What’s in Store for 2024

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Pre-2020 I was all about long-term planning, but I gave up on that when the pandemic threw the entire world into disarray and effectively lit my five-year plans on fire.

A screenshot meme wishing everyone an uneventful new year, living in uninteresting times, and experiencing only precedented events.
This meme was going around Threads and it really captures how I hope 2024 pans out.

I still make plans, I just do them in weeks and months, not years. That’s pretty typical for people with ADHD but, for better or worse, I don’t look too far ahead anymore.

But, all that said, I do have some things I’ll be working on in 2024. To be clear, this isn’t a set of New Year’s resolutions. I don’t do those anymore either. All of these things are already happening in various stages.

Roots in Ink

  • Beta-reader revisions and line edits
  • Make a decision on publishing track

I have no idea how long it will take me to line edit and revise my paranormal romance novel. I truly hope not another six months.

When I’m not editing, I’ll be researching my publishing options. I’ve already started, but I’m going to begin in earnest in January. I’m leaning toward submitting to small, but established, small press houses and some intentional querying.

New Home for my Short Stories

  • Radio Romance and Rainy with a Chance of Desire are getting pulled from Kindle Vella for a go on Kindle Unlimited.
  • Both are scheduled for a professional proofread in February
  • Both will get professional cover art 

My short stories have been on Kindle Vella for about a year and I’ve had some minor success with the platform. Kindle Vella seems to be a niche readership and requires its own special attention if you’re not already an established indie author. I don’t have the capacity to build up my presence there for so little return.

Instead, I’m giving Kindle Unlimited a try and using my shorts as a training ground for self-publishing my novel.

Next Writing Project

Whatever my ADHD feels like working on. 

  • Book 2 in the Roots in Ink universe (paranormal romance)?
  • Contemporary romance short on a cross country train?
  • Fantasy romance novella about a middle-aged dragon slayer inspired by an elaborate story I told my kid?
  • Parody paranormal shifter suburban fantasy romance?

At the time of publication, I’ve been doing some drafting on the fantasy romance novella. I put in a lot of work on the train story but I need to set it aside for a while. I’m over it and bored of it.

Other things

  • More blogging here on my website.  
  • More writing conferences and conventions.
  • More freelance content writing because I have bills to pay. 
  • Submitting my work to literary magazines and writing contests.

I plan on heading back to Literary Love Savannah in July. I had a great time last year and met a lot of really awesome writers and creative people. I would like to get to another gathering of writers and readers somewhere within driving distance of Raleigh or in the New York Tri-State area. Comment with a favorite if you’ve got one.

With social media being what it is, I’m coming back to my blogging roots and making use of this space, which is one I own and control.

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Whatever is on your agenda for 2024, remember to approach it with the same grace you’d give your best friend and stay hydrated.


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Ariella is a disgruntled elder millennial who makes a living writing website content, teaching yoga, and writing romance with bisexual neurodivergent characters. She does those things in between being an OKish parent and a terrible Chief Domestic Officer. She regularly battles demons, the patriarchy, and laundry.

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ariella@sweetmagnoliamedia.com

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