So long 2025!
And helloooo 2026 ✨🥂✨
(WHEW! Got this sent just in time!)
It’s been quite a year! First I want to thank all of you for joining me on this wild publishing ride, because while I write for myself, having you all invested in my worlds keeps me inspired.
What I’m working on
Almost Like Magic book 4! I know the title, but you all have to wait a bit longer for the reveal… I set a November goal to write every day that month. Which I did! And then kept going. I wrote every day in December too, and book 4 is now over 36,000 words. Looking like it’s gonna be a chunky book as I have a lot of threads to tie up for this one. I am REALLY excited about the story, and cannot wait to start sharing teasers and the title and—once I have it—the cover art. I’m working really hard to get this book out in 2026!!!
I have a few short story ideas bouncing around my head, too, so more on that in future newsletters. These are gonna be a lot of fun!
What I’m reading
I started a new book for the holidays and absolutely LOVE Monster Sitter, by Paige Andrews and Percival Constantine (with assistance from my lovely friend August Niehaus).
Business-y stuff
This section is a bit longer than usual since it’s the end of the year. Things started off pretty strong, with a huge boost in the middle of the year. Then something happened in July-August and page reads just fell off, ending with none for December. This is a tale I’m seeing from a lot of my author friends. No one fully understands what happened or what changed, but there are rumors Amazon changed something in their algorithm in response to the onslaught of AI books being uploaded.
No lie, it’s been tough to see so many of my author friends struggling.
I turned off my FB/Meta ad earlier this month because even with it running I wasn’t getting any traffic. I plan to start another ad after the new year, and hopefully that will help find some new readers.
But it’s still amazing to see how many readers took a chance on my books, and that keeps me writing the next one, because if even just one person out there wants more, that’s enough for me!
So what’s ahead for 2026?
Hopefully ALM book 4! And some short stories! AND as of this morning, I’m confirmed for THREE in-person events, and I’ll share those details soon. But if you’re in the greater Seattle area, I hope you’ll come by one of them.
Wishing you all a happy and safe New Year’s Eve, and a towering to-be-read pile of books for 2026.
Happy reading,
Jill
I spy a Monster Sitter 👀 so happy you're enjoying it so far!
And I hope that the page reads bounce back and Amazon gets their 💩 together!!!!!
So happy to see you over Christmas and get my book signed! Looking forward to more books from you! No pressure! 😀
I love reading that sales in UK and Australia are going well ❤️❤️