Looking Back: 2020

I've been dragging my feet about writing this post. Let's face it. Most of us would much prefer to forget about 2020 rather than look back at it. But I don't think we can do a good job of looking forward without acknowledging what we've been through.

I released two books in 2020. Under the Radar came out in late February. I had lots of travel plans, book festivals, mystery conferences, and book signings lined up. I managed to squeak in my launch party, a joint event with pal Liz Milliron at Mystery Lovers Bookshop. 


But the rest of my plans fell, one by one, like dominos. 

My second 2020 book, Til Death, came out in June. 


My launch party and subsequent appearances were virtual. My sales took a hit, but not as bad as I'd anticipated. Folks were stuck at home and reading more. Plus, with no travel expenses, my finances balanced out. 

Still, my writing career seemed to be in freefall for much of the year. Til Death was the last book of my contract. As I wrote it, I thought it might be the end of the Zoe Chambers series, so I wanted to wrap up all the threads for my loyal readers. However, I left the door open for more. Never say never. 

I'd hoped to sign with an agent I'd been communicating with for several years. COVID changed all that. The hoped-for offer of representation fell through. With no contract, no agent, and no deadlines, I floundered. I started querying other agents and received some lovely rejections, but they were still rejections. I tried making a plan. Actually, several. Plans A, B, C, and D. 

Finally, near the end of October, I received an offer of representation and signed with an agent I adore! She got busy and landed me a three-book contract for more Zoe mysteries, which I signed at the end of November. As is so often the case...at least in my writing journey...everything moves at a snail's pace and then BAM! 

I'm ending the year on a high note professionally. I once again have a contract and deadlines. I think I'm on Plan E at this point. 

No, 2020 did not go as I'd expected. I suffered the loss of a dear friend (I miss you, Ramona) and watched several friends and family members battle (and thankfully survive) COVID. But I'm still here. Tomorrow starts a new year and I'll post about my goals for 2021 then. 

Happy New Year's Eve!   

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mom Update

Image
It’s been a while since I wrote anything about my mom. If you follow me on Facebook, you’ve probably noticed a number of posts recently about long nights in the ER with her. I appreciate the kind concerns and prayers from friends and family. But while I know they’re well intended, the “hope she gets well soon” sentiments cut like a finely honed blade. Mom isn’t going to get well. She has good days and bad. More and more of the latter. Today’s “good days” are about the same as the bad ones a couple months ago. She has vascular dementia. In addition to her mental slippage, her legs have grown weak and uncooperative, adding to her pre-existing balance issues. We plead with her to call for assistance to get out of bed. Unfortunately, she can’t remember that she’s had numerable falls lately, so she continues to try to get up and around on her own, resulting in more falls. And in more trips to the ER. She has dislocated her right hip twice now. She’s hit her head more times
Read more

Agatha Nomination for Fatal Reunion!

Image
I am over the moon to share the news that Fatal Reunion has received an Agatha nomination (my sixth!) for Best Contemporary Novel! You can find the entire nominee list here . You would think that six nominations in, I wouldn't be surprised by the news. But I am more stunned with each one. I never take it for granted and never assume I'll ever walk that path or wear that "NOMINEE" ribbon at Malice Domestic ever again. I'm beyond grateful to those who wrote down my name on the nomination forms. 
Read more

Catching Up...AGAIN...Part 1

Image
It's been so long since I last posted and so much has happened, there's no way I can fit it all into one post. Especially since I'm busy with the second draft of a new book. So I've decided to catch up a little at a time.  First up, HELPLESS , my 12th Zoe Chambers Mystery came out in May. It's my first foray into straight suspense, rather than whodunit mysteries, and the reviews have been outstanding. I'm so happy. And relieved.  Second, Where the Guilty Hide is FINALLY available in paperback in the US. It took a lot of trial and error and manually pushing buttons by my UK publisher, but it's out there! I won't go into the frustration involved in not being able to get my books into US bookstores. And I've been assured this won't happen when the second Detective Honeywell Mystery comes out in print early next year.  That would be Keep Your Family Close which has my absolute favorite cover of all of my books! It's up for digital pre-orders no
Read more