As we head into 2024, it’s only natural to reflect back on the previous 12 months. There were certainly challenges, but instead of lamenting what wasn’t so great about it, I’ll recap (in no particular order) what was:

I wrote and published two step-by-step publishing guides (Finding YOUR Path to Publication and Self-Publishing: The Ins & Outs of Going Indie). While this sort of niche publication isn’t about to earn me what I like to call “Stephen King” money, both books landed in the Top 10 in various business-type categories on Amazon. I’m proud of that, and proud of the great reviews left by readers and other authors on Amazon, Goodreads, and other platforms.

I committed to publishing a fourth Superior Shores Press anthology, Larceny & Last Chances, in 2024. My first publication was a short story in THEMA back in 2004. I suppose you could say it’s my way of “paying it forward.” And as an added bonus, THEMA published my short story, “Me and Mary Tyler Moore,” in Autumn 2023.

Continued publication of my Marketville series in German, including an Audible version beautifully narrated by Birgit Maria Wolf. The German website is cared for by my wonderful translator, Petra Schmelzeisen, and her husband, Alfred.

As “Author Judy,” I met with book clubs via Zoom, was interviewed on several radio programs and podcasts, and presented webinars on publishing. It wasn’t all that long ago I was too terrified to speak in public, and the thought that not only COULD I do it, there were people who actually wanted to hear what I had to say…well, to coin a phrase, it’s priceless.

I spent my first full year living in Northern Ontario, became a tourist in my new home town, and loved it. The quieter lifestyle, friendships formed and solidified, the beauty of our camp and property on Lake Superior, as well as the parklands along the St. Mary’s River near our home in Sault Ste. Marie. I was able to share some of that beauty with my oldest friend when she came to visit in September, including a train ride to the Agawa Canyon.

I broke 50 (for 9 holes) in golf after years of getting close (usually blowing it on the 9th hole). Of course, now I want to always break 50, but I’m willing to accept that’s unlikely to happen.

I read and/or listened to 57 books (and counting), discovered new-to-me authors like Ann Patchett and Freida McFadden, finished all seven Harry Potter books (admittedly I was late to the party on that one), and revisited old favorites (Gone Girl, The Godfather, and completed the last of Sue Grafton’s alphabet series).

I celebrated 34 years of marriage with my best friend and partner in life. Walked Gibbs a thousand miles or more, discovering new places and smells along the way, and shared countless sunsets as the waves rolled in off the lake.

Last, but not least, I am grateful to everyone who has made a difference in my life, and that includes everyone who has followed my blog and/or newsletter. Thank you for being part of my journey.

Happy New Year! 

Judy