When Sage (the best PA in the whole world) asked me if I was going to a year-end work wrap-up, I cringed and kept putting it off. It felt like I hadn’t accomplished enough this year. I wasn’t comparing myself to other authors, just to my ideal self…and in my head, I’d failed.
I’ve gotten good at remembering that comparing myself to other authors is unhelpful at best and stupid at worst. We all have different goals, different types of books, and different personal struggles. But while I’m generous to myself when it comes to seeing what I’ve done when it comes to other authors, I’m not so nice when I look at what I think I should’ve gotten done.
But when she started going through all that we got accomplished with the German and Italian translations, the anthologies I was in, and the new books that came out, I have to admit, the lists she gave me made me feel much better.
Here’s some stats:
6 titles as Shaw Montgomery and 25 titles as MA Innes including:
-2 Anthologies
-5 German Translations
-3 Italian Translations
-3 previously published in anthologies now solo titles
-3 Bonus Library additions
Plus
Launched Patreon and as of mid December:
-1 full Patreon exclusive story
-7 exclusive bonuses
Launched Cuties n Kink shop and as of mid December:**
-features over 80 product listings
There’s still a little voice in the back of my head that points out what else I could’ve gotten done (leftover childhood crap from a family of Type-A overachievers lol) but I’m really pleased with how much got done.
Between my kids wanting to spend every minute together over the summer and my daughter struggling to get used to being on her own at college (we’re just going to say that August was hard), I had a lot of distractions. But we managed to get a lot done in spite of all that and I’m going to do my best to ignore that annoying little voice.
We’ll let Kevin drown it out lol.
He’s most excited about the dragon books this year because he wants to pet one and go flying. I have to agree with him, but the rest of my college cuties and the translations were wonderful to see get published this year.
And then I think about how much work we’ve done with Patreon and all the cute merch…yeah, we’ve got a lot to be proud of this year.
What’s been your favorite book this year?
Any of the bonus shorts stand out?
Did you find me as a new reader this year?
I’d love to hear what you think because you guys are definitely on this journey with me and I love every minute of it.
31 books is HUGE! Please do work hard on not feeling like you failed anyone, especially yourself.
I wasn’t technically a new Shaw reader this year, because I read Sipent Strength a couple of years ago, but I found the rest of your work this year and am loving it! I’ve only found one story so far that I may not read again and that is just because the dynamics make me squirmy in a not so good way, not because I didn’t enjoy the story.
I read 46 of your stories this year (excluding rereads, which I did a lot). Kevin is my favourite character, Ben and Conner are my favourite couple (but it’s a very close competition in this category), and my favourite book that you published this year is Magic and Meyhem.
My daughter went to university this year as well so I can relate to a crazy August.
I’m looking forward to all of the adventures the guys will take us on in 2024, especially Kevin!
Have a safe and happy 2024!
Thank you for all the nice words and I completely understand about not every book being a perfect fit. I just really appreciate you trying them and reading so many of them. I am so glad I don’t ever have to relive August. It was so hard and I’m so glad she’s doing better now. I hope the rest of the semester for your daughter went smoothly. I hope you have a great 2024 too.
Yeah, I can’t just pick a favorite cause I love all of them. I like that you branched out to dragons, though. I think they are adorable so far and can’t wait to see where they all go.
Thank you!! I’ve had so much fun with the dragons and I’m so glad you like them.