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2018 Successes

December 28, 2018 /

Each year, I love to reflect on all the things that I’ve done. For the past several years, I have participated in Julie Hedlund’s 12 Days of Christmas for Writers program. It’s a great way to reflect on the year that has passed. Each year we make a list of SUCCESSES instead of resolutions. To see previous posts from years past, click on the year.

2017

2016–I skipped this year.

2015

2014

2013

2012

Big, Big Exciting News for 2018

1. I got an agent. In May, I signed with Roseanne Wells of Jennifer De Chiara Agency!!!!

2. I did 7 work-for-hire books this year.

Three books are supplementary titles for some educational materials.

Four books in a series are forthcoming in February 2019 from Children’s Press, a school library imprint of Scholastic.

3. I sold a picture book! More information on that is forthcoming very soon (stay tuned).

4. I made money from book sales and speaking engagements!

By the Numbers

5 new picture book manuscripts written.

6 picture books manuscripts revised (most of them multiple times)

5 revisions on my YA novel in progress (and more to come)

28 submissions

14 rejections

7 writing workshops (SCBWI NYC annual conference, SCBWI Mid-Atlantic, 3 workshops at the Writer’s Center)

2 writing retreats

17 webinars

7 Research Trips (local and farther away)

397 picture books read (not including what I read at school for my day job)

65 middle grade books read

20 YA books read

8 NF adult books read

19 Writing Craft books read

22 Adult books read

1 morning spent getting professional headshots done

Photo Credit: Sanya Chopra

Presentations

1. I was a keynote speaker at the Margaret Sue Copenhaver Institute at Roanoke College. I was honored to be asked to speak about writing.

2. Meighan Sharp and I directed our 5th Hollinsummer Writing Program!

3. I did a full day of workshops at my former school on writing.

4. Moira Rose Donohue and I presented at FAME (Florida Association of Media Educators) on Nonfiction Writing.

Photo Credit: Rob Sanders

Professional Community

1. Storystorm participant

2. 12×12 Participant

3. Attended 6 different book launch or bookish events for friends

4. Participate in a critique group

5. Volunteer as the speaker care coordinator and the nonfiction event coordinator for our region’s SCBWI

6. Guest Blogger for ReFoReMo and Picture Book Summit

* ReFoReMo post on Big Ideas: Deep Concept Books

* Margarita Engle Author Study Blog Post

* Picture Book Summit Author Study on Kate McMullan

* Picture Book Summit Author Study on LeUyen Pham

* Picture Book Summit Author Study on David Shannon

I’ve been writing diligently for many years, and sometimes it’s hard to see if any of the work is paying off at all. I still have so much I want to do as a writer, but I can honestly say that today I am a better writer than I was in December 2017.

My mantra for 2018 was RUTHLESS REVISION. I’ve done a TON of revision this year. I look forward to 2019. There will be lots of words written, even more words revised, and hopefully, even more good news.

What are you celebrating as we close out 2018?

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