Welcome to 2018. I know, I am a little late to the game. This should come as little surprise as those of you that know me understand I like to juggle many things at the same time. Some of you would say, and rightly so, too many things.
While I’m not a big resolutions type of person, I do like to make plans. So, I’ve been thinking about what some goals would be for 2018. For purposes of this blog, I will focus on some goals I have for writing in general and The Silverwood Chronicles in particular.
As I’ve tried to be clear whenever I talk about it, The Silverwood Chronicles was planned around five stories and book 5 is a little over half done. One major goal of mine will be to finish book 5 and get it out before the end of the year. I would be really happy to have it out by mid-summer, but more on that later. Book Four, is currently in the revision stages and should be out in the next couple of months. I am hopeful it will be available before spring.
Another goal I have for myself is to move into some new venues for promotion of my books. Writing, I have discovered is hard, but not as hard as marketing. I have known for many years that I was lousy at marketing, and I am just now realizing that without lots of spare cash, its up to me to make this thing happen . . . or not. Therefore, if anything spectacular is going to happen, I need to move things forward. This means searching out new avenues to make my works available.
One major venue will be the 2018 GenCon Author’s Avenue. The application process opens up later this month, and I hope to be accepted. I have no idea what the competition for the few spots that they have available are, but getting into that venue could be a game changer. Another big opportunity is the annual Indiana Historical Societies Holiday Author Fair. For the last two years, I have known about this event, but I have been unsuccessful in securing the information necessary to apply for it. This year, my hope is to at least apply.
I continue to search for other opportunities in and around Central Indiana. I am also looking for at least one, maybe more, chances to speak at an elementary or middle/high school setting. This gives me an opportunity not only to expand my exposure but to give back to the community and encourage children to write as well as read. I could use your help in this regards. If you are a part of a PTO, or have insight with a school board and can drop my information off, I would be very appreciative of it.
The last goal I will share with you is discovering the “next thing.” Once The Silverwood Chronicles is done, I will be left with a vacuum of sorts. I hope to participate, as I have the last two years, in the National Novel Writing competition this coming November, but as of now, I am project-less for that event. I have a few ideas that I have shelved over the years that I could try to resurrect. One option is an old fantasy novel that is mostly done but needs serious updating or possibly a mystery that I have in mind.
Thank you all for your continued support. I am getting very excited about book four’s upcoming release. I’ll share more with you on that as the time nears. Until then, happy reading!
