Had a great meeting with my publisher and between us, we generated quite a list of things to do before the launch. Came home and re-organized my schedule so I can have my end done by launch date!

Got started filming some of the book trailer videos that Laksa Media will use to launch Bursts of Fire this summer. We did the easiest ones first: filming artists who either worked on, or were inspired by, the novel. Next, we need to edit them to the music.

Tomorrow, I’m leading a Writers’ Circle Discussion on “The Engines of Character Motivation.” I have a 1-page (2-sided) summary handout to spark the discussion, and if that starts to flag, a character worksheet. But last time I ran a discussion group, we got through 2 questions, so I think I have tons of material.

My new class has started for the winter semester, and I have six students–nice small group to allow for lots of individualization, but big enough that the discussion can be lively. I am really enjoying this group–they are more than willing to plunge in to the topics, and most of them have also put up some of their work for critique!

Hey, great news: I got an Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant to help fund my book tour in support of Bursts of Fire this summer and fall! This means I can do all the stops on the tour I had planned, and not be completely broke by the end! Yay!! Thanks, Alberta Foundation for the Arts!!

Well into the new year, and tons of stuff on the go: continuing to work on my current novel, waiting for edit requests from my publisher for book 2 of my series, and ARCs for book 1 were mailed to reviewers this week. Prepping for the video filming for the book trailers for books 1&2 of the series. Also, I’m editing for a monthly client, just met with a potential client with a novel he may want done this year, waiting for all the short stories to come in for the anthology, and agreed to swap novels to beta-read with another author. The course I’m teaching this winter starts on Wednesday, and I’m planning not only my book tour for this summer/fall, but 2 writing retreats in February/March. Oh, yeah, and tons of reading as I am judging the Sunburst awards this year. So, lots of things to juggle!

Managed to put away all the Christmas stuff and had a lovely ski trip over New Year’s, and now I’m jumping into a million things for 2019. This is going to be an awesome year!

Had a few days off for Christmas, but have been writing this week, too—and super-enjoying it! I finished a series of scenes, which I may not use, showing what the villain is up to. Stuff I need to know, but as a mystery, may have to be kept secret from the reader. Now I’m back on the main story line. Such fun!

I’m a judge for the Sunburst Award for adult and YA books published in 2018. Just received a box of 33 books (and there are 4 ebooks as well). That is BOX ONE. Not sure how many books there will be altogether, but the judges (there are 5 of us) have to come up with our top ten recommended books in each category by May 1 (the long list). The YA category so far is looking not too bad: only 6 books in it so far, meaning the top ten are almost chosen. The short list (top 5) shouldn’t be hard either—unless, of course, we get a bunch more books. I think publishers have until December 31 to submit their books, so there could be more coming, but I’m guessing not a ton more at this point. It will be good to become familiar with what’s been written in my field (SFF) across Canada for a given year. I’m sure I will learn a lot that will improve my own writing as I wrestle with what makes the top 10, 5 and 1 the best.

I took on a new editing client. I was a bit leery of taking on anyone with a full novel, because I’m going to have a pretty full plate for the next while, but this person is writing short science fiction, so the work can be done in short bursts. Also, he’s a good writer, so that makes the work much more interesting for me!