Children’s author Julie Hedlund, challenged participants of her 12 Days of Christmas for Writers series to share our SUCCESSES (rather than resolutions) this year. She believes the way New Year’s resolutions are traditionally made comes from a place of negativity – what DIDN’T get done or achieved in the previous year. Instead, she suggests we set goals for the New Year that BUILD on our achievements from the previous one. I decided to participate in this Anti-Resolution Revolution! Here is my list of 12 things for 2025:
- Having a manuscript on submission – Julie Hedlund says if you went on sub, that’s a success. Waiting for a book deal is just PART OF THE PROCESS. I don’t know why, but that one hit me hard, so sharing here in case it helps. And if you’re in the process of being on sub (you have a manuscript and it’s out there with publishers, you’re just waiting for a yes!), I hope you get that joyful YES – the market has been hard and drought-like-lately… Thank you to my agent Sara who has been diligently subbing.
- I joined Grounded Writers to polish some of my writing for adults/short stories. If you haven’t read Hajera’s work, you’re missing out. It’s layered and polished and whenever I read her short stories, I don’t stop until the last word. #goals
- I just joined 12×12 for an extra boost for writing picture books, this year I’ve done more adult writing, but I wanted a little more kid lit inspiration + webinars, and to see what’s new out there. I’ve not been as active on Instagram (been great honestly!) but I do miss out on seeing kid lit stuff so hoping this will be a boost.
- 37,231 words – I have 37,231 words of short stories, this counts as something right? It’s definitely more than my middle grade novels in verse, feels like 2 of them, and I hope I keep going. I’m really proud of this number because my verse novels for kids usually max out at 16-23 k words. I’m trying not to lose motivation. I also loved Stacy Bronec’s essay of comparing writing to harvesting, plant the seeds, wait to see what grows.
- I launched my latest middle grade novel in verse, Zarina Divided, this May. My first historical fiction book! **If you read it and liked it, please leave a kind review here on Amazon, I heard 50 reviews is the magic number for more visibility, it only takes a second and is a BIG help! Glimpses of the book below and some photos!
6. Zarina Divided got two starred reviews!
7. My high school Language Arts teacher Ms. Carman came to my book launch at the loveliest little book store, Scholar & Scribe!
8. I did a couple of of school visits, some virtual, some in person, and old me would have tried to do way too much and been burned out. Newer me has signed with Authors Unbound, highly recommend them! I’m taking on less visits, but for more payment, which has been helpful to my schedule and my husband’s. The main schedule-taker-upper being my two and a half year old! #iykyk – 2 year olds are a tornado of activity. If you are an author who has been getting approached for school visits or whatnot, and are feeling a little burned out from adding email-responding/contract-making/book-sales-coordinating on your list, then this may be a good service for you.
(Not Pictured in above photos: non-stop-pounding-rain-during-an-almost-one-hour-drive to the library, oh and FOOD POISONING I got after treating myself to a Pakistani restaurant that served kabab rolls nearby (NEVER AGAIN, the restaurant! not the library! Yes Forever to libraries!)
Author’s Unbound has made my life easier and lets you focus on the good stuff, writing – thank you Rebecca!! Plus they make you the coolest website. I am available for limited school visits there! (Also if you are an author/illustrator, highly recommend checking out Anoosha Syed’s substack that sheds light on financial stuff. Great Studio Secrets!
9. I’ve been working on Noor Art curriculum, something I picked up from a project years ago, this time as an editor, and that’s been good.
10. Working or trying to write, even with the aforementioned 2 year old! Photocredit : Tasnia Malek.
11. Subbing to a few literary mags and places and getting some yes-es has been exciting! Like New York Times, Coffee and Crumbs, Part-Time Poets, Fifty Word Stories, and more! New York Times link : Cycle of Care – Read full story
12. Joining a critique group with Exhale; I feel like whenever I’ve made critique groups, they sometimes fizzle out, but our little circle is still going strong, and I love making sure I have something new to send out each month! thank you Susan!! I’m enjoying the thrill it takes to send work out to a trusted tender tiny group, and having something to send them each month = success.
I liked that this list wasn’t resolutions, but rather looking back and seeing what you did!
*Also disclaimer, I realized I am part of a lot of literary groups this past year, you don’t need to be part of a lit group, but it is nice, and if finances are an issue, believe they have opportunities to join. Also wanted to share, the years I got published, I wasn’t in any paid groups except SCBWI.
If you are still here, thank you for reading and please go leave an Amazon review for Zarina Divided, a glimpse of the book below! And incase you need a refresher of HOW TO SUPPORT Authors, voilà! Here are 10 ways…
My real grandmother Zarina who inspired the stories in ZARINA DIVIDED!
Doodling Through Life 