In with the new, out with the old.

Another year's behind us and a new one stretches out in infinite possibility before us. I don't believe in resolutions, so I'm not going to talk about those. 

2010 was a pretty damn good year, personally and professionally.On the home front, I celebrated my 25th wedding anniversary, my youngest finished high school and turned 18, so I no longer have minors in the house, AND I have a great office corner in our new family room. 

On a professional level, I sold my 40th manuscript (and several others). I finaled in both the EPIC awards (Yuletide Enchantment for best fantasy erotic romance) and the CAPA awards (favorite erotic romance author, Motor City Fae for best paranormal romance, and Awakening Augusta for best historical erotic romance.) Stay tuned in 2011 for results on those.

Incidentally, Eagle's Redemption is up for best western romance of 2010 at Siren Book Reviews, so if you'd like to vote on that, here's the link. They have prizes for random voters.

I was a launch author for Carina Press, and I signed with an agent. Altogether, not bad at all. 

So where to go from here in 2011? I've never been one to make resolutions, but that doesn't mean I don't have goals. Of course, I'm hoping to continue the weight loss, maybe boosted by getting back to the pool on a regular basis. I'm hoping both my boys will do okay in their college careers (and maybe get jobs).

I'd really like to sell a book to a mainstream print publisher.And no, winning one of those awards wouldn't break my heart, though I'm certainly not going to hold my breath.

So what else is on my list for 2011? Well, I have four books scheduled so far: 3 with Carina Press and one with Ellora's Cave. I'm attending my first Science Fiction conference this month, and hopefully a Steampunk one in the spring, both here in the Detroit area. I have a couple of library events scheduled, which should also be fun. 

I'd like to write at least one book outside my usual comfort level--though I'm not sure exactly what. 

And now that the kids are older, I'd like to do more fun stuff with my husband, maybe even travel a little. 

Mostly it's the same thing I always aim for: to enjoy every day to the best of my ability. Life's short. Laugh whenever you can. 

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and productive 2010. 

2010 At An End

On this eve of New Year's Eve, 2011, I am reminiscing and giving thanks to a year of good health, a still working imagination and wherewithall to use it. A list, checked and added to more than twice in 364 days in 2010 begins with thanks for still being in business as an independent bookstore owner. Yes, Virginia, there are still readers in the world! There aren't many Nook or Kindle owners in my little Ozark town, just readers who like to go about it the old-fashioned way, for which I say hooray!

And to the readers of my books, I raise a glass brimming with appreciation. I write because I love it and because I have a huge collection of 'people' running around in my mind, talking to me at all hours about very personal things and they want their stories told. How wonderful to have others besides me interested in what they have to say. Thank you, thank you.

To Leanne Burroughs, chief editor of Highland Press, thank you for inviting my stories to be part of HP's family of authors. Patti Howell, my editor, a thousand thank yous for your insights, opinions and wise words, and to Lightning Press, I thank you for turning those words into well organized, nicely bound pages.

To my family near and extended, much gratitde for support, encouragement and promoting what you believe to be stories everyone you know needs to read.

To all you writers, may 2011 bless you with continued opportunities to write your stories of the heart and to our readers, keep picking up those books!

Polly