I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions—if I want to do something, I generally set a more immediate goal than January 1st—but I do take the time to reflect on the past year. And so, in no particular order, here are some of the highlights of my 2019:
Left Coast Crime Vancouver: My first experience at Left Coast Crime and my first visit to beautiful British Columbia. I loved both the conference and the city of Vancouver, and thoroughly enjoyed playing tourist with a visit to Victoria and Whistler during my stay.
Goodreads Reading Challenge: I set a goal of 36 books (3 per month) and managed to finish off the year with 40, a nice mix of literary fiction, memoir, mystery, and suspense. It’s difficult to pick a favorite, but my top five (in no particular order) are: Neon Prey by John Sandford, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, The Suspect by Fiona Barton, Graveyard Shift by Melissa Yi, and Every Little Piece of Me by Amy Jones. You can see all my books read and my reviews here. You might wonder why this is a highlight, but to quote Stephen King, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.”Â
Superior Shores Press Publishes First Anthology:Â It was a pipe dream and a financial risk, but I took the plunge and sent out the call for submissions in Oct. 2018, with the goal of publishing The Best Laid Plans: 21 Stories of Mystery & Suspense, in June 2019, under my imprint, Superior Shores Press. Thankfully, 72 authors believed in the project, and I’m proud to say that I’ve gone beyond the break-even point and the book has received great reviews, including this one by Catherine Astolfo, a bestselling author and two-time winner fo the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Short Story: “Delicious! That word best describes the yummy bites of well written, crafty crime stories. Murder for hire, money, sibling rivalry, envy, infidelity. Murder of the wrong person. Killer acting and get-rich schemes…the clever twists are endless. A feast of delicious short bites that adds up to a very satisfying literary meal.”
Book 3 Marketville Not Such “A Fool’s Journey”:Â Writing the third book in a popular series comes with its challenges. It has to provide continuation in the story of the main characters, but it also has to work as a standalone for those new to Marketville. A work of fiction inspired by a true story, A Fool’s Journey proved to me that writing may be a solitary profession, but we are never truly alone. Thanks go to Lusia Dion, founder of Ontario’s Missing Adults, and my three beautiful nieces, Leah, Becca, and Ashley, for sharing their expertise, and to my phenomenal editor, Ti Locke, and Victoria Gladwish for her hawk-eyed proofreading.
The Alliston Two of a Kind Market: Being invited to participate in this inaugural event was a true highlight of the year’s many author events. A portion of all proceeds were donated to the MS Society, Simcoe Muskoka Chapter. This is a cause true to my heart, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back.
The End of Barking Rain Press: Five years after signing my very first book contract for The Hanged Man’s Noose with Barking Rain Press, the publisher announced it was closing. I wrote about the experience over several posts, though A Change of Direction probably sums up the early days best, while When Things Go South When You’re North sums up “the end.” You might wonder how this became a highlight, but I’d seen signs of change at BRP for several months before, and when the news came, I proved to myself that I’d prepared for the challenge. Within two weeks, my two remaining titles with BRP (Skeletons in the Attic and A Hole in One) were back on the market (under my Superior Shores Press imprint) with new covers and re-invigorated sales. Mega thanks to my graphic artist, Hunter Martin, who literally dropped everything to make it happen.
And last, but not least…
Superior Sunsets:Â I’m incredibly lucky to have a writing retreat on Lake Superior. There’s something magical about those sunsets…
Thank you for following my journey. The best is yet to come…
Congratulations Judy. So very happy to follow your journey – it is truly inspiring.
Thanks Hetty…here’s hoping we get a golf game in together in 2020!
What a wonderful year you had. I admire your persistence and grit, in particular when Barking Rain Press closed and you didn’t waste nay time and put your two remaining books on the market.
The photo of the sunset is stunning!
And yes, the best is yet to come!
Thank you, Carol and all the best to you in 2020.
Congratulations, Judy. You are an example of how hard work pays off.
As are you, Grace. Persistence pays!
You’ve had a wonderful year. Congratulations. Not everyone would have handled the shutting down of the company publishing their books as smoothly. I think you did awesome. All the best in the new year. I, too, think sunsets are magical.
Thank you Diane. I enjoy reading about your adventures!
Amazing how much you’ve accomplished. Hope the coming year is equally fulfilling.
Thank you Gillian, and may all your writing dreams come true.
Great wrap-up. Congratulations on your successes. So impressed with your talent and initiative – and your Superior sunset photos! See you at LCC.
Thank you Ellen, and vice versa. You are so prolific!!
We met at the Angus Craft Show, I am now starting my journey to getting my first children’s book self published. Wishing you a year filled with new adventures, fun challenges and more books on the horizon!
Yes I remember you, Anne. Good luck with your new adventure!
I always enjoy your writing, Judy. Here’s hoping for a great 2020.
Thank you Susan! All the best in 2020.
Congratulations on a fabulous year! I look forward to following your continued success!
Thank you Micki, and all the best to you as well.