Wow. 2020 was insane.

But it was insane for me in LOTS of GOOD ways! I’ve grown so much as an author this year, this whole blog post is about all the exciting things I’ve accomplished, because why not celebrate the good things? Post contains affiliate links.

I always like to do a “looking back” post this time of year around my birthday.

I’m an optimist. But I struggled a lot this year, too, like everyone else in the world. Being pregnant during covid was an interesting journey, and I don’t think any of us will ever forget this year. But I don’t like to focus on the bad stuff.

I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.

Winston Churchill

So first, here are some of my non-publication achievements:

– I learned how to cut my toddler’s hair! And nobody got hurt. Now if I only wanted to brave my own hair without messing it up…

– My Etsy shop did almost 400% better than 2019 (yep, 400%). If you didn’t know, I sell handmade papercut bookmarks. And I came very close to making 1,000 sales before I put it on vacation mode for maternity leave. Next year!!

– I had a baby!

– I gained several more wonderful editing clients and grew my freelance editing portfolio.

– I created tea blends to go with the Arcera Trilogy, and The Alchemyst’s Mirror

Now for the publications. I’m pretty wowed by this list, I’m not going to lie.

I published the Arcera Trilogy ebook boxset February 26

Published Writer’s Notebook March 29

This notebook has been very popular, and I can officially say I sold hundreds of copies this year. I’m excited to see where it goes, and am currently trying to pursue some new sales venues.

Published The Storm King June 9. Still have book # three in the works, but not sure when exactly I’ll have time for it.

Meadowcity Audiobook Released June 17

The Fifth City Audiobook Released July 31

Published Teen Writer’s Notebook August 17

Published Guided Writer’s Notebook September 19

Published The Alchemyst’s Mirror October 27. This has been my most successful fiction release to date. I’m already working on a sequel.

Published The Clockwork Ice Dragon November 10

A Rift Between Cities Audiobook Released December 5

Looking ahead

I’ve got a few things planned for 2021. I’m hoping to release 2 new books in the Everturn Chronicles. After that, well, who knows!

I hadn’t actually planned on releasing all of the books I did in 2020, and you can see how that turned out. I think originally it was just going to be the Writer’s Notebook, and The Storm King. But I had a golden moment in time with my toddler’s sleep schedule where I could write and do work during his nap and while he was in bed mornings and evenings.

Fortunately, as I was already a stay/work at home mom, my schedule didn’t actually change much this year. I just had less places to go/things to do with the toddler during his waking hours. I can’t wait until we can get out and about again, now with his little brother, too!

Let’s all try to remember the good things about 2020, and not the bad.

<3 -Liz