This is my 2018 in Review.
As 2018 draws to a close, it’s time for me to look back at what I’ve accomplished this year. It’s not as much as I’d planned, but all things considered, it’ll do.
Words Written: 276,340. Almost half of this was a complete rewrite of a novel.
Books Published: 2—Amaskan’s War and From the Worlds of Raven Oak: A Coloring Book, both of which are eligible for 2019 awards. I’d been aiming for 3, but delays happen.
Short Stories Submitted: 4. The stories racked up a total of 15 rejections, 3/4 of which were personal rejections. Progress!
Short Stories Sold: 2 (More on both in 2019!)
Books Read: 25–Fiction: Firefly Encyclopedia by Monica Valentinelli, All Systems Red by Martha Wells, Naughty on Ice by Maia Chance, When She Woke by Hillary Jordan, Kangaroo Too by Curtis C. Chen, Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff, Daughters of Destiny collection by multiple authors, Never Let me Sleep by Jennifer Brozek, Never Let Me Leave by Jennifer Brozek, Never Let Me Die by Jennifer Brozek, Gin and Panic by Maia Chance, Blood Orbit by K. R. Richardson, Bad Neighbors by Maia Chance, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, Bad Housekeeping by Maia Chance, Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer, Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs, Death Du Jour by Kathy Reichs.
Non-Fiction: Becoming by Michelle Obama, Launch to Market by Chris Fox, Six Figure Author by Chris Fox, Strangers to Superfans by David Gaughran, Let’s Get Digital–Updated 3rd Edition by David Gaughran
Conventions/Events Attended: 8. This would have been ten if two conventions hadn’t exploded and died fiery deaths.
Other Accomplishments:
- Gained SFWA membership
- Signed books at the Locus Awards (again)
- Attended my first convention in California (Worldcon 76)
One of the most important accomplishments of the year was how I better managed my auto-immune diseases. It’s still a learning process as we figure out what meds work for me, but beyond that, management means learning to ask for help when I need it and recognizing my limitations. I’ve been a strong person all my life. In fact, I’m usually the one helping others, so asking for help and admitting that I need it, is incredibly difficult for me. While I have work left to do, I’ve made great strides this year on this front, and I’m proud of that!
I don’t do New Years’ Resolutions because for the most part, people fail at them. But I do set goals for myself–achievable and tangible goals that can be measured. Here are mine for 2019:
- Finish revisions on The Eldest Silence before its deadline for publication
- Finish writing & revising Amaskan’s Honor for 2019 publication
- Write and revise at least three short stories. Submit for publication.
- Self-pub “Weightless” short story
- Vend or Panel at five conventions/events
- Read a minimum of 30 books
- Increase biking from twice a week to 4x a week
- Listen to F*ck That meditation (or equivalent) once a week so I laugh more.
And to kick off laughing more, here’s Riley making a bed out of the clean laundry.
Riley making a bed out of the laundry
Happy New Year folks!
