Looking Back on 2020....

Hmm... Well, this was certainly "A Year" wasn't it? Between politics, the pandemic, and the rollercoaster that is publishing, 2020 has not been a great year on a global scale. While I, too, had to deal with all of this stuff in my everyday life, I had an overall amazing year! And I'm reluctant to even type that because I know for so many, this year was truly awful. But because it's been so awful, I'm not going to feel bad about my accomplishments. If anything, we need more reasons to celebrate this year, so buckle in and let's take a look back on the year to see what I accomplished, what I didn't, and what big changes I faced in 2020.

My original 2020 goals included: 

(1) FINISH BOOKS 1 & 2 OF THE GEORGIA CORBINS SERIES

These books... I both love and hate them. LOL. They are very near to my heart, but I'm still really struggling with what direction to take them, so while I thought about them quite a bit this past year, I didn't actually open the docs and work on them. But that's okay. Maybe next year. 

(2) WRITE BOOKS 2 & 3 OF MY YA PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES

Bahahahahaha! Wow, has so much happened with this series! Originally, it was only supposed to be three books. That turned into four. Then six... All of which are now written. Four are now available for sale with the final two up for pre-order. 

(3) RESURRECT MY PEN NAME

For those who don't know, I write steamy New Adult and adult books under the name Lexi Lawton. After a surprising (and wonderful) email from my publisher, I found out they are re-investing in my books with some new marketing efforts, and I couldn't be more excited! So, I've revamped Lexi's website and social media, and I'm actively working on some new stuff for her. In the meantime, if you want to stay up-to-date, you can follow her (me) on social media: newsletter / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon / AllAuthor / Bookbub. 

(4) OFFICIALLY LAUNCH FIRECHICKEN PRESS, LLC

I didn't just launch this with one book as I'd originally wanted to--I launched it with the entire Cursed Series! And I did so several months earlier than I'd expected, too, so that's been fun. 

(5) KEEP ON EDITING

I'm still with Anaiah, and I've still been editing. I don't foresee this changing any time soon. I also managed to snag a couple new freelance clients. 

(6) FIND MY PASSION

My official word and state of mind going into 2020 was passion. I wanted to find that spark again, to fall in love with writing and editing and life in general, and despite everything, I did. I'm exactly where I've always wanted to be in terms of loving what I do, and this is probably the best thing to have come out of 2020.

While I kicked butt with my goals this past year, so much more has happened that I never expected or planned for, so here's the quick rundown: 

Professionally: 

• I wrote a total of 680,227 words (!!!) That's the most I've ever written. 
• I blogged a total of 19,393 words.
• I released 6 books: Warped Remains, Perfectly Imperfect, Eternal Curse, Eternal Choice, Eternal Bond, and Eternal Love.
• I wrote approximately 5k of a spinoff from The Cursed Series.
• I rewrote the ending to Lexi's 3rd book (Resisting Ryder) and submitted it to the publisher for consideration. 
• I've re-signed with my former agent, Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency!! 
• I dove headfirst into self-publishing. 
• My book, Perfectly Imperfect, released as an audio book! And I've since started moving The Cursed Series into audio, too. 
• For Anaiah, I edited 8 full length novels and 5 novellas. 
• I freelance edited 6 manuscripts.
• I had professional author photos taken--finally! It's only been 10 years. LOL. 

Personally:

• I went on my dream vacation--A Caribbean cruise with my BFF, Emily!
• I survived an ongoing global pandemic without getting sick. Well, not any sicker than usual, anyway.
• Despite the gym closing, I managed to continuing working out on a regular basis -- thanks to my wonderful husband investing in an elliptical for me. 
• I maintained my weight loss from last year! In fact, I even managed to drop another couple of pounds. 
• Caught up on lots more TV... I finished the final season of The 100 (severely disappointed) then began a rewatch but stopped midway through season 4. I made it through every single episode of Supernatural, and then watched the finale with my daughter (when we both cried our eyes out). I watched the only season of V-Wars, Daybreakers, and The Society. Oh, and I watched Shadowhunters, too!
• My daughter is on track to graduate from high school early, and I've gone on a couple of college tours with her. I'm beyond excited that she's been accepted to her top choice. 
• My son, who does not do well with online learning, passed all of his classes this first semester, and he's on track to graduate next year, too!
• My other daughter got a new kitten. 
• Two of my girls have gotten first jobs this year--one at Subway and the other at Little Ceasers. 
• We got a new puppy on Christmas eve. Her name is Maggie May, and she's absolutely adorable.

