s a goal of mine every single year to continue to improve as an author by attending lots of workshops.

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