Happy 2020 everyone. For those of you who’ve followed me this year, you know 2019 was a bit of a roller-coaster ride. It had many downs and ups too. A lot of unexpected things happened and with all the changes in the publishing industry, it was kind of hard to keep up.

As I write this, the beginnings of a cold are stirring my throat, for some reason I have nosebleeds, and I’m severely jet-lagged. As much as I love traveling, I’m wiped out! 🤧

Nevertheless, the pace in 2019 was frenetic. And here’s a recap!

The Ups

Well, there were many ups. I manged to publish three books this year. Touchpoint press released BOWLED, the first book in the series of contemporary sports romances.

I self-published Never Forget and In Other Words. One a paranormal and the latter, a contemporary romance.

Painting Kuwait Violet was shortlisted as a finalist for the American Book Fiction Awards. I was super bummed at not winning!

Moving on, Satin Publishing acquired Find Me in the Snow. YAY!!!!

I was also fortunate to be invited to a number of podcasts this year. It’s the first time I actually felt acknowledged for my literary work. As you know, writing can be a very lonely adventure. Simply having some recognition, made me feel validated about the work.

We also managed to celebrate our 50th episode of our podcast, THE CHRISTIAN CIRCLE. I know how I’ve struggled with this ministry, because I knew nothing about sound editing, and recording before I started. Now, 57 episodes later and over 5000 listens later it’s been having a steady stream of listeners.

Also at the literary conference, three major editors loved my manuscript.

I also spent a big chunk of time doing medical writing. Check out this high profile interview here on pancreatic cancer with Dr Do from MSK.

And we raised about 1,355$ for the Edmonton Food Bank at Christmas!!! This got me really happy! And since I’d visited Canada for this first time this year, I was super happy to do this campaign!

The NOT So Ups

Before I can wish everyone happy 2020, I have to cover the downers. I didn’t record as many episodes as I initially planned. I pared the list down for 1 episode a month despite scaling up at the beginning of the year. That’s probably the pace we’re planning for 2020.

I also didn’t write as much in the second half of the year, focusing solely on editing the manuscripts I’d already written. This means that I did very little creating and have a ton of writing to do in 2020, God willing! 😆

I’ve been in query abyss! It’s been months and months of querying THE PENITENT! I’m still waiting to hear back!

Things didn’t go as planned. I missed several deadlines, due to personal setbacks. I didn’t release the books on time and this means that several books have been pushed for next year.

I barely read 8 books this year. Last year I read 175!!! How did that happen? 🤔 I said yes to a lot of events in 2019. I went to places I don’t usually go to and covered events that are way out of my comfort zone. 🥳

The biggest downside has been, rejection. I’ve dealt with rejections from every front. Yet, by the grace of God I stand. 😟 Despite the sales, the wonderful reviews and the work, there were many no’s from several fronts. I’ve pressed on simply because.

LESSONS IN 2019

• I’ve learned that you can’t force anything. Things happen in their own time. Three book releases were all there was room for. Some things are destined the way they are. God is in control!
• Also, I’ve realized to downsize. Memento mori! Time flies.
• When you fall in love with life and then all the material things seem to be insignificant!
• The podcast has taught me so much spiritually, the need for prayer and contemplation, in particular. I’m not a contemplative, but I’m on a slow journey to becoming one. I’ve also rediscovered my love for the Eucharist. For the last six months I’ve managed to partake of the Eucharistic feast at least five days a week! 😇 Pretty neat for a scamp like me!
• Another lesson I’ve learned, is that everyone has their struggles, their private battles, and their personal demons. Just be kind and move on! No one is exempt from pain and when people treat you harshly, just let it all go. There’s no time to waste. There are places to see, people to meet and adventures to be had. There are jokes to laugh at, delicious food to be eaten and music to dance to!

Happy 2020

My wish is that 2020 is really a fantasic year for you! I hope this coming year, all my readers, whover you are, wherever you are, stay blessed and happy. May your relationships be fruitful, your smiles multiply, your fortunes increase and your homes be where your heart is. May you bloom where you are planted and be filled with the love and peace of Jesus!

I want to thank everyone for walking this journey with me. I’m just going to make a list! Even though most of them won’t ever see this since we spend a major chunk of our lives together.

Sia, Ele, I’m so glad I have you as friends who pick me up when I crumble and share all my crazy ideas. Thank you for all the laughs.

Mark and Mom, thank you for putting up with all my tears and difficult moments.

Veronica, I’m so grateful for the opportunity. Rubia and the staff at LP, thank you for letting me in. Jackie and Six, I owe you a ton for all the motherly advice.

Colleen, Dianne, thank you and your teams for spreading the word about my books. My book cover designers Les and Najla You make my books shine! And all my newsletter groups, followers, readers, including you Pabs, you make me want to write more!

John, you made PAINTING KUWAIT VIOLET a finalist for the American Book Fiction Awards. I’m so sorry we didn’t win. 😢

Neelima, we’re co-authors for 7 years now. Can you believe 7 years have gone by?

I know I’m forgetting people but I’ll keep updating this post as I remember.

From my family to yours,

Happy New Year 2020! 😚😚😚