I even managed to read a lot more this year than I normally do: 

• City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, and City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
• Kissing the Wrong Twin by Christina Herrara
• Risen by Cole Gibsen
• Crave and Crush by Tracy Wolff
• Twin Souls by K.A. Poe
• Flight by Alyssa Rose Ivy
• Fading by Cindy Cipriano
• The Immortal Mark, The Immortal Truth, and The Immortal Bond by Amy Sparling
• Vampire Crush by A.M. Robinson
• The Vampire's Promise by Caroline B. Cooney
• Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer
• Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare
• Hex by Thomas Olde Huevelt
• Uncomfortable and Unavoidable by Nessa Page
• A Cowboy's Pride and Winning the Cowboy's Heart by Karen Rock
• The Country Vet by Eleanor Jones

Overall, it's been a pretty great year for me professionally, and I'm excited to see what I can accomplish in 2021. Stay tuned for my official goals post :-) In the meantime, tell me in the comments what YOU did this year! 

{COVER REVEAL}: PERFECTLY IMPERFECT

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS COVER!!!!

*deep breaths*

So, this book was never meant to be written. I'd had the idea and it was tumbling around in my head, but I was trying so hard to focus on finishing my Corbins Series, but this particular book wouldn't leave me alone. I started hearing all this fun, snarky dialogue, and it was becoming harder and harder to ignore. Finally, one of my best writing friends told me "follow your muse." Naturally, I listened to her. And then I started writing PERFECTLY IMPERFECT.

I wrote this book in less than 3 months--the fastest I've ever written a full-length novel. This is one of those books that came to me fully formed, and it was probably the easiest thing I ever have or ever will write. I love Grayson and Isabelle so much, and I hope you all will, too.

All right, enough rambling. Here's the gorgeous cover....

Tear up your checklist for a perfect senior year and 

get ready for a wild ride on the perfectly imperfect side.

BLURB:

Isabelle Carson is charging into her senior year equipped with a handy checklist to ensure nothing goes awry. Things she didn't account for: a hot, new guy who almost runs her over, a messed up class schedule, and a boyfriend who dumps her for one of her best friends. All of that pales in comparison to the threat of her dirty family secrets breaking free from the perfect façade she’s diligently maintained since the death of her brother.

Grayson Alexander is on his fourth school in as many years. Lakewood Valley High is exactly like all the others, with one shiny exception: Isabelle Carson. She’s smart, funny, beautiful— the perfect package. But Isabelle is hiding something, and Grayson is determined to do whatever it takes to win her trust, except step foot in another hypocritical church.

As Isabelle’s life spirals out of control and her carefully crafted, picture-perfect image begins to shatter, Grayson does what no one else can: he makes her laugh and allows her to be imperfect. With rekindled faith, Isabelle sets out to right all the wrongs in her life. But Grayson has been damaged by his own family secrets, and Isabelle will have to decide if the boy she’s falling for more and more each day is a right or a wrong.

COMING MAY 2020

Want to be one of the first people to read PERFECTLY IMPERFECT?? Request an ARC!

Would you like to spotlight PERFECTLY IMPERFECT on your blog? Or host me with a guest post or author interview? Sign up for the blog tour now! 

A New Publishing Plan

How's everyone's New Year going so far? Mine's been pretty great!

My first YA Christian thriller released in January--Warped Remains. So far, it seems as though people are really enjoying it, and that's always a wonderful feeling. I went on a cruise to the Caribbean, something I've dreamed of doing for years! It was a blast...except when I almost died snorkeling. Okay, that's probably a tad dramatic, but it wasn't the best experience, and it was scary. Then I came home and promptly got sick--that sucked. I broke a tooth and had to have it pulled. That's never pleasant... All right, so maybe my year hasn't been all great. LOL.

But, best of all, I've been writing again! Like, seriously writing, and it's amazing. I've been working on Eternal Bond, which is the sequel to Eternal Curse, a young adult paranormal romance and my homage to Twilight. (Hey, no hate!) I'm almost finished with it, and then I'm going to dive right into the third and final book in the series. Hopefully, I'll have that finished by the start of summer.

Anyway, the purpose behind this post... As you all know, I've created my own self-publishing company, and my plan was to officially launch that this year. Well, that plan has changed! In my extensive research about how to be successful with self-publishing, everything says that a consistent release schedule is key. Now, in order to be able to do that, I need to have the books written, right? So, for the remainder of 2020, I will be writing ALL the books. Then, in 2021, I will start releasing them. A new book every 6 - 8 weeks for the entire year!

Will this work? I have no idea, but I hope so. I'll post regular updates to share how this is going and whether or not I'm having any real success--and by success I mean enough sales to pay a bill each month and a handful of positive reviews. Honestly, my bar is low, y'all.

Does this mean I won't be releasing anything at all for the rest of 2020? NO! I have a YA Christian romance releasing in May called Perfectly Imperfect, and I might have a Christmas novella for later in the year.

So, until my next update... Keep writing. Keep reading. Keep enjoying life :-)