I had simple plans for this newsletter when I started it this year.

I wanted a place I could talk about my writing and the journey I was on to publish. I wanted to be able to share inspiration and hoped something in my experience could be helpful to someone else. I figured when/if I had publishing news to share down the road, I would have a home to share it.

I didn’t plan to be sharing news and updates by the end of the year as an indie author. In fact, I’d definitely considered self-publishing, but it was somewhere in the back of my mind, a back up plan that I now am ashamed to admit I knew nothing about until I was pressing my face to the window and looking in to try and grasp a better understanding of that arm of the romance industry.

My plans were in terms of “first things first”. I could think about the possibilities of the indie market once I’d tried to query my first novel. I’ve been humbled to see the reality: there is no one path. Even in personal stories where there’s a bit of luck and magical opportunity, it’s hardly an easy road. I’ve been stubborn in the past with previous careers. A rule follower to my core, I obeyed mentor instruction and wisdom to the letter to produce a successful outcome, but in hindsight, I wish that I’d created the version of success I could be proud of and not what someone else measured as true achievement. It didn’t hinder my enjoyment of that career, but it certainly wrung me out creatively, emotionally, and physically.

With writing, I have no intention of doing that. There’s really no one way into a life as a writer, and I’ve already lived years doing what so many wish they could do. I’m incredibly fortunate, so everything I do now is about continuing to make it happen.

That’s my take on 2025 (and for next year). I did so many things that I set out to do this year that ended in what some people would classify as failure. But for me, there was joy and celebration. A fulfillment of a dream that I couldn’t have imagined coming true years ago.

Thank you for those of you that have followed, continue to follow me, and cheer me on. I am so very grateful for your excitement and support. It gives me courage on days where my courage is thin.

I have several exciting things to share with you in the days ahead, including…maybe an additional format for A FINE LINE (!!!).

But first, in case you missed it, I wanted to share this incredible commission from artist, Roxie Vizcarra, of my MCs Calliope and Emerson. She executed my descriptions and ideas beautifully. I was looking for the cheeky dynamic from old clinch covers, plus the inherent attention these two have on each other at all time.

Please note the barely there five o’clock shadow on his chin, the slight harried appearance of her hair. The slutty little badge at his hip.

I’m so thrilled with her interpretation!

In the new year, I look forward to sharing more about my writing process—the highs and lows of this novel. I also look forward to sharing what’s next!

If you haven’t pre-ordered A FINE LINE, you can do so HERE. For those of you that don’t have Barnes & Noble (and want a paperback), paperbacks will be available on Amazon starting the day of release.

If you’re not following me on Instagram or TikTok, here are some posts you may have missed below. I am very much tired of looking at my face (lol) and would love for you to come and repost, share, comment, and say hello!

Here are some posts you may have missed:

This will be my last newsletter for 2025, because I am looking forward to a much needed break this week (and time with my family). Friends, I wish you a wonderful, safe, and restful holiday and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! ❤ I look forward to sharing more, writing more, and connecting more in 2026 :)