Just Keep Swimming

My 54th birthday came and went in December. The takeaway?

My life consists of soup, my family, my career, some great tabletop RPG with my favorite RPGers, more soup, and the occasional bit of writing. Simple yet elegant. Toss in cooking (other than soup), reading, a smidge of social media, cheering on my beloved New England sports teams (who all disappointed me in 2024, and there’s been little daylight just a couple of weeks into 2025), and you get the picture.

2025 is already challenging. Today is Inauguration Day. Regardless of your politics, no one will argue that this next President of the United States will define this county for many years to come. Today is also Martin Luther King Day.

I can only hope that some of Reverend King’s grace will find its way into what is to come.

But that’s not what today’s Unblog post is about. I considered doing a year in review post, but discarded the idea in favor of looking ahead rather than behind.

Today’s Unblog is about writing and author-y updates.

Lessee, where to start? I know! How about some juicy metrics? Everybody loves crunching numbers, and I’m no exception. Check these out:

Since its release in August 2024, BUDDY THE KNIGHT AND THE QUEEN OF SORROW has sold 294 units worldwide. This book is not available on Kindle Unlimited.

Since its release in August 2018, BLOODLINES has sold 359 units worldwide. Audible: 266 units. And Kindle Unlimited Page Reads? 104,666 pages read.

Since its release in February 2020, PIECES OF EIGHT has sold 167 units worldwide. Audible: 54 units. And Kindle Unlimited Page Reads? 59,243 pages read.

Honorable Mentions:

BLOODLINES free downloads: 2,918 units worldwide.

PIECES OF EIGHT free downloads: 1,147 units worldwide.

And how far they’ve gone! Whether free or bought, electronic or paperback, my books have gone far and wide. From the US to Brazil, then onward to the UK, Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands, and across the world to Japan and Australia! Incredible to think that my words have been read on a global scale!

I had no expectations regarding my stories beyond the hope that someone would read and enjoy them. Maybe drop a decent star rating, or even take the time to write a short review. The fact that my books have traveled the globe boggles my mind. When I wrote my first story back in the early 1980s, I had no concept of the potential breadth and scope I could potentially reach.

Obviously, the explosion of social media helped redefine my humble expectations. Connecting with readers from other countries and knowing my words are in the hands of other avid readers fills me with hope that maybe, just maybe, I can do this writing thing.

So, what’s in store for 2025?

I have contracted with a UK-based book blogging group who will showcase BUDDY THE KNIGHT AND THE QUEEN OF SORROW sometime in February. There are 29 bloggers lined up to provide their honest review on various social media platforms and websites. These reviewers range from India to Germany to the UK, Canada, and the US. Hopefully, this will help BUDDY get greater exposure and a more diverse readership.

Last December, I had a little table at a local synagogue’s Hanukkah festival and sold 14 signed books. I enjoyed the experience so much that I’ll be looking to set up shop at other festivals in the area throughout the year. Whether they bought my book or simply hung out to chat, just connecting live with readers was both rewarding and fun.

I will enter BUDDY into at least 1 or 2 contests. While not a fan of these in the slightest, I need to overcome my equal parts anxiety and distaste for writing competitions, and embrace my faith in the quality of this story. I promise to keep my expectations low regardless of the outcome.

BUDDY 2, ELECTRIC BOOGALOO (no, that’s not the title) is in the works! I’m four chapters in with a rough draft rolling around in my head. Slow going like all my writing, I am still making progress, but no timetable as to when the first draft will be completed. Hopefully, before the end of this year, but we’ll see what we’ll see. Whenever it’s finished, I plan on contracting again with Candice Broersma who did such incredible work with the first cover.

And that’s that.

I am so humbled by the constant support from family, friends, and fellow authors who I have the privilege to call friends. An author’s life, with its peaks and lots and lots and lots and LOTS of valleys, is a difficult journey. I’ve written many times in this Unblog about the various mental and emotional challenges of being a writer over the years. And while it never gets easier, it’s nice to know I’m not alone in my cluttered corner.

Wishing all of you a very happy, healthy, and safe 2025!