Goals for 2025 and Sequel Update

Last year, I stated that my goal was to publish book 2 by June 2025 at the latest. Unfortunately, I underestimated how long revisions would take, and I'm considerably behind on where I'd hoped to be by the end of 2024. Going through my remaining to-do list, it's clear that the book will not be ready by June.

It is my current hope to publish the book before the end of 2025. To be honest, it's going to be challenging! I plotted out the steps required to hit this goal, and even with a tight schedule, the best case scenario is an October release, and that's not taking into account trips, a potential move, and the inevitable busyness of life. Not to mention that in all my years writing, I've almost always underestimated how long each step of the process will take me.

That said, I am highly motivated to reach this goal, and I know that with better scheduling and more consistent effort, I am capable of making more progress than I have previously. If, despite my best efforts, a 2025 release fails to happen, I am confident the book will be out on the early side of 2026.

My hopeful breakdown for the year is as follows:

   January: Continue cover art process and start working on front and back matter while beta readers finish with book 2.

   February: Go over notes from beta readers. Make any minor revisions required based on feedback. Continue with cover art.

   March: Finish final changes, begin serious edit. Hopefully finish with cover art process.

   April: Continue editing.

   May: Finish editing + start read out loud edit.

   June: Finish read out loud edit and send to final readers for editing feedback. Finish front and back matter, begin formatting.

   July: Go over beta notes and do final edits.

   August: Continue final edits.

   September: Finish final edits, send to proofreaders. Finish formatting, other miscellaneous.

   October: Fix errors found in proofreading, order proof, final read through.

   November: ARC readers and/or publish.

   December: Marketing/resting, or catch up month if any steps take longer than planned.