The year is coming to a close and for the most part, I am done with author work until after the new year. When I restarted my author world in 2022, I didn’t expect that I’d continue for so long. I’ve always been a person who changes hobbies more than I changed undies. That’s not to say I’m not passionate about writing, that has just been my life for so long.
By the time 2023 began, I had surpassed my expectations as well as found a community in which I felt like I belonged. The Sapphic book community has welcomed me and my work, so much that I ventured out of my comfort zone and attended my first author convention. In June, I went to Denver for the Golden Crown Literary Society convention where I was able to meet some of my fellow writers face to face, especially the ones in my circle. Chloe Flanagan, Adrian J. Smith, Alicia Gael, S.E. Chandler, T.B. Markinson, Catherine Young, and many others.
At the end of 2022, I took a writing class on how to write horror. This led me on a path that I never expected to travel upon. In 2023, I released two horror stories that have received much praise; even from readers who didn’t expect to like it. Based on the praise of the these books, I have been dabbling more and more into darker fiction. I expect this to continue into 2024 since I am really digging the horror and/or dark romance.
In 2023, I released 7 different books/stories.
The first of release of the year I wrote for NaNo in 2022. Swipe Right For Love was released in April and was my first Sapphic book that didn’t have any elements of being “dark” or erotic since it was a romantic comedy. Here is a breakdown of what I had released for the year.
Swipe Right For Love (novel) – Written in 2022, editing and released in April 2023.
Dying To Meat You (novella) – Written in 2023, released in May 2023
50,000 Tickets To Paradise (short) – written and released in July 2023
You Are The Master (novel) – written in April, released in July 2023
The Taste of Women (novel) – written in July, released in September 2023
Nothing Else Matters (novel) – written in summer, released in November 2023
Mirage (cowritten novella) – written in fall, released December 2023
On top of these releases, I wrote the following:
Goose Girl Adventures (short story) – submitted to HWA.
Love In The Shadows (cowritten novel) – Releasing January 2024
Mastering The Art of Female Cookery (novel) – Releasing in April
Heartbeat of Madness (short story) – anthology releasing in 2024
Rock Paper Scissors (short story) – anthology releasing Summer 2024
As you can see, the writing has not stopped. It might look like I am a full time author, I am not. All of this work has been on top of my 9-5 job as a florist. I did the math, that is 421,175 words written in completed stories. This does not include ideas, concepts, planned books, or even half started books that were pushed to the side. That’s a lot of work.
I think it is because of these wonderful and supportive people I have in my life at the moment. The horror community is growing around me, and I also have fans!!! Yes, I have faithful readers that eat up everything I am releasing. Without them, 2023 might not have been as successful for me. I am nowhere near making a living at this writing life, but it is fun to bring characters to life. Characters that my readers love to hate like TRIXI VAN PELT in the girl/Mistress series. And characters that they hate to love like KATHERINE BISHOP in The Taste of Women.
What does 2024 hold for me? A minimum of six books (fingers crossed). Two more in the girl/Mistress series. A bunch of short stories. And some delicious dark romance-slash-horror books.