How did 2025 go?

I enjoyed this year with writing. It wasn't as I expected, but looking back at what I was talking about at the start of the year I can tell I did a lot and matured as a writer.

As for the marketing for books 1 & 2, I gave it a go, but just like social media, I really don't enjoy it and I found it really difficult to do. I don't want to blame anything in particular, but I did learn some things this year about the publishing environment and the self-published / assisted publishing route does not lend itself well to people like me. I tried more consignments, but it was a lukewarm reception and the vibe of consignments from bookstores is poor, dampening my motivation to continue. My books exist, I love that, but if I want this story to reach people, it shouldn't be in my hands. So, it is on hold for now as I get book 3 done.

I did look into getting ads out there and an audio book, both via AI. I looked into it, it is possible, would still cost money (for the good AI models) but... it felt tacky, really tacky. The feelings towards AI in the writing community are really quite negative and I would hate to unintentionally get involved with something that would do more harm. Perhaps in the future I can look at it again, but an audio book might work better with someone reading it (which is still on the cards, was simply looking at alternatives this past year). Maybe this will come as book 3 gets completed.

Speaking of, book 3 is about 75% complete, if not more. All the story beats are laid out, I just need to spend time getting the words on the page. Great progress, hoping to have it done early next year for a first run through for professional edits. The thing is, I want to try for a literary agent with book 3, and go even further as to re-publish books 1 & 2 alongside it as a sort of package. It is a less typical avenue, but I just don't see the self-publishing route working for me anymore and I have gained the patience that is needed to find an agent and then a small traditional publisher. I am in no rush, especially for a re-publishing of the earlier works. This is why the marketing and audio book stuff is on hold, as the progress of getting book 3 out there may dictate how those things unfold for the earlier books. Packaging the books together is mainly to sell book 3 better to an agent and publishers, perhaps that approach will change when I start looking and asking around, but it is the initial plan at least.

With some other aspects on hold, book 3 can be focused on, which I don't mind as I don't then stretch my attention on this hobby too thin.

The big thing that happened this year was being part of a writing society. I started attending regular writing groups, talks, workshops, and even went to a local writing conference. It has all been so awesome! I am meeting a lot of people, getting advice, and learning so much. It is a big reason why I believe focusing on book 3 and going for an agent / small publisher is my new direction. The self-published route is fine, but I really don't see people respect it as much. I believe no matter who I sign with, agent or publisher, people will be more interested in my story; more importantly, I will have people around me who will support me and be more invested in my success. Right now, that support is just me, and my personal investment has been good, but everything is better when surrounded by people that support you. This writing society has shown me that and I look forward to having loads of help over the next year.

Goals at the moment: Finish book 3, start getting book 3 edited, start looking at agents / publishers for the whole series.

Other than that, the writing groups have resulted in several flash fiction stories I have written, mostly horror focused. This may result in a some submissions to various magazines, a short story compilation, or will simply be a fantastic exercise I keep adding to. Seriously, the process of just writing flash fiction has greatly improved my writing, especially since I have been getting really positive feedback.

A more focused year is coming, and I am far more confident in my writing and my fantasy series (I even did a pitch workshop, it made me really happy with how to sell myself better). Book 3 is coming, I can feel it, and the series may take off with this latest addition in ways I don't expect.