2021 in Review

photo of nimbus clouds

Hey Guys,

Around this time of the year, I feel it’s important to take inventory and recall what happened. I don’t know about you, but I found myself asking where did it all go; you know? How did it fly by so fast?

Anywhoo, in this post I’d like to highlight all the accomplishments and mishaps I had this year as well as lift up some fellow indie authors to celebrate them too!

This is 2021 in review.

2021 at a Glance

This year I hunkered down to complete a story through a still ongoing regimen, finished its second draft, and successfully launch my first middle grade novel, Lafonda and Leo Heroes of the Land.

Successes

The great news is I published a new book for a younger audience. It’s probably the most fun I’ve had as an author and would love to recreate something similar. Thanks to you all, the cover turned out great and the launch was a huge success!

Not only did that release, but Vestige Rise of the Pureblood came out on Audiobook early this year. I could not have asked for a more polite and professional narrator than Robert Fisher. He did an amazing job bringing several of my stories to life. Going Rogue just launched onto YouTube, and I hope to work with him to release more goodies for you all very soon.

This year my readership has expanded in the Mustache Cartel, a newsletter to reach all of you once or twice a month with exclusive sneak peeks and updates straight to your inbox, so you don’t miss my posts here. 😉

Also, this year I completed a second draft to a finished manuscript that I’m excited yet anxious about.

Lastly, the Vestige Saga saw a second edition released at the beginning of the year, wrapping the last of the wonderful blessings.

Failures

Of course, each year’s not without its struggles.

This year I failed in my goal to post a video to Anthem of Ink once a month, only posting three all year. But, to turn a negative into a positive, it was not without good reason. I was writing. My stories take precedent. Period.

So, a new year’s resolution failed. No biggie, I guess.

SPFBO #6 ended with the winner announced, and I had planned on reading the winners. Again, time got away from me as I’d hoped to read a lot this year. Here’s a link to them. SPFBO#7 is underway, I believe.

The Well

unrecognizable woman touching water in garden
Photo by Dmitriy Ganin on Pexels.com

It was with sad news that I brought to you all that I’m temporarily disbanding The Well, until I can bring it something of value. My pilot post, that intended as a model for the series, was all but finished, but for one piece. This article intended to break down the creation story and analyze how it’s alluded in literature, but it lacked the charter poem I wanted.

So for now, until I can decide the best way to move forward, it’s discontinued. Let me be clear: I love my God and my witness is important to me. Part of the reason, I’m removing The Well is I don’t want to seem like a fake Christian. I hope pausing this doesn’t bring the wrong impression. I just don’t know how to continue the segment. 

Last week, I saw one of you had responded they would be open to reading, and I’m open to any questions you may have. I realize this segment may not be for everyone, so if I were to revive it, I would intend it to run similar to The Tavern, where it’s subscribed into via a tag through ConvertKit and if anything else, linked occasionally inside the monthly update. That way it’s there for those who want it, but not forced on anyone that doesn’t.

The Tavern

Lastly, I’m not sure whether to count this a failure or a success, but it was a huge low note for me. Sadly, I had to take a huge step from D&D this year. As a DM, I did the hardest thing I’ve ever done: kick out a player.

It really wasn’t easy for me to do as I genuinely liked the guy, but how he was treating me and the others was inconsiderate and unfair, essentially bullying me over the course of months no matter how much I asked him to stop, but I won’t get into it out of respect. Part of me misses having him around. The other says good riddance.

wood luck business game
Photo by Stephen Hardy on Pexels.com

So unfortunately, I run the game only bi-monthly instead of weekly, but I’ve actually had the chance to become a player now. I actually enjoy Tuesday nights instead of dreading the game again. In a way, it’s a plus that I left a toxic situation, but it still stings to talk about.

As a result, The Tavern hasn’t been the liveliest, but It’s growing. I enjoyed the articles below:

Struggles this Year

My greatest struggle this year has been imposter syndrome. There’s been this nagging sensation that I’m just not good enough with the stories I write. It stopped at least one book I was writing (Tales of the Undergrove,) stifled another, and I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to burn Hollow’s Heist because I’ve felt it was irredeemable garbage. I hate a lot of the things I write at times, yet somedays are better than others.

The whole situation with problem player certainly only worsened it for me.

Luckily, I feel a lot better now as I take a step back, and what not, yet it seems this is one inner demon I can’t shake loose at times. Community with other writers has helped me realize that I’m not alone with struggling with my stories, and that’s helped alot.

Strengths of this Year

I think the biggest strengths and improvements I had this year were knowing how to publish and launch a book. A lot of the stress that came with publishing the Vestige Saga came from being inexperienced. This time with Lafonda and Leo I had the foundation and the wonderful group of all of you to help me launch this book.

I can see what went well, where to improve, and what went very well. Honestly, the launch went incredibly smooth. Finding a way for the book to keep momentum remains to be seen.

Plans for 2022

Planning ahead for 2022, my goals are as follows:

  • Dive into more social media
  • Finish another manuscript
  • Publish smaller projects
  • Decide which direction for future books

Starting an Instagram seems the next step as well as buckle down and finish some projects minus some stress. Part of my hopes for the One Year to Publish class was it would help me build my platform, which it did, but I lacked the time to implement everything on a weekly deadline.

With more free time and less stress, I hope I can start this. Currently three novels/novellas sit festering and ready to be finished. My hope is to complete one to take things slow.

Honestly, I haven’t mapped everything out yet, but I might have some ideas of what I want to do.

Celebrate these Peeps!

Lastly, I wanted to close by sharing the achievements of my fellow Active Alumni authors and Mustache Cartelistas. Writing a book is a no easy feat and that’s an understatement and I feel a lot of us Indies have to look out for each other. So here’s to celebrating their success!

Please be sure to check the wonderful people below and celebrate them. I’m sure they would all appreciate a read or being a last-minute Christmas present. Below are links and descriptions to everyone who’s published this year. I also included the Amazon look-inside preview, so you read a sample for each.

(If I missed anyone or if you want to be featured, please let me know!)

Full disclaimer: I haven’t read everything on this list nor been paid to endorse these books

Brett Preiss

On January 20th, Author Brett Preiss published his memoir titled: “The (un)Lucky Sperm: Tales of my bizarre childhood – a funny memoir.”

I’ve heard numerous great things about it. The famous actor and producer Miles Pollard even narrated the audiobook version. The link is below:

Amazon.com: The (un)Lucky Sperm: Tales of my bizarre childhood – a funny memoir. eBook : Preiss, Brett: Kindle Store

Active Alumni Writers

Oddly enough one the day after Brett published, the Active Alumni Writers dropped their most recent collaboration, Rearview Mirror, a suspenseful thriller about a rideshare driver.

The book took an extensive amount of time and care from fourteen different authors. Some of which even reappear on this list.

Deirdre Stokes 

Also last January, Deirdre Stokes, an indie poet, published her collection of poetry. 

The description from Amazon says “Words Are All I Have is a collection of poetry selected to show that you can come out with love and faith on your side through the pain. Deirdre took the time to make sure each piece showed a different side of pain. Being vulnerable in her work allows you to see inside her heart. And join her on her journey through life.”

Poetry being a guilty habit of mine in the past, I picked up a copy myself to read when I get the chance.

Here’s the link to her collection.  (The paperback sample on Amazon allows you to read a sliver of the first poem. Unfortunately, the embeds push the kindle edition.)

Evelyn Puerto

In February, she released her second young adult fantasy novel, Flicker of the Flame in her series. You don’t need to read book one to dive into this one as it does a great job catching up to speed and stands well on its own.

I received the wonderful opportunity to read an advance copy and thoroughly enjoyed it. There were lots of tugs at the heart strings and so many twists and turns, but I won’t spoil it for you. I highly recommend it.

She even wrote a guest post this year on the blog about worldbuilding and her books that’ll link as well. She’s an amazing fantasy writer and an inspiration. 

B. O’ree Williams

Another one of the Active Alumni Writers and a founding member, he published his first sci-fi novel on the ides of March. I’ve heard lots of Tron comparisons with a dive into cybercrime and the possibilities of AI. Lots of people in the reviews loved his characters.

The story is titled Beyond the Horizon Line: The Sanctuary

Callie Sutcliffe

A romance writer of the Active Alumni, she published the first two books of her series. Romance is typically not my bag, but I realize some of you may like it. 

Most people have compared Love is Messy to classic Hallmark movies with a small-town love story and a lady with a secret past. I have not found the time to read this one yet.

Carol Wolfe

I’m sure some of you may remember, but fellow Alumni Writer Carol Wolfe, her third book in her woman’s fiction, “My Best” Series.

Her series always seems to be growing in popularity, so if this genre suits you, it may be worth a read. The link’s below.

“My Best Memory” Carol Wolfe Amazon.com: My Best Memory: Helene’s Story (My Best Series Book 3) eBook : Wolfe, Carole: Kindle Store

Jaimee Pifer

Only a few days before Lafonda and Leo, Jaimee Published a historical fiction of her ancestors, Withstanding the Fiery Furnace: Based on a True Story (The Wall Family Saga Book 1).

A snippet from the description reads, “Withstanding the Fiery Furnace is based on real-life experiences of the author’s great-great-great grandfather. Set against the backdrop of World War I and the Russian Revolution, this story recounts the struggles Jacob and his family faced and how their faith guided them on a path to wholeness.”

So it’s definitely an interesting plot. Below is a preview from Amazon, that may better pique your interest than my words can.

Krissy Baccaro

This is another one from the Active Alumni that I have not read but heard good talk about.  This makes Krissy’s book two in her series full of mystery and intrigue. A preview’s below if it catches your interest, I’m sure she’d appreciate a read.

According to Amazon’s blurb, the story follows Ella Perri as she discovers her grandmother Gianna that she never knew is very much alive and sets off with her uncle Luca. “For drastically different reasons, Luca and Ella race to find Gianna in the Tuscan hills where she has been safe…until now.” (Cue suspense)

John King

Last, but certainly on least, only a few months ago, John released his first fantasy novel, and I had the pleasure of reading some his early drafts. He creates wonderful characters in his stories with some unique blends in his worldbuilding with dragons, “demi-wolves” and what remains of humanity.

This story follows Shiva an average dog who’s magically transformed and embroiled in a war between humanity and her kind where she must find her place in the world and discover what happened to her master.

His bio and a link to his book are below:

Of Scales and Fur

John King is a graduate of Full Sail University and writes about fantasy and adventure. Having spent his youth traveling as part of a military family, he turned to fiction to deal with the ever-changing way of life, leading to his creation of the world expressed in the Of Scales and Fur saga. His work can be found on www.ofscalesandfurbyjohnnking.com.

Looly Paarker

Rounding up the last of the published authors is Looly Paarker. She was another contributor from the Active Alumni who made a coloring book this year along with a five-minute bedtime story. A link is featured below 🙂

Brother Bear Is In A Pickle: Children’s activity book; simple coloring and 5 minute bedtime story book; for kids ages 3-5, Adorable coloring book: Paarker, Looly, Paarker, Heidi: 9798460803118: Amazon.com: Books

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, there are a few others not on this list like Lori Lee Palmer’s short stories and another two authors that I know, but don’t know if I have permission to share. I link to the above on a separate article for some better exposure through SEO and what not.

I wanted to include the above to lift up the community built here and celebrate their success because again writing a book is not easy. This article is probably bigger than most of mine and for that I apologize.

Thank you for reading both her and my stories.

Here’s to a magnificent 2022!

Sincerely,

Antonio

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