2025 in Review

How is it 2026 already?? Time should not be allowed to fly so fast.

Many things happened over 2025, from platform expansions to hitting new reading records—and working on three different novels at once. And many other fun writing happenings that I cannot wait to share!

Misc.

On the Blog:

30 posts this year.

Lots of behind the scenes planning, that ended up taking a very different path than originally expected. (See Writing Tips below.)

And all of you amazing subscribers. Thank you for a wonderful 2025!

Platform:

If you remember my post back in July…I started my official author newsletter! I’ve been so blessed by my subscribers already, and love sharing book recs, writing updates, and deep dives into the world of YA fantasy in emails every other month.

(This month’s email is a fiction takeover—so if you haven’t signed up yet, don’t wait! I’d hate for you to miss out on so many reviews and author spotlights.)

Writing Tips:

I started a Substack space for writing tips!! I’ve learned a lot over my writing journey, and have been waiting a long time to be able to share that knowledge with others.

From action scenes to 3D characters, indie publishing to writing siblings, magic tips to how to properly write winter, When Words Aren’t Wording is packed with tips and how-tos for the writer seeking to learn.

Writing

Words Written:

95k, give or take. (Slightly smaller yearly word count than usual, but this year was spent deep in edits and development. Less focus on drafting.)

Projects Worked On:

Three novels, two short stories. Project: Aladdin (development and drafting); Project: Flicker (development, drafting, and edits); Project: Wolf (drafting and edits); A Noble Sacrifice (drafting, edits, and publication); Project: Atlantis (development).

Favorite Project:

Honestly, I tend to like my projects best when I’m in the beginning stages of development. When everything’s shiny and new, and I’ve got endless miles of story to brainstorm and bring together. So, Project: Atlantis is probably my current favorite project… maybe even favorite of the year…

Publications?:

A Noble Sacrifice was published in the Noble Collection by Beyond the Bookery at the beginning of 2025! I will forever be in love with that beautifully emotional short story.

Awards?:

The first chapters of Project: Wolf quarter finalized in the Aurora Contest this fall!

Reading

Books Read:

147

(100 brand new, 47 cover-to-cover rereads.)

Top 5 Books of the Year:

1: Of Dawn and Embers by Gillian Bronte Adams

Hope was not a candle flame. It was the dawn. Rising again and again after the darkest night.

2: Saber’s Pride by C.M. Banschbach

“I would see this tribe without violence or cruel carelessness against one another. …. I would see us turn to a different way than the bloody paths we’ve stood on for too long.”

3: Trial and Error by P.D. Atkerson

“You sold your soul to the devil a long time ago.”

“Yeah? Well, Jesus bought it back.”

4: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn

“Once again, my path has turned. Where it will lead, I cannot say.”

5.1: Beneath False Stars by S.D. Grimm

“Without fear, there is no bravery. … What you have is a beautifully messy bravery.”

5.2: The Shattered Ones by Brigitte Cromey

“Staring down the darkness makes it easier to see all the things we stand to lose.”

How was your 2025?

Did you read any of the books that made my top 5? How’d they rank for you?