And, as usual, around this time of year I start to think that I didn't accomplish shit. This year felt particularly pronounced as I didn't release a single original novel. It's made me feel like I'm falling behind. My last novel was SLASHVIVOR! in September of 2017 and my last non-collaborative novel was THE HEMATOPHAGES, all the way back in April of 2017! You don't get to be a professional writer by waiting years between releases. (Unless you're Jonathan Franzen, but, it goes without saying, fuck that guy.)
However, after looking back, I realized I did plenty this year. Here, for instance, were my releases:
January
"Deep Into that Dark One Peering" appears in CLICKERS FOREVER limited edition
"All Dolled Up" appears in WHISPERS OF THE APOC
April
"Deep Into that Dark One Peering" appears in CLICKERS FOREVER in wide release
July
BILLY AND THE CLONEASAURUS Author's Preferred Edition released
THE GHOUL ARCHIPELAGO Author's Preferred Edition released
October
"Exquisite Corpse" is released from Serial Box
"Silverwood: The Door" is released by Serial Box
November
EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED limited edition
So actually...not so bad, huh? An original serial, two solid self-published releases, my first limited edition, and a few shorts. I probably shouldn't feel guilty for not releasing a straight novel, but I probably still will. Anyway, that's not all I accomplished in 2018. Here's some other exciting stuff:
February
Invited to speak at StokerCon Librarian's Day
June
Raised nearly $60,000 for my mentor Brian Keene's catastrophic injury (you can still donate here)
July
Appeared in a celebrity room at a convention for the first time at Scares That Care V
Sold the Italian-language rights to THE HEMATOPHAGES, my first foreign rights sale
September
I was invited to write an episode of "Welcome to Daisyland," my first professional script
November
Invited to appear for the first time on "This is Horror," the premiere UK horror podcast
EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED limited edition sells out in under a week
December
CLICKERS FOREVER wins an Independent Horror Book Award, my first inclusion in an award-winning title
And one last little tidbit: in 2018 I'm on track to make a bit over $5,000 in profit from my writing career. You may recall last year was the first time I actually drew a profit instead of a loss, and that was around $50. If sales continue to expand exponentially, at this rate next year I'll be making $500,000, and then in 2021, $50 million. So thanks for the support, everybody!
What about you? What were your greatest accomplishments in 2018? Let me know in the comments below.