Wednesday 7 December 2022

IWSG December 2022

Time for the last IWSG meeting of December 2022! Greetings from a freezing cold Scotland, and I hope you're managing to get into some kind of spirit. Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are Joylene Nowell ButlerChemist KenNatalie AguirreNancy Gideon and Cathrina Constantine.


As we near the end of the year, I have to say it's been one of the best years of my writing life, as I signed my first contract for a traditionally published book. There is still some way to go, with the release date not until August next year, but I have to say I'm thankful for the fantastic relationship I've built with my publisher. They favour a slow-burn approach, laying the groundwork over many months by making meaningful connections with reviewers and influencers and focusing on a handful of excellent titles rather than rushing to get many books out to market and not giving them the attention they deserve. I'm loving being on this journey. Don't forget, if you haven't added The Becalmer to your TBR yet, you can do so here!

In terms of writing progress, I spent the year writing a draft of my next project, which is out with CPs, and I'm kicking around ideas for something else that I'll hopefully get a jump on before the end of the year. This brings us in to our IWSG question for this month:

It's holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?

I don't really think about goals at this time of year, in terms of catching up on any I might have set. It's more about looking forward to next year. If I was seriously behind on something I wanted to do, I don't think the holidays are the best time to fix that! And it's not a good idea to set hard and fast goals for the year and then kick yourself for not completing them. Instead, it's a time to look back on what you did accomplish and to ponder what you might want to do next year. The actual writing tends to slow up a bit over the holidays but I'm still hoping to get a bit done.

Check out other festive posts at the group here.

28 comments:

Liza said...

So pleased about your book coming out. Wishing you the best, Nick, and hope next year is even better!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I'm so glad that this is the best writing year of your life, Nick! I hope you have another wonderful year in 2023.

Bish Denham said...

Congratulations, Nick!!! May your hard work and productivity continue into the New Year.

Nicole Pyles said...

Great point on not using this time of year to kick yourself about not meeting your goals! Way to go on your book too!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's awesome you are enjoying working with your publisher. I think small publishers work harder.

Loni Townsend said...

Woot for a great year! I hope the next one is even better for you!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That's why DLP doesn't take on more than a handful of books a year. We need time to prepare and market each one.

Liz A. said...

I'm glad that your journey to publication is one you're enjoying.

Jean Davis said...

It sounds like you're on an exciting publishing adventure! I look forward to reading more about your traditional publishing journey.

Looking back on accomplishments is an excellent way to go about wrapping up the year!

Kristina Kelly said...

Congrats on the publisher news! Hoping next year you can say it was the best year for your writing as well!

Steph W. said...

That is an exciting year! I hope the best for you in the upcoming year as well!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Exciting times! Congrats on your hard work paying off!

Yvonne Ventresca said...

Congrats on your amazing year!

Jenni said...

Congrats on your contract! It sounds like you have a wonderful publisher as well.
I liked what you said about not being too hard on yourself this time of year.

Michelle Wallace said...

Congrats on your traditional publishing contract, Nick! Exciting times!
Happy holidays!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Congratulations on you book. Your hard work finally paid off. Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Kate Larkindale said...

Sounds like you've had a great year. Definitely time to celebrate that, not beat yourself up fro the stuff you haven't managed to get to yet.

cleemckenzie said...

Nothing is better than a good year of writing, so congratulations, Nick.

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

I'm glad 2022 was the year. Congratulations, Nick. Happy marketing!

chickangell said...

Congrats on the contract! That is so exciting. And I fully agree with your publisher's approach. Best of luck planning the marketing for your next book. I absolutely love marketing!

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

J Lenni Dorner said...

Congratulations! I hope the journey with your publisher continues to give you good vibes forever.

Dewey Decimal System Day is December 10. 📚
“The only limit to your success is your own imagination” – Shondra Rhimes
I most recently blogged about my upcoming book and launch party.
I wish you a merry holiday ⛄ season, and a New Year full of peace, joy, and creativity.

Shannon Lawrence said...

Exciting year! I agree: the holidays aren't the time for catching up. My brain usually resets this month and looks ahead, as well.

Christine Rains said...

Congratulations! That is awesome news. I usually relax more during December, especially after the frenzy of NaNoWriMo. Have a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous new year!

H. R. Sinclair said...

Added!

I'm the same. December is a retrospective month for me.

H. R. Sinclair said...

Added!

Same here. December is a retrospective month for ,e.

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm the same. I don't set big goals, I just do the next thing and the next thing after that. I won't get as many things done over the next few weeks, but they'll be waiting whenever I have time :)

Annalisa Crawford said...

I find this time of year is great for making new goals. At the beginning of this year I wrote "short story collection 2023" on my whiteboard. And guess what, it's happening (almost by accident, but that's another story).

Another idea in the offing? Fabulous. Keep them coming, Nick :-)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nick - I'm way behind ... but so good to see you're enjoying your publishing journey - the publishers sound great and helpful building up those relationships for you - ensuring the best outcome possible to see your book on its way. Enjoy and have a peaceful festive time with family and friends - cheers Hilary