Last year, my creative sister-in-law made a banner for me to use for conferences and book events. It’s beautiful, with pictures of me, my published books up to October of 2023, my website information, social media contact info, and my digital pay applications. It was only seven or eight months ago, yet that display is now outdated.
When I start an endeavor, I don’t necessarily know how it will turn out. I always hope for the best and work diligently toward the goals I envisioned, but life throws us curves and things don’t go as planned or… they take on a life of their own.
When we created The Bumbershoots Writers Society, the main goals were to be a team, yet retain our individuality. To create new art, while cross-promoting, making new contacts, and moving forward on the path we’ve chosen as writers, editors, and artists. Yet, those simple, achievable plans have expanded for us all, not only as a collective, but in our solo pursuits.
When I left the Ozark Creative Writers conference in October, I was filled with the joy that comes with achievement. I’d been successful as the opening speaker, sold all but five of the forty books I’d taken, and I’d made new friends and contacts. My 2024 plan was already in place, and things were looking up. It was a beautiful moment and I wanted to enjoy that feeling for a while.
But… then I signed contracts to create audiobooks for other authors, and I’ve had to learn recording processes, understand Constant Bit Rate, and I thank God for my younger brother Harold, who speaks and understands those languages. Lol. A new door had opened and I cautiously stepped through it.
But… as a newly minted member of the Western Writers of America, I wanted to have my first Western novel ‘A Man Named Purse’ published by the end of 2023, in order for it to qualify for various, prestigious awards. We (me and Venessa McDaniel Cerasale) gave it our best shot, beat the deadline, and before we even had a chance to celebrate, the publishing of it stalled due to the company we used for the process.
We plan and work to turn our hopes into realities, but try as we might, we do not have the final say. Things happen. My initial goal was to release three books in 2024, and here it is, May, and I kind of underestimated the production levels.
Exhale. Gauntlets and Conches Volume One, A Man Named Purse, Singing to Butterflies, Crimes Sins and Misdemeanors (BWS), Over the Horizon, and Gauntlets and Conches Volume Two; Nemesis. That’s more than three, even if one gets pushed back to 2025. Um, not even gonna count the second edition of Sippin’ Life at Lucky’s Bar and Grill. That’s seven. Wow.
Oh, and then there’s the finished stuff in the vault which need nothing except either a publisher or a release date. When Uncle Johnny Came Home, the absence of years, The Weight of Memory, Painted Spurs, The Ascension of El Padron, Menage; Volume One, Thoughts for a Cloudy Day (poetry collection), The Song of Rosa, and The Journey to Deliciousness. Wow. That’s nine more. I guess I’ll be submitting some of these to other publishers, because these works can’t stay in the vault forever. Especially since I have to make room for new arrivals.
The Tale of Noreen, The Grifter’s Handbook, and Deliciousity will be added by the end of the year. Then there are the short stories being created for various contests and conferences, all of which will need a Home at some point. Not even gonna mention the next BWS project.
The days ahead will be filled with writing, recording, submitting projects to publishers, planning release dates, speaking engagements, book signings, and continuing to explore new opportunities. I’m kind of excited about the prospects.
I’ll wait until September… then I’ll ask my sister-in-law to create a new banner. I wonder how long it’ll be before that one is outdated? God-willing, of course.
One response to “Peeking Into the Future”
I am so proud of your continued success 👏