2025 in Review

This past year was a busy one. 

Between my actual job as a teacher with all that it entails, writing my mental health book, I Am Not Okay, publishing my grandson's book, The Kindness of a Friend, and finishing my latest book, Garnet, in the process, I attended quite a few events.

The events were a mixture of different formats. Each of them were unique and interesting. It allowed me to visit different places in Maine that I've never been before. And because I attended them alone, it also forced me to step outside my comfort zone driving to unfamiliar places.

Thank goodness for navigation apps.

As we wrap up 2025, there's so much to process.

After this last event this coming weekend, I will have driven over 1,200 miles this year just to attend events. I've traveled up north to Bangor several times, east to Waterville, and south to Lewiston and Searsport.

I've met some terrific and supportive vendors and event planners, and had some great conversations with the attendees to these events. I felt that the experiences were just as valuable as the sales.

I even played around with how to display my books and made some improvements.

Collectively, I've dealt with inclement weather, slow sales because of low attendance, and even had my parents drive out of their way to come visit me.

And it seemed that at nearly every event, I ran into I either someone that I knew from up home in Aroostook County, or knew someone who had been up there. 

Maine isn't really that small.

I was also interviewed on a local Maine news station about my book Garnet, with another one scheduled in January.

I've also played around with some extras. I've created bookmarks, had stickers made, and experimented with making bundles for my Unintended Travelers Series, which was a big success.

All in all, it has been a great year full of experiences that I've never had before, things that I've tried and that worked, and I look forward to have more of them in the future.

Reflecting on the year, however, I felt that I didn't spend enough time reaching out to book stores who support independent authors. 

I'm hoping to be able to do that as we begin the new year.

One thing I've learned from my experiences this past year, is that a balance is needed, especially if I'm trying to find time for work, writing, my family, and myself.

I'm hoping to find balance this year, because if I can't, then I won't be able to get far and accomplish what I hope to accomplish.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

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