I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions. I used to make resolutions back when I was in high school and I didn’t understand what it takes to reach your goals. Back then, every January I’d say something like “I’m gonna lose some weight.” And “I’m gonna pay more attention in school.” Then midway through March when I was barreling toward an “F” in French and my love handles were spilling over the sides of my pants, I’d realize I hadn’t stuck to my resolutions. Okay, maybe I didn’t have love handles, but you know what I mean. Most people don’t stick to their resolutions, and so me not sticking to mine made me normal. I liked being normal.

At some point in my life I went from resolutions to plans. My plans don’t begin in January and end in December. Some plans take years to accomplish. I had a great year last year. It didn’t go entirely as planned, but it was fun and I learned a lot. So today I thought I’d look back with you a bit, but more importantly, I wanted to share my plans for what’s ahead.

In September my first independent novel, Boyfriend From Hell was published by White Whisker Books. I am so fortunate to have my friend Chris Meeks and his new book venture in my life. Self-publishing isn’t for everyone. I am certain I am one of those people it is not for. With an indie publisher I get most of the benefits of self-publishing and NONE of the headache. If you are an author who is like me, there are lots of new indie publishers springing up all over the place. Find one run by people like Chris with a background in publishing, and leave the headaches to them.

Before I tell you what’s ahead, I want to begin by thanking my friends and fans—frans—for their support the past year. I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m not just thanking you for your sales. I know all of you aren’t buying my books. That’s all right. If you’ve left a comment on my blog or Goodreads page, or if you participated in the Hollyweird Tuesday Trivia Challenge or some other contest, I thank you.

A few of you have lamented that Heaven Sent, the third book in the Falling Angels Saga, won’t be out until December. Sorry. I want you to know I have begun working on it, and it is going to be the best Falling Angels Saga book so far. Seriously. That’s why I am taking my time. I want it to be awesome.

As I was outlining Heaven Sent, I realized I needed one more book to conclude the series. That book (currently entitled Falling) will tentatively be out late spring 2013. See, you won’t have to wait an entire year for that one. If you don’t see me on the blog or Twitter or holding fewer contests in 2012, please know I will be hunkered down writing. I’ve got a lot of writing to do.

Something else I am excited about this year is the first book in my Hollyweird series. I sold this project to a publisher last year and it stalled. That’s because it was sold to a new Indie publisher who wound up going out of business. The principal, however (a woman with tons of big time publishing experience), asked several of the authors to hang in there with her as she searched for new financing. Her deal is done; the new pub house is open. I will tell you more about it when I can, but editing on Hollyweird should begin in the next few weeks. That book will be out this year as well. I will post about my journey to publication right here on a regular basis.

Peace